Present
Dr Weaver smirked as she pointed to the screen, showing what resembled a tiny little circle. Milly laid on the examining table, her blouse pulled up as Dr. Weaver moved the paddle around across her gel slicked flat stomach. Eric sat beside her, gently stroking her arm, before he perked up as Dr. Weaver laughed and nodded.
"Yep, there it is. Between this, and your bloodwork, I'm happy to announce that Milly you are in fact pregnant."
Milly's and Eric's eyes widened. Dr. Weaver flipped a switch, and instantly a steady thumping started filling the room.
"Heartbeat is nice and strong. I would say you're around six...almost seven weeks."
Milly blinked in disbelief.
"What?!"
Dr Weaver smiled and nodded.
"Everything looks normal. You haven't had any spotting?"
"No nothing. How is this possible? We weren't even trying?!"
Dr Weaver laughed.
"Well, you're a married woman Milly. I'm sure you can figure it out."
Milly laughed herself, shaking her head, unable to stop smiling. She made a face.
"It's just...for the most part, all the other times we really had to try. I mean for Marshall I nearly did IVF!"
"It can still happen Milly, most couples get pregnant pretty fast even after struggling to conceive the first time around. Your body has been up and down with hormones, and you said your cycle haven't been regular."
"Well that's why it took me so long to figure it out. The whole first year after Marshall was born my cycle was off, even after going back on the pill. It wasn't until I started feeling sick in the morning when I went and got the test. This is so unreal."
"Well the morning sickness is a good sign. That means all of the rest of the regular hormones are kicking in. How have you been feeling besides that?"
"Just a little tired."
"Well, I want you to rest. With your history, you need to stay off your feet..."
"Yeah sure with a one year old..."
"Milly, I know you can do this. You've done it before."
Milly glanced over at Eric who just looked fascinated at the ultrasound screen. She could tell he was feeling just like her. Thrilled, but scared and very overwhelmed.
Later...
Marshall was currently at Geneva's. Eric usually hated leaving him with anyone, but it had to be done. Besides, Geneva was wonderful with him, and her little girl was always very gentle and adored the baby. Both were currently walking back to the car. Dr. Weaver had Milly now set up for several appointments to keep an eye on the pregnancy. She had several vitamins sent to the drug store, and was told she could do everything as usual, including picking up Marshall, she just needed to take it easy. Walking with Eric, she sighed and looked at him, before she nudged his arm.
"You okay?"
Eric stopped walking, both in the parking garage headed to the car. Eric smirked, before he signed...
"Yeah, I'm great. Are you okay?"
Milly smiled nervously and made another face.
"Just...this was a little unexpected. When...do you think it happened."
Eric smiled, before she saw him mentaly counting. Finally he laughed and signed...
"When Marshall took his first steps, or the night after Randy's cookout."
Milly thought, counting herself before she laughed and nodded.
"You're probably right. Jesus...I just can't believe it."
Eric smiled and signed...
"Marshall is gonna be a big brother."
Milly smiled, before Eric's face changed, his eyes worried as he reached over and gently rubbed her cheek with his thumb. He looked at her, raising an eyebrow, before Milly sighed, knowing he was about to ask what was wrong? If anyone could read her, it was him. Sighing, she shrugged.
"It's just...eight stillbirths or miscarriages. We went through Hell to get Marshall, and I even almost lost him...it just seems like it's too good to be true you know?"
Eric sighed and nodded, before he stepped forward, and gently took her face into his hands. He locked his big brown eyes with hers, before he gently pressed his forehead against hers. Instantly Milly felt her anxiety go down, before she smiled and closed her eyes for a second. After a moment or two, Eric let her go, and she opened her eyes. Gently smiling, he stood back and signed...
"Don't worry. I'm gonna make sure nothing bad happens."
She smiled, feeling silly for almost tearing up. Taking a second, Milly laughed, and shook her head.
"Always my protector. Remember Andy's party back in high school?"
Eric made a face, rolling his eyes before he pointed to his left shoulder. Milly smiled, shaking her head, before he signed...
"How could I forget?"
Milly smiled, before putting her arms around him, as they continued walking to their car, their feet walking across the cement floor.
"Come on, let's go back home and see your baby..."
