Author's Note: Hey everyone! I'm so sorry it took so long to update. I know you're probably sick of the excuses, but there really is a reason this time. My co-author has been sick recently, and we've also been handed a shitload of AP coursework in school. On top of that, there have been multiple personal problems that cropped up. Please accept our apologies and enjoy this chapter! Thank you so much for your patience!

-Grace-

Isabel and I must've been sitting at that goddamn kitchen table for hours. And I don't even want to bring up how many cups of coffee and tea we must've had. After about the ninth, twenty-minute-long spew of silence, she finally threw her head down against the table – hands in the air.

"Can't I just fucking tell them I don't want to go back!? That this is my home!?" she groaned in exasperation.

"You and I both know they wouldn't go for that." I couldn't help but to be the pessimistic one of the two of us with that – but really, we had to get real. Isabel's parents wouldn't believe that crop of bullshit. Let alone be okay with accepting it.

And yet another silence fell upon us. It was really getting annoying, to be honest. We'd been up for the earlier half of the morning, thinking and debating different ways to convince Isabel's parents to allow her to stay for a longer amount of time without sounding suspicious.

"I got it." I finally heard her mumble – but before I could ask, she had already whipped out that cellphone of hers – pressed it against her ear – and waited for someone to pick up. So fast, in fact, I didn't even see her dial anything. But then I remembered it probably had speed-dial. (I remembered this because Cole had four different pizza-places on his speed-dial.)

"Hey, mom. It's me. Yeah – everything's great. So great, in fact, that I was wondering if I could stay a little longer? I actually got that job! Remember – back when we lived here – I always wanted to work at that little book-store?" I could hear some squeaky words on the other end of the phone, as Isabel paused. "You don't remember?" She lied; "It's all I ever talked about! Well the point is I got the job. So I was wondering if I can stay here for a while to work and maybe save up some money for, like, college and stuff? So I can start being independent – like dad's always complaining about?" She rolled her eyes, lies spewing from her mouth faster than I could even imagine.

She nodded, agreed, and basically bullshitted for a few more minutes before hanging up and flashing me a grin – accompanied with a thumbs up. "I just bought myself a year's extension… as long as I call and check up more often." She added hastily, with a frown. "See? I know how to get what I want – a little arguing, and she gives in. Thank God for parents who don't care." She smiled, but the twinge of sadness that flashed behind her eyes was unmistakable.

It seemed more and more like Isabel was just talking to herself – mostly because she talked so fast, I could barely get a word in – but the next thing she added caught me off guard.

"I'm not going to be that kind of parent."

And then she paused, before looking absolutely horrified.

"I'm going to have to actually get a job!" She groaned.

I couldn't help but to laugh at that – patting her arm a bit. "I know , it's hard to get used to. Who would've guessed that the Ms. Isabel Culpeper would actually be – dare I say it? – middle class!"

We both laughed at that, which was good – because at least now she had some sort of positive distraction.

"Besides, just imagine buying adorable baby outfits. It'll make working easier." I couldn't help but to add, knowing just how… fashionista Isabel could get.

She agreed, and I couldn't help but to allow my mind to wander as we talked about various baby products. Specifically, my mind wandered to children. But not Cole and Isabel's – more like to possibilities for Sam and I. I knew it was far in the future – but maybe two pups, after a nice, beautiful wedding, was in store. I hadn't brought up children yet – and marriage, maybe only twice – at Sam's request – but it seemed like a sensitive subject to him. I figured it was that way because of the relationship – or lack thereof – with his own parents. Almost as if Sam was scared there'd be a repeat of his incident.

But then again, the future could always change.

-Isabel-

Doctors, jobs, Cole… so much going through my head. My bank account was pretty full – and I knew I'd have access to it, no problem. Doctor… I guess Grace could help me find one. Or some. I'm not exactly sure on how many Doctors you need for this sort of stuff. But Cole. Cole, Cole, Cole, Mr. St. Clair himself. How would I tell him? Do I spring it on him and hope for the best, or leave subtle clues and hope he figures it out in time? There were a million questions. Among those, some of the others included; How would he even react? Would he be a good father? Or would he be like mine – or his? Would he even stick around? Or would he leave?

Either way, I hoped he'd be good. I hoped he'd stick around. I felt a familiar, sickening churning in my stomach and leapt for the bathroom – barging through the closed door before I could even knock.

If it wasn't for how sick I felt, I would've laughed at the sight of a shirtless Sam with a mouth full of toothpaste and one fresh, scarlet-dipped razor-cut on his jawline – who's attention dipped from the mirror to me as I collapsed in front of the toilet and upchucked all of those cups of coffee and tea Grace and I had binged on.

