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Chapter 9

Manny's POV

Alli had asked me to go with her when she told Johnny about her pregnancy. The two had been in touch since finding out, but she felt like this was a conversation to be held face to face. Johnny had been away at university, and would be home for the holiday break.

She had told me about their relationship, how it had always been rocky. He wasn't thrilled that he had fallen for a girl so much younger than him. How he'd treat her in private opposed to how he'd treat her around his friends. I myself would of took that as a big red flag, and ended the relationship right there and then.

She told me about their first real conversation at school sponsored camping trip, to loosing her virginity to him in an abandoned van at the ravine, to no matter what happened their paths in life always seemed to bring them back to each other.

As any girl would be Alli was nervous to tell him. She tried to conceal her 5 month baby bump under a baggy sweater she paired with leggings and boots. We helped Anya in the kitchen preparing Christmas Eve dinner, while Sav played with Xander in the living room.

Anya told me her pregnancy story, how Sav disobeyed his parents to stick by her side. How hard it has been working, finishing high school, taking care of Xander, and working on her relationship with Sav. Dinner was just getting set out on the table when there was a knock on the door. Alli quickly straightened up her sweater before running to the door.

Johnny looked different than the pictures Alli had shown me. His hair was shorter, and he'd seemed to gain some muscle. He spoke very eloquently for the punk Alli had told me wlhe once was. University seemed to have changed him for the better. He embraced Alli in a sweet hug, she smiled softly as they walked into the living room introducing the two of us.

We all gathered at the table, and talked about everything that has been going on in our lives. Alli was very quiet, knowing why I decided to break the ice a bit.

"So, my story on the teen pregnancy spike at Degrassi is going well." I said as Alli's eyes grew bigger. "I've seen a little about it on the news, so your working with Anya and Sav then?" Johnny asked. "Well, I have talked with them. I mostly focus on the younger girls who are pregnant right now." I said as Alli kicked me under the table. Johnny's eye grew larger and he choked a bit on his food. His eye's quickly moved to Alli. "Backwoods, are you trying to tell me something ?" he finally managed say. He had fear in his eyes. Alli eyes were now tearing up as she grabbed his hand pulling it to her stomach. His hand stayed there for a few minutes, his face was pale. It was hard to read how this situation would turn out. They both sat there in silence, until Xander squealed and started blowing raspberries. That seemed to bring Johnny back to reality.

He quickly stood up his hands were shaking. " I can't deal with this!" he said looking at Alli, then walked out the door. Alli began to sob into Anya's arms. "Go after him Sav!" Anya said looking scared. "Give him some space to process everything." Sav replied as he started clearing the table.

I helped Sav clean up dinner while Alli bawled like a baby in Anya's arms. "I shouldn't of butted in." I told Sav as we were washing dishes. "I really thought Johnny was a good guy. Part of wants to believe he just needed some air and would be back, but it's been a long time. I guess I should of went after him." Sav said.

Sav and I finished up in the kitchen. He took Xander in to get ready for bed while I joined Anya in comforting Alli on the couch. About the time I sat down there was a knock on the door. Alli looked up in desperation, while Anya went to the door.

Johnny appeared holding a single rose. "Backwoods, I'm sorry. I needed time to let everything sink in. You have to admit that was a lot of information to take in. I promise you that I will be the best dad I can be to our child." Johnny said as Alli jumped into his arms