Chapter 3

"Mike...," Jessica began nervously as he came through the door, following him as he hung up his jacket. "What?" He queried turning around to face her and raising his eyebrows. "Are you working this weekend?" She asked him awkwardly, wishing she hadn't started this conversation. It was harder than she'd imagined it would be.
"I've got a car coming in that I could do with getting on with," he admitted truthfully. "Why?" He looked at his wife suspiciously. Her taking this amount of time to say what she wanted to tell him couldn't be a good sign. He knew her well enough to know that.
"Well, you know...," she started, trying to sound light-hearted. "No I don't know," he reminded her bluntly. "Well I was thinking that maybe, if you wanted, we could perhaps take a trip down to Sweet Valley this weekend," she explained, staring at the floor, worried about his reaction. She knew he'd be pleased or at least relieved about her finally telling her parents the truth but she was scared to be dragging up the whole sorry episode again. She knew she'd really hurt him. "Sweet Valley? Why?" Mike questioned looking at her, not wanting to get his hopes up. He'd been let down by her too many times before.
"To see my parents," she said, forcing a smile that covered up the nervousness she felt. He clearly didn't know how to react. He hadn't expected her to do it voluntarily, he'd decided not to even ask. "You're sure?" He wondered astonished. "I thought you said we shouldn't tell people before we were through the first trimester."
"Well they're my parents it's different. They've got to know sometime, haven't they?" She whispered with a shrug, not sure how to take his reaction. She'd expected him to either be overjoyed at her telling the truth or upset at being reminded about it and this unemotional reaction was creeping her out. This wasn't something she could hide anymore and she just wanted to get it out of the way and face the music with her parents. However scared that made her feel.
"About everything? Us? You being pregnant?" She nodded and he leaned over and drew her into an embrace. "You really are wonderful," he assured her, laughing with excitement and nervousness at the prospect. She laughed with him out of relief.
"I know. You don't have to tell me." She threw her arms around his neck.

"Alex? What do you want?" Elizabeth demanded into the phone. She was holding it slightly away from her ear in shock. This was the last person she'd expected to hear from. She was worried that Alex was going to suddenly start screaming down the phone, as that was all she did when she saw Elizabeth anyway. She hadn't stopped blaming her for the sports scandal.
"Look Liz, I need to speak to you. Can we meet up in the quad tonight?" Alex questioned in a small voice, clearly not wanting to have this conversation either.
"What is it about Alex?" Elizabeth asked cautiously, feeling like she was being led into a trap.
"Just meet me at seven. Please," she said desperately, not wanting to elaborate.
"Okay," Elizabeth agreed, slightly dazed. She knew she had to go. Alex might be in serious trouble and she couldn't desert her, no matter what had happened between them.

"So where were you all afternoon?" Steven demanded as he and Billie sat down at the kitchen table, ready to eat dinner.
"I went to the music department with Chas. I didn't think you would be here," she told him casually as she picked up her fork, refusing to get drawn into a fight.
"Well I was," he retorted sharply, clearly annoyed. "See I'm not the only one who hasn't had time for our relationship lately," he accused, seeing an opportunity to turn the tables on Billie. She was always accusing him of ignoring her but she thought nothing of disappearing for a whole afternoon. Talk about double standards.
"At least I'm using my time productively, not spending it staring out of a window," Billie argued back bitterly. She was tired of accommodating Steven's obsession with his brother in law. It was crazy.
"I'm just trying to protect Jessica," Steven snapped back defensively. Why did Billie refuse to see his point of view?
"From what? A person you've never even had a proper conversation with?"
"Exactly! Nobody around here knows anything about him. He could be a murderer for all we know." Steven leaned across the table for emphasis. "If he's such a great guy, how does he make all his money?"
"Jessica's told you a thousand times that he restores old cars," Billie replied with a sigh. How many times did they have to go over this?
"You know that's just a front," he said knowingly, he couldn't believe people fell for that.
"I'm not going to have this conversation with you yet again," Billie answered flatly, standing up to go to the bathroom, forgetting about her food. "Steven, our arguing isn't about Mike or even Jessica. She may be your sister, Steven, but I'm your girlfriend. Where do I rate on your list of priorities?" She slammed the door shut as she left the kitchen.

