"Are you sure the kid is mine and not one of the other guys you've been screwing?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Jack please. I don't want this fucking baby. And if you don't take it I'm aborting it."
Jack just stared at her like she had just grown twenty heads.
"No absolutely not. I swear to fucking God Harlow Elizabeth if you abort this baby you'll be in deep shit and that's not a threat that's a promise."
"So you'll take the fuckin' kid?"
"Yeah that's exactly what I'm saying Harlow. Now we're gonna tell our families all at the same time. This weekend my place 3pm. And if my family is on a case then we'll wait till they get home. Understood?" he growls.
"Yeah." She snaps and walks away.
Jack sighs and walks out to his car.
"Jack what's the matter?"
"What I'm about to tell you is something you have to keep your mouth shut about until this weekend which I suggest you get out of the house for."
"Okay and is everything okay Jack?"
"Next year I won't be getting that baseball scholarship to VSU and like I'll be going to Quantico Community College."
"Damn it Jack tell me! You're scaring me!" she said.
"Harlow's pregnant with my child. She was going to abort it but I managed to talk her out of it. So it looks like instead of cleaning my mitt I'll be cleaning up an infant."
"Jack you're kidding right? This is just some sick joke right?"
"I wish I was little sister. But I'm not. Please promise me you won't have sex until you're married or at least you have the right guy. You don't need to end up like me."
"Yeah I promise. Hey can we stop by the mall really fast? I need to pick up something for Dylan."
"Yeah sure. He's Genesis' son right? He's gonna be a year old in a week right?"
"Yeah and yup. So I wanna get him a birthday present for my nephew/godson." She smiles.
"and let me guess Henry is gonna sign his name to the card as well?"
"Yeah. Aunt JJ and Uncle Will found out about him failing his math test last week so he's under house arrest for the next two weeks."
"Damn that sucks. I'm on house arrest for the next four years." Jack sighs.
"Bubby it's gonna be okay. You're smart. You'll figure something out. I know you will." She said as they head toward the mall.
They get there and they both head over to one of the stores and Christi gets Dylan some new clothes and Jack even gets him some toys that are age appropriate. Christi looks and sees Jack with tears rolling down his face and she goes over and hugs him.
"I screwed up my life munchkin. I fucked it up big time."
"Jack things will work out I know it will. You're super smart. Jack you're fifth in your class. I know you can make it to number one and be valedictorian. I know you can do this. Sure this baby wasn't planned and you'll have to give up a lot, but I know you'll love him or her more than anything else in the world."
Jack sighs and nods as they go and pay for Dylan's birthday gifts then they head over to the car and head home.
When they get home they head upstairs and do their homework. XXXXX
"So how was school today kids?"
"Good." Christi said quickly.
Keeping the fact that Jack got Harlow pregnant a secret was killing her and driving her crazy. She was fidgeting and was playing with her food.
Hotch and Derek look at each other and know that when she gives answers quickly and is fidgeting and picking at her food she was hiding something.
"Alright Christina Beth what are you keeping from us?" Derek asks.
"Nothing. Can I be excused please?" she asks.
"Go." Hotch said.
She gets up and wraps her dinner up then puts it in the fridge then makes a break for her bedroom. Once she gets in there she sighs in relief. Sitting there at the table was slowly killing her. XXXXX
"What's the matter with your sister?" Derek asks.
"No idea." He said then continues, "Can I be excused?"
"Sure go ahead sport." Hotch said.
He nods and gets up and goes upstairs and knocks on Christi's door.
"Who is it?"
"Jack."
"Come on in."
He opens her door and walks in and sees her talking in ASL {American Sign Language} to someone via webcam.
"Who are you talking to?"
"Henry. I managed to talk Aunt JJ into letting me talk to him. And I kinda told him but it was all in ASL so don't worry. I needed to tell someone. I was going crazy." In order to graduate they needed a foreign language credit and they'd both chosen to take ASL.
"It's fine. Henry you need to keep this quiet for a few days. Please." Jack begs.
"Sure not a problem man." He said.
"Good and by the way if you put my baby sister in the same situation I'm in you're getting castrated. Do I make myself clear?"
"Loud and clear." Henry said.
"Jack don't threaten him and besides he knows he's not getting laid any time soon."
"Good." He said.
Jack leaves and Christi and Henry go back to talking in ASL. She giggles and goes pink in the cheeks at something he says.
"Hey babe I gotta go. Parents are yelling at me to get off. Bye I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay babe. Hey don't forget about the ASL test tomorrow."
"I won't. Sleep well."
"You too. Night love you."
"Night love you too." He said.
She smiles as they disconnect the conversation and she smiles and lies back on her bed.
She and Genesis had been best friends since preschool and last year Genesis and her boyfriend had sex and she got pregnant but he was four years older than her and he had gone to prison for statutory rape and he also had a long rap sheet mainly for drugs and gang related charges.
She reaches over and grabs her LG Rumor Touch cell phone and dials Genesis' number.
"Hey there bestie!" Genesis declares.
"Hey girl. How are you doing and how's my godchild?"
"He's great. I have the flu."
"Oh that sucks! I'm sorry! Do you need anything?"
"No I'm good. So how was school?"
"Boring as hell." She laughs.
"That's because I'm not there!" she giggles.