Eric smiled, nuzzling and kissing her neck for a second, before his hand gently touched her stomach, as Milly smiled and leaned against her husband.
June 1989
The party had died down a little. There were still about fifteen or so people out back, and on the back deck. Currently, Milly found herself sitting cross legged next to Geneva, sitting in a circle with several people from her class, including Andy, Joe, Gary, Erin, Mona, Grace, Sonny, and Eric. They were all sitting in Andy's den. Journey was softly playing on the stereo, and the room seemed to have a soft pinkish tint from the lampshades Andy's mother had. Everyone was sitting holding their drinks. Geneva was giggling, before she pointed to the empty wine bottle sitting in the middle of the circle.
"Okay so it's simple. You take a turn and spin the bottle. Whoever it lands on, you have to kiss..."
"What if you land on a dude?!"
Joe asked, looking disgusted. Erin made a face.
"Please you queer! You would like it!"
"Ew! Don't gross me out. This is a stupid kid's game!"
"Please, I bet if a girl landed on a girl all you pigs would cheer and want us to do it!"
Geneva rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Okay, okay. You just take another turn okay? Jesus..."
Erin stuck her tongue out at Joe who flipped her off. Milly had to bite the insides of her cheeks from laughing. Geneva went on with the rules...
"You land on the same person twice, you have to give tongue and no arguments."
Garry laughed.
"Three times we go in the closet and screw right?"
Geneva made a face as Andy playfully pushed him, calling him an asshole. Geneva motioned to herself and Andy, Eric and Milly, and then Joe and Mona.
"Couples can't get jealous either, Deal?"
Everyone nodded, before Geneva grinned and scooted up on her knees and spun the bottle.
"Okay here we go!"
She gave it a good spin and it started to whirl around. Andy made a joke that this was how private school kids partied. Everyone laughed, before the bottle landed on Mona. Joe, Gary, and Sonny all chanted for them to kiss, before Mona snapped at them to shut up. Geneva rolled her eyes, before she spun again. Everyone watched as the bottle whirled around and around until landing on Sonny. Everyone laughed, and Andy grinned pointing at him to watch his hands. Sonny rolled his eyes, before shaking his head. Geneva leaned over, and the two kissed. Andy, and Joe cheered, before the kiss broke. Sonny was blushing, before she laughed and pointed to Sonny.
"Okay your turn."
Sonny took a deep breath, leaned forward, and spun the bottle. It whirled around and around before finally landing on Erin. Everyone of course cheered and made remarks, before Erin smirked, and reached into her purse which was laying beside her, and perfectly applied her lipstick, making the guys lose it. Milly was impressed. Even using a mirror she felt she could never get her lipstick right whenever she wore it, which was rare. She locked eyes with Eric, who mostly watched everyone with wide eyes. She knew this was out of his element, and she had triple checked with him after he had finished playing beer pong with the guys if he felt comfortable doing this? He shrugged and signed sure, and now here they were. She met his eyes and winked at him, and he smiled, instantly making her feel better. Joe and Garry were absloutely losing it, before Erin and Sonny leaned over and Erin deeply kissed him. When they pulled apart, Sonny's lips were smeared with lipstick, which made everyone crack up completely. Milly saw even Eric was laughing. Finally after Sonny rubbed the lipstick off, he laughed and pointed to Erin.
"Now you."
Joe pretended to pray that it was him, as everyone laughed. Erin spun the bottle, before it landed on Gary. The same usual teasing happened, before they leaned forward and kissed. Gary then spun it, and it landed on Milly. Her eyes widened in surprise, before everyone laughed, before Milly looked across at Eric who just looked at her. Geneva laughed, playfully pulling at her sleeve, telling her to pucker up. Andy, who was next to Eric, laughed and patted his arm.
"Sorry buddy."