"Hi Alex," Liz said, forcing herself to sound casual as she sat down on the bench with her.
"Look Liz, I'll just tell you straight," Alex told her hurriedly, turning around to face her. "I want your help."
"Why?" Liz asked curiously. Alex had made it clear on more than one occasion since they'd got to college that she didn't need her for anything.
"It's Mark," she whimpered, sounding completely disillusioned. "He's left."
"What do you expect me to do about that?" Liz was completely stunned. Alex blamed her for everything that had gone wrong in her relationship with Mark, why was she asking her to sort it out?
"I need you to convince the dean to retract his decision," Alex explained slowly. She didn't want to ask Liz but she was the only person she could turn to. "I mean, you know they only took what was offered, you said so." Liz hesitated before answering her, she didn't want to get her ex-best friend's hopes up.
"Alex I'm really very sorry, I mean that," she began cautiously. "But the university has decided to use them as scapegoats and I don't think there's anything that I can do that will change their mind, nothing will." "You won't even try," Alex spat out bitterly. "I have tried Alex," Liz corrected. "Believe me there's nothing more I'd like than to get my boyfriend back playing the sport he loves but..."
"Boyfriend? You're back with Todd?" Now it was Alex's turn to be stunned. "Yes," Liz admitted awkwardly, not quite resisting a smile. Alex felt completely alone. She'd thought Todd agreed with her that Liz had ruined their lives but now he had forgotten about it too. "Alex is anything else wrong?" Elizabeth asked in a comforting voice. She still knew Alex well enough to know when she wasn't telling the whole story. Alex desperately wanted to confide in Liz like she used to, she wouldn't admit how much she missed their friendship deep down, but her loyalty to Mark wouldn't let her. She suddenly felt extremely angry. All she wanted was one little favour, one tiny favour and Liz wouldn't even do that for her.
"This was a mistake," she choked out in a hard voice. "I should have known you wouldn't help me. You just want to get back at me for not being your friend anymore." She jumped up from the bench, debating whether or not to leave. Elizabeth stared at her for a few seconds.
"You know that's not true," Elizabeth replied patiently, trying not to show how much the remark had hurt her. "I've always been there for you. We were best friends for years."
"No I've always been there for you," Alex told her, making up her mind to leave.

"I just can't believe the nerve of her," Elizabeth muttered bitterly, pacing in front of Todd's bed. "I've always, always been there for her. I've never purposely hurt her, I wouldn't. She knows that doesn't she?" She wanted to feel angry with Alex but all she seemed to feel was sadness at how such a great friendship could end up this way.
"Of course she knows," Todd assured her as he sat down on the bed. "She's just angry, she doesn't really mean it."
"I don't care if she doesn't mean it, she can't go around treating people like that," Elizabeth began ranting, finally finding some anger. It wasn't her who had thrown their friendship away. "Mark's been horrible to her and she's lonely. She doesn't mean it," Todd interrupted, he didn't want his girlfriend upsetting herself. Alex would come around eventually. Elizabeth sighed, knowing his was right.
"You're right, I guess," she admitted out loud, almost wishing he wasn't. It seemed easier just to hate Alex rather than admit that she missed her. He took her hand and pulled her down next to him.
"She'll come around eventually, she's still Enid underneath all this new persona," he assured her, stroking her hair back behind her ear lovingly.

"Jessica, I thought we were only supposed to be going for a weekend!" Mike cried, looking around at her suitcases in disbelief.
"We are only going for the weekend," she replied simply, not looking up from her magazine. "Then what's all this stuff for?" He demanded, turning and looking at her. "It's just the essentials," she defended herself, confused about why he was making such a big deal about it. "Seven pairs of jeans is essential for a weekend?" He asked pointedly. "Somebody might spill something on them, who knows," she shrugged, finally putting down the magazine and looking at him. "I have to be prepared." "Well I'm not taking it all," Mike informed her firmly. "Your parents will feel like they've been invaded." "Mike my parents know what I'm like. They wouldn't expect anything else but a truck load of stuff," she assured him, getting up off the couch. She moved close to him. "Besides I might have packed a little something for you," she teased, brushing her lips against his playfully, raising her eyebrows meaningfully. "Jess, we're not getting up to anything at your parent's house," he told her determinedly. "Come on, don't be boring," she tormented him. "I didn't think you cared what anyone else thought," she said smugly. "I don't care. It's just that it's their house. I respect their rules," he told her, not sounding very convincing. "Besides we're not even going for days yet. I always imagined you'd be the sort to pack at the last minute. I remember when you moved in, it was shoved into boxes the night before."
