Celia offered Mika some water and she took it with wobbly hands. Bose sat next to her on the couch, close enough to hear her blinking. Today was the day they were telling Bose's parents about Mika's pregnancy.

"Vicey should be here any minute-," Ceila was saying just as Vice Mayor Willard walked in checking the time on his watch. "Alright, I'm delaying a very important meeting for this so what is this about?" He asked uninterested, he took a seat on the cushion in front of Mika and Bose along with Celia. His tone made Mika want to run out there and come back in six months, but they didn't have six months. "Yeah what's this about?" Celia eagerly crossed her legs. Mika looked at Bose and he nodded his head in assurance. Bose's parents looked between the couple as they intertwined their hands with each other. Bose inhaled then exhaled.

"Mika and i have something very important to tell you, and when we do we need you to be as forbearing as you can be,". Bose stated. "Okay...go on," Willard responded. Mika was shaking her leg impatiently and Bose was about to blurt it out but Mika did it instead, "I'm pregnant!".

Silence fell over the living room and Mika swallowed a lump in her throat. Okay, maybe she should have let him ease them into it more. "Oh..." Willard broke the silence. Celia opened her mouth to speak but no words came out, "i-,um- what?". She didn't look upset, she was confused about whether she heard right. Bose cleared his throat and turned his attention to his Mom, "She's pregnant, she has been for a few months and I'm gonna be the father," Bose clarified. Celia was still at a loss for words, this was a lot to take in.

"Well this is- the most unexcepted..." she started, " So what's the plan, do you wanna keep it?" She asked.

"We do," Mika nodded, "We know it's gonna be a lot of work, but it's what we want," Bose added. Celia wasn't sure what else to say, she was still processing. She wanted to make them feel like they were supported but she also wanted them to really think about this. She remembers what it was like, she was once a teen parent herself so she can relate to how terrifying and confusing it must be. However, as she looked at her son and his girlfriend, they didn't look terrified or confused. They were sure what they wanted and it eased her to know that her Bose had found someone who he was comfortable going through this journey with.

"Welp, you guys are lucky this was worth being late to my meeting for," Willard got up then pointed to Mika, "Congratulations to you," and then he pointed to Bose, he shook his head in amusement but didn't say anything to him before leaving. Bose looked around puzzled but then shook it off and focused on his Mom, she's what really mattered anyways.

"Mom?" Bose asked, She wasn't saying anything. He really wished he hadn't disappointed her as much as he thought he would.

"Um, well sweetheart, you two are so young... i wish you guys waited til you were a little older, but i don't think this was planned anyways- well it better not have been," She sharply pointed between them and they shook their heads 'No' immediately, "So, it is what is,".

The truth was, Ceila had suspected they were sexually active, she'd noticed some changes in Bose's characters not too long along and sometimes a mother just knows things. She wasn't upset or weirded out, he was a seventeen-year-old boy with a girlfriend he was in love with, it was normal.

However, she did ask Willard to give him 'The Talk' before, she knew Bose wouldn't listen to her out of all people about such matters, but she also hoped it would develop some bonding between her two men. Because of Willard's busy schedule, he never got around to it. Bose remembers lying on his bed scrolling through his phone when his stepdad walked in and threw him a box of condoms with a note attached that said, "No glove, no love'.

Anyways, Mika and Bose were relieved at her response. "So Ceila you're okay with this?" Mika clung tighter to Bose's arm. "As okay as i can be," she shrugged and softly smiled. Bose went straight away to give his Mom and it warmed her heart to see his excitement. "You're the best," he whispered to her. "And you're going to be such a good Dad," she replied and Bose held her tighter. They separated and Ceila turned to Mika, she's going to be such a good mom too. "Mika, do your parents know, have you told them?". She asked.

"No," Mika overlapped her hands, looking down "But i-we will, soon," she assured. Celia could tell the question overwhelmed her so she got up and took a seat next to her. "You know, there's a good chance you're going to have a very comfortable pregnancy, if that baby is anything like Bose, they'll practically be asleep for all their nine months, so no need to worry about those little kicks," Ceila informed Mika to make her feel a little better. Mika laughed wiping small tears that had been forming in her eyes, "Yeah, i hope that's the case,".

