Chapter 21
Max POV
Part of me really wanted to tell my mom I was pregnant. But, the other part really, really didn't. She took us in without complaining, takes care of us, and deals with all of our weird abilities and attitudes. And, how do I repay her? By having sex with my best friend and getting pregnant at fifteen. I can see it now, 'Fifteen and pregnant; a bird kid special.'
I hadn't gotten more than twenty minutes of sleep after reluctantly agreeing with Fang and trudging back to Ella's bedroom. Even now, at six o' clock in the morning, I lay wake on a mattress, staring at the iridescent glow of Ella's alarm clock. My stomach emit a low gurgle, and suddenly feeling the urge to vomit, I shoved the sheets off of my body and quietly ran to the bathroom. Kneeling over the porcelain toilet, I let go of my dinner, clutching my stomach in angst. The strands of dirty blonde hair that were slipping into my view were held back by slender fingers and when I finished, still crouched down on my knees, I slowly turned around. As I had expected, Fang was there, dark eyes loving and worried. He wiped the side of my mouth with his thumb, caressing my cheek with the back of his soft, yet calloused hand. Helping me to my feet, we both smiled. "I'll let you take a shower," he mentioned, running his fingers along my hair as his gaze lingered deep into my eyes for a second before he turned to leave.
"Join me?" I asked playfully, tugging on his arm, grin wide. He grinned too, pulling off his shirt. I reached into the large shower, twisting the knob, warm water pouring from the nozzle. As the hot air fogged up the glass shower doors, I stepped in, letting the water seep into my hair. I was soon accompanied by Fang who enveloped me in his arms and swayed to the beat of water droplets on the shower's tile, murmuring sweet nothings in my ear.
Iggy POV
"Boys, rise and shine," Dr. Martinez instructed, removing my comforter from my body, exposing me to the cold air. I groaned, holding up my arms in protest.
"It's like seven in the morning!" I protested, tugging the blanket back over my shaking torso. She persistently yanked them off me again and I heard Gazzy standing below me, near the bottom bunk, sleepily yawning. "Why the Hell do we need to get up at seven on a Sunday?"
Dr. M tossed me a light blue linen shirt and khaki pants, chuckling lightly. "We're going to church."
Fang POV
Now dressed, I held Max's hand, rubbing soothing circles on her back with the other. "We need to do this," I sighed and she nodded, not meeting my gaze. I reluctantly pulled her out into the living room where Dr. M was fixing a strap on a bright yellow dress that Nudge had on. Max's slender fingers dug farther into my hand, beaded with sweat. I gave her a reassuring nod and she drew in a long, shaky breath.
"Mom, Fang and I need to tell you som-"
"I can't get this stupid shirt on right," Gazzy complained, barging into the room. Dr. M looked back at him, safety pin held between her lips. Nudge began blabbering about a movie that had just come out and the scene quickly became hectic.
Angel skipped in, fluffing her short, frilly, white gown with a wide grin plastered on her face. "I can't wait to go to church!" She swayed back and forth, almost running into Iggy as he and Ella entered the room.
With everyone talking at once, Max briskly let go of my hand, blurting loud enough to be heard clearly over the racket. "I'm pregnant!"
Dr. Martinez's gaze jerked onto the two of us, safety pin falling from her grip as she tumbled to the carpeted floor, eyes shut closed. I knelt down, holding her limp body. "She's out."
Max POV
My mother obviously didn't take our news well, but, she wasn't yelling at us. Yet. But, that was probably because she was laying limp in Fang's arms, out cold. "So, that's what you two have been hiding," Angel thought out loud, expression giving no emotion on the subject away. I ignored her comment and turned to see the rest of the flock, nervous for each of their reactions.
Iggy didn't seem shocked, which sparked my interest. "You don't seem very surprised, Iggy." He shrugged, looking down at his feet.
"I told him," Fang confessed, still facing my unconscious mother. Before I had the chance to scold him for it, he spoke again, tone casual. "But, you told Ella so we're even." Hmph.
"Well, who else knew?" I questioned. Nudge raised her hand, giving me a sheepish smile.
"I read it in Fang's journal, on his laptop," Nudge informed us with a relatively short reply for her. Iggy snickered, mumbling 'man diary' under his breath. I shot him a useless glare and snuck a peek at Fang who's cheeks were tinted with a faint blush.
"How did you get pregnant?" Gazzy asked, big blue eyes filled with wonder. I mentally panicked, conjuring a relatively PG answer.
"Well, um, sweetie, Fang helped me, and um," I was cut off by a faint choking noise coming from behind me. My mother's hands were wrapped around Fang's throat, squeezing as she shook him, eyes wide.