"Usually I am," she admitted honestly. "But for the first time in days I'm not feeling sickly and I want to make the most of it." She put her arms around his waist, squeezing him tight. "Nervous about meeting the in-laws?" She whispered softly, changing the conversation. "Of course not," he bluffed, looking away. Jessica could tell he was pretending. The phone rang before she could answer him.
"Hi Jess, it's me," a familiar voice said over a crackling line as Jessica picked it up.
"Lila?" Jessica cried shocked.
"Of course, I rang your dorm and your roommate gave me this number."
"It's been ages since I've spoken to you," Jessica commented blankly, still dazed.
"I'm so excited, I just had to ring and tell you." Lila's voice sounded so overexcited that Jessica could barely understand what she was saying.
"Tell me what?" Jessica said curiously. She could always rely on Lila to have exciting news especially now that she an Italian countess.
"I'm coming to California for a few weeks. Tisiano has some business and we're going to stop in Sweet Valley. You're finally going to meet him," she exclaimed.
"Wow, when are do you get here?" Jessica couldn't believe her best friend was coming back. She'd been praying for this.
"Well I'm at the departure lounge now," Lila replied giggling. They both squealed down the phone, overcome with emotion.
"When am I going to see you?" She demanded quickly, not being able to wait.
"Well we're staying at my parent's and we'll be sleeping of the jet lack tonight, but we'll drive up to the campus first thing tomorrow," Lila promised, desperate to see her friend too.
"Why don't you meet me at the campus coffee house at about ten? Then I'll show you around."
"Sure. I'd better go that was our boarding call," Lila answered in a rush. "Bye." Jessica stared at the phone in disbelief as she put it back in the cradle.

"Mike stop it! I have to go I have a class in half an hour," Jessica murmured softly the next morning, leaning back and making a feeble attempt to break free. He had her trapped up against the counter in the kitchen.
"Skip it," he whispered, nibbling on her neck. She didn't exactly push him away. She was regretting thinking that a few kisses before she left wouldn't led to something more.
"I can't," she moaned. She was so far behind, it was like she'd hardly been at college since summer. Which if she was being honest wasn't far from the truth. "What would you rather do? Sit in a classroom or stay here with me?" His mouth moved down her neck to her shoulder where the strap of her dress was and he ran his hand up her inner thigh. She sighed gently, feeling her body starting to give in. All she could concentrate on was his hands and lips.
"You know what I'd rather do. But -," she managed to mumble in complaint, despite the
tingles rushing through her body. She tried to think of something to object with but her brain wouldn't function.
"But what?" He mumbled back distractedly, to involved with her to listen. He carefully lifted her onto the counter. She felt any resistance she had left slip away and her lips found his, as she wrapped her legs around his waist. When they pulled apart for air common sense caught up with her. She couldn't stay here with him no matter how much she wanted to, she had so much she needed to do. "Mike, I can't stay I've missed too much already," she told him truthfully, firmly pushing him away and getting down from the counter.
"One more class won't hurt," he replied with a shrug. She shook her head.
"Yes it will. I need to fit in as much as possible before the baby comes. I can't afford to fall anymore behind, it's bad enough as it is." He gave her a coaxing smile and walked over to her, putting his hands on her hips. He ran a row of kisses from her cheek along her neck. "Doesn't making love sound more interesting than listening to a lecture on some dead person?" He whispered while he kissed her. She forced herself to push him away again, knowing if he started touching her again she'd give in.
"Mike look you need to go to work. You have to have that car finished today remember?" She reminded him quickly, hoping to put him off. "Besides I'm meeting Lila at ten today. I need to be on campus by then anyway."
