Chapter 2

The air was cool with the impending sunset as twilight started falling around us. We had spent the remainder of the day in our old tree-house, talking of plans on who to tell when. We both decided, as horrible as it would be, my parents should be one of the first to know, so they hear it from me rather than from someone else. So here we stood, on the threshold of my home, one hand in his and the other hesitating on the doorknob.

"Remember, Kim," Ron said, placing his finger under my chin and forcing me to look him in the eye, "No matter what happens, we'll face it together," and he pressed his lips to mine.

After we broke apart, I took a deep breath and nodded, twisting the door handle and stepping into the house.

"Kimmy!" my dad was the first to notice our arrival. I cringed, "You missed dinner. Out saving the world again?"

"Er… kind of."

"It was your favorite," my mom chimed in, coming from inside the kitchen, "I put a plate for you in the fridge. Do you want me to warm it up? I'm sure we could find something for Ronald as well."

"No, thank you, Dr. P." Ron declined, gently squeezing my hand that was still clasped in his. I took the support and ran with it before I lost my nerve.

"Mom? Dad? We need to talk."

"Is everything all right?" my mom asked, as we all moved into the kitchen and sat down at the table.

"Well…" I wasn't entirely sure how to answer that, "Kind of. It's just -"

"Ron!" My teeth ground together as my twin brothers ran into the room.

"We were wondering when you were going to come over again!"

"We want to show you what we built!"

"It's really cool."

"Sorry, boys," Ron said, "I'm gonna have to take a rain check on that one."

"Boys, you're sister's trying to tell us something," Mom said, "Why don't you go and play in your room?"

"Why can't we hear what Kim has to say?"

"Yeah! We're family!"

"Boys, go to your room!" Dad warned, as Ron and I looked at each other. The twins would find out eventually.

"No," I interrupted, "They can stay."

"Sweet!" They both cried out and squeezed into the seats beside me. I was trapped for good now. I took a deep breath to try to calm my raging emotions.

"Kimmy?" My dad asked, knowing how unusual it was for me not to scream at my brothers when they barged in at times like this.

"They'll find out eventually." I explained, playing with a loose piece of trim around the edge of the table. Another deep breath, a few escaping tears, and I decided to just jump right in, "I'm pregnant."

A silence fell over the table. It was heavy and stifling, and I was mentally begging for it to break before I did. It was my brothers who finally broke it.

"We're out of here!" they said together and they were gone, leaving just me, my parents, and Ron.

"Ronald? Can we speak in the next room?" My dad's question was one I hoped he wouldn't ask. My heart sunk as Ron, with one last squeeze to my hand, got up and joined my father in the living room. Doors were shut so we couldn't hear what was or wasn't said.

"Kim?" I looked up at my mom before breaking the contact almost right away, "Listen to me. We're not going to make you do anything you don't want to do, but you have to start thinking about what you want. All your missions around the world were never exactly… safe, were they?"

My mind immediately went to what happened this morning, and how the mission failed before it even started. I knew she was right, so I nodded, glancing in the direction my dad and Ron had disappeared. My attention was driven back to my mother when she started speaking again.

"Now, I'm not going to pretend we aren't disappointed in you. Not only are you to not go on any more missions, you are grounded for the next two months. The only visitor you are allowed is Ron, and you are to come home right after school. And you are quit cheerleading as soon as possible."

I nodded, no other choice but to agree. She was right after all: both the missions and the cheerleading would be very strenuous. I subconsciously placed my hand on my stomach while I let my mind wander to what was going on in the next room with Ron and my dad. I could only hope no one had been killed.

"Hello," my mom's voice brought my attention back. As I looked up, she was on the phone, "Dr. Paean? Yes, I'd like to make an appointment for my daughter, Kimmy. Are you free on Saturday? Three o'clock? Yes, that would work. Thank you! See you then!" She hung up and looked over at me, "Dr. Paean is an OB-GYN from the hospital. I've set up an appointment for you on Saturday to see how far along you are and if everything's going all right."

I nodded just as the door opened, and my dad walked through. The fact that Ron was not with him did not get passed me. I didn't question it, but kept my gaze down from his stern look.

"Kimberly Anne Possible…" he started, but Mom cut him off.

"Already explained it, honey," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Grounded for two months, no more missions, and no more cheerleading."

"Oh… right," he was obviously caught off guard. "Well, in that case… yes. Ronald went home, as it's getting quite late, and I'm sure he's got lots of explaining to do to his parents. Bedtime!"

I glanced over at Mom, who nodded. I took this opportunity to slink out of the room and up to my bedroom. I was just about to pull out the Kimminucator to call Ron when my father's voice followed me.

"Go to bed, Kim! Stay off the phone!"

I sighed, glanced down at the gadget in my hand, then conceded defeat. I would see him at school tomorrow, anyway.

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