Author's Notes: Thankies! I'm glad you thought it was all pretty realistic; that's always been my goal in writing. However, most of it was just based on real-life expeirience because one of my friends was once in a situation similar to Elaine's and I was there both when she went to the doctor and found out she was expecting and also there when she told her parents. So that's where that comes from.
Here's the next chapter! Sorry it took longer than usual to get it up, but school's been keeping me busy. I was going to post it last night, but I was pretty much falling asleep over the keyboard. It's not as long (well, that previous chapter was 2,690 words long, and usually I don't write that much for one chapter) and there's not as much excitement going on, but some important things happen in it, so I think it's worth a read. Enjoy!
"Scipio, does this dress make me look fat?"
"No, Elaine, it doesn't," said an exasperated Scipio for the umpteenth time. "Are you ready to go now?"
"No, I gotta get my shoes," said Elaine, and before Scipio could say anything else, Elaine had disappeared into the stairwell. Scipio threw his hands up in surrender and, from the seat next to him, Prosper grinned.
"Women," he said, getting a punch in the arm as a reply.
Upstairs, Elaine was busy trying to get on her shoes. Hornet watched her, smiling as she asked, "So, Elaine, are you going to tell him tonight?"
Elaine looked up. "Yes. I will." She hated to lie like this, but Hornet would find out the truth soon. Very soon.
Three weeks had passed, and, besides Elaine's ongoing pregnancy, not much had changed in the Stella. Elaine's stomach was still flat, the other people in the Stella didn't know about Scipio's father, and Hornet didn't know that Elaine had, indeed, told Scipio about his impending fatherhood. She feared that it would lead, somehow, to Scipio's father, so she kept quiet about the whole thing. Scipio would tell them all the truth about his father and home soon, but kept putting it off, because he knew they would be angry.
"Well, have fun on your hot date," teased Hornet as Elaine exited the room. Elaine stuck her tongue out at her and walked down the stairs, where Scipio was waiting.
The night was slightly warm but not hot in the least, and a few clouds decorated the star-filled sky. Elaine put her hand in Scipio's and the young parents-to-be made their way down the alley and across a few streets and bridges. Scipio was taking Elaine to a fancy restraunt, but, since the other residents of the Stella didn't know about the money he had, they all thought they were simply going to a bookstore and for a walk around Venice.
A very feminine-looking waiter greeted them and led them to their table. Once seated, Elaine looked over the menu several times, looking for the one thing she'd been craving lately: ravioli. After finding it, she and Scipio ordered their meals and Elaine got a good look around the restraunt. There were a few other couples and one old woman who was chewing on her food slowly, looking down at her plate; it was obvious her mind was somewhere far, far away. They were on the second floor and their booth was next to a window, which showed Venice in all of its glittering glory. Elaine smiled, remembering the night three weeks ago when it had looked similar to this and she'd told Scipio of her pregnancy.
"Wow, Scip, this place is amazing," she said.
Scipio smiled sheepishly and replied, "It was the least I could do."
They thought in silence for a few moments more before they both spoke at the same time:
"Elaine, I've been thinking, and--"
"If it wouldn't be too much to ask, I--"
They stopped and looked at each other. "You go first," said Scipio.
"Well, I mean, I was thinking that I could go in for a doctor's appointment sometime. I mean, if it's not too much to ask. Even though I don't think there's anything wrong, I would just like to check. But I don't want you to waste all your money on me," Elaine added hastily.
"A doctor's appointment. Hm. You mean like an ultrasound?"
"Yeah."
"Well, when you say wasting all my money on you -- I mean, I don't call it wasting. And anyway, this is also for our baby, so I think it's a pretty good idea. Plus, I'd like to make sure everything's okay too."
Their waiter returned with their food and they ate silently for a few minutes. Finally, Elaine asked, "So what was it that you were going to say?"
Scipio hesitantly answered, "Well, the Stella really isn't the place to raise a baby. So, I thought that all of us - that is, you, me, Hornet, Prosper, Mosca, Riccio, and Bo - could all move into a house miles away from here. I mean, eventually, some of them would move out - and you know how Mosca wants to find his dad - so we'd have enough room. And in the meantime, well, I have enough money to buy us a big enough house. I think we could just leave Venice and find a house somewhere. I wouldn't have to tell my dad because I don't want him to know and since I'm over eighteen, I can't legally be listed as a runaway. What do you think?"
"I think it sounds like something straight out of a gushy love story."
At that, they both started to laugh. After letting out a last giggle, Elaine said, "Seriously, I think it's a great idea. But where would we move?"
"Where do you want to move?"
"Where do I want--in what area?"
"Anywhere."
"Anywhere? God, Scipio, that's---"
"No, I don't mean anywhere, but---"
"How about London?"
Scipio thought this over. "London. Are you sure?"
"Yes. What, is something wrong?"
"No, there's not. If you want to move to London, then we're moving to London. Anyway, I want to be as far away from my father as possible in case he comes looking for me."
"London. We're really gonna move to London? I mean, I know that you're pretty much...well...rich, but are you sure we can really afford that?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Okay, well..." Elaine hesitated. She had little doubt that Scipio could, indeed afford a big house in London, but she still thought it would be an awful lot of money that he would be spending. "I have some money in the bank too, so I think I could help pitch in."
"You don't have to."
"I know I don't have to, but I want to."
They finished their dinner, paid the bill, and went for a walk around Venice. The two looked at art in museums, watched a film-making contest that was going on at some highschool, and, when two middle-aged men started playing old love songs on the street for tips, enjoyed a slowdance under the moonlight. Finally, they went to a bookstore, where Elaine bought Hornet and herself a few books. While she was there, Scipio surprised her by buying her a book called "What To Expect When You're Expecting", which was, of course, a book all about pregnancy and what went on during it. Elaine thanked him by nearly cracking his ribs in half with a hug, and he merely smiled.
They decided to call it a night and Scipio took her back to the Stella. They said their good-byes and went their own ways. Nearly everyone was asleep when Elaine walked in. Everyone besides Hornet.
"So? Did you tell him?"
"Err...no..."
"Aww, come on, Elaine! It's been...what, a few weeks now?"
"Yeah..."
"And you've seen him how many times since then?"
Elaine didn't answer.
"See what I mean?"
"Yeah...well, he said he's coming tomorrow night, so I'll tell him then."
"Promise?"
"Yes. I promise, Hornet."
Elaine dug around in the plastic bag from the bookstore and handed a few of the books to Hornet. "I saw these in the bookstore and I thought you'd like them."
"Ooo, thanks!" Hornet happily settled down in her bed and opened one of them. As she began to read, Elaine got under her bedsheets and moved her hand down to her stomach. It seemed amazing, even now, that a tiny new life was growing inside of her. A tiny new life that would have a big house to live in! thought Elaine, suddenly remembering what Scipio had said over dinner. London...
Elaine drifted off into a sweet slumber, dreaming of her future son or daughter and house. Yes, life would be good from now on...
Author's Notes: Yeah, I know that things moved a bit fast in this chapter, but I kind of suck at letting things lead up to other things, so there you go.
Reviews love.