"You'll have plenty of time to get to campus to meet Lila," he informed her in a dismissive tone. She looked at him for a few seconds and shook her head. "Don't you want to be with me?"
"I do want to be with you, believe me I do," Jessica assured him. "But you can't try to dictate what I do." "I don't, I just-," he started to object.
"Sometimes you do," she interrupted. "You've often convinced me not to go to class before and remember what happened with the Thetas?"
"I don't mean to do anything, I just want to be with you that's all." Jessica sighed affectionately at his response and then smiled at him.
"I know you do but if we're with each other twenty-four hours a day we'll suffocate each other. Anyone couple would suffocate each other," she told him gently. He looked thoughtful for a second and then nodded slowly.
"I guess so," he agreed reluctantly.
"I guess it's like that saying about too much of a good thing."
"All right, all right I get the picture I'm off to work," he told her. He gave her a peck on the cheek before rushing out the door. Jessica stood still a few moments, a little surprised at what had just happened. She'd tried the direct and honest approach rather than scheming for the first time in her life and it had actually worked. Maybe it was time to turn over a new leaf.

Billie felt a hand touch her shoulder and paused with her hand on the door to the ladies toilets at the coffee house.
"Chas," she cried shocked when she turned around. She hadn't expected to see anyone she knew here. It wasn't exactly one of her usual hangouts. She wasn't sure how she felt about seeing him, lately being around Chas made her feel a little uncomfortable but she couldn't deny being this close to him made her heart race.
"Hi Billie," he said with a smile, reading her reaction. "I don't normally see you about here," he commented casually.
"I normally have better things to do," she admitted. Sitting around drinking coffee would never exactly be a highlight of her day. "At the moment I'm trying to avoid Steven though." She didn't see any pointing in lying, he probably realised the truth.
"Things are that bad?" He asked bluntly. Not looking as disappointed for her as he should have done. She nodded simply, trying to find some words.
"I'm thinking of moving out," she whispered, finally finding her voice, a tear sliding down her cheek. He cupped her chin and wiped it away.
"What do you want?" He wondered, looking into her eyes. She looked up and met his gaze. You, that traitorous voice in her head answered.
"I-I don't know," she stammered softly. She had no idea what to say, she didn't want to betray Steven.
"I think you do," he whispered leaning into kiss her. Billie surprised herself by responding passionately.

"Lila," Jessica cried, waving her arms to get her attention as Lila came through the doors of the coffee house. She turned and spotted her.
"Jess," Lila screeched, rushing over to her and giving her a long hug.
"Where is he then?" Jessica asked as they pulled apart, looking around for Tisiano. She couldn't believe she was finally going to see him in the flesh.
"He's outside. He had to make a call," Lila answered casually, pulling her skirt down as they sat back down.
"You look great," Jessica said sincerely. She couldn't help but feel slightly envious.
"So do you," Lila responded reassuringly. "I love your dress it's very chic."
"Not as chic as your outfit," Jessica returned the compliment. They didn't say anything, both unsure where to start. "So how are things?" Lila enquired, breaking in the silence. "Everything's fine," Jessica replied awkwardly. Debating whether or not to tell her friend about her pregnancy. For some reason it seemed harder to tell Lila, they'd both sworn they wouldn't have any kids more than once. "How about you?" "I'm great. Italy is amazing," Lila enthused, sounding a little forced as well. "But?" Jessica queried, sensing her friend wasn't telling the whole story. "Well Italy is great, I really mean that. It's just that it can get a little lonely when Tisiano is off doing business and things," she explained. "Anyway at least me and Tisiano agree on the important things like no kids until we're at least forty. Can you imagine having some little brat under your feet?" Lila teased, laughing out loud. Jessica forced herself to laugh to. "Actually Li," Jessica started to explain nervously.
"So you must be the Jessica I've heard so much about," a gentle voice with an Italian accent interrupted.
"Guilty as charged," Jessica said with a laugh, relieved to be changing the conversation. "You must be Tisiano." He nodded, taking a seat next to Lila. Lila had landed on her feet, Jessica thought, he was certainly something to look at.
