Acceptance

Katie sat on the tour bus wringing her hands. She'd been dating James for several months now, having turned eighteen a year ago. Her mother was highly receptive of the relationship, but Kendall was still on the fence. James was on stage with the gang, they were on their last costume change for Elevate, and she was starting to feel really nervous about all of this. She looked back at her mother, brown eyes catching with blue. She didn't know what to say. "You're not mad?"

"Katie, you're the most responsible woman I know. I wouldn't be mad at you. You took precaution; it's not your fault." Mama Knight explained quietly as they both looked down at the long white stick sitting on a napkin on the table. She looked away for a moment before sighing softly, almost whimsically. "A baby. I can't wait."

"I can." Katie slowly replied. "Trust me. This was not in the cards for me."

"Katie, I'll be honest, your brother wasn't exactly in the plan for me either, but when I held him, my whole world changed. I knew there was no way I'd ever let him down. No woman, sans Jo, will ever be good enough for him." She answered with a tiny semblance of a smile. "How are you going to tell James if it's positive?"

Katie hadn't thought of that. Truth be told, she had considered just getting an abortion. A child wasn't her idea of her life from now on. She'd always despised those shows about teenage mothers, and assumed she'd be a lot more responsible than that, but fate had a way of cursing her for that. James was just so irresistible, and she was just so happy he'd let her…

The brunette started thinking about the night it happened. They were filming the video for Windows Down when they told Katie to come jump in the waterfall with them. She laughed and said it would be awkward to swim in her two piece bathing suit because she wasn't totally comfortable with her body yet. She had decided later to go with James, after the other boys went to bed. It was a night-long tryst in the moonlight, his sparkling brown eyes captivating her. James grabbed her by the arm and kissed her hungrily on the lips, his hands wandering to places they really shouldn't have been…

"Hello? Earth to Katie?" Jennifer sang. "Honey?"

"It was magical, mom," She whispered through tears. "I can't believe I got pregnant my first time having sex."

Jennifer reached a hand out to touch her daughters'. "Katie, something good will come of this. You and your brother are here, and your father really didn't want you guys." Jennifer sighed and realized she'd never told her children that story. "I know, you hate when I talk about your father, and I know you hate when I mention he abandon us, but the truth is that he wanted me to put you and your brother up for adoption and I couldn't do it. My heart wouldn't let me."

"I can get an abortion, James doesn't have to know," Katie conceded. "Mom, I'm not ready."

"Nobody is ready to have a baby," Jennifer answered with a reassuring smile and a pat on her daughter's hand. "You'll learn as you go. Life is about mistakes. And you can't just get an abortion; what if this is what James wants? What if he wants to be a father and you're taking away that dream? Katie, you'll feel guilty about it, at least talk to him."

"What if he doesn't want the baby and breaks up with me, mom?" Katie whimpered. She was greedy about one thing and one thing only. She didn't want to lose James.

"I raised my boys better than that, thank you very much," Mama Knight replied, looking down at the wand as it slowly started to change colors.

Katie's fear and anticipation grew as she stared down with her mother. It was suddenly becoming more real for the teenager. Her heart began to pound in her chest. "Mom, what does a double pink line mean?"

Jennifer took the test into her hand and waited for it to finish changing. "The blue line is the control line," She explained. "That's how you know the test is working. A single pink line is not pregnant…"

Katie's hand shot to her mouth, she covered it as if she was going to be sick, her other hand shot to her stomach. "Mom, this can't be happening, I can't be a mother! I'll take another test, maybe this one was wrong. They're 1% ineffective, right?"

"So are condoms and birth control, Katie. You just happened to fall into that 1%," Jennifer casually answered wrapping the test up in plastic and putting it in her purse to throw away at a later time. It wasn't that she wanted to keep it, but since Katie didn't want to tell the boys, she figured she'd save her the trouble of hiding it.

"Well if I fell into the 1% of ineffective condoms and birth control, maybe I fall into the same percentage for the pregnancy tests!" She screamed, maybe a bit too loud. "Mom, please tell me this is all a dream."

"It's not a dream, Katie. You might want to decide how you're going to tell James." She turned to look out the window when she heard the boys' high fiving each other and laughing at Carlos' lame jokes. Katie turned pale and ran to the bathroom. "What should I tell them?"

"Tell them I have food poisoning!" She screamed through the closed door.

Kendall and Logan climbed up the steps, hugging their mother tightly. Kendall started laughing about something before it dawned on him that Katie was missing from the group. "Where'd Katie go?"

Jennifer sighed and leaned back in the bench by the table. "She's sick right now, something about bad sushi."

"I knew we shouldn't have had sushi last night!" Carlos shrieked in disbelief. "Is she going to be okay?"

