Luckily, the morning sickness started to slow down around week twelve, but sadly there was a very suspicious person who kept bothering me about what was really going on. I'd dodged Johnny a few times when he'd tried to coax me into his bedroom. If he had gotten me there, I would have cracked like an egg in an instant. Susan was helping me, but she told me it was only for so long. I could just sense the tiny baby bump forming. I already felt like the whole world would be able to see it and it made me super paranoid. I began wearing t-shirts more and more. I figured Ben and Johnny were speculating behind my back as I kept turning down trips to the bar with them. I didn't usually turn them down before. I tried to tell them that I had given up on drinking period, but they weren't convinced. The whole ordeal was completely stressing me out. As far as Reed went with the tests, he decided that I would have to refrain from using my powers until after the baby was born. He said if I didn't, I could freeze the baby to death. I'd burst into tears when he'd said that and he had kept apologizing for a good three hours with Susan screaming at him for his insensitivity all the while. The two were pretty good at getting me out of going on missions, but Johnny's attempts to trap me and make me confess were becoming much more frequent and Susan and Reed couldn't protect me all the time.

I decided after three months, it was about time I tell him. I sat down in the living room that evening, watching the stairs for when Johnny would eventually appear. And he did, except he was dressed up to do a little partying. I got up from the couch and stood in the doorway between the elevator and the living room.

"Johnny, can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked, twisting my black hair nervously in front of me.

Johnny pulled his keys out of his pocket and looked over at me.

"How about when I come back? Gonna be late for a party. I mean, I'm already fashionably late, but…you know."

I sighed as he turned and headed for the elevator. I was so nervous to tell him, but I didn't want him to go. I could just imagine him flirting with dozens of girls and drinking and…kissing…and…I didn't know if it was high pregnancy hormone levels or if having a baby just made you more jealous, but I dashed over and grabbed the back of his jacket.

"Don't go."

Johnny looked back at me, completely astonished. I let go of his jacket quickly and hugged my stomach gently. I felt awkward now.

"I mean. Please don't go? Totally up to you, you know."

He smirked and moved close to me.

"What? You suddenly want Johnny and Candy time?"

I put my hands on his chest and pushed him away a little.

"No, that's not it. I just…"

It was an amazing struggle. I didn't want to lie, but I didn't want to tell the truth. Breathing deeply, I took Johnny's hand in mine.

"Jonathan-"

His eyebrows shot up.

"Oh, God. This can't be good."

I sighed. I couldn't do this. I was too scared. I dropped his hand.

"You know what, don't worry about it. Go to…the party."

I turned to move back to the living room only to have Johnny's arms wrap around me from behind. Luckily, I had instantly wrapped my hands around my stomach, so he didn't notice much of a difference.

"I think I know what's going on."

I turned around and stared up at him in surprise. Maybe he could still tell?

"You do?"

He leaned down and kissed me. I'd actually really missed his kisses. Who knew two months of not kissing him could put me in Johnny kiss withdrawal? He pulled back and smirked at me.

"You're really in love with me, but you got too scared to tell me."

Nope. It couldn't be that easy. I sighed and rest my head against his chest.

"Okay. Johnny, yes, I do love you. I am completely in love with you and I've been stubborn about it. I can admit that now, but…that's because I…I have to if this is going to work."

He pulled me away from him so he could look at my face.

"This? What is "this"? Hey, if you want us to be exclusive, I'm fine with it! Really, I've been waiting. We'll go on dates. I'll only date you, you'll only date me-"

"Johnny."

"What?"

He looked so confused as to why my face was completely serious. I'm sure he'd been waiting for me to admit my feelings and I'd be all smiley and laughing, but…he didn't understand. Hopefully, he would.

"Uhm, we're…well…"

"Hey, you two. What are you two doing being all loving in the middle of the hallway."

I hate my life. I turned and looked to see Ben had come out of the lab. Reed and Susan were right behind him. I was so close. The words were right there. Johnny ran over to Ben and put an arm around him.

"You see her standing there? Yeah, she just told me she's in love with me."

Ben laughed.

"Ha, about time. You two kids have been totally into each other to the point it was obvious to everyone. Though, she could have picked better."

I stood in the middle of the hall feeling as if I could actually burst into flame with the feeling of annoyance I had right now. Johnny went back over to me and hugged me. I didn't move at all. My brain was screaming. Reed and Susan obviously understood the situation, but couldn't do anything about it.

"Ben, tell her she should be happier about this. She's completely serious when she should be happy!"

Ben laughed and crossed his rocky arms.