"So what were you about to say?" Lila asked Jessica, quickly trying to return to their conversation. She could tell Jessica had something big to tell her. She took a sip from the can of coke she had walked in with.
"Well Lila, about the kids thing. You know I wrote and told Mike and I had got married," Jessica tried to explain, the words not coming out as she'd meant them to. Lila nodded her head encouragingly. "Well getting me down the aisle isn't the only thing he managed to do. He also managed to get me pregnant as well." Lila spat her coke out of her mouth and stared at Jessica in shock.
"God you really do like doing things quickly, don't you?" Lila choked out, still amazed at her announcement.
"Congratulations," Tisiano said, smiling sincerely at her, filling in for his wife's shocked reaction.
"Was it planned?" Lila questioned bluntly. She could imagine Jessica Wakefield as a lot of things but a mother wasn't one of them. Jessica shrugged. Tisiano looked surprised at her blunt question. "No it wasn't planned," Jessica admitted truthfully. "How do you feel about it?" Lila asked, wondering how her friend was handling all this. It couldn't have been the most welcome news. "A bit overwhelmed," she explained. That was one big understatement.
"You'll be fine," Lila assured her, deciding not to push her friend. "So am I going to get to meet your husband during my visit then?" Jessica shrugged again.
"I don't know. I guess you can meet Mike if you want to," she said casually.
"Oh I do. I want to meet the guy that finally convinced you one guy can be enough," Lila teased with a smile.
"Lila, you've got it all wrong. I'm the girl that finally convinced him that one woman can be enough," Jessica asserted, smiling back her. "I'm just going to go to the rest room before they take our order," Jessica announced, suddenly standing up. She walked down the small corridor that led to the rest rooms. She stopped suddenly, an astounded, horrified look on her face.
"Jess," Billie cried, pushing Chas away.

"Billie, what on earth do you think you're doing?" Jessica demanded angrily, grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her away from Chas.
"Look I don't know what your problem is but-," Chas began to defend Billie. He wasn't about to let her be spoken to like that.
"Please Chas, just go," Billie pleaded, knowing the only chance she stood was if she reasoned with Jessica alone. "I'm not leaving you," he argued sharply. "I'm fine," she told him looking at him pointedly. He sighed and obediently left.
"Look I can explain," she told Jessica, her voice trembling.
"Really? This I have got to hear," Jessica replied sarcastically. What did Billie think she was? Stupid?
"What just happened with Chas, it didn't mean anything. It really didn't," Billie assured her.
"Oh right," Jessica said in a harsh voice. Nobody walked over Jessica Wakefield and certainly not someone who was cheating on her brother.
"I love Steven, really I do," Billie said, trying to convince herself as much as Jessica. "But we've been going through a rough patch, Chas was just trying to comfort me." Jessica softened slightly after the past few months with Mike, she knew what a rough patch in a relationship felt like.
"That's no excuse," she told Billie sternly. Refusing to let her off the hook completely.
"I know but it won't happen again just please don't tell Steven," Billie begged desperately. She couldn't face losing him, she'd invested too much in their relationship.
"I can't promise that," Jessica said shaking her head. That would be betraying Steven, wouldn't it?
"Please Jessica," Billie persisted, sensing she was weakening. Jessica sighed.
"Okay but if I find out it's happened again, I won't be held responsible for what I do," Jessica snapped, forcefully. Billie threw her arms around her in relief.
"Thank you so much."
"Don't thank me for lying to my brother," she growled, pushing past her into the rest room.

"I forgot to mention it earlier but we're playing host again tomorrow," Jessica told Mike casually, as she brushed her hair in front of the mirror.
"What? When?" Mike called back from the bathroom.
"Tomorrow. Lila and Tisiano are coming over," she explained, hoping he wouldn't be annoyed that she'd invited people into his apartment. She knew that it was really both of theirs now but she couldn't help still thinking it was more his than hers. She'd felt guilty about half ignoring Lila and Tisiano after she'd comeback from her fight with Billie. She hadn't been able to concentrate and she'd had to do something to make up for it.
"You're not cooking, are you?" He teased, popping his head around the corner with his toothbrush in his mouth. He could do without her almost burning the kitchen down again.
