Author's Note: This takes place in an alternate universe. Ben did break up with Amy when he found out she was pregnant. Mr. and Mrs. Juergen's are still happily married. Ricky stopped being a womanizer the days following his visit to Amy's house after telling her and Ashley that he wanted to be involved. As a result of that choice his foster family and Amy's family have been getting to know one another. And Ricky is the only foster child. I was just too lazy to write in storylines for the other foster kids.
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December 24th:
Ashley was sitting on the couch watching her sister pace back and forth near the window.
"What's the big deal, he's just coming over for dinner."
"Just coming over for dinner, Ashley, he's coming over for Christmas Eve dinner 'our' Christmas Eve dinner. I can't believe mom invited him."
"So, he's had dinner here before, as well as lunch and an occasional breakfast or two."
"This time is just different," Amy said crossing her arms over her stomach.
"Why because it just happens to fall on a holiday," Ashley said and then shaking her head, "No that's not it. I know it's because you've been avoiding him since Thanksgiving because you don't want him looking at you."
Amy stayed quiet and Ashley got the answer she had hoped for. Amy's stomach had grown and she felt ashamed of it. Amy never wanted to step out of the house because people would look at her. Like Ashley always said, even when Amy wasn't around- she wasn't dying, she was just having a baby.
"I'm sure he won't even care," Ashley said trying to reassure her older sister. "I mean it's not like you're fat on purpose."
Amy looked at Ashley, "Gee, thanks."
"I just meant that he won't care what you look like because he knows the reason for it."
"I just don't want him doing this because he feels he has to."
"What do you mean by that?"
Amy looked out the drive way and saw a car pulling up. "Nothing," Amy said silently. "I'll be in my room," she said leaving Ashley to look out the window just as Ricky and his foster parents were getting out of the car.
"Mom, the baby daddy is here," Ashley called out.