"Nothing a few days can't fix," She off-handedly replied, wondering if he daughter would go through with an abortion. She didn't feel like Katie would, but she also didn't feel she'd be pregnant at eighteen. "What's James doing?"

"Signing autographs, we have to go out, too." Logan explained. "We're just getting some water and changing quickly. Wish Katie could come out with us; I know she loves meeting fans."

Kendall gave a sideways look at the door to the bathroom where he could hear his sister retching. "Mom, she doesn't sound okay, maybe we should cancel the next stop and take her to the hospital."

Jennifer shook her head. "If it comes down to it, I'll break away from you guys and get her looked at. She'll be fine, though. I've been through this a few times, so I know what it's like." She hoped no one caught on to that sideways reference. "Go out and do your autographs, I'll send Katie out when she feels better."

The trio nodded before quickly changing and running out the door. When she was sure they were out of earshot, she tapped on the bathroom door. "Baby, can I come in?"

Katie weakly reached for the door handle and unlocked it. Jennifer knelt beside her daughter and pulled her hair back, sighing as she rubbed her back. Katie spasmed several times before crying. She didn't want to do this just yet, she wasn't ready. "Mom," The girl cried to no one in particular. "I can't do this."

Jennifer rubbed her back gently and closed her eyes, gently tugging her hair and putting it up into a ponytail. Katie always kept her hair down, but she needed it out of the way. James liked it long, so she always kept it long. "I know, baby."

"I can't tell him," She whimpered, defeated. "He'll hate me."

"No he won't," Jennifer smiled and leaned in to pull her bangs back. "I know my boys, and I know he would never hate you for this. I'm sure he'd want to be part of his baby's life."

"I'm not so sure." Katie whispered.

"Listen, sleep on it and talk to him tomorrow. They have a break from tour; you can get away with him and spend some time alone."

"That's what got us into this mess!" Katie cried. "When will the morning sickness stop? Maybe I can hold off a few months."

"Be careful, Katie. Once you hit four months, you can't get an abortion anymore. You're small, you'll start showing soon…and the morning sickness may never stop. I had it until a few weeks before you were born." She sighed and kissed the top of her daughter's head. "Just stay calm. Things will get better."

Somehow, Katie wasn't so sure about that.


James sat down on the bus with a notebook intending to write a song while the other guys were out at the mall enjoying their break from the tour. He opened the notebook to the page where he wrote out what happened between he and Katie in great detail, explaining that he'd never regret that kiss. Even though she wasn't ready, he'd never go back on the way he felt about that moment. He stared at the blank paper when he heard the screen door open. Looking up, brown eyes clashed with brown. "Katie, I was just…"

"We need to talk," She quietly whispered. "It's really important. I'm sorry, your song can wait."

He looked down at the notebook, closing it casually. His smile never faltered. He watched Katie sit across from him, doing that nervous habit where she'd stare at her fingers and twitch her hands a lot. He knew something was wrong when she didn't speak for a long time. "Are you feeling any better?" He inquired, remembering she was sick the night before.

"No," Which was when she was glad they got drunk the night prior, so they were all out pretty cold when she got sick again that morning at the hotel room. "But it will pass, I'm sure."

James folded his arms and leaned back, studying her posture. Something was very wrong. She wasn't smiling, or planning something evil. He could see the gears turning, but not the way they usually did. She was depressed. A sudden wave of guilt washed over him. "I know, I was the one who talked Carlos into going for sushi, it's my fault you're sick."

Katie laughed for the first time since she found out. "Oh, it's your fault, but not in the way you think." She bit her lip rather hard before continuing to speak. Cutting him off before he could ask her his next question, she sighed. "James I'm-"

"Katie, will-"

They both spoke at the same time and stopped at the same time. She looked at James for a long time; he looked back with a dark expression.

He knew what followed those words. "You're breaking up with me? I was going to ask you to marry me and you're breaking up with me?"

"Marry you?" Katie shouted in disbelief. "No! We haven't been dating more than six months!"

"But we've known each other since childhood, and that's fine with me. Please say yes." James begged. "I need you in my life."

"Please hear what I have to say first, before you decide that," Katie quietly continued, pushing all the doubt and excitement to the back of her mind. Taking a deep breath, she looked out the window. Her voice was soft. "James, I'm pregnant."

He sat in silence, his mind reeling with possibilities. Katie was so young, he'd ruined her life. He didn't realize it when he'd proposed; he didn't know she was pregnant. He wanted to believe they'd have kids eventually, but now was just too soon. He closed his eyes and rested the back of his head against the top of the bench. The wood was cool and welcoming.