"Don't worry I've already ordered in," she assured him. Not sure whether to feel offended by his remark or not. "We can't disappoint the Italian royalty after all. I'm surprised they even want to eat with us American peasants."
"Good because I had visions of several fire trucks outside the building," he joked, although he was partly serious.
"I'm a good cook," she replied firmly. This time she really was offended. He made a coughing sound.
"Sure you are," he said with a knowing smile. He'd lived with her long enough now to know that her culinary skills could leave a lot to be desired.
"I'm beginning to wonder what you married me for," she sulked. It wasn't her fault she wasn't as good a cook as he was.
"Come over here and I'll show you baby," he said patiently, putting his arms around her and pressing his lips to hers, hoping to calm her mood. "If you think that's surprising then you'll never guess who came to see me at the garage today," he murmured, keeping his lips against hers.
"Who? The state senator?" She responded mockingly.
"No, even more surprising than that," he asserted.
"The president?" She continued half-heartedly, still not taking him seriously. He shook his head.
"Even more surprising than that."
"Okay I give up. Who came to see you?" She asked, starting to feel slightly curious.
"Steven," he informed her, faking a disinterested voice. She practically choked in shock. Was her brother finally coming around to them? Maybe miracles could happen.
"My brother came to see you? Why didn't you say anything?" She gasped, confused about why he'd kept silent about it. "What did he say?"
"Well it was hardly interesting to me, was it? I just thought it was surprising that's all. He brought me some doughnuts and then he invited us to dinner next Tuesday at his and Billie's, believe it or not."
"Did he look like he'd lost his mind?" She said, laughing out of relief. She needed Steven on her side when she spoke to her parents.
"Don't get your hopes Jess," Mike warned her, looking slightly awkward at her excited reaction. "He said it was only because it was what Billie wanted him to do and that he guessed he would have to put up with me until you saw some sense."
"Look I don't want to go to theirs for dinner," Jessica admitted, turning away from him and looking back in the mirror. She wished she hadn't got her hopes like that. He stood behind her, putting his arms back around her and placed a light kiss on the top of her head.
"Don't let Steven get you down," he told her, trying to boast her confidence. "We can go there and try and convince him he's got to get use to us. He'll get the message eventually." "I don't think he'll ever get the message," she said sadly. She sighed hopelessly. "But it's not that, it's Billie. I caught her kissing someone else today."
"So? That's not your problem," Mike answered flatly. Given the way Steven was treating them, he couldn't care less what happened to him.
"Yes it is, Steven's still my brother, no matter what. I couldn't just sit there and watch them
two together, pretending to be the perfect couple," she moaned. She knew she wouldn't be able to keep her mouth shut.
"Well then, how about we invite them over tomorrow along with your friends, that way you'll be on home territory and I still get to gloat over Steven," he offered with a smug smile. Jessica looked thoughtful and her eyes stared into his in the mirror.
"Okay I guess I'll call the Takeaway and let them know we have two more guests."

"Great," Jessica mumbled, walking impatiently down the aisle of the supermarket. "Why can I never find what I need?" She sighed out loud. Although the main meal was coming from a takeaway, she still needed to pick up a few things such as napkins and ice cream for dessert. The store obviously hated her because she couldn't even find that. She looked around the shelves and her eyes fell upon an identical face strolling down the other end of the aisle, looking engrossed in the products. "Liz," she called loudly. Liz looked up and spotted her immediately.
"Hi Jess," she replied casually, as Jessica rushed over to her.
"What are you doing here?" Jessica asked in a breathless rush.
"I'm just picking up some stuff for my dorm room," Liz explained, surprised at her sister's interest. "What about you?"
"Oh, I'm just preparing for doomsday." Jessica informed her with a sigh. Liz resisted the temptation to laugh. Jessica could be too melodramatic for words sometimes.
"Why's that?" She tried to keep her voice serious although she couldn't quite resist a smirk. She didn't want to rile her sister.
"Steven's coming over for dinner," Jessica said, sighing loudly again. This time Liz had to cover her mouth with her hand to stifle a giggle. "Liz it isn't funny," she cried angrily. Liz threw up her hands.