"Candy, what's the matter? Other than the fact that you're in love with a no good playboy?"

"Hey! You don't need to insult me!"

"I was just teasing you. I'm sure you have some good points."

"Some good points? What does that mean?"

"I mean what I'm saying is-"

"I'M PREGNANT!"

Silence fell in the room as everyone looked at me. I felt my face go beet red and I shuffled my feet awkwardly. Johnny gave a small laugh.

"Wh-what? But we haven't-"

"Done anything for three months. I'm…three months pregnant."

He was quiet for a moment before he laughed again.

"You got me. That totally took me by surprise. Oh, Candy."

He put an arm around my shoulder.

"You don't need to say something like that to try and make sure I stay with only you. I promised-"

"Johnny, it's not a joke. She's serious," Susan spoke up," The doctor told her the time I went with her."

Ben, who had been in a state of shock, stomped over to Johnny and grabbed him by his shirt collar.

"You got her pregnant? Now, I'm going to kill you!"

"BEN!" the rest of us shouted.

He looked at me and I shook my head.

"Please put him down," I requested, putting a hand on his arm.

He dropped him with an angry expression. I'd known that Ben would have initially wanted to knock the daylights out of Johnny when he found out. He could be a bit like a big brother at times. A really big brother. I took Johnny's hand and made him face me. He was in a bit of a stupor at the moment. He started mumbling to me.

"But I always wore-"

"I know, but you burned a hole a couple times, remember?"

"Three months and you didn't-"

"No, I was in denial. And the time wasn't right."

"I knew you were hiding something, but this?"

"I know. I'm sorry."

"You're sorry?"

Johnny took a few steps away from me. I could see it. He was mad. He was very, very mad.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

I gaped at him.

"I…I was scared. I didn't want to believe I was having baby. Sue knew because she was there and I told Reed because he'd run tests. I wasn't even sure if the baby would be alive long enough. I can't use my powers at all because it puts the baby at risk. And, Johnny, you're such a flirt and you love going out with girls and-"

"And it's my kid. You don't go and tell others when you didn't even tell me. Sue, fine. But before you told Reed, or right after…like five seconds after, you should have come to me, Candace. I told you I would be with you and only you. I told you. I have a right to take care of my own child. I can't believe you hid for three months. Heh, it all makes sense. Unbelievable. I never thought you of all people would hide something like that. I would have expected you to kick my door down and scream at me for being an irresponsible asshole, but here we are with you being the irresponsible one."

"Irresponsible? Me?"

It wasn't good, but I was getting defensive. I felt bad, because I understood where Johnny as coming from, but he didn't have to insult me.

"Yes. It's your responsibility to tell me when you knew. You didn't."

"I'm telling you now!"

"Yeah, after how long? I've been hanging around here watching you freak out and stress over something I didn't even know about that I kind of needed to. Dammit, Candace."

Johnny turned and went to the elevator. Reed stepped out next to me.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Out. I can't be around here right now."

"Johnny!" Susan protested.

I turned away.

"No, let him go."

Susan turned to me and put a hand on my shoulder.

"You don't mean that. Johnny, come back here."

He was already gone. Reed grabbed a jacket and pressed the elevator button. I stalked out of the room with Susan on my heels.

"Candy, wait."

"Sue, I really don't want to talk right now."

"I know, but I don't want you doing something and-"

"I won't freeze my room, I promise. Ugh."

I sat down on the stairs and put my head in my hands. My life was a mess. I got what I deserved. I should have told him as soon as I knew. He and I both knew it was his. There was no question about it at all. But my attempt to pretend nothing happened made me the bad guy.

"I wish I could move out."

"You, young lady, are staying right here. Look, Johnny will cool down and everything will be fine."

I looked up at her.

"Really? I didn't tell him he was a father for three months after I should have. You think he'll trust me again?"

"Of course he will. He loves you and even you know that. Sure, he's mad, but you two just have to work it out. You're both stubborn so it's hard sometimes, but it'll be okay. Trust me."

I stayed up late that night, but there was a limit to how long I could go without sleep. It was well past two in the morning when I went to bed. And neither Johnny, nor Reed had returned by then.

Author's Note: I don't know how much more to this story there will be. Probably not too much. So, I would like to ask you lovely readers what story you might like me to write next. I have a list on my profile if you'd please check that out and let me know what you'd like to see in the near future. And no worries, I'll update this story today or tomorrow. But this weekend (if I don't finish the story by then) I'll be busy. So if it isn't finished by tomorrow, look around for the next update to be Monday or Tuesday of next week. Thanks! – S.L.