AN: I really don't know anything about obgyn appts or anything, so I kind of googled some stuff and made up the rest. :D. :D

Anything I wrote was for entertainment purpose. So please don't take any of this too seriously.

Also, I do try to be factual and accurate, but you can't be too accurate and still have tons of drama.

So we'll just have to compromise.

Hope you enjoy and don't mind my medical inaccuracies.

Eli walked down the stairs, past her frozen form and into the kitchen.

CeCe looked as if she'd been hit by a bus.

Clare was about to lose the battle she'd waged with her rising vomit.

Her head hurt. Her stomach hurt. Mostly, her heart hurt. Eli was acting like a monster. At that moment, Clare couldn't imagine raising a baby with him, with this Eli.

Why would he blurt that out so carelessly to his mother?

Why would he put her in that terrible situation?

Why didn't he realize that her world was falling apart?

She ran from the room and into the nearest bathroom. There, she deposited the contents of her stomach into the toilet and sat on the floor, sobbing hysterically. Eli's instability was killing her. He was hurting her so badly, just as she knew he would. The door opened behind her and she expected Eli to apologize at any moment.

"Are you okay, honey?" CeCe asked. Clare looked up at her with panic in her eyes, terrified that the woman found out about her future grandchild in such an abrupt way.

"I'm so sorry." Clare said in a small, damaged voice. She hugged the toilet fearfully and closed her eyes, overwhelmed with humiliation.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed. But I still love you, Clare… You are family. I just wish this baby had come to be under different circumstances." CeCe spoke softly, her words peppered with love and sympathy. Clare stood up from the floor and CeCe wrapped her in a hug. "We'll all get through this. It's going to be hard, but I know you are strong enough."

Clare wondered if she was right. Was she strong enough to endure Eli's behavior? Was she strong enough to do what was right for her baby and not give in to Eli's bullying tactics? She didn't feel strong anymore. He smashed down her walls and made her weaker than she ever wanted to be.

"I'd like to head home, if that's alright." Clare explained. "I'm so worn out; I just want to go to sleep."

CeCe nodded and walked Clare out of the room. "Of course. Get your rest, and we'll talk about this the next time you come over. I know your body is going through a lot of adjustments, and you're probably tired 24/7. When I was pregnant with Eli, I practically lived in my bed." She laughed tiredly and sighed. "I can't believe my baby is going to have a baby of his own."

Clare shook her head. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I hope you know that."

CeCe sensed the sincerity and fear in her voice. She nodded and walked Clare to the door. As she watched the young woman walk away, CeCe tried to calm the raging thoughts that exploded in her head.

Eli, her angst-ridden, hot-headed son, had gotten that sweet little girl pregnant.

This was not good.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()

"Clare, wait!" Eli yelled as he chased her down the sidewalk. "I had to do it! You were going to leave!" Desperation crawled frantically at his throat. Eli knew he was losing her.

Clare spun around and glared at him. "I was going to leave because you threatened to abandon me if I didn't do what you want! I had every right to leave! But you…You told her like that to punish me." Her voice broke completely and she felt the familiar hopelessness swelling in her bosom. Tears poured down her face again. She'd cried more in the past 12 hours than ever before in her life. "That's not love, Eli."

Her words rung in the air between them and burned his ears.

That's not love…

He swallowed, holding back an abundance of emotions that he was afraid to express.

"But-but-but I do love you, Clare." Eli stuttered, utterly panicked as her cupped her face into his hands and stared into those deep blues that he loved so much. "I'm sorry… Please let me drive you home? We can talk on the way home and work this out." He begged. He couldn't let her leave him.

She'd have said no if exhaustion wasn't violently crashing down on her. Her legs hurt. She felt like there was no way she would make it home without falling asleep on the way.

"Fine," Clare sighed as she turned around and climbed into the hearse. "But only because I'm tired."

Eli smiled with relief and eagerly plopped down into the driver's seat. He learned over gently and gave Clare a peck on the forehead, before pushing a golden curl behind her ear and pulling her into a loving embrace.