"Okay, you're right. I can think of much better things to do with an evening than sit there
and watch our brother and your husband make snide comments at each other all night," she admitted truthfully.
"And my best friend from high school who I hadn't seen in months is going to be sat there watching it as well," Jessica said sadly. She'd wanted Lila to go back to Italy with the impression that even though the pregnancy wasn't planned, everyone was happy about it. Now that illusion was going to be shattered by Steven's stormy face.
"Why did you agree to it if it wasn't what you wanted?" Liz wondered simply. If her twin thought for a second before she acted, she might not get in these situations in the first place. Come to think of it, she might not have got pregnant in the first place. "I don't believe you," Jessica complained, reading her twin's thoughts. "This pregnancy didn't happen because I was being impulsive or stupid. I was being careful, really really careful ..." "I just thought that ...," Liz tried to placate her. "That I wasn't capable of being sensible about anything?" Jessica demanded bitterly. "No just that maybe if Mike got carried away, that you...," Liz started to explain. She couldn't see how else this pregnancy had come about, it wasn't planned after all. "I do have a mind of my own, you know. Neither of us are that stupid, we've always used protection," Jessica informed her, struggling to keep her voice down. Liz looked at her guiltily, she hadn't meant to hurt her feelings. "I'm sorry, Jess. It was a nasty thing to say," she apologised. "So why did you agree to this dinner?"
"I just didn't want to get into another argument. Things finally seem to be settling down a bit between me and Mike," Jessica explained, to exhausted to remain angry with Elizabeth. She didn't want to rock the boat with her husband when the pregnancy was so new. It was going to take a lot of getting used to for both of them.
"I can understand that," Liz sympathised. "You and Mike don't seem to be able to disagree on anything without there being an explosion." They were both quiet for a moment, not sure what to say.
"So I guess you've made up your mind then," Jessica stated bitterly, staring into Liz's shopping basket.
"What?" Liz said bewildered, shocked by her twin's sudden outburst. Jessica fished the packet of condoms out of the basket and held then up in front of Liz.
"About sleeping with Todd."
"No, it's just in case," Liz fronted, not wanting to have this conversation in a supermarket.
"I think you'd be making a mistake," Jessica told her honestly. She hated to think her twin was rushing into this simply because it was what Todd wanted.
"What makes you so sure?" Liz enquired defensively. She didn't need to be made any more confused.
"You told me yourself you don't trust him. You have to trust someone completely before you have sex with them." Jessica's voice rose slightly in frustration.
"Oh right so you're saying you trusted Mike completely?" Liz challenged, feeling angered by Jessica's hard reaction. Jessica stared at Liz shocked by her words and then sighed.
"No but-," she mumbled.
"You'd only known him for a few weeks. I've known Todd all my life and I'm the one who is making the mistake?" Liz asked bitterly. How could her twin judge her?
"Look Liz, you're not me."
"What's that suppose to mean?" Liz demanded confused.
"I like taking risks, I always land on my feet eventually. You like playing it safe, you want everything to be perfect," Jessica explained. She just wanted to protect her sister's feelings.
"I do not," Liz answered sternly. Why did everyone think of her that way? Jessica looked into her eyes, trying to understand what she was saying.
"I just don't want you to be disappointed," Jessica said, softening her attitude.
"I'm sick of being perfect Liz, I can take risks too you know." Liz struggled to keep calm.
"Why are you in such a rush to lose your virginity?" Jessica asked bluntly.
"It's not about that! Look, you wouldn't understand." Liz turned on her heals and stormed over to the checkouts.

"Why isn't she answering?" Jessica muttered irritably, slamming down the phone in annoyance. She been trying to get hold of Liz ever since she'd got home from her afternoon class. She couldn't leave things like they were, she wasn't always the most considerate person but she couldn't stand having Elizabeth angry at her. She wearily dragged herself into the
kitchen, finally deciding to give up for a bit, she felt completely shattered. Liz would come around eventually, they couldn't hold grudges against each other for very long. She slowly started to set the table deciding to do something constructive. She wasn't going to leave it to the last minute and get stressed out about it like she normally would have, she couldn't afford to be like that anymore. She suddenly felt dizzy and closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her vision was blurry. She dredged over to the cutlery draw and put her hand to her head as another wave of dizziness over took her. That was the last thing she remembered before everything went black. "Jess, Jess." She could vaguely hear a soft voice and someone was shaking her. She forced herself to open her eyes and struggled to focus them.