Bose light-heartedly smiled watching his Mom comfort Mika, things were looking up.

))))))))))

"You're pregnant?!" Chapa blurted out in shock. "Tell the whole world why don't ya," Mika pointed out to the busy food court in the mall. Chapa gripped the sides of the table, "A quarter to six months is a lot, i can't believe you didn't tell me sooner, this is so exciting, and your gonna keep it?" Chapa went on. "Yep," Mika said taking a sip of her smoothie. Chapa leaned over the table to give her a big hug, Chapa seemed more excited than her, "Geez, you're so happy I'd assume you were the one pregnant,".

Chapa beamed, "This is really big news, i mean you and Bose are having a baby, that's like totally life-changing".

"You don't say," Mika quipped.

Chapa leaned back in her seat as Mika continued to give her all the details. "Well just know if you ever need a babysitter I'm always here," Chapa reached for her fries, "For a generous fee of course,". Mika chortled, this was the type of energy she needed. Chapa was very positive and encouraging and it made Mika happy. "Since when did you like children," Mika reached for some of her fries. "I can make exceptions," Chapa shrugged.

Mika pulled her loose blouse from the back to show Chapa her bump. It was getting really big so she didn't have to pull much. "Oh, it's so cute, it looks really good on you," Chapa complimented. "Thank you," Mika thanked. Chapa sat up, "So is it a boy or girl?". "Um, actually i don't know, i haven't even gone for an ultrasound yet but i probably will next week," Mika informed, "i still have to tell my parents before i can make any appointments, so that's why". Chapa nodded.

"But I'm team boy," Mika said.

"Well, what's Dad think?" Chapa shook her drink. "Oh we haven't talked about the gender yet, we've been busy planning other things, but i think he wants a boy too," Mika explained. "I for one, I'm team girl, like do we really need more men in this world?" Chapa voiced and Mika cackled, she made a valid point, but she was still team boy.

"Mika, i'm really I'm happy for you and Bose," Chapa said sincerely and Mika smiled at her grateful. Chapa raised her drink, "To a healthy, happy baby boy...or girl,". "Amen," Mika raised her drink so they could cheer. Even with everything going on, being with Chapa made everything feel like it was normal again.

))))))))

Saying that Mika was having a full-blown panic attack, was an understatement. "Bose, i can't-i can't do this, this is gonna be bad, i literally cannot breathe," Mika was hyperventilating and tears were streaming down her face. She hated how much she's cried lately. Bose held her face in his hands to calm her down. "Mika, i know this is really hard for you but just take a deep breath, everything is going to be okay, your parents are going to love you no matter what," He vowed.

The only time he saw Mika this way was when she told him she was pregnant. It worried him how scared Mika was to tell her parents about their situation, surely they'll understand, just like his did. They already prepared how they were going to answer questions and anticipated possible reactions. Mika even made them flashcards to study. Bose kissed her forehead and she took a deep breath.

Just then her parents walked into the kitchen seeing Mika and Bose at the table. "Hey, we're about to head out but there's pizza in the fridge, and drink water to stay hydrated," Angela said grabbing her purse. "Wait-" Bose spoke out and Mika swore her heart dropped to her feet. "We have something difficult to tell you," Bose gestured to the free seats around the table. "Okay?" Herman said taking a seat with his wife across from them. "Is everything okay?" Angela asked Mika when she noticed her swelling eyes and scrunched-up mannerism. Mika knew her parents didn't like when people beat around the bush, it made them anxious so it would be best to be straightforward.

Mika held back some slight nausea before confessing, "Bose and i are having a baby, I'm pregnant,".

She said it and there it was, the instant look of shock and horror on their faces. "Mika Macklin what do you mean you're pregnant?!" Angela slammed her hands on the table and Mika flinched. Herm fiercely pointed at Bose, "This better be some twisted joke,". "It's not sir," Bose fidgeted. " I need a minute, " Angela fanned herself glaring at Mika.