They sat in a stunned silence for five minutes before she spoke up again.

"Are you going to say something?"

His brown eyes suddenly opened, she could see the fear that crossed his features. He tensed up significantly before biting down on his lip. She could tell he was trying not to say something that would upset her. "So, what do we do from here? Do you want to keep the baby?"

Katie looked away, her eyes staring at some unknown spot on the window sill. "I…was thinking of getting an abortion. We'd never have to talk about this again. I would go to the clinic, and everything would be okay."

His eyes widened and he reached across the table to grab her hand. "Don't."

"What?" Katie asked in surprise. "You want the baby?"

"Of course," He murmured softly, rubbing the back of her hand in a comforting manner. "Katie, I love you, this doesn't change my opinion of you. I don't want you to be Sarah."

Katie didn't need to be reminded of the girlfriend two years prior who had an abortion and didn't tell him until after they broke up. She knew he was serious when he started to laugh quietly. "What are you laughing at?"

"I was just thinking of how I'm going to tell your brother. He seems to hate that we're together." James started to laugh a little more and Katie began to wonder if he went off the deep end of a shallow pool. Katie gave him a quizzical look. "Can we name the baby Bridget?"

"No," Katie mumbled softly, looking him in the eyes. "I don't even know if I want to keep it."

James tensed up, his hand squeezed hers slightly. "Katie, please, I don't want to lose another child. If you don't want the baby, fine, put her up for adoption, but don't kill her. At least if you put her up for adoption, I'll know she's okay."

She noticed his whole body tense as he spoke; his words were spoken through a clenched jaw. He was trying really hard not to break things. Katie knew when his temper was out of control, people got hurt. And apparently wanting to preserve her lifestyle was something that made him angry. She respected him for controlling his anger with her, but she wasn't so sure how to feel about the baby. "She?"

"Of course," He whispered softly, almost romantically as he reached his free hand across to brush her hair behind her ears gently. He cupped her cheek lovingly. "I want a baby that looks like her mommy."

Katie began to cry, trying desperately to fight off the tears. She knew she couldn't hold back much longer. She let go of him and began to softly whimper. He moved around to sit beside her and take her into his arms. Her whole body trembled, even as she moved her cheek into his shoulder. "Why are you so understanding about this?"

"Because mistakes happen, and I'm glad it was with you. I love you, I want to marry you, and I want to have a family with you. Having this happen right now, at this moment…I couldn't feel more blessed. Katie, please, marry me and do the right thing. We'll be a family, you can tour with us, and you can raise Bridget to be a singer. You can't honestly assume that with two musically gifted parents, she wouldn't be an amazing singer – maybe even better than Christina Aguilera!"

"I wouldn't go that far," Katie commented, pulling away to look up at him. "You're sure about this?"

He nodded and brushed her hair back, kissing her cheek. "I'm sure. I'm more than sure. I know without any doubt in my mind that this is what I want. But you need to promise me you won't kill the baby. Please, Katie." There was a hint of sadness to his voice when it cracked. He was trying not to cry. "Let this one have a fighting chance."

"Okay," She whispered. "But only if you stop comparing me to your ex. I'm not a baby killer."

He nodded and held her close, wrapping his arms tightly around her slender frame. He buried his head against her neck, tears finally slipping free. He wasn't usually one to cry, but his happiness was off the charts at the moment. He not only got the love of his life, but he got to have a baby with her, too! What more could a man ask for? He knew he was going to be there for her, every single step of the way; from the first appointment to the delivery. He wouldn't have it any other way.

"How are we going to tell the gang?" Katie mumbled into his chest.

James smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Don't you worry your pretty little mind about it; I'll take care of it."


James decided the best way to deal with Kendall would be by themselves. He knew that Kendall wasn't going to take the news well, but he also knew Kendall was okay with them getting married. He wasn't sure how Kendall was going to react to the idea of being an uncle, but it was time to find out. Jennifer had explained it as hit or miss; throw the chips down and let it ride. Whatever happens will happen.

He leaned against the wall and waited for Kendall to come out of the hotel room. The blonde stared at the slightly red headed man across the hall from him. "You said you needed to talk to me."

James nodded absently. "Katie said yes."

"That's great," Kendall answered with a slight hint of happiness.

James nodded. "She's also pregnant."

Kendall's voice dropped lower. "That's not great."

"I plan on marrying her anyway," James replied, his voice also low. He knew that Kendall was looking for a fight. The age difference was Kendall's main concern, but she was eighteen and in love, and he was doing the right thing. "I'm not going to give up on my child."

"You're my best friend," Kendall began, "But there's some things I just can't agree with."