Milly kept looking at Eric, before it hit her that she had never kissed anyone else besides Eric. She hated how hot her face felt, but she knew the faster she got this over with, the better. Instantly she regretted playing this stupid game. Leaning forward, she looked at Gary, before he tilted his head and kissed her. Gary had always been cute, but didn't hold a candle to Eric. Feeling his lips against hers, she felt absolutely nothing. It was like kissing a wet warm water balloon. She felt back from making a face, before quickly pulling apart from him. Out of instinct, she used her hand to roughly wipe her lips. This caused everyone to crack up, before Garry winked at her. Milly shot him a look as Geneva was cracking up completely. Milly looked at Eric, who wasn't laughing, but looking across with curious eyes. She hoped he wasn't upset, and was happy Andy was beside him, and wasn't really teasing him. Hating that she had to do this again, she was already thinking of excuses to dip out of the game and just leave. All she wanted to do was kiss her real boyfriend up in his attic. Making a face, she spun the bottle quickly. It spun around so fast, on her first try it landed on her.
Geneva laughed, telling her to kiss herself, before Milly rolled her eyes, smirking and rolled again. This time it landed on Andy. Andy smiled, pretending to pop his collar. He looked at Eric.
"Sorry Eric."
Eric just stared almost blankly, before Milly leaned forward.
"Okay, let's get this over with."
Andy burst out laughing, before leaning forward, and both kissed for a few seconds. Milly felt how awkward it was, her noses nearly bumping. Pulling away quickly, she wiped her mouth again, making everyone crack up. She felt beyond guilty, and eyed Eric. He just continued sitting her, looking at her blankly almost like when she first met him. She felt nervous he might be upset, and decided after glancing up at the clock on the wall, she was giving this game five more minutes before saying she had curfew and get Eric and leave. Andy spun and hit Grace, who was a pretty Asian girl, who loved Tiffany, and dressed just like her. She had made friends with her since they both had art class together. They bonded over Grace's fashion sense, and the fact her binder was covered with photos from Tiger Beat of Rick Springfield. She had Grace over twice this year, and they had even gone to the mall. She had a little crush on Sonny, but so far nothing had happened. She told Milly her dad got a job here so they had to move. She had three little sisters who drove her crazy. Milly had gone over once, and her family had been beyond friendly, but she agreed, her sisters were crazy and full of energy. She loved how Grace had decorated her bedroom, full of posters of rock stars, and she had a great collection of cassettes and vinyl. They watched Fast Times At Ridgemont High on VHS together, and had cracked up together. Grace had asked about Eric to Milly, since she had really never met anyone who was austic. She was curious, but seemed really impressed after hearing how far he had come over the last few years, She had remarked that Eric was really cute, and she thought Milly and him made a great couple.
She had asked Milly what she was going to do next year after they all graduated? For once, Milly actually didn't know. She hadn't really thought about it until then and it scared her to death. She had been playing around wanting to pick Mrs. Sherman's brain on maybe studying to become a teacher, and maybe teach kids like Eric. She knew she would love that. She had also been writing a lot in her notebook, short little stories that really didn't make any sense, but something she liked to do before bed. She had read a few to Eric, who had expressed that he had really liked them. She knew her mother would want her to major in something practical, and probably lose it if she even mentioned wanting to become a teacher, yet again making it about Eric. She also knew she really didn't take her writing too seriously. She had mentioned it before to her and Garry. In typical fashion, Garry seemed excited and told her he would love to hear some of her work. Her mother on the other hand really didn't give much of a reaction. Still, she had just started one about a group of teenagers that could fly, almost like in Peter Pan. The entire time as she wrote, she thought of her and Eric flying across the sky. She honestly really didn't know what Eric would do next? She knew Mrs. Sherman had mentioned a few schools that focused on kids like Eric, but Milly honestly didn't know if Eric would want something like that. What if it reminded him too much of the clinic?
Since then, a small pit of anxiety had been fluttering deep down inside of her. Now at this exact moment she wanted to push all of that away and just be a carefree teenager and be alone with her boyfriend and hopefully have one last carefree summer. Grace and Andy kissed, and the girls all swooned. Then Grace smiled knowing it was her turn. Milly knew she was hoping to get Sonny. Smiling, she spun the bottle as it whirled around and around before finally slowly landing in front of Eric. Instantly Milly felt the strangest sensation of her heart dropping right into her stomach. She knelt there stunned, before Grace looked at her with panic filled eyes. Everyone of course was laughing and Andy grinned and playfully punched Eric's arm, before Grace sighed and shrugged. Eric continued to stare blankly, before Grace scooted over to him. Smiling, she shrugged and looked at him. Milly saw their faces were less than an inch apart. Eric sat back like a stature, his eyes looking wide and nervous, before Grace smiled. Leaning in, she pressed her lips against his. Milly saw Eric's eyes widened in surprise, before everyone of course lost it laughing and cheering, before Grace pulled away and smiled. Geneva playfully rubbed Milly's arm, but Milly then knew how Eric probably felt. She hated to admit this because it was a stupid game, but she was jealous. She liked Grace, but she hated seeing anyone kiss Eric. Andy then motioned to Eric and told him it was his turn. Eric eyed Grace, before looking across at Milly. Slowly, he reached forward and spun the bottle. Milly held her breath, and sat back watching. It spun around and around, before finally landing on Grace again.