"Look you guys I'm sorry i know this isn't what we planned but it just happened we-"

"Oh, it just happened? Mika, you know better, do you understand how irresponsible this was of you, we thought we raised you right and then you go and do this," Mika's father scolded her and she started to choke up.

"Woah, this isn't just her fault, it's mine too, if anything you should be angrier at me than her," Bose joined in, it wasn't fair how they were shifting all the blame on her. "You hush!" Angela demanded of him. "What about your future, do you even give a damn about that?", Angela went on, " This affects your entire life," Herm reminded. "I do," Mika responded to her Mom. She tried to sound strong but it came out as a weak cry.

"She and i have talked about this, we can make it work-we have a plan!" Bose insisted. Mika's parents went silent.

"We can make it work? We have a plan?" Angela repeated in low voice. Herm shook his head as if he was talking himself out of hurting Bose. "Don't tell me your planning on keeping it, don't tell me you're thinking about even having it!" Angela said spitefully. "I don't have much of a choice, I'm about six months in-", "Six months?!" Herm and Angela shouted simultaneously, "There's nothing i can do to stop it and i don't want to! What i want is to keep the baby", Mika's voice cracked.

Angela started rubbing her temples, out of all people she thought her daughter would be the last person to get pregnant in their teens. Mika looked at Bose through teary eyes, Bose wished he could make her parents disappear and take her away from all of it. "What do you two not get? This isn't some silly game of house," Herm affirmed. "We know-"Bose was saying but Angela interrupted, "To have a child, you need to be emotionally and physically mature, not to mention financial stability, so many things come into play," Angela exclaimed.

"Why were you having sex in the first place?!" Herman stood up banging his fist on the table and Mika flinched again. Mika's heart started to fall apart when she realized that her father wasn't looking at her like his little girl anymore. "We're sorry, we didn't mean for any of this to happen," Mika felt ashamed, "We thought we were being careful," Bose continued. "Obviously not careful enough," Angela scoffed.

"I can't believe you're letting this good-for-nothing imbecile ruin your life," Herm snapped. Mika's head shot up, his comment triggered rage in her, they could tear her part all they wanted but they will not insult Bose in her presence. "Don't call him that! He's done nothing but love and support to me, so don't call him that!" Mika defended Bose, standing up from the table to scowl the same look at her father that he was giving her. They were surprised that Mika was speaking to them in such a matter, especially when they believed she was in the wrong.

Bose watched the intense moment between Mika and her parents. He kindly rubbed Mika's back and settled her back into her seat, he appreciated her sticking up for him like that. But if her parents weren't going to be the level-headed ones here, then they would have to be. That's what he was going for until Mika's father made another hurtful comment, but this time towards Mika, "No daughter of mine would have ever given it up so easily,". Mika's lower lips trembled and she caught a gasp in her throat.

"Shut the fuck up you bastard!" Bose went unhinged shooting up from his seat. The fury in his bones couldn't take it, how dare he talk to her way in such a way? Angela's mouth gaped open and so did Mika's. "Excuse me?" Herman boomed. Mika became scared for Bose when she saw her father clench his fist tighter, but Bose didn't back down. Mika slowly stood up, too afraid to do or say anything else. This was going to end even worse than she'd imagined.

Angela aware of her husband, decide to be the adult, what they didn't need was the Vice Mayor of Swellview pressing charges against them for harming his underaged son. "

"Bose, i think it's time you get the hell out of our home," Angela stated. Bose looked over at Mika, her eyes had become puffy and dark, and she was still quivering. He couldn't leave her here with them, not like this. But Mika nodded in agreement with her mother. "You should go," her voice was hoarse. He knew she didn't want him to, but he'd crossed a line and was he no longer welcome.

Bose stepped away from the table and gave Mika a kiss on the cheek. He was on his way out but Herm stepped in front of him. "Herman," Angela warned, and he stepped aside to let him through. Angela opened the door for Bose and he looked back to see a conquered Mika. He looked in between her parents, then left.

He ruined everything.