The look on her face was one of pure exhaustion, he noted. A deep pain weighed her down, a pain that he'd more than likely caused.

"I've hurt you, haven't I?" He asked her, so quietly that she almost couldn't hear him. Clare just cried softly and stared out at the summer sky. He hated seeing her cry. He'd never seen her cry as much as she had in those 12 hours.

Eli reached over gently and placed a shaky hand on her stomach. He couldn't believe she was carrying a little piece of him, and a little piece of her. He wanted to hold her, kiss her and protect her. He wanted to watch her belly grow, to go to doctor's appointments with her, to rub her feet and discuss baby names. Eli wanted so badly to have this baby with Clare, and to be a family with her.

Despite his desire, Eli screwed up, again. He'd threatened her. He'd embarrassed her.

His biggest fear in life was pushing Clare away her like he'd pushed Julia away. And that's exactly what he was doing.

()()()()()()()()()()()()

I'm so stupid. I constantly put Clare in bad situations. And she always takes me back, always lets the pain and shame go. She's loved me unconditionally through all of my issues, both mental and emotional. Clare Edwards is my angel, and I've done my best to push her away.

Now, she needs me to be strong for her. She needs me by her side, to support her, and to raise our child.

I'm really going to be a father… Holy shit.

Me, Eli Goldsworthy, a father? It's a concept that is entirely too mind-boggling for me to fully take in.

I'm having a baby with this beautiful woman, and all I've done so far is make her cry and make her doubt my love for her.

That's the worst part about being bipolar. I get out of control, I hurt Clare, and when I come down from an episode, I have to face just how badly I've damaged the woman that I love.

Shit, I'm crying now.

I have no self-control.

"I did this to you. How could I do this to you?" I stutter out, feeling tears cascade down.

I screwed up.

I screwed up so bad.

I need her. I need to fix this.

()()()()()()()()()()()

"I promise you, I'll be better this time." He pulled her close to his chest. "I love you too much." He kissed her nose repeatedly until her sad face cracked and a smile tugged at the corners of her beautiful mouth. "What do I need to do to make you happy?"

Clare thought intensely for a moment. She had to say the right thing. If she wasn't clear with her demands, their problems would continue to haunt her. She wasn't even sure it would make any difference at all. That's the price she paid for dating Eli Goldsworthy, for loving him, for refusing to leave him, despite his short-comings unpredictable mood swings.

"I need you to stop threatening me." She began, staring at him, her deadly eyes burning a hole into his own. "Don't ever threaten to abandon me and this baby again, or I'll be gone faster than you can utter that same, washed-up apology, Eli." She felt her anger getting out of control. Her voice was close to screaming. "You're so impulsive. You need to think before you act, especially with a baby in the picture." Eli nodded at her demands, looking desperate to please her and willing to submit to any expectations. "I want to get an apartment… with you, as soon as possible. I want us to live together before the baby is born. And…" She took a deep breath. This one wouldn't go over so well, but she knew it was best for their child, "You need to start taking your pills again."

Eli opened his mouth in protest and Clare put a hand over it firmly. "No, you need to listen to me. Now that I'm pregnant, I need you to take the pills. You are way too unpredictable. I just can't handle it anymore."

"But Clare—"

"It's my turn to give you an ultimatum." She raised her voice to an authoritative level and stared him straight in the eyes. "Take the medicine or lose me, Eli. It's your choice."

Eli looked at her with disbelief. She knew how much he hated the pills. He hated the way they made him feel. They took away his creativity and the spark that fueled his spontaneity.

He wondered if Clare was worth losing himself…

He surveyed her with his eyes, silence overtaking him as he tried to reply calmly. Her beautiful body, her porcelain skin and her strikingly blue eyes shone in the orange light of the setting, July sun. To Eli, Clare was the epitome of beauty, and he knew that he was more than lucky have her in his life.

He closed his eyes and envisioned holding his own child in his arms. He imagined the warmth of the little life that he'd helped create. His future child was worth more than anything else in the world, as was Clare.

He had no choice but to give into her demands. He would protect his little family with his life. He would give in and take the pills, no matter the negative effects they would have on his spirit.

"I'll take the pills, Clare. I'll start taking them now." He sighed, defeated, as he reached into the glove compartment for a bottle of his medication. He popped one reluctantly in his mouth and said a silent goodbye to the Eli who those pills inhibited. He knew that his spark would fade soon. But also, his rage would fade and he would take better care of Clare. "I'll take them every day. I promise you, Blue Eyes. And we'll start looking for apartments as soon as we can. I won't hurt you anymore…Clare, please look at me."

She stared painfully into his soul and he felt himself melting further and further into her eyes. "I love you, beautiful."

"I love you too, Eli." She whispered, trying not to let herself get swept away with the promises that he probably wouldn't keep.

()()()()()()()()()()()()

It had been a week and a half since the 5 unholy pink plus signs made their appearance. Eli flipped through a maternity magazine and Clare tried to breathe and calm the nerves that begged her to run out of that waiting room. Eli's hand was crushed in Clare's anxious grip, but he didn't seem to mind at all. It was their first baby appointment, which would involve an ultrasound and due date prediction. Eli remained unfazed while Clare was uneasy enough for the both of them.

Truthfully, Eli was bored out of his mind in that waiting room. He didn't understand why women acted like ultrasounds were such a big deal. It was a simple procedure that they were required to suffer through, in order to look like responsible parents. Some of the women in the room looked as if they were readying themselves for war. Clare was included in that group. Other woman looked entirely comfortable and relaxed, even holding quiet conversations with those around them. Some had large, baby bellies. Others, like Clare, didn't even look pregnant. The room was full of diversity and life and emotion.

Needless to say, an OB-GYN waiting room wasn't the most comfortable place for a young man to be, especially not a young man like Eli. He'd spent the duration of their wait trying desperately to avoid eye contact with anyone. He'd noticed that some of the women were staring at his attire with looks of irritation and judgment. Apparently, black skinny jeans and a bright red vest wasn't proper formality for a doctor's appointment. He scoffed at their disapproval. At least he was present for the occasion and supporting Clare. She was all that mattered anyway.

He continued dispassionately flipping through the maternity magazines.

Picture of a pregnant woman. Picture of a baby. Picture of a baby. Picture of a family. Picture of a baby with a puppy.

Eli laughed quietly.

What a cute puppy! He thought happily.

The back page of the puppy picture featured an article titled "Fun Facts about Fetal Development. The title caught his eye and he quickly skimmed the page with interest. Excitedly, Eli poked Clare in the arm, like a young child trying to get his mother's attention.

"Clare, did you know that babies develop heartbeats in the first month after conception?" Eli whispered loudly.

Clare forced a smile and took a deep breath. "No, I didn't." She croaked out, failing her attempt at a calm demeanor. Eli could see the worry in her eyes. He scooted closer and showed her the article, attempting to distract her.

"Look," he whispered, louder this time, "it says the baby's brainwaves are detectable by week six!" He slouched down in his chair and leveled his face to Clare's stomach. She giggled nervously at his behavior and noticed the other women in the room staring at them.

"What the heck are you doing, Eli?" She hissed at him, holding back laughter as his face tickled her stomach.

He ignored her question and pressed his lips to her stomach.

"Hi, little baby. It's daddy. I was just wondering if you have brainwaves yet."

Clare chuckled and pulled Eli up to her level. He was smirking deviously at her, his green eyes sparkling vibrantly, despite the dull light of the waiting room.

"Clare Edwards, the doctor will see you now." A nurse called to her.

Eli pulled her up from the chair and smirked. "I guess we're about to find out about those brainwaves." He pulled Clare out of her chair and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Calm down, Blue Eyes. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. We'll be fine."

Clare smiled and squeezed his hand gratefully.

The nurse led them into a small room filled with unfamiliar machines and contraptions. Clare recognized one of the machines as the ultrasound monitor.

"Make yourselves comfortable. The doctor will be in here momentarily." The nurse smiled kindly at them both and exited the room.

Clare rested back on the examination table and gripped Eli's hand. She was trembling noticeably.

"Clare, why are you so afraid?"

Clare glared at him with disbelief. "Why aren't YOU afraid? This is a scary thing, Eli. This is a big deal. Why are you so calm?"

Eli remained silent and unaffected by her outburst. He didn't want to start an argument when things had been going so great for them. Since he'd started taking his medication again, Eli had mellowed out considerably. The couple hadn't fought for over a week, which was a huge accomplishment for them, considering their rocky past. Eli wasn't about to setback their progress, especially when Clare was feeling so unsteady.

"I'm sorry, Eli. I shouldn't have lashed out like that." Clare sighed. She was emotionally unpredictable, but he figured that it was her turn to have that role in their relationship. Eli responded with a kiss and a gentle squeeze of the hand.

"I'll blame your hormones this time."

They both chuckled and Clare felt her nerves melt away. His change in behavior had made her happier than she cared to admit. With Eli's compliance and support, the idea of having a baby had become considerably less petrifying to her.

"So, Clare, there is something we haven't talked about…" Eli said mischievously, his eyebrows lifted in a way that put Clare on edge.

"What's that?" She asked him warily, wondering what kind of oddities were floating through Eli's thoughts. After his little stunt in the waiting room, she didn't know what to expect from him.

"When do you think we made this baby anyway?" He asked, grinning broadly at the pink embarrassment that swam across her cheeks.

Clare smacked him on the leg and shook her head frantically. "I don't know and I don't want to talk about it." She scorned. Her face was as red as a cherry at the mere mention of sex.

"Clare, we do it all the time. Like, all the time. You can't keep your hands off-"

"Watch it, Goldsworthy!" Clare snapped, her throat itching with an intense discomfort. "We're in public!"

"There's nobody in here." Eli laughed; entertained at the rouse he got out of her. "Maybe it was that time in Morty, when-"

"Good morning, Ms. Edwards." The doctor greeted as he opened the door. A woman followed behind him. Her badge read "Dr. Niles, Ultrasound Medicine" and his read "Dr. Franks, Obstetrician/Gynecological Medicine."

Clare begged the red to drain from her cheeks and Eli cleared his throat awkwardly, stifling back a chuckle.

"So, this is your first ultrasound?" He asked, staring down at her paperwork. "Well, don't worry about a thing. Dr. Niles and I will take good care of you. If I could ask you to lift your shirt up and expose your stomach, we'll just get this all under way." The male doctor smiled sweetly at Clare and Eli felt a pang of jealousy. Even though he was on his medication, it didn't suppress all irrational feelings, especially not ones that dealt with other men and his Clare.

She shyly pulled up her shirt and grabbed Eli's hand for support. He held her tiny hand in his larger one, tightly, as Dr. Niles squirted blue gel onto her exposed skin. She squealed a bit and both doctors chuckled.

"Sorry, I forgot to warn you that it's cold. You'll get used to it after a few appointments." Dr. Niles assured Clare and flipped on the machine. "Alright, are you ready to see your baby?"

Clare nodded tensely and held her breath. The doctor rubbed the gel around with a scope and Eli's breath caught in his throat as he processed the picture on the screen.

"That's your baby, right there." She pointed to a small, moving mass on the picture and smiled at the looks on the couples faces.

Clare looked at the picture in awe. Emotion swelled in her chest and she choked back a sob. She was determined to remain strong and not cause a scene, but completely lost it when she saw Eli.

He was staring at the screen, tears flowing freely down his face. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the small, black and white form of his child on the small screen. He finally knew why people made a big deal about ultrasounds. That picture was one of the most beautiful things he'd ever seen.

The female doctor was fighting back an emotional reaction to the young parents. The male doctor was looking inquisitively from Clare and the screen and back at Clare.

"I'm sorry, doctors. It's the hormones. I'm not sure what his excuse is though." She explained nervously, tears still welling in her eyes. She sniffled loudly and tried to clean her face.

They all laughed and Eli tried to wipe away his tears.

"It's just…" Eli shook his head, "that's our baby. Our baby, Clare" He beamed at her, the tears still assaulting his face. "It's everything I've ever wanted."

Eli reached over for her and wiped her face. "I love you." He whispered emotionally.

She nodded her head and smiled back proudly. "I love you too."

The male doctor cleared his throat and laughed, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have a few questions for you." Clare nodded and switched her attention from the screen to the doctor.

"Ms. Edwards, when did you say you found out about your pregnancy?" He asked her professionally.

" Um… July 6th. A week and a half ago." She responded.

"Do you remember when your last period was?" He asked her.

"No, I honestly do not." She answered, wondering why it mattered at this point.

"How far along do you think you are?" he asked. Dr. Niles continued along with the ultrasound, moving it occasionally while Dr. Franks took down notes.

"I don't really know. I was thinking probably a month?" Clare was starting to get nervous with the questions and the doctor's attitude. Was something wrong with the baby? Her heart was practically beating out of her chest.

"According to the measurements, you're about 14 weeks along, Clare."

Her eyes widened skeptically. "14 weeks? I'm 14 weeks pregnant?"

"It appears that way, yes. With the given measurements, I'd place the date of conception in the first week of April. We'll say your official due date is Christmas, but you can give or take a few days. It might change as your pregnancy progresses, however." Dr. Frank stated, sensing the uneasiness in the room.

Clare and Eli tried to wrap their heads around the new information. They'd assumed that she had just recently gotten pregnant. 14 weeks seemed so far in. Everything seemed more real for them.

"I know, it's a lot to wrap your head around. Ms. Edwards, don't beat yourself up for not detecting your pregnancy sooner. It happens to a lot of women. We should do a follow-up appointment every three weeks, to check how the baby is developing. You should start showing in the next month or two. And, if you choose to find out the baby's gender before the big day, we'll be able to do that for you in about a month."

Eli felt completely overwhelmed by everything the male doctor was saying. These facts were too much for him. Christmas baby, 14 weeks, genders. It was too much. He just wanted to continue to look at his child on that screen and not worry about the details just yet.

"Thank you, doctor." Clare whispered, trying not to sound completely dazed.

"It's normal to be nervous, especially for young parents. But it gets easier." He smiled reassuringly at them and handed Clare a washcloth. "Unless you have any questions, we can wrap this up and I'll see you in about three weeks."

"When can we hear the heartbeat? B-Because this magazine said it develops in the first month." Eli stuttered, embarrassed that he's revealed his expertise in pregnancy magazines.

"There's a possibility that we will be able to hear the heartbeat at the next appointment. It's generally detectable by stethoscope between weeks 18-20." He handed Clare a packet of papers and a prescription. "There is dietary information and a prescription for some pre-natal vitamins, as well as some commonly asked questions and information about the baby's development. It will give you peace of mind, I promise. How many copies would you like of the ultrasound?"

Clare wiped the gel off of her stomach and climbed off of the table. "Five, please?"

He nodded and Dr. Niles left the room.

"You can pick them up at the front desk. Take care of yourselves and we'll see you back here soon."

Clare stumbled shakily out of the room with Eli following close behind. Her legs felt unstable and she tripped on her own feet, only to be promptly caught by the man behind her.

"Blue-eyes, you've got to be more careful. You're walking for two now." Eli steadied her and pecked her on the cheek. He swiped their ultrasound photos off of the counter and, as Clare arranged for her next appointment with the secretary, Eli stared at his son or daughter, in black and white, on the glossy piece of paper.

He was in love.

This chapter took me forever to write! I was really picky about the details and grammar. It was majorly tiring.

BTW, I would suggest everybody read a story called After the Storm by Jacksvoiceofreason.

I read it yesterday and it was bloody fantastic.

That is all.

Oh, and I'm a review whore, so please review. It gives me incentive to update often.

Thanks!

Vann