Disclaimer- I don't own the Hardy boys nore any characters you recognise--i only own all characters you don't recognise!
Graduation Night.
Eighteen-year-old Joe Hardy smiled at his girlfriend, Kayley Knight. They had been going out for ten months and were at their graduation from Bayport High 'Dance the Night Away' Graduation dance.
Kayley smiled as she leaned against Joe. "He looks really handsome," Kayley thought as she leaned up to kiss him. Joe was wearing black pants with a blue short-sleeved shirt and lighter blue tie; he also has a black jacket to wear in case it got chilly.
Joe smiled as he felt Kayley shift in his arms; they were dancing to Tim McGraw's 'Live like you where dying'. He returned the kiss that she had planted on him and he smiled. She really looked stunning, she was wearing an ecru sleeveless floor-length dress, her brown hair done in loose curls, and she had a gold sequinned shawl to wear over it.
Lowering his head to hers, he gave her another kiss as the final chords of the song floated over them. "Come on, lets get a drink," he said and smiled. Kayley nodded in agreement and then let him lead her to the table that they were sharing with their friends, the majority of whom where still dancing.
Callie Shaw and Frank Hardy, Joe's elder brother and his girlfriend, were seated at the table drinking punch out of little plastic glasses and talking--most likely about wedding plans since they had gotten engaged on their graduation, when Frank had proposed at the graduation party-buffet.
"How's it going?" Joe asked as he sat down and pulled Kayley onto his lap.
"Great." Frank smiled "We're just discussing how long we want to wait before we get married."
"How long?" Joe asked.
"A few years, not more than ten, though." Frank laughed.
Callie smiled as she leaned toward Frank "It's strange really, I mean I'm engaged to your brother, and we all though you'd be engaged at this point."
"Callie," Joe grinned "Kay and I have only been going out for ten months."
"True." Callie smiled.
Later, with Joe's parents' permission, Joe was staying at Kayleys house to save driving home in the summer storm that had kicked in as they were leaving the graduation. Both of Kayley's parents were at her grandparents' house for the night, as the storm had blown in and people were being advised to stay put wherever they are.
Two teenagers in a house, with nothing to do, and madly in love with each other, can lead to consequences beyond control.
2 MONTHS LATER
Kayley was terrified. For the last two weeks, she'd been getting sick. Eventually she'd gone to the doctors, and they'd told her what was wrong, at first she'd thought the doctor was joking, but now she knew better. Racing out of her car, in to the parking lot, near Bayport Park, where she was meeting Joe, she ran down the path and straight to Joe, who had stood as soon as she'd entered the park.
"Kay…Kay!" his eyes widened in alarm as she broke down sobbing hysterically in his arms. "Baby…what's wrong?"
"You're gonna hate me!" she sobbed.
"Calm down Kay…shhh…shh…it's alright…shh." Joe continued his mantra, until Kayley calmed enough to talk. "What's wrong?" he asked his eyes full of concern.
"I've been getting sick here lately. I went the doctor this morning."
"And, why would I hate you for being sick?" Joe asked, puzzled.
"Joe…I'm…I'm having a baby…Your Baby."
"What?" Joe asked stunned.
"I'm pregnant" Kayley said, fearfully.
"Why would I hate you for that?" Joe asked. "It takes two, Kay, I am not leaving you, we're in this together, I'll support whatever decision you make."
"Really?" Kayley asked.
"Really, really" Joe smiled at her.
"But your parents, I mean, Callie and Frank are expecting, won't they be a little…I don't know…peeved?"
"Maybe." Joe sighed "What about yours?"
"Better arrange my funeral." Kayley sighed, as she leaned into Joe's embrace. Joe kissed her forehead, and closed his eyes. 'Me a father…sweet jellybeans…well Hardy…time to grow up' he thought, a moment of panic swelled up inside of him and at that moment Joe Hardy became a different person.