I could hear the water begin to run from the sink, someone spit, and then felt my hair being gathered away from my face and pulled behind me – and, despite its awkwardness, I couldn't help but to feel appreciative.

Because I had eaten so little, I didn't have to remain there for long – and quickly stood back up, with the help of a flustered Sam. Before he could say anything, I cut in.

"I didn't mean to barge in – sorry, Sam." It came out more like a sigh and less like an apology.

I had to bite back a grin at his next response, because it was nearly hysterical how awkward this kid was with females – let alone pregnant ones. "It's, uh, it's fine. Ya' know with your… um… you know." He paused, clearing his throat. "Yeah."

He turned back to the sink to gargle something, before scurrying out the door and around the corner into his room – the door clicking shut behind him.

I grinned, snorting in amusement before brushing my own teeth and returning downstairs to the living room.

Only to be met with a bone-crushing hug from Cole.

I leaned up to brush our lips together, like we normally did, but was met instead with him scooping me up and tossing me over his shoulder. Because I had just finished throwing up the contents of my stomach, the last thing I felt was happy – being hoisted into the air so ungracefully. I could feel my stomach tighten and snapped at him to put me down – which he did, surprised at my sudden outburst. I mean, he must've been used to my outbursts – but never this seriously.

"Keep your panties on, Princess. I didn't mean to freak you out." He snorted in his apologetic-Cole sort of way. I laughed, whapping him on the shoulder lightly in an attempt to restore any semblance of normality. "It's alright, you big oof. Just think before you toss me around like a hacky-sack."

He laughed, returning my whap with a flick of his fingers against my cheek. Before I could rebuttal, he vaulted himself over the back of the couch and crash-landed into the cushions, grasping the nearby remote and flickering on that Animal Planet show with the guy who was known to drink his own piss – or something like that. All I know is that was the last thing I wanted to watch, so I fled to the kitchen.

-Sam-

When Cole picked up Isabel I almost screamed. I wasn't an expert when it came to the care of pregnant women, but I could figure out that probably wasn't the most ideal activity for them. I hated how Isabel still hadn't told him – it wasn't fair and it was making things awkward in the house. He deserves to know; and I hated keeping it from him.

I do have to say, I'm pretty proud that I didn't pass out or anything when she threw up today. I seriously thought I was 'gonna lose it. I was just glad that the television provided white noise for my thoughts; and distraction for Cole.

"Hey, Sam?"

Fuck. Nevermind.

I sighed, deciding it'd be smart to answer before he got extra annoying. "Yes, Cole?"

"Have you noticed anything…" He paused to think; "…Weird, about Isabel and Grace? They kinda' sneak off together a lot. I hope they're doing something cool, like having sex with each other. I'd love to watch that shit. What do you think they're doing?"

I rolled my eyes; leave it to Cole to figure out the enigma that was the female mind. Typical Cole stupidity. "I highly doubt that's what they're doing, Cole."

"It would be awesome, though. Don't you think? So hot."

I sighed again, feeling my patience already wearing thin. "Yeah, whatever." I agreed for the sake of him dropping the subject – hoping he would grow quiet and unconcerned again.

No such luck for me.

"But, seriously, what do you think they talk about? Girl shit? Like… periods and stuff? Us?" He sounded curious now, brainstorming conversation possibilities for the two females of our 'pack'.

I shrugged it off as best I could and glued my eyes to the television program – despite how painstakingly boring it was. Maybe, just maybe, if I stayed calm and quiet he would forget I existed and drop it. Thankfully, he finally just shrugged – a Cole-symbol for giving up – and reached for the remote.

I hoped Isabel would get a move on and tell him soon.

"You okay? You seem off." He spoke again, this time glancing at me as he changed the channel – heading toward MTV and away from Animal Planet.

Fuck. I knew it was only a matter of time. I sucked at keeping secrets around my friends. But I had to think of another lie to cover it up, and quick.

"Nah, I'm fine." I swallowed, glancing at him. "Just a little nervous about fall."

It wasn't a complete lie – so that made me feel better. It was almost fall; and the sixty-seventy degree weather wouldn't last forever. It was only a matter of time until the cold chill of winter crept up on is.

Cole grunted, seeming to accept this answer as he refocused his attention to the tv once more – finding interest in Teen Mom, or some shit.

I wondered, vaguely, if the weather would affect the baby. Or how it would. And then I thought of the others – like Beck.

I figured I'd go visit them. Maybe tomorrow – or sometime soon, if I had the chance. I wanted to see how they were all doing.

And besides, visiting them would give me a chance to clear my head of all this baby nonsense.