Anxiety
Anxiety, sitting on the bath tub it was all she felt. Staring into the distance lost in her thoughts she tried to imagine her life whatever direction it was going to take. The beeping of timer letting her know that within seconds it could change forever.
She wanted to know that's why she bought that test. At the same time she was scared to know the truth, to have confirmation, her anxiety rising to new levels. She wished the circumstances were different, but there was no going back now, there was a real possibility they'll have to pay for their carelessness. Standing up from the bathtub she took the few steps towards the counter. Looking down at the white tube with two red stripes across the middle she dissolved.
Baby
Pacing back and forth through her room in the beach apartment she cached a glimpse of Brandon who was sitting on her bed like many times before, his eyes following her. She called him half an hour ago. Now that he was there she was not sure what to tell him. How do you tell anyone that their life is about to change completely? That they will have too much responsibility too soon?
"Kel?" He asked his eyes still glued to her following her movement and every emotion that showed on her face. Watching her take a deep breath his sight followed her all the way until she was seated on her bed next to him.
"I don't know how to tell you." She said barely audible looking down at her hands placed in her lap.
Placing his finger under her chin he made her look at him. "Just tell me. Whatever it is we can make it work, together."
Staring into his blue eyes she felt her lip tremble. "I'm pregnant! We're having a baby!" The tears in her eyes did not allow her to see his reaction, but soon she felt his arms wrapped around her, stroking her back, and his voice telling her that they were going to make it, together.
Confession
The two friends sitting together at their familiar place in the corner booth of Peach Pit. "Kel had her appointment today, her doctor confirmed it." Brandon said playing with the plate full of French fries in front of him before he raised his eyes looking at Steve who was sitting across from him. He and Donna were the only people who knew about Kelly's pregnancy.
"How do you feel about it?" Steve asked looking at his friend. Out of all the people, responsible, fair, upright, Brandon Walsh would be his last guess for a young father. Yet it was him who'll have a son or daughter to take care of in short 7 months.
"I'm scared." Running his hand through his hair he wrinkled his forehead. "No scratch it, I'm terrified. The thought of having a child, a real human that will depend on you and look up to you is scaring me to death. But at the same time, I know that if we took the easier way now, in twenty years time I'd regret it. When I close my eyes and imagine my life twenty years from now I see Kelly in it and house full of children. The only thing I have to do, is imagine one of them being older." Brandon grinned finishing his confession. Once again the responsible Brandon Walsh delivered, secretly already looking forward to all the challenges this new journey will bring.
Deal
"Let's do this." Brandon said quietly standing in front of the entrance to the Walsh living room. Giving Kelly's hand a gentle squeeze he saw her smiling at him softly.
"It can't be worse than my mom." Kelly quipped before he led her inside feeling just a little bit better than before, she was right, it couldn't be worse than screaming Jackie Taylor who was hoping she'll never ever see her daughter again.
"Mom, dad….we need to talk to you." Brandon announced, attention of his parents immediately shifting to the couple.
Sitting down at the sofa the tension in the room was visible. "We're pregnant, Kelly is ten weeks along. We're going to keep this baby." He added quickly, not because he ever considered his parents would tell them to do otherwise, just to validate their commitment.
Jim and Cindy Walsh exchanged surprised looks, they were not expecting such an announcement, no parent would expect such an announcement from their twenty years old son. "That's the reason why I'll be moving out next week, if we're going to be parents, a family, we need to be living together. We've rented a two bedroom apartment." Brandon continued
The couple watched as Brandon's parents exchanged yet another look before Jim Walsh decided to speak up. "What about school?" He asked.
"The semester will be over soon, we will finish that one and take a break from school afterwards. We both are looking for jobs, I'm sure the money won't be that great but we will make it. We'll return to school once the baby will be a bit older and we will be financially stable." Brandon answered.
Jim looked at Cindy again, silent understanding passing between the couple. "While I'm really proud of all the decisions you two have made in this situation, let me make you an offer, maybe we can work out a deal. If I'm counting right, the baby is due after the next semester. Let's say, me and mom will pay you an allowance that will cover your living costs until you both finish your education." Jim offered.
Now it was the younger couple exchanging looks, they were not ready for this. "If it's a deal, what's in it for you?" Kelly asked shyly.
Jim smiled, expecting that exact question. "We'll be sure that both of you will have education and later can provide for your family on your own. Don't try to be too grown up too soon." He smiled at them, the mood in the room changing rapidly.
Looking quickly at Kelly, it was now Brandon who spoke up. "It's a deal." He announced, before congratulations and hugs were exchanged, a new baby bringing the family closer.
Engagement ring
"You've treated me to a nice dinner, now we're taking a walk on the beach lit only by the moonlight and stars. I wonder where this is heading." Kelly quipped as the couple walked hand in hand down the shore.
"Why would you think this is heading somewhere?" Brandon grinned mischievously. He could hear Kelly's giggle in the quiet night.
"I've known you for several years Bran. You were mysterious and uptight the whole day, there is something going on, all the red flags are there." She said stopping in front of him looking into his eyes in the darkness.
"You never miss a thing." He replied, pulling her in for a quick kiss before he rested his hands on her growing belly, they will be a family soon and as young as they were, he wanted to do this right. "Will you marry me?" He asked into the darkness, his hands still resting on her hips.
He could hear her sniffle. "You're not asking just because of the baby." Kelly said worried, she didn't want to tie him to her with a child.
He chuckled. "No, no…I'm asking because I have this selfish need to have you in my life, now and always." He could feel her hands around himself and her body hugging into him as much as her expanding belly allowed her to.
"Is that a yes?" He asked hopefully.
"Yes, yes, yes…I'll marry you." He could hear the smile on her lips while he slipped one hand into his pocket, pulling out a black velvet box with engagement ring.
Family
Brushing the sweat from her forehead and feeding her a tiny piece of ice, he hated himself for what he did to her. He would forever remember watching Kelly giving birth to their child as one of the most beautiful and scary moments of his life.
Holding her hand and rubbing her back he encouraged her to push the new life into the world, he could feel her body tense and grip harden as yet another contraction rocked her body, followed quickly by another and another, overlapping each other…for a moment he was sure he could feel her pain. Before the sweet relief came, a tiny cry announcing the arrival of a new citizen of this world, her grip loosened and her weakened body rested back on the bed, all the hard work finally done.
The tiny person resting on Kelly's stomach and chest, undeniable proof, they were a real family now.