James was backed into a corner, he knew Kendall had his hackles up, and he was itching to hit him. Kendall was so protective of Katie that James was sure he was going to die that night before ever meeting his daughter. He looked away, bracing for the hit that was sure to come. Kendall raised his fist and pounded it into the wall beside James' head. "You missed," James sarcastically replied to no one in particular, one eye open to observe Kendall's moves.

"Katie would kill me if I hurt you," Kendall growled. "And it's not worth it because she can't be alone in this. I swear to God, if you abandon her, if you hurt her, if you so much as cause her to cry, you're a dead man, James Diamond. I don't care how long we've known each other."

James nodded and looked down at his bare feet. "Thank you for sparing my life."

"Thanks for ruining my sisters'." Kendall replied bitterly.

Katie stood in the doorway to her room, watching the scene play out like something from a horror movie. She took one single step forward and looked at her brother, stepping between them as Kendall raised his fist again. "Stop, you made your point."

Kendall stared at his sister. She was pale, her hair was messy, and her eyes were puffy from crying. He couldn't help but feel a hint of sadness for her. Her life was over, and James was still free to do whatever the hell he wanted. It irritated Kendall to no end. "Katie, are you okay? Has he hurt you?"

"No, he hasn't hurt me. He's been understanding and comprehensive the entire time. I wanted to get an abortion and he asked me not to." Katie answered with words that were merely above a whisper. There were cracks at random where she fought tears, but her smile was present the whole time. "He proposed before I told him I was pregnant. He wanted to marry me, even though I was. Big Brother, he's doing the right thing."

"I know," Kendall answered, looking to his best friend, whom was still trying to hide. "But, damnit, Baby Sister, why did you have to ruin your life?"

"I wouldn't consider it ruining my life," She smiled and rubbed her tummy slightly. "I consider it getting a head start on what I've always wanted to do. It's not like I'm dropping out of school or anything, I'm still gonna go. It's my senior year."

"But, the age…" Kendall began to protest.

"…is just a number," Katie replied, looking over her shoulder at James. He was wearing a small smile; she felt it was his best accessory. "Kendall, it's going to be okay. Mom is going to be there the entire time, and you can bet I won't let him get away with hurting me. It was my idea to sleep with him; it was my idea to do it. We were fully protected the whole time – it just so happens that I fall into the 1 percent that isn't effective. It wasn't his fault."

Kendall calmed significantly. "If you're sure you can do this…who am I to argue?"

"I'm sure you've got my back, right Big Brother?"

"Of course, Little Sister." He smiled and hugged her tight, then froze. "I'm not hurting the baby, am I?"

"I'm sure it's fine," Katie laughed and pushed him away. "When are you and Jo gonna tie the knot?"

"Hopefully before you do," He answered, looking to James again. "No hard feelings?"

"I'm glad Katie is good at negotiating; I almost died here tonight." He smirked. "No hard feelings."

"Good," Kendall started, raising a finger at him accusingly. "Because if you hurt her, I swear to God, I will reduce you to a puddle of blood on the ground and feed your bones to Gustavo's dog."

James gave a thumb up. "Got it."

Katie smiled and stared at the two boys, eyes wide. "How are we telling the rest of the group?"

"Don't worry," Kendall explained. "I got this covered."


The next day, at the concert, Katie stood behind the curtain and smiled, watching James perform. Living on the road with him and a baby would be difficult, but she wanted to do it for him. Her dream was to be his manager, there's no reason she couldn't do that from the road. Raising a baby on a tour bus and hotels might be difficult, but if anyone could find a way, she could.

Kendall looked out into the crowd between songs, smiling brightly. "I have some amazing news for all you BTR fans out there, not so amazing news for the fans of our friend here, James."

James gave a shy wave to the crowd. "Hi, uh, yeah."

"We found out last night that James Diamond is officially off the market, sorry girls." There was a wave of "awww" and defeatist remarks from the audience, but it didn't deter Kendall's good mood. "James, you want to tell them the rest of your amazing news?"

Logan and Carlos turned to stare at their band mate, wondering what the news could possibly be.

"I, uh," He blushed bright red and looked to Katie. She gave him a small smile and held her hand to her stomach, which in some convoluted way gave him the confidence to continue. "I'm gonna be a daddy."

The crowd went silent before erupting into applause. There were jeers, cheers, whistles, and even a few sad remarks. But he felt like he was invincible when he said the words. He stared at Katie lovingly. For some reason, his world felt complete.


This is going to be an A-Z of Katie's pregnancy. Every author has their obsession, this just happens to be mine. I can't write a story without pregnancy because I love family stuff. I think Katie and James make the perfect family. =) I hope you enjoy this chapter. Read and review. ^_^