Ed wiggled her tones and wrinkled her nose to the color. What a strange color. But what did she know? Edie offered and Ed couldn't deny her. Ed described the time she could spend with Edie as enjoyable. She'd allow her to peruse through her personal belongings like makeup and CDs, without yanking her out of the room, deeming her a "pain in the ass". Something about Edie, made Ed feel all warm inside. She had no way of explaining it, beyond that. With ease, the two would pull pranks, invent new games and just plain, share space. But Ed could sense something. She could see through Edie's smiles and laughs. She'd spy her hesitate and every now and then, hover her hand over her belly. Ed peeked curiously at her, internally debating if Edie had a tummy ache or not. Edie's soft eyes would shine when she'd unconsciously rub her belly, as if it were the richest treasure in the universe. Ed wondered and wondered till she thought best to investigate for herself.
The two girls sprawled on Edie's bed, watching some animated movie that she had recommended. While Edie seemed to be enthralled by the movie, Ed no longer paid it much mind and nudged her way to Edie's side. Her eyes shifted from Edie's face to her abdomen and reached her hand out to rest upon it. Edie quivered at Ed's gentle pat to her stomach and swallowed hard. Ed raised her head to observe her reaction, and was comforted by Edie's smile. It was a radiating smile that mirrored her jolly eyes. Ed returned with a giggle and replaced her hand with her head. Her ears perched to Edie's thin shirt, and listened. For what? She couldn't tell you. However, the gurgles and growls that her belly produced reminded Ed of the ocean. She closed her eyes and let the swishes soothe her. Edie hummed a little tune, a sweet melody from childhood, gliding her fingers through the flames the teen called hair. Her heart grew heavy, watching the young girl doze within her arms. Images of a school aged child with dark brown tight pin curls flashed through her mind. Edie's shoulders tensed up at the recognition of the little girl in her head. Cecilia. Her mother's child, but nonetheless, her sister. She recalled the instant connection, the bond, the two shared when they had first met. Like as if, all along Edie knew she had a sister and Cecilia knew likewise. They were a trouble duo when they were together. Though a few years younger than Edie, Cecilia was much brighter than she. She was innovative and tenacious. She was her younger sister. Tears danced at the corners of Edie's eyes, but none fell. The tight feeling in her throat suddenly dissipated at feeling Ed's steady breathing against her stomach. Edie flicked off her TV, adjusted Ed, tucking her in before rising from her bed.
A soft knock at Jet's door turned his attention to the doorway, where Edie stood, uneasy. "Jet, may I speak with you?"
Jet closed the book and rested it against the desk, veering himself to face her. "Of course." She fidgeted with her fingers and brought her eyes to the floor.
"Umm...Th..There's something I need to tell you." Edie stuttered, the words sticking to her throat. She tried to maintain her breathing but her voice gave her away. It was as if she were staggering for the next breath. Jet raised his brows. She avoided his eyes and remained silent for a few minutes, gathering herself. Why the hell am I so nervous? Oh, that's right, because this wasn't part of the plan - getting knocked up. Great job, Edie. "Jet...I'm...I'm pregnant."
Jet's mouth dropped to the floor and rubbed the back of his head, furiously. Edie's eyes didn't leave the floor and she squeezed her fists to the point that her nails pierced her skin.. "Edie…" Jet began, abruptly standing up to tower over the young woman. "That's wonderful news." He gripped her shoulders and shook her softly.
"Huh?" Had she heard right? Jet chuckled lightly at her scrunched nose and brow, then regains his stoic composure. His jaw clenched.
"Does he know?" He? The air is sucked right out of Edie and she swears she forgot how to the breathe. She shoots him a frigid glare but, it does not faze Jet, rather it intrigues him.
"It's not him...if that's what you're…"
"No, I know who it is." Edie's left momentarily stunned by his words but just as quickly, shakes them away. She opens her mouth, but is denied by Jet. "Does he know?"
"No…" Edie scratched at her hair, "I mean eventually I'll have to tell him. No doubt he'll notice the farther I'm along."
"What's stopping you from telling him now?" Jet's question lingers in the walls of his quarters. Edie drags her sweaty palms against her nightshirt and inhales deeply, attempting to regulate her breathing. Unbeknownst to Jet, the idea of presenting the matter at hand to Spike unnerved her to no end. How would she tell him? How would he react? What would he say? These were but a few questions that swarmed Edie's mind at the discovery of her pregnancy. She even considered not telling him as a plausible option. Edie cradled herself, gnawing at her lower lip. Her eyes traced the lines of the linoleum flooring below her.
"I don't think he wants a family, let alone a child. He's all about himself." Her eyes shift.
"Don't underestimate Spike. He can surprise you sometimes." Jet rubbed at the back of his neck and glanced aside, "Hell, he has surprised me a couple of times." Including the day they went to get her, but he doesn't mention that. Silence washed over them and they studied anything and everything but each other. So much goes unspoken. I think I'm going to be sick. Edie gagged. The bile threatened to rise from within her, burning her esophagus. The color drained from her face. She staggered forward a bit, bent down and covered her mouth. Jet...Jet you're supportive of this all? Edie had feared telling the "good" news to Jet less than she feared telling it to Spike, but feared nonetheless.
She supposed he would deem her as selfish for getting herself into this type of predicament, knowing danger lurked in the shadows, targeting her. The pent up feelings and words Edie just would not say spewed from her ears, from every crevice of her body other than her mouth. All the things she wanted to tell Jet.
Movement catches Edie's eyes and she faces Jet's back. "The fact of the matter is that child is just much as his as it yours...and it's his right to know." Edie's eyes widened slightly and tightened her grasp on her arm. "If Spike does not step up to the responsibility, then I will. If he will not be the father of your child, then I will be the father." His voice is firm and absolute. Jet's fists balled to his sides, then suddenly released.
"Jet…" Edie's arms loosened and limped aside. Her glossy eyes at the brink of tears.