"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone." Love Story - Taylor Swift

Teach Me Tonight

Chapter 34

"Can I tell you a secret?" you ask softly, almost inaudibly. You halfway did not even mean to say it, but for some reason, you cannot stop yourself. Shane looks at you with raised eyebrows, still shaking his wet curly hair from the shower he just took. It has been three days since Nate walked in on you and Shane - and nothing has been the same since. Nate has completely avoided you and every time you two see each other, his cheeks turn a bright red. The talk Shane and Nate should have had was put aside; instead, it was replaced with a lot of yelling and hysteria as you and Shane tried to cover up.

Nate still does not know that you are pregnant, and really, you are quite glad. You know in your heart that Nate would tell Mrs. Grey. You would not blame him - he would just be looking out for you - but still. First, you could never face him again, besides the fact you cannot even look at him without feeling bouts of humiliation. Second, you are pretty sure Mrs. Grey would send you home and that's the last thing you want. "Sure, honey." Shane sounds exhausted when he speaks to you and soon he lets out a yawn. He stretches his arms up in the air, highlighting his muscles.

You bite your lip as he sits down on the bed and reaches for your hand absentmindedly. Closing your eyes, you relish in the way his hand feels against yours as your fingers intertwine. "I'm scared." You choke out, suddenly ashamed. Looking away from his eyes, you pull your knees up to your chest. "I'm such a cliché. Just another unwed sixteen year old who is pregnant and I don't know what to do." When you speak, your voice is soft. It isn't whiny or depressed. It's just accepting and totally terrified. Shane sighs before coming closer to you and pulling you to him.

He wraps his arms around you and puts his chin on top of your head. "The difference between you and those girls is that I'm here for you. We have the people to tutor you, so maybe you can go to college in a couple years. I have enough money for the both of us and then some. I can provide you everything, baby; I don't care about the press or the media, but we will eventually have to come out to them and when we do, I won't let anyone harm you. And the biggest difference is that I love you and will always protect you, no matter what. There is nothing to be scared of." He comforts you, placing his lips on the side of your forehead.

You shiver and move in closer to his body. "You're such a sap." You mutter, teasing him lightly before dropping your smile. "Why aren't you as scared as me? It's okay if you are, you know." You remind him and he laughs slightly. His fingers from his free hand push your chin to make you look at him. He nuzzles your nose before kissing you gently on your lips. Giving him a small smile, you lean into his touch as he moves your intertwined hands on top of your small stomach.

"I'm not scared because…" he trails off and his eyes glaze over. After a while, you realize he is fighting over his words by the faces he is making. He sighs finally. "I love you." He says, but he says it so fiercely, that you tense somewhat. "I just… this baby, this child, could…" he sighs again, before setting his shoulders. "Do you know how amazing it is that I will have something that links me to you forever?" Suddenly he is speaking fast. "This child will be ours and no one else's. This will be something we can share together, regardless of how others feel. Plus, Mitch, I feel with all the bullshit we have had in our lives - I have had in mine - that we will finally have some kind of hope. This child will provide us with it. We will have someone who will love us forever." He says, his voice getting softer and softer.

"Shane." You breathe out, not even knowing what to say.

He faces you again. His eyes are so light and you almost see hope already in his eyes. "Mitchie…" he trails off again, before biting his lip. When he talks, he speaks like he is telling a big secret. "I saw this girl hanging on to the end of the stage. She must have been five or younger, but she was all decked out in Connect Three gear and wearing this sparkly hat. I don't know, but something about the way she was smiling up at me - like I made her life - just killed me completely. Here's this little girl just making me smile. I know I have a billion other older girls screaming my name, but this one little blonde girl made me stop." He says, tightening his hold on you. He nuzzles your neck with his curly hair, before kissing it softly.

"Shane." You repeat, but you don't even know what to say.

"I picked her up." He says quickly, before blushing somewhat. "I had to. I just bent down and suddenly my arms were in front of me. I just picked her up, and I carried on stage for about thirty seconds. She held onto me with her small little arms, smiling the brightest smile I have ever seen while resting her little head on my shoulder. I just… I want hope again, Mitchie." His voice suddenly cracks. His eyes - so light and soft - start to fill up with tears and he hugs you again, putting his chin on the top of your head. "You don't know how ba-d I was. That argument with Norah made me realize how messed up I was and how messed up I become when girls leave me. But you're not just some girl anymore, Mitch. You're my girl and I love you. More than that, I want this child. I want it, babe. Hope. I want it." he sounds so pure - so vulnerable - it makes you close your eyes.

"I don't know how to respond to that." You say, your voice thick with tears. You snap open your eyes to watch his breathe out. "I want hope too, Shane." You admit, swallowing harshly. "But I'm still sixteen and I'm just so scared. Not to mention, everyone is against us." You put your hands to your face and push back your hair. Shane frowns and goes forward to kiss your neck again.

"Take my hand tonight. We can run so far. We can change the world to anything you want." He sings softly in your ear, making you shiver. "Baby, you know I love you. We will be okay. I can promise you that much. But you are right, everyone wants us apart. My mom is flexible for now and so is yours but because they know we need each other, but once word gets out about us, then they will try to separate us. We have to do everything in our power to stop it. We have to be there for each other no matter what." He seems like he wants to say more, but he just stares at you with his lips parted.

You put your hand on his cheek before leaning in. "How?" you sniff softly, your hand sliding off. "I mean, how do we stay together through Nate and your mom and my mom and my dad and the fans and the media and this and that?" you don't mean the question as a break up line or anything; you mean it as a legit question. Shane bites his lip before whispering a suggestion. The second you hear it, you feel your face pale. You freeze as your eyes widen, but he never wavers. He is looking at you with complete seriousness, and suddenly you find yourself nodding to his question.

He smiles before he leaves to do some calls.

XXX

Without much thought, you grab as much clothing as you can fit in your little duffle bag as Shane does the same. When you are done, he grabs your hand and suddenly, just like in Inseparable, you are running and changing everything. The next day is a day off, but you know everyone will wonder where you went when you do not greet them in time to have breakfast in some crappy diner down the road. You almost get to his car when you hear the screams. Wincing, you turn around to face the little fourteen year old girls that notice Shane. He gives them a tense smile but complies - after all, it's his job.

"My name is Laura and I'm your biggest fan." One says. "Please, sign this." She thrusts out a ready to use notebook. Just a thought, but you have always wondered why some people just have notebooks on them - ready to use in case a famous celebrity comes by just to hold him up when he has very important plans with his girlfriend. You freeze - mother of his unborn child is more like it now.

"I'm Kirsty. I idolize you and I think you are so hot. I mean, talented." She quickly fixes her mistake when she takes a glance at you. Shane gives her a forced smile, but you see him rolling his eyes. He signs her poster she also just happens to have. You briefly wonder if these girls have been waiting this whole night for Shane to walk out.

"And you honey?" Shane asks to the youngest girl there. She looks up surprised, before blushing slightly.

"Sabrina." She whispered softly and completely embarrassed. Shane signs her poster with a smile before handing it to her delicately. "Thank you." Is all she says with a small shy smile. He grins back as the other two start coming closer to him, almost scratching at his clothing. Shane politely pulls back, before rolling his eyes discreetly again. He waves at them before pointedly reaching for your hand. You bite your lip as the two girls burn you with angry eyes, but grab his hand anyways. "Bye." Sabrina whispers, waving at her hero. Shane stops for a second, before reaching in his pocket.

He pulls out a small pick. "Here, honey." He hands it to the little girl and she accepts it in awe. The other two freeze and look at Shane expectedly, but you are already headed to his car again. Remembering the whole reason you left the hotel, you quicken your pace as he swiftly opens your door and waits for you to get in. Shutting the door behind you, he immediately hops in his side and starts the car. It isn't long until you are on the Delaware highway, driving a little too fast and not fast enough.

"That was really nice what you did for that little girl, Shane." You say, and he shrugs. He takes one hand off the wheel and reaches for you again. Intertwining your hands, you kiss the back of his and he smiles again. He is silent for a while, but suddenly he is talking again as he weaves through the empty road.

"She reminded me of that little girl." He explains and you nod. Once again, the car goes silent but you appreciate it. The quiet gives you time to think about what you are about to do, and you quickly come into the conclusion that you do want to do it. He suggested it, but it is almost like you had thought it first. You want this so badly, and you are glad he is giving it to you. You are so glad he wants the same. This is what love is - giving everything to one another. "Are you nervous?" he suddenly asks. You breathe out softly before turning to him.

"No." you say simply and he smiles again.

You internally wonder where he is going and how he knows how to get there in the random place there are currently. "Do you have the results from the blood test they did on you a couple days ago on you?" he suddenly asks. You lower your eyebrows confused but nod. He sighs softly. "Good. I think we will need it." he says but doesn't elaborate. He drives for about half an hour more before stopping at a small little place. It is beautiful and it makes your heart flutter. For a second, you cannot believe this happening, but then Shane grabs you as soon as you get out the car and gives you a hug. He kisses your cheek. "I love you." He repeats.

"I love you too, Shane. Always and forever." You whisper back, your voice getting slightly chocked up. He grabs your hand and you two walk slowly inside the building where you are met with the man Shane called earlier. "Hello." You whisper nervously. The man's eyes widen and he looks you up and down.

"How old are you?" he barks, but doesn't let you answer. "No, no! Unless you have signed consent forms from the Clerk of the Peace, I'm not doing this." He says pointedly, crossing his arms. Both you and Shane's face fall. You close your eyes, feeling the sting of tears coming on. "Why do you two want to do this anyways?" the man asks softer this time. He is shaking his head at you two. When you open your mouth to talk, Shane is already there.

"Because we love each other. Because I cannot live without her. Because she's my future." He looks at you, biting his lip while his eyes moist up. "Because we're gonna have a family. Because I owe this to her. Because I want it so bad, and so does she." He says further, before swallowing and turning back to the man. He opens his eyes - shocked you presume - and suddenly, he looks sad.

"You're pregnant?" he asks you, still shaking his head. "Oh the tragedy of the youth of today." He mutters with a hint of regret. "Come on. You're lucky Delaware makes exceptions for pregnant teens." He sighs before waving you to follow him. Your heart automatically lifts and Shane relaxes a little. He squeezes your hand before walking to where the man went. "You have proof of the pregnancy? Do you have birth certificates? Blood tests?" the man asks suddenly stopping and turning to you. Strangely enough because you are always on the road, you have all your papers on you. So does Shane. Luck is on your side tonight.

You swiftly hand over your things and the man sighs again, before once again waving you to follow him. You step into a small room - decorated with pretty pink flowers and white statuettes - before being handed a bunch of forms and paper. The two of you sit down at a table there and fill out everything, before finishing about an hour after you arrived. When you hand the papers and forms to the man, he gives you both a critical look. "Are you two sure you want to do this? Technically, the only reason parental consent has been waived is because of her pregnancy, but that doesn't mean you are not still kids. You should sit and talk about this a little more. Maybe do this in a couple years." He says. When neither of you say anything, he throws his hands up. "Can't say I didn't try..." he mutters under his breath. "Come with me. Wait for the minister here." He says when you arrive in a small room.

The two of you take a seat again and Shane pulls you close to him. That's when the nerves start to hit you. In the background, you see a picture of a family - a mom, a dad, and there two boys. "Shane…" you start, but you are cut off by another man coming in the room. He looks apologetic as he waves a paper in his hand.

"Sir, you didn't sign a prenuptial agreement." He says. Shane freezes for a second and you hold your breath; suddenly, Shane is shaking his head.

"Don't need to." He says simply and the man shrugs and leaves. Shane sighs and tightens his hold on you. "What were you going to say?" he asks, changing the subject. You bite your lip as a million thoughts come to your head. What the fuck are you doing? You are sixteen. You haven't finished high school. Your mother doesn't know. On the other side, you're pregnant. He loves you. You love him. You groan and bury your head in his shoulder. "What's wrong?" he asks as he rubs your arm soothingly.

"Your mother would want to be here for this. So would mine. Not to mention Nate and Jason and Austin. We… I don't know if we can do this." Suddenly, your nerves are on fire. You are starting to get scared. You see his face drop and his eyes sharpen. "It's not -" you hiccup. You breathe out - trying to calm yourself. "It's not you, babe. I love you. I'm so young. You're so young. Plus, my mother would kill us - not to mention, probably get it annulled. The media will go crazy. Your mother and your brothers would hate not only you but also me for taking this moment away from them. Think about it Shane." You try to make him understand.

He shakes his head, his eyes tearing up. "Don't do this Mitchie. Just go with it. We'll be fine." He was pleading now with a shaking voice and sad eyes. "Please. Please. I'm begging you. Don't back out now." He says so quickly, it makes your stomach turn. You move forward and put your hand on his cheek. He leans into it sadly. "Please." He breathes out. "Don't back out." He repeats. Just then the minister comes in, startling the both of you. Shane looks at him swiftly before turning back to you. You can read all his emotions clearly - he wants you to do this so bad.

And then you blurt it out. "Will you marry me?" you say as your heart beats loudly in your chest.

He lowers his eyebrows confused, as a tear starts to fall from his eyes. "Honey - that's what I'm trying to do. I want to so badly, Mitchie. Please." He begs again brushing you off. You shake your head.

"He was right, Shane. We are so young and I don't know how to be a wife. I don't even know how to be a mom and I have to be one. But Shane, in a year and a half, on my eighteen birthday if you want, I will marry you - that is if you say yes. So, Shane will you marry me?" you say pronouncing every word clearly and slowly. Shane blinks and takes a step back, and you can immediately see that he is thinking about this. You know he wants to elope now, and for a while, so did you. But that wouldn't be fair to anyone, especially you. "It's not like I want a huge hall with three hundred people or seventeen magazines down our throats. But I want strawberry colored roses and a pretty white dress and a ring - not a big one mind you - but a ring nonetheless. We have screwed up everything else, but I don't want to screw up that. So, I'll ask for the final time - Shane will you marry me?" you say as the minister stays looking at the scene unfolding.

Shane swallows and looks at the minister before shaking his head at him. The older man smiles and closes the Bible he was going to read out of before excusing himself from the room. Shane turns back to you before sighing. He smiles sadly before closing his eyes and letting a single tear fall down his cheek. You go forward again and wipe it away, but do not do much else. When he snaps open his eyes, he looks a little calmer. "Maybe it would be better." He says softly, his voice hardly above a whisper. "If we go in this too quickly, we won't appreciate the beauty of what we are trying to accomplish. I love you, Mitchie Torres, and I promise you I will marry you when the time comes." He whispers before stepping close to you. He wraps his arms around you, making you smile again. "But I get to choose the music and the band. I won't have Alexis Texas ruining our wedding." He mutters in your ear before rubbing your noses together gently.

Then, suddenly, he is pulling you in for a kiss.

XXX

Sandy ©