The room completely lost it, before Geneva yelled that this time they had to use tongue. Milly loved Geneva, but she was starting to get really annoyed with her. She saw the panic and confused look in Eric's face as Grace crawled over to him. Milly knew if she didn't pretend, he might get upset. Instead, when he looked across at her, Milly forced a smile and laughed and pretended to cheer as she clapped. All the meanwhile feeling her stomach toss and turn. Grace approached him and smiled.
"Why hello Mr. Gibb!"
She leaned forward, gently took hold of his face, before kissing Eric who looked beyond stunned. His eyes widened as Grace deeply kissed him, her mouth opening and closing. Milly had to grab hold of her own leg, to pretend from screaming. She faked a smile, as Eric continued to look stunned, before finally after what seemed like a lifetime, the kiss broke. Grace smiled, and looked over her shoulder at Milly. "Your boyfriend has nice lips." Milly laughed, faking a smile, all the meanwhile never wanting to grab somebody by the hair and hit them before in her entire life. Geneva was laughing, clearly drunk as she leaned against her.
"Great game huh?!" Milly forced a tiny smile, and officially knew this was the first and last game of spin the bottle she would ever play.
Later...
Milly and Eric ended up leaving less than ten minutes later. Grace got Andy, and then Andy got Geneva twice. Feeling like that stupid wine bottle was a loaded gun, Each time it spun around she prayed it wouldn't land on either Eric or her. Finally, the game got broken up when Pete, and Cole came stumbling in drunk, asking Andy how much that vase was in the upstairs hallway Andy of course jumped up, and everyone started getting up to either refill their drinks, or to join the others out back. Beyond relieved, Milly got up quickly and offered her hands to Eric who took them and stood up. Grace leaned in and smiled. "No hard feelings Milly?" Milly forced a smile and shook her head.
"No way."
Grace laughed and patted Eric on the arm.
"You are a great kisser. Man...if only it..."
She whispered...
"Landed on Sonny!"
Milly instantly no longer felt angry at Grace, and giggled before she motioned with her head at Sonny who was walking out of the room.
"Go ask him to dance outside."
Grace blushed a little before she walked out following him. Milly, relieved that it was over, sighed and looked up at Eric. She sadly smiled.
"Sorry about that. What a stupid game."
Eric smirked, before he used the back of his hand to wipe his mouth. Laughing, Milly squeezed onto his arm.
"Come on, let's say our goodbyes and get going."
Eric smirked, put his arm around her before she stood up on her tiptoes, and whispered in his ear...
"I wanna go down on you when we get back."
Eric looked down at her surprised, before he smiled from ear to ear. Milly laughed at how he was blushing, before they walked out of the den arm in arm, leaving the empty wine bottle forgotten on the rug behind them. A few minutes later... Hungry Like The Wolf was playing outside, and there was now maybe half the amount of people that were there before. Everyone was either standing around drinking, a few foolishly dancing on the deck, or making out against the fence. Andy's mother's vase in fact had fallen,, but luckily Geneva and him hadn't seen any cracks. Andy was cooling off sitting on the beer pong table, nursing a beer. Eric and Milly said their goodbyes, and Andy thanked them for coming, before Geneva hugged her tight, and made her promise that they were going to go see Ghostbusters II. Milly promised, before they said goodbye to a few more friends. Eric put his arm around Milly, and both walked down the back deck steps, and waved to a few more people, before heading down the side yard towards the front.
