Life After High School. Is It Scary? You Bet.

By Risty Maskell and Silver15

Disclaimer: If we did own them, we would tell you, you know.

Summary: Crikey, I dunno.

**************************************************************************** **********

(Emma's POV)

Although I was glad that Jaime had stood up to my father, I got the feeling that his cruel games weren't over yet. His 'game' with Jaime's mother had only confirmed my worst fears. That since my mother left him, my father would stop at nothing to get me back. II just couldn't help wondering how far he was willing to go. Having him around was the last thing I needed.

When we got back to Bag End, I told Jaime that I was going up to my room. I needed some time alone, to think about things. Besides, I was having mild stomach pains and they were making me worried. I just needed to lie down for a while.

I'd only been lying there for a few minutes, when the door opened and someone came in.

"Emma" Boromir said quietly. "Are you…are you alright?"

"Do I look all right?" I muttered. "Just leave me alone"

"Can't we talk about this?" he pleaded. "It isn't the end of the world," I could tell by his voice that he was lying and something inside me snapped.

"What is there to talk about?" I asked angrily. "You want kids and while you stay with me, you're never going to have them. So why don't you go and find a woman who can give you what you want!"

"Emma, I don't want…" he started, but I cut him off.

"You say you won't leave me" I spat. "But we both know that if you stay with me, you're only going to regret it in the long run. Just go" I was getting hysterical now and I could see that he looked worried.

"Okay, I'll go" he agreed. "But we'll talk when you are calmer"

He left, shutting the door quietly behind him. I tried to go to sleep, but I just couldn't. My stomach felt all weird, like I was going to be sick or something.

About twenty minutes later, the door opened a crack and Damon looked in. I opened my eyes and pulled myself into a sitting position, telling him to come in. He did, followed closely by Benny as usual.

"Boromir told us that you were a bit upset," Damon said gently. "And…well we wanted to say, don't worry about your dad. Benny and me will sort him out if he comes anywhere near you again. Sol-leks is even standing guard at the front door for you"

"Thanks guys" I gave them a small smile and they turned to leave. "Wait" I called out suddenly. "Benny, I know that you are no doctor, but I've been having stomach cramps and I'm a bit worried. Could you check and see if I'm okay?"

"Sure, no problem" Benny agreed. While Damon stood by the door, Benny came over and put one hand on my stomach. When he took it away, he looked both puzzled and worried. He went over to Damon and whispered something in his ear. Damon looked shocked and shook his head. Benny turned back to me.

"Emma" he said seriously. "Is there any history of twins in your family?"

"My mother has a twin sister" I replied, completely confused about why he was asking. Benny just nodded and walked up and down the room for a minute. When he stopped, his face was pale.

"Emma" he said slowly. "I can feel something moving inside you. You're still pregnant"

"But how is that possible?" Damon asked. "She lost it. The doctor said so"

"If a woman is carrying twins" Benny explained. "Usually if she miscarriages, she loses both babies. But occasionally, one baby manages to hold on. This is a bloody miracle, especially if you consider how weak Emma was. It's amazing that she didn't lose both. Unfortunately Emma, now you have to make a big decision"

"What sort of decision?" I didn't particularly want to hear the answer, but I knew that I'd have to.

"Whether to go ahead with your pregnancy, despite the risks" Benny knelt by my bed and took my hand. "How far gone are you?"

I tried to think. "About four and a half months, I think," I said finally. "There's still a big chance that I could lose it, isn't there?"

"If you choose to go ahead with it," Benny sounded awfully worried. "There's only about ten percentage chance that you and your baby will come out alive"

"It will be a big risk to take" Damon muttered. "The chances that we'll lose you are far too great"

"I know what any sensible doctor would advise you to do" Benny said with a sigh. "But at the end of the day, you know the risks and the finally decision is yours"

"I'm going to go through with it," I said, without a moment's hesitation. