A/N: So I've had this chapter sitting in my Documents for about 5 days, waiting and hoping my reviews would at least hit 10 for the last chapter. It didn't happen and I'm kind of discouraged. Either more reviews or no more story. I need to know what you think. So please, review, and for those that did, thank you so much! I wish I could give you a cookie.
ALSO, THIS CHAPTER MAY HAVE SOME GRAPHIC TALK (NOT RELATED TO SEX) SO IF THAT WILL MAKE YOU UNCOMFORTABLE I SUGGEST YOU READ NO FURTHER.
Disclaimer: I own this story...just not the characters
She hadn't slept a wink.
It wasn't because she was regretting the decision she had made. She couldn't stand lying to Cohen. She'd finally convinced him nothing was wrong, and the fact that he cared so much made it all the more difficult.
Summer looked at the clock. 7:30. She battled between lying there longer or getting up to take a shower. The shower won and she got up, tottering into the bathroom. The water was so hot that it turned her skin a bright red.
Tears escaped her eyes. She was sad. Sad that she had gotten herself into this situation, sad that she was letting go her and Cohen's baby, sad that he didn't know and never would. She wiped her tears away and found comfort in knowing that she was doing the right thing for them.
A few minutes later she got out of the shower and dried off. She slipped on a pair of Pink by Victoria Secret sweatpants and a tank top. She scrunched her hair and applied some lip balm.
Summer glanced at the clock. 8:30.
She heard a soft knock on her door and she opened it and smiled at Marissa. "Hey Coop," she said, grabbing her bag from her chair. "I'm ready."
"You're still sure, right?" Marissa asked, and Summer nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure."
When they walked in Summer saw several pregnant teens and a few that weren't, or maybe were but were here for the same reason she was. They checked in and soon they were in a room with a nurse.
"Hello Ms. Roberts, I'm Lena. Let me just go over the procedures you can have and the side effects of both so you can make your decision. First we have Medical Abortion, which is the use of several medications that will stop some of your hormones and cause the lining of your uterus to break down. That will end the pregnancy. But, if you want Medical abortion, then you will have to take different medication over the course of a few days and then come back for another dose. Another option is Vacuum Aspiration. Basically we use a very gentle suction to empty your uterus. Many women are turned off by the word suction because they think it will be painful to the baby, but it is proven that babies 20 weeks and under cannot feel pain. And it doesn't hurt you."
Summer swallowed the information. "What are the side effects of both?"
Lena smiled. "As any procedure, there are side effects. With a Medical abortion you can experience bleeding for up to 4 weeks, dizziness, strong cramps, nausea, diarrhea and a mild fever. You cannot take aspirin for a few weeks afterwards. With a Vacuum abortion, we'll give you a small anesthetic to rule out any discomfort, and you may feel abdominal pains for a few days after."
Summer bit her lip and thought for a few moments. This was a big decision and the nurse told her everything so fast. What did most teenagers do in this situation? Finally, she said "Okay, I think the vacuum one...what do you think Coop?"
Marissa stood in the corner, her arms crossed. "Uh, yeah, that one sounds like the best choice."
Lena gave Summer a warm smile. "I hope you weren't pressured to make this decision and that it is one you want. Many women have serious long term emotional issues after having an abortion. It has to be a decision you make all on your own."
"It is," she said. "I'm just a little nervous."
Lena nodded. "That's completely normal. If you're sure this is the decision for you then I'll go get some paperwork. We'll have to go over some risks of the procedure and have an ultrasound to see how far along you are."
Summer looked at her, confused. "Why do you need to see how far along I am?"
"Because we generally like to do the procedure if you're less than 4 months. It's safer for you that way."
Summer sighed and gave Lena a weak smile. "Okay," she said.
As soon as Lena left, Marissa sat down beside Summer. "You're being very brave. I couldn't do this."
They sat in silence until Lena came back in with some paperwork. "You fill this stuff out, and skip the parental signature part. In the state of California you don't need a parent's permission."
Summer filled out all of her information and handed it back to Lena. "Alrighty," she said, handing Summer a gown. "Let me lead you to a room and we'll get the ultrasound done and move along with the procedure."
"Can Marissa be with me for the ultrasound?" Summer asked Lena, who nodded. "Yes, but not for the procedure."
Lena got Summer comfortable in the room and smeared the wet cream on her stomach. "Uh, will there be a heartbeat?" Summer asked, and Lenna nodded. "Quite possibly. My guess is that you're at least 6 weeks, and that is when the heartbeat is first detected."
Summer bit her lip. "Then can you turn the volume down? I don't want to hear it."
Marissa held her best friends hand and looked at the small screen. Summer turned her head away. She couldn't look. That would make her change her mind, something she couldn't do.
"You're about 10 weeks Summer," Lena said, pointing to the small spot on the screen. Marissa smiled and then frowned. Soon that wouldn't be there.
Lena shut the machine off and cleaned Summer's flat stomach. "If you're still sure this is what you want then I will go ahead and take you back. Afterwards you will have about an hour in recovery and then you can go home. You'll need to come back in a few days for a check-up, and call if you have any concerns."
Marissa bent over to hug Summer. "Remember, be brave," she said into her ear, and Summer nodded. She was unable to talk. This was really happening.
An hour and 10 minutes later they were on their way back to Summer's house.
Marissa sighed and kept glancing over at Summer. "How do you feel?"
Summer looked at her. "A little sad but mostly relieved. It's over...maybe everything will go back to normal now."
"So no regrets?" Marissa asked, and Summer shook her head. "No regrets."
"Would it be rude for me to ask how they do the procedure?" Marissa asked, a little apprehensive.
Summer shook her head. "No, it's fine. They used these rod things to separate my cervix and then they insert a tube that has suction and that's about it. They said tomorrow I should feel perfectly fine."
"Well good," Marissa said. "Because tomorrow is Monday and we have school and you get to find out what you made on your final. And then, thank God, we are out for summer!"
Summer smiled. "Summer vacation sounds so nice. We need to take a trip, to like, Mammoth!"
"Oh yeah, we do! I haven't been to Mammoth in a long time. We could get a cabin with the guys."
"And drink hot chocolate and huddle around the fireplace at night," Summer added. "Ah, it sounds perfect. The perfect get-away."
"Mmhmm," commented Marissa.
The doctor was right. It was Monday morning and she felt fine. Honestly, she didn't have any regrets. She knew she made the right decision, and even though the want to tell Cohen was eating her alive, she could live with it, because at least he was oblivious and happy.
Summer downed her coffee and flipped through Seventeen, wishing her last class would come say that she could:
A) Find out what she made on her final and
B) Be done with sophomore year
Summer closed her magazine when Seth plopped down beside her. "Good morning honey bunches of oats," he said, pecking her on the lips. "And how are we today?"
Summer smiled. "We are good, and please do not refer to me as cereal."
"Fair enough. I tried to call you like all day yesterday. Where were you?"
Summer thought quickly for an excuse. "Coop and I had a girl's day and then I went home and crashed. You know how shopping is."
Summer squirmed in discomfort when she felt a cramp but it wasn't too bad and passed quickly. She wasn't really having side effects, something she was thankful for. She didn't need Seth badgering her about not feeling well.
"Oh," he said, lifting his legs to rest on the coffee table. "Excited to find out your Chem. final?" he asked and she nodded. "Oh yes, I cannot wait. It better be good because I studied my ass of! Oh by the way Coop and I made plans to go to Mammoth next week for vacation, so check with your parents and get the okay."
"Mammoth? With like the snow and the skiing?"
Summer rolled her eyes. "Don't be such a baby, Cohen. You get to spend a week in a cabin with me. And if you're lucky, maybe even the same bed."
Seth grinned. "Sounds like a good trip to me."
Summer stood from the couch. "I said don't get your hopes up," she said, stepping over his legs. "Remember, only if you're lucky."
Seth watched her walk away.
"Oh, I'm lucky."
"I passed!" Summer screamed, holding up her A+ Chemistry final and waving it around. Seth smiled. "Congratulations honey. We should go out tonight to celebrate."
Summer grinned and nodded. "Yeah, and somewhere expensive. Like Michael Angelo, that Italian place by the pier."
Seth leaned forward and pecked her lips. "I'll call and make reservations."
Summer swung her locker door open and took down all of her pictures, books, and the rest of her belongings. School was over and it was summer time, with a million things to look forward.
Like Mammoth, and her date tonight with Cohen.
