Chapter 11

Facing Reality

Toby woke up the next morning with his head throbbing and having a serious headache. He felt something cold and wet on his forehead. He reached up to find the source and it turned out the be a wet cloth placed on his head. He slowly opened his eyes to see that he was in his room and that it was morning because the sun was shining through his window. He quickly sat up and immediately regretted the fast motion, his head felt like someone's been playing soccer with it. Touching his forehead, he felt a knot and a little bit of swelling.

"He's awake." Toby looked up to see Jenna standing in his doorway.

"Jenna, what the hell happened to me?"

"You fainted last night. You fell down the porch steps and landed on your face on cement. Kate was really worried about you." Jenna said Kate's name and Toby felt his mouth go dry.

"So, it wasn't a dream? Kate really was here last night?"

"Yeah, you guys were talking on the porch and then you fainted. Dad had to go outside to carry you back inside. We've been checking on you every hour."

"Last night." Toby mumbled to himself as he thought about Kate's words. He was going to be a father and he was only seventeen. He felt so stupid.

"Toby, you okay? You look like a ghost." Jenna observed as she watched her step-brother go pale as he just stared into space.

"Yeah, I just need to get up on my feet." Toby slowly got up from the bed and Jenna came over to help him stand."Could you take me to the porch, Jenna?"

"Sure." Jenna helped support his body as she walked him out the door and onto the porch.

Toby let go of Jenna and sat down on the porch steps. The same spot he sat in when Kate told him she was pregnant.

"Can you leave me alone for a while?" Toby asked and Jenna nodded after she promised to check on him in a little while.

Toby pulled his phone out of his pocket. He had a few missed class and when he pulled up the name, he regretted it. It was Spencer, who was calling him all last night. Guilt and fear suddenly hit Toby as he thought of what she might do or say when she learned he got Kate pregnant. Toby, finally had a chance with Spencer and he felt like he already screwed it up. He thought about Kate next and how they should talk, so he sent her a text.

Meet me at my house,please. We need to talk.

-Toby

I'll be there,soon.

-Kate

Toby fiddled with his phone as he waited for Kate to show up. He looked over at the Hastings house and got a little sick. He had to go over there for dinner tonight. He wasn't dreading going, but dreading looking into Spencer's eyes and lying to her face. Kate's car pulled up and it shook him out of his gaze. He stood up and got into her car, thinking it'd be more private for them to talk there instead of out in the open.

"How's your head?" Kate asked after Toby got into the passenger seat and she saw the swelling.

"Kate, we both know why you're here. This is not about my head and you know it."

"Toby, I-"

"How could this have happened? We were always safe. We used protection and you were on the pill. This has to be mistake."

Kate scoffed as he said the last sentence."It wasn't a mistake when you were all over me. Now, that Spencer's in the picture everything that happened between us is a mistake."

"Kate, you're pregnant! How is that not a mistake!?" Toby yelled getting frustrated and Kate was starting to cry.

"It wasn't just me, who had sex. You were a willing participant. You just have to face the facts that this baby might be yours!"

"Might? What the do you mean might?" Toby asked confused and Kate stayed silent."You were seeing another guy other than me."

"Yeah, I was." Kate said a little ashamed and Toby rubbed his hands over his face.

"Who is he?"

"Noel Kahn."

"What does this mean? How are we supposed to know who the father his?"

"I can do a paternity test. I have one scheduled in about two weeks, but I don't know if I want to keep the baby."

Toby eyes grew wide."You mean you want an abortion?"

"Possibly or I might just give him or her up for adoption."

"If it's my baby, then I'm not getting rid of them. I'm going to love and provide for my child. If it's not, I don't you to ever come around me again." Toby states firmly and Kate chuckled to herself.

"Who's to say you have the right to see the baby. Who's to say I was even gonna tell you if you're the father or not."

Toby was livid and was about to get angry, when he heard a knock on his window. He looked up and it was Emily. Perfect. He rolls down the window and put on the happiest smile he could muster up.

"Hey, Em, what's up?" Toby said trying to sound as calm and casual as he could.

"I was just out for a jog and I saw you too in the car. It looked pretty...anyways, so I just wanted to much sure you both were okay." Emily said with her eyes filled with concern.

"We're fine, Emily. We just need to talk about some important stuff."

"Alright, Toby, I'll see you guys on Monday." Emily reluctantly moved back from the car and continued her jog.

"We are idiots." Kate murmured to herself and Toby felt his eyes starting to get watery.

"Yeah, we are, but I don't think we should take out our feelings on the baby. You shouldn't be crying and stressed out, it's not good."

"I'll text you when the paternity test is. Goodbye, Toby." Kate dismisses him and he was a little upset, but understood that she needed her space.

"I'll see you around, Kate." Toby got out of her car and watched her drive off.