They walked together, when suddenly, nobody noticed Keith standing behind them. Andy and Geneva hadn't noticed that he was here since he had mostly stayed outside, drinking, and flirting with Heather, a senior. Keith hadn't been doing good at all. Larry had moved away, and Keith was currently struggling through community college. He wasn't playing football, which was driving his drunk of an old man crazy. He was working part time at the gas station, since his father said since he wasn't playing football and just getting into trouble, he would be out on his ass by the end of the summer. His mother was too timid to say anything, and lately Keith had discovered something wonderful. Coke. He had only smoked a little bit of weed before, and mostly stuck to beers in high school due to playing sports. A kid at the community college had offered some to him at a party a few months back, and since then Keith had developed quite the habit. In fact, most of his paychecks from the gas station were going to his habit. Heather had been the one that invited him, and as lame as it was that he was still going to high school parties, he remembered back when everything was perfect, and he was one of the most popular guys at school, and was completely on top.
The second he laid eyes on that mously little bitch Milly, and that retard Eric he had felt his blood boil. He had no idea what these two losers were doing at a party? He remembered all the trouble they had caused for Larry and him, and it drove him crazy. In fact, he felt that was the beginning of everything going to shit. He hated them. So, he spent the party hanging outside talking to Heather, drinking, and making a few trips to the bathroom to rip a few lines. He originally thought they might have left, until he spotted them now. Drunk, and wired from the drugs, he glared at them and began to feel his nostrils flare, as his chest heaved in and out. Heather was too drunk to notice before Keith held his beer bottle tightly and smashed it against the side of the tree he was leaning against. The music covered the sound, and Heather didn't even notice. Holding the shattered beer bottle he tightly held it by the neck, before he zeroed in, and like an animal about to attack, he glared straight ahead at them as they walked with their stupid arms around each other. Plowing forward, he decided nothing to feel better than to ram this stupid beer bottle straight into that little skinny bitch's back. Grinning, he held the bottle and began to hurry forward, picking up the pace as the two almost approached the front lawn. His face crumpling, he raised the broken sharp beer bottle up and aimed it straight towards Milly. Just at that exact moment, Eric happened to glance back and see what was about to happen.
His eyes widened, before he quickly grabbed Milly, and stepped behind her, blocking her from what was about to happen. Milly stood in front of him confused.
"Eric wha..."
Before she could finish, she glanced back, and her own eyes widened in disbelief before Keith rammed the broken beer bottle straight into Eric's shoulder.
Present - Three months later
Milly couldn't stop smiling. Today they had learned that she was having a girl. Milly thought back on Lucky, and felt on cloud nine that maybe, just maybe the past was the past and those horrible nightmares about Jet and Lucky were behind her. She was sitting on the back steps of the deck. It was a beautiful hot summer day, and Eric was kneeling in his swim trunks laughing as Marshall and him were playing with the sprinkler. Marshall was in his little bathing suit, his hair as well as Eric's were soaking wet and dripping. The baby was being completely adorable. He kept giggling and leaning down, sticking his face into the sparkling water, before laughing like crazy, and running in circles away from it, or hiding behind Eric who playfully sprayed him with it. Milly had her camera with her, and she had snapped a few photos of them. She knew Eric was completely thrilled at the news from Dr. Weaver today. The second she pointed out that it was a girl, Eric couldn't stop smiling. The whole ride home he kept squeezing her hand, and bringing it up to his lips and kissing it.
The pregnancy so far had gone pretty smooth. One thing though was different than with Marshall. The morning sickness had been awful, Almost everything in the morning made her sick. Eric as always was wonderful. Coming into the bathroom with her, holding her hair for her, rubbing her back, and helping her. Dr. Weaver said everything looked good so far, and Milly was thrilled. She was having a little girl. She had her family now, and couldn't stop watching her beautiful baby boy, laughing and running around her husband who was the love of her life. She couldn't believe how lucky she was. Eric would probably go flying tonight. He forbid to take her whenever she was pregnant, which she understood. She knew whenever he was really happy he would fly for a few hours and get it out of his system. Just the other day, he had made Marshall giggle in delight from his highchair when he made a paper airplane and sent it flying across the kitchen. Marshall watched it completely delighted, and clapped his tiny chubby hands and gurgled. Sitting there, looking down at her stomach, which was slowly starting to slightly show.
Smiling, she sat back watching her baby and her husband and never felt so lucky before in her entire life.