Her angry, muffled words were something along the lines of 'defiling my daughter,' and 'I'm going to kill you.' Fang looked genuinely scared, which is a rare sight, I assure you. "Mom!" I hurried over, prying Fang from her grasp, color draining back into his face as she backed away. He pulled me into a tight hug and I wrapped my arms around his waist, burying half of my face in his chest.
"I'll have a talk with you both, later," she glared at both of us, brushing off her blouse. "Get ready for church."
Fang POV
The only other church the flock and I had been to was in the great city of New York, which seemed like so long ago. Then, of course, we weren't with Dr. M and Ella, Max wasn't pregnant, and we weren't wearing these ridiculous clothes. My entire wardrobe consists of black shirts, dark jeans, and good, old fashion converse. So, waltzing into church wearing a crisp, white, button down shirt and khaki slacks, I felt down right weird.
As revenge, Dr. Martinez made Max and Ella carry in their baby dolls from class, adding even more chaos to the scene. Mine was still with Tori, but, I still got the satisfaction of watching Max wig out over hers. God, she is so clueless; it's adorable. She craned her neck, spotting me with a disheveled glance as I smirked at her.
"Oh, shut up," she hissed, glaring at me. My smirk deepened, watching her as she fingered the collar of my shirt. "I don't think I've ever seen you in white before."
My lips made a trail of kisses up her neck, fingers finding the small of her back, rubbing slow, soothing circles. She slid her fingers into my hair, grasping gently, still supporting the doll in the other. Her sweet, soft lips met mine, sending a wave of pleasure through my body. The shrill cry of the doll broke us apart, bringing the attention of the crowd to us. Receiving a threatening glare from Max's mom, I took a seat on the pew and hung my head low to avert her deadly stare, slipping my hand into Max's secretly. (You know I'm a rebel.)
Iggy POV
"Please, tell me we can eat now," I pleaded, getting down on my knees in front of Dr. M, pretending to beg. Ella giggled, pulling me up with one hand, keeping her fingers interlocked with mine as we made our way to the car.
"How about the oldest diner in Arizona? They've been around since I was a little girl, so, I'm sure they've perfected their breakfast," Dr. M offered.
"No!" Ella, Max, Fang, and I shouted in unison, breaking into a fit of laughter shortly after.
"We should eat at Ihop! I hear they have great pancakes and waffles. I like waffles. What did you guys think about today's sermon? For Lent, I'm thinking about giving up chocolate, or maybe seventeen magazine. But, I pretty much depend on the two to live, so, maybe I'll just give up something I already don't like, like broccoli. Yuck, broccoli is so-mpgh," someone clamped a hand of Nudge's mouth, giving all of our ears a break.
While the seven of us discussed Lent, Mrs. Martinez stepped out of the car to make a phone call on her cell. "Maybe I could give up making bombs for a little while," Gazzy shrugged tentatively.
"And, I could stop reading people's minds for a month or so," Angel added sweetly. Yeah, right, I thought to myself. "Hey! I can, too!"
"You couldn't do it for five seconds!" I could sense her sticking her tongue out at me and I did the same. Nudging her shoulder, I smiled, letting her know I was kidding.
"So, Ihop it is?" Dr. M asked, flipping her cell phone shut, climbing into the car. We nodded as she pulled out of the church parking lot.
Max POV
"So, let me get this straight. You want four chocolate chip pancakes, the Stuffed French Toast combo and a strawberry milkshake?" The waitress questioned Gazzy, dumbfounded. He nodded eagerly, licking his lips. As the others ordered, I drifted off into thought, blankly staring out the large, square windows.
Before, as much as it frightened me, I felt a tinge of excitement about being pregnant. I mean, it wasn't on my bucket list, to say the least, but, I'm in love. I'm happy. And, the world of science freaks constantly trying to kill us was seemingly silenced. The truth is, I had sort of accepted it, and prepared myself for the nine-month journey ahead.
But, bringing it back to the surface by confessing it to my mother and the rest of the flock had brought back the nerves and worry that silently ate away at me. Would our baby have wings? And, if so, would the School try to take it away to experiment on it?
Fang's lithe fingers prodded up the hem of my shirt slightly, tracing the ring of my belly button under the table. I nestled my head into is shoulder as he pulled me closer to him, draping an arm over my shoulder.
My mother, who was facing the entrance, spoke, not to one of us, but, to someone who had just stumbled in through the door. "I'm glad you could make it."
I'm so sorry for the long wait! I forgot to mention this, but, I was on vacation, and I just got back in town last night. (Vegas baby!) Haha. I hope you liked it, and, I'll try to update as quick as I can. Review pleeeeeease :)