The day just started and he already felt like the day had a lot in store for him.

Spencer, Aria, and Hanna were in Spencer's room that Saturday, so that Spencer could tell them about her date with Toby and everything that occurred afterwards.

"Your dad kicked out Toby? How could he do that?" Aria asked in surprise. Everyone liked Toby or so she thought.

"He was just really upset that me and Toby were alone at the lake house all day and night, during the week." Spencer said and spotted the twinkle of mischief in Hanna's eyes.

"Did he have a reason to be? Did you and Toby getting into any other fun?" Hanna winked at Spencer to know what she was implying.

Spencer blushed, but still shook her head." No, he was a perfect gentleman on our date."

"Well, that sucks." Hanna said disappointed that she won't get any juicy details.

"Han, I would never do that on a first date."

"I mean I always thought you guys would. I always could feel the tension between you two. I swear I had to stop myself sometimes from screaming just do it all ready." Hanna joked and the girls laughed at her. In that moment Emily entered the room.

"What's so funny?" Emily asked when she saw her friends laughing.

"Apparently, my love life." Spencer joked and Emily smiled at her friends before joining them on Spencer's bed.

"Spence, do you know what's up with Toby?" Emily asked and Spencer furrowed her eyebrows and shook her head.

"What do you mean? I was just with him yesterday and aside from the talk with my parents, he seemed fine."

"No, I was out for a jog this morning and I saw him, seating in Kate's car with her. It looked like they were arguing and she was crying. I went over to ask what was wrong, but Toby told me nothing. I left, but I didn't believe him."

"He was withe Kate?" Spencer asked a little upset.

"Yeah, it looked like intense arguing." Emily added, but didn't mention the fact that Toby's forehead was red and swelled.

"I don't know why he would be talking to her or what they would be talking about."

"You're not worried, Spence?" Aria asked.

"No, I trust Toby to not do anything to hurt me. Now, will you guys please help me pick something to wear tonight?" Spencer asked and Hanna was the first one to stand up.

"Gladly, you are going to turn heads at this dinner." Hanna winked and went over to Spencer's closet.

Toby kept ice on his head the whole day to stop the swelling. It went down, but his forehead was still red. He didn't have time to think about that, he had to be at Spencer's house, soon. He dressed in black dress pants and a blue button-down shirt with his best dress shoes. Toby added his lucky blue and black stripped tie, his mom gave him along time ago, to his outfit. Toby went out and brought flowers a few hours earlier, so all he had left to do is will his legs to walk over to the Hastings house. He grabbed the flowers and his keys, then headed out of the door. He took his time walking over there because he wasn't ready to face Spencer.

Toby finally arrived at the Hastings back door. He took a deep breath and was about to knock. The door swung open before he could and Spencer came walking out. She closed the door behind her and took Toby's hand, to led him to barn. Once they were inside, Spencer cupped Toby's face and kissed his lips. He dropped the flowers on the table next to him and wrapped his arms around. All the while as he was kissing her, he felt the guilt creeping up on him.

"Sorry, I just...really missed you." Spencer said out of breath as she pulled back from him.

Toby looked at her appearance and his heart skipped a beat. She was wearing a dark blue dress, the same color as his shirt. The dress stopped just above the knee and was strapless. Her hair was down and curled to perfection. She had a little bit of make-up on and not a lot that would hide her natural beauty.

"You are so beautiful." Toby said and she blushed at his words.

"You brought flowers." Spencer said as she picked up the red bouquet of roses.

"The white roses are for your mom, the pink roses are for Melissa, and the red roses are for you." Toby said and smiled as he say Spencer smell the roses and smile.

"I love them. Thank you." Spencer pulled him down by the back his neck and kissed him again.

"You're welcome." Toby said once he broke away from their kiss.

"Toby! What happened to your head?" Spencer exclaimed as she finally noticed the red spot on his forehead.

"I kinda got into a fight with gravity and I lost." Toby half lied, but Spencer laughed and kissed his forehead.

"Well, I hope you're okay. I don't want you to be passing out during dinner."

"I'm fine it's just been a rough day."

"Maybe, I can help." Spencer put the roses down and wrapped her arms around his neck. She leaned up to kiss me, but Toby pulled back.

"We should get back before your family starts to wonder what's taking you so long." Toby said and Spencer pouted, but let go.

He grabbed her free hand and walked her back to the door. He let go of her hand when she opened the door. He walked in to see Mr. Hastings sitting in the living room with Andrew and Mrs. Hastings cooking in the kitchen with Melissa.

"Toby?" Andrew said confused as he saw him enter the house with Spencer."What are you doing here?"

"Spencer, invited me over for dinner." Toby said coldly to Andrew which caused him to roll his eyes.

"Toby, welcome." Peter got up from the kitchen to shake Toby's hand.

"Thank you for having me, ."

"I see you've come barring flowers."

"Yes, I brought them for the lovely Hastings ladies." Toby said and Peter looked a little impressed.

"Toby, that is very sweet of you." Veronica said as she came out of the kitchen. She took the flowers from him and kissed his cheek.

"It's no big deal. I jut thought I'd do something nice for all of you." Toby said as he handed Melissa her roses next.

"Well we greatly appreciate it, thank you." Melissa thanked him and then mouth word keeper to Spencer.

"I was just getting ready to serve dinner. Everyone should go take their seats in the dinning room." Veronica dismissed them into the dinning room and they did as they were told.

Everyone entered the dinning room and took their seats. Mr. and Mrs. Hastings at the heads of the table. Andrew took the seat on the one end of the table, next to Mr. Hastings. Toby took the seat on the other side of the table, next to Mrs. Hastings. Spencer had a choice to make, whether to sit next to Toby or next to Andrew.

After thinking about it for a moment, Spencer made her choice. She sat down next to Andrew. It was only fair that if she gives Toby a chance, then Andrew deserves a chance too. As she sat down she looked up at Toby and he didn't look upset or sad. Melissa took the empty seat next to Toby.

The dinner conversation would flow naturally. Everyone discussed school, work, and plans for the holidays. It wasn't until Peter decided it was that it was time to get to know the boys that were at his dinner table, that's when things got interesting.

"So, Andrew, how did you and Spencer meet?" Peter asked and Andrew smiled, then placed his hand on Spencer's knee.

"We met at school, on the first day, sir. We've been together ever since."

"That's great. What you about you Toby? How did you and Spencer meet?" Peter asked and Toby grinned at Spencer and noticed she was blushing.

"We meet the day I moved into my house. Three years ago." Toby said not wanting to tell her father that they in fact met in her room, at night, alone.

"We've been friends ever since." Spencer said and Toby's face fell at the word friends. Melissa gave Toby a sympathetic look and sadly grinned at him.

"That's sound like a strong friendship. Now, Andrew, were do you plan on going to college?"

"I haven't decided between Harvard or Yale, but anywhere close to Spencer would always be my first choice. I want to study law" Andrew said and smiled at her.

"Well, that sounds incredible. Harvard or Yale, I'm impressed. Toby, where do plan to go to college?"

"I haven't decided if I want to go to college or not. I've got a lot of responsibilities here." Toby said and then the thought of the baby creeped into his mind, causing him to go pale.

"Toby, are you okay?" Veronica asked since she was the first one to notice his paleness.

"W-what? No, I'm fine. I just thought about something earlier that happened to me. Nothing to worry about though."

"Maybe, you'll feel better if we get some desert in you." Veronica patted his hand, then went into the kitchen to get desert, chocolate mousse.

"Since, we're all here I just thought I'd let everyone at this table know something." Andrew said and everyone's eyes were on him."I'm in love with your daughter. I want to love and provide for her, forever. To let her know I'm serious I brought her this."

Andrew stood up and pulled out a black jewelry box. He opened it and inside was a beautiful diamond necklace, which probably costs a fortune. Andrew handed the box over to Spencer and she was grinning from ear to ear. She took the necklace out of the box as Andrew took it from her hands to place it on her neck. She looked like she was about to cry, but she still looked happy.

"I love you." Andrew said after he finished putting the necklace on.

"I love you, too." Spencer said with little hesitation and Toby's heart dropped for about the third time today.

After they said I love you to each other, they shared a short kiss. Mr. Hastings looked proud and Mrs. Hastings looked as if she was about to cry tears of joy. Melissa had a different look on her face. She gave Toby a look that said she was sorry that he had to be here for that.

After dinner Mrs. Hastings suggested that everyone have coffee in the living room. Spencer would try to make conversation with Toby, but he would only give her one word answers. Andrew was enjoying watching Toby sulk and he milked all he could out of his dinner. Andrew would always have his arm around Spencer and kiss her whenever he had the opportunity. Mr. Hastings seemed to adore Andrew, but really kept Toby at arms lengthy. Coffee was done with and it was time to go home. Toby was the first one on to leave out of the door after he kissed Melissa and Veronica cheeks, and shook Peters hand.

"Toby." Toby was almost out of the driveway when he heard someone call his name. He turned around to see Andrew, walking up to him.

"Andrew." Toby said his name coldly, but held his ground jut incase he was looking for a fight.

"Fun night wasn't it? I especially enjoyed the part when I gave Spencer the necklace. She looked so happy. She always looks happy with me."

"What are you getting at, Andrew? I make Spencer happy all the time and I don't need to buy thousand dollars gifts to do that."

"No, you think you make her happy. She just wants you around because those years you were around when her father wasn't. So, she got attached to you, but you thought it was love. No, she just wanted to keep you around because she was so used to you being there. That's why when you kissed her, she went along with it to make you stay. She doesn't love you. She loves me and she made that clear tonight." Andrew declared and Toby's jaw tightened.

"Andrew, I think you're just afraid that she might actually fall for me or she already has."

"Really? If she had don't you think she'd be kissing you in front of her parents or at least in public. She doesn't even say you guys are an item, she refers to you as friends. That's all you'll ever be to her is a friend."

"Andrew, don't push me because you won't like the result." Toby threated as he clenched his fists and took a step towards Andrew.

"I'm just saying how could you take care of Spencer without a college education or a job. And do you think she'd want to be with after she found out Kate Randall's pregnant with your baby."

"Y-you, don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, I know. I overheard Kate one morning at the school, talking to her friends about being pregnant and then I heard you're name." Andrew put on a smug smile and chuckled when Toby's face dropped.

"I-I...I didn't-" Toby tried to form some words, but couldn't.

"You thought you wouldn't get caught in a lie. Remember where you live, this is Rosewood. Now, you've got Kate pregnant. Spencer, will most likely hate you and come back to me. And guess what Toby I win, I get to be the hero and get the beautiful girl. Now, you on the other hand will stay a peasant, who got stupid and knocked up some girl. With no education and no job, I feel bad for your baby to know his father is nothing, but a worthless, insignificant,-"

Toby couldn't take it anymore. Andrew was talking about Spencer and that pissed him off. But, talking about his possible child made him livid. He punched Andrew with so much force that Toby felt like his hand shattered. Andrew immediately fell to the ground. Toby could see that Andrews nose was bleeding, but didn't stay around to check on him. Toby walked home with his head held high and a grin on his face.

Hours later, Toby sat on his porch with ice on the hand that he collided with Andrews face. He was thinking about Spencer and about his future. He talked with Jenna about everything when he came home. She had some good and bad advice to give him. Ultimately, Toby needed some time to think on his on. So, here he was at night watching the stars and thinking, hard.

"Hey, Toby." Toby looked up to see Spencer standing above him, holding a red rose in her hand.

"Spencer."

Spencer took a seat next to him on the porch steps and handed him the rose.

"I think you deserved it, tonight went well." Spencer said and Toby chuckled.

"Were we at the same dinner?" Toby joked and Spencer nudged him.

"Well, my dad didn't yell at you or kick you out, so it's a great dinner in my book."

"Well, it was an interesting evening. One that I will never forget."

"What happened to your hand?" Spencer took hold of his injuries hand and examined it's bruised knuckles.

"Nothing, it was an accident." Toby lied and Spencer pulled his hand up to her face and kissed his knuckles.

"I came over here because I needed to tell you something." Spencer said and held Toby's hand tighter.

"What is it?" Toby asked, but in reality didn't want anymore news for the day.

"Andrew, wants me to meet his family. So, he wants me to spend thanksgiving with his parents up in Chicago when they go to visit some of his other close relatives." Spencer said and Toby took his hand out of her grasp and put the ice back on.

"That's great, Spence." Toby smiled at her, trying to sound excited for her.

"I mean, it's just that I'm giving you a chance to spend time with me and I felt bad that I didn't give Andrew a chance, so...I told him I would go."

"I hope you have a good time. I'll miss you though." Toby's heart was swelling in his chest, but he wasn't about to let her know how much she was breaking his heart.

"Thanks for understanding, Toby. I'll go and I'll come back, so we can go on that second date." Spencer leaned over to kiss his cheek. Toby smiled, but inside he felt like dying."I should get home, it's getting late."

Spencer stood up and Toby grabbed her arm before she could walk away. He looked straight into her brown eyes.

"I love you, Spence." Toby said and Spencer smiled at him, then bent down to kiss his head.

"I know." Spencer said and then left from his porch.

That was all Toby needed to know that everyone else had been right. She didn't love him and never will. He doesn't deserve her love anyways, he possibly got some girl pregnant. She could have spared him the trouble of ripping out his heart though. She could easily say I love you to Andrew, but all Toby got was I know.

Toby picked up the rose and looked at it. It was beautiful. Toby spent hours picking out the perfect bouquet for Spencer. Now, the flower just seemed like a joke to him and the I know felt like a kick in the gut. He placed the rose down on the porch steps and stood up. He took one last look at the rose, then went inside his house.

It's so hard to find a guy, who appreciates the beauty and importance of the perfect rose. Andrew, knew the importance of money and status. Toby, knew the value of the rose. In compassion, it seemed like a simple choice for some one to make if they had to choose between the two. Spencer, however didn't know that she was losing the guy how didn't just appreciate the value of a rose, but the guy, who love her and treated her just as precious and valuable like a rose.