"Cohen where are we going?" Summer asked as Seth led her down on the beach. He jogged over to a stereo and pushed play, and the soft chords of Daughters by John Mayer began to play. "Do you wanna dance?" he asked, and she grinned.
"Of course," she said, taking his hand.
I know a girl
She puts the color inside of my world
but she's just like a maze
Where all of the walls all continually change
"So," Seth said. "I'm really proud of you for studying so hard and passing. You did a great job. And I'm really happy we get to spend this summer together," he said, pulling her a little closer.
Summer smiled. "You're so cheesy, but I love it."
And I've done all I can
To stand on her steps with my heart in my hand
Now I'm starting to see
Maybe it's got nothing to do with me
Fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too
Summer cringed at the lyrics. Girls become lovers who turn into mothers, so mothers be good to your daughters too. "Cohen, can we please turn this song off?"
Seth looked at her, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What, why? You told me you loved this song." Summer shook her head. "I don't like it. Please, turn it off."
Seth walked over to the small stereo and pushed the skip button. Here You Me by Jimmy Eat World started to softly play. "Are you sure you're okay? You seem distant still."
Summer nodded. "I'm great," she said, smiling at him. "Thank you for tonight. It's amazing already and we haven't even gotten to the restaurant." Seth smiled. "Your welcome."
What would you think of me now,
so lucky, so strong, so proud?
I never said thank you for that,
now I'll never have a chance.
May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.
"So did you ask your parents about Mammoth?" Summer asked, and Seth replied, "Yeah, and they said that would be fine."
She rested her head on his shoulder and the wind whipped through her hair. "Well good, because I really am looking forward to spend a week with you."
Seth nodded in agreement, and then verbally agreed. "As am I, Summer Roberts, as am I."
Summer took her last bite of chicken alfredo and smiled. "This place is so good," she said, dabbing her mouth with her napkin. "I can't believe we don't come here more often."
Seth took a drink of his Coke. "Yeah, it's really good."
"Would you two like dessert this evening?" the waiter asked, stopping at their table, and Seth eyed Summer smiling. "Feeling risqué?" he asked, and she giggled. "Let's risk!"
"What's your best dessert?" Seth asked the waiter, who contemplated for a moment. "Many of our customers love the Rotelline di Semolino."
Seth looked at Summer who nodded eagerly. "That sounds great," he said, and the waiter headed off to the kitchen.
"So Cohen, what are we doing after this?" Summer asked, winking at him as her foot slid up and down his leg. Seth smiled. "I was thinking we could go back to your place."
Summer smiled. "That sounds good to me."
Seth backed Summer up against her bedroom door, his hands running fiercely up and down her body. They were both panting, hardly able to breathe due to their make-out session in the car, and both were getting very frustrated that clothes were still in the picture.
Seth unbuttoned Summer's jeans and pulled at her tank top, successfully getting it over her head. And then her stomach unsettled. What the hell was she doing? She had just had an abortion that morning, and she was having sex? "That's how you got in this situation!" Her conscious was eating her alive.
Summer lightly pushed Seth back. "Stop," she said, breathless. "We can't."
Seth gave her a confused look. "What? What's wrong?"
Summer took a deep breath. "I think we should, like, not have sex all week, that way in Mammoth it will be like, awesome," she lied, hoping he would believe her incredibly unbelievable cover story.
Seth frowned. "What? I don't think I'll be able to hold out a week."
Summer rolled her eyes. "You have before!"
Seth groaned. "Ugh, fine, but only so it will be like 10x better in Mammoth."
Summer giggled. She could convince him of anything.
"I love you," he said, and Summer closed her eyes. Why did he always have to be so wonderful? Of course, he didn't know, and there was no telling how he would react if he did know.
"You too," she mumbled, guilt-ridden.
Oh boy, I really hope I don't get too much heat over the abortion: && I hope I didn't draw the story out too much, just wanted to get some couple time in :) Again, please review. For this story to have hundreds, and on most chapters, thousands of hits, I'm not getting very many reviews. I need to know if you like this story, and if I don't start getting several more than I'm getting, I won't be posting this story anymore. It's not worth my time and effort if I'm not getting any feedback. How do I know if you're liking what your reading? So please, PLEASE review! I'm not above sounding desperate.