"What happened?" She whispered as she finally saw Mike clearly. He pulled her up off the floor into his arms, so she was in a sitting position. Her head started to spin again and she rested it on his shoulder.
"I don't know," he admitted, his voice frantic with worry. He tightened his grip on her. "You must have passed out, I guess. Are you all right?" "I guess so," she said with uncertainty, her voice still a whisper. She didn't feel all right, she felt like her head was going to split into two but she couldn't tell him that. He gently touched the small bump on her head.
"I'm going to go call the doctor," he explained quietly.
"No," she moaned. The last thing she wanted was to drag herself out and waste people's time, she'd be fine in a few minutes. "I'll be ok." She could feel him shake his head on top of hers.
"No I'm going to call him," he asserted firmly. "You could have a concussion or anything. We need to find out what's wrong."
"Mike please, people faint all the time," she pleaded. "Besides we're having Lila over tonight. I need to get everything ready."
"That's not important. Jess, you're pregnant, there could be a problem with the baby," he continued to argue, still shaking his head.
"Mike we're both fine," she answered, trying to sound as certain as possible. She forced herself to her feet and instantly felt dizzy again. He quickly put his arms around her again and held her up. He lowered her into a chair at the kitchen table.
"That's it Jess. I'm calling the doctor." He turned to go to the phone, looking determined.
"Mike really it's nothing, please listen to me. I just haven't had a chance to eat that much today that's all," she confessed quickly, hoping to persuade him to change his mind.
"What?" He asked, clearly shocked. He'd expected her to be responsible enough to take care of herself.
"It's not like I do it all the time," she defended herself, feeling extremely guilty. If she was this irresponsible when pregnant, what was she going to be like as a mother? "I just didn't have time this morning and then I had this fight with Liz so I was really upset and I just didn't feel like it," she finished embarrassed. He took a seat next to her. He stared at her. She could tell he was debating with himself what his reaction was going to be.
"You've got to start taking care of yourself," he told her sternly, staring into her eyes. "It's not just you anymore."
"I know and I will," she assured him gently. Her head was finally starting to clear. He didn't look convinced by her response.
"Ok," he agreed reluctantly. "I'll fix you something to eat," he murmured with a sigh accepting her answer. He stood up and started making her a sandwich.
"What did I do with the ice cream?" She suddenly cried, her brain racing off to other issues.
"What? What ice cream?"
"The ice cream I brought today for tonight," she explained anxiously, starting to get out of her seat. He pushed her back down gently. "I'll look for it," he said firmly. He searched until he noticed the carrier bag on the floor. He pulled the lid of the tub of ice cream.
"What's the matter?" She asked desperately, immediately noticing the look on his face.
"It's sort of defrosted," he informed her truthfully, showing her the gulpy liquid in the tub. A look of horror formed on her face and she burst into tears.
"Oh god, not this again."
"Hey, it's not the end of the world," he comforted her, confused by her reaction.
"Yes it is! I can't even manage being a wife. How on earth am I going to be a good mother?" She asked in between sobs, finally admitting her deepest fears. "Of course you'll be a good mother," he assured her, looking even more confused. "You'll be a great mother," he told her sincerely.
"No I won't," she moaned worriedly. He bent down to her level and put his arms around her.
"Yes you will. You're loving and caring, you'll be a perfect mother." She dried her eyes on his shirt, feeling slightly comforted by her husband's confidence.
"But what are we going to do for dessert now?" She wailed, still feeling overwhelmed. He shrugged.
"There's still plenty of time. I'll go pick something up." He pulled out of their embrace. "Why don't you go lay down in bed for a while?" She shook her head.
"No I'm just going to go and get ready." Let's just hope this is slightly less disastrous than the titanic, she thought anxiously as she headed to the bedroom.