"Alright there chica don't so full of yourself!" Christi laughs.
They talk for a while before Dylan starts screaming and she has to go. After they hang up Christi falls right asleep in bed. XXXXXXX
That weekend Christi was getting ready to go to the local ice skating rink with Henry. JJ and Will had lifted his grounding once he'd shown them a passing grade on Friday's math quiz.
"Where do you think you're going?" Hotch asks.
"Ice skating with Henry. I already know the news and I don't want to be anywhere near here when all of you find out the news because lets just say all of you going to go so batshit you're going to want to murder him." she said as the doorbell rang.
"And there's Henry. I'm gonna crash with Aunt JJ, Uncle Will and Henry tonight and for the next week until its safe to come back. They already said its okay and no we're not going to have sex. I'll be in the guest room and there will be no midnight tiptoe I promise."
"Okay as long as it's okay with them. Do you have everything you need for the week?" Hotch asks as they go downstairs.
"Yup. Bye daddy love you. And don't be to hard on him." she said giving Jack a sympathetic look then gives Derek a hug and kiss before she leaves with Henry. XXXXX
"So what's this news that all of us need to hear?" Harlow's father, Andrew, asks wanting to know why they were there. XXXX
Deciding not to stall any longer, Harlow spoke.
"I'm pregnant and it's Jack's." The room went deadly silent at the teenager's words. You could have heard a pen drop.
"Someone say something. Dad, Papa?" Jack called. "Mr. and Mrs. Anderson?"
"What do you mean you're pregnant and it's Jack's? What in the hell were you thinking Harlow Elizabeth Anderson?" her mother Becca yelled.
"When did this happen?" asked her father clearly upset.
"Are you sure it's yours?" Hotch asked over the yelling. Hotch's question made everyone stop short.
"I don't know, she screwed half the football team, so for all I know it could be one of theirs," Jack replied.
"Are you calling my daughter a slut?" Andrew yelled getting in Jack's face.
"If the shoe fits," Jack retorted.
"That's it!" Andrew yelled lunging at Jack. Derek got between him and his adopted son.
"I wouldn't hit him if I were you," he growled.
"Or what?" Andrew sneered.
"I'll hit you," Derek declared getting in the other man's face.
"Derek," Hotch called just as Becca called her husband.
"Andy, stop it, fighting won't solve this. The kids got themselves into this mess; it's their responsibility to get themselves out of it." Nodding slowly he settled on the couch next to his wife and Derek walked back to Hotch and settled next to him.
"I know its Jack's because I haven't slept with anyone else since the end of February and it's now April. The doctor told me I'm about a month along. I'm due in late December."
"You're talking like you're keeping this little brat. You're getting rid of it as soon as we can make an appointment," her father demanded.
"Like hell! It's my child to and I say she's not killing it. I already told her I'd take it and raise it," Jack demanded. Hotch and Derek shared a look.
"We support your decision, Jack. We aren't happy about the fact that you got Harlow pregnant, but we're happy you're stepping up to the plate and going to raise this child," Hotch said.
"That's good, because I don't want a damn thing to do with this baby," Harlow whined. "Once it's born, that's it, I'm done."
"Then it's settled. We'll let Jack know when her doctor's appointments are so he can be there and Harlow will call you when she's in labor. Once this baby is born, we're washing our hands of the entire situation. No money, no visits, nothing," Harlow's mother said. The others in the room nodded woodenly. Hotch, Jack, and Derek couldn't understand how anyone could be so cold and heartless especially when it came to an innocent little baby.
"Come on, Harlow, we're going home, and just so you know you're grounded for four months," her father growled grabbing her arm and pulling her to her feet before pushing her towards the door.
"I know, same goes for me," Jack said sadly.
"That's right, school, home, and doctors appointments with Harlow. Other than that, you're not allowed to do anything for the next four months," Derek said. Jack nodded he knew he deserved it. Giving them one last look, Harlow followed her parents out the door closing it behind her leaving Hotch, Derek and Jack sitting in silence. XXXX
"I'm so sorry, Dad, Papa. I screwed up majorly and I know it. Just please don't hate me. I know I'll have to give up a lot for this baby, but I'll do it. Just please don't hate me," Jack begged tears streaming down his face. Instantly Hotch and Derek were by his side and comforting him.
"We're not happy with what you did, but we could never hate you, son. We'll work it all out. I promise, we'll take the Anderson's to court and demand they provide child support. I'm sure the judge will grant the request," Hotch assured.
"But don't they usually only give child support to single mothers?" Jack wondered.
"Usually, but they give it to the parent who has custody of the child. In this case, that would be you," Derek explained.
"Oh, okay, now I understand. If it's okay, I'm gonna go take a nap. I'm exhausted. I'll tell the team myself, you don't have to do that. I'll apply to Quantico Community College. Maybe I can do my first two years their then move to a college closer to home to finish my degree," Jack thought out loud.
"That's a good idea. I'm proud of you for stepping up and being a man. I love you, kiddo," Hotch said hugging him tightly.
"So do I," Derek replied hugging him as well.
"I love you guys, to. Now I'm going to lie down and think about things for a while," Jack said getting up and ascending the stairs. The couple sitting on the couch turned and stared at each other their lives were going to be rough these next few months, but as long as they had each other and their family, they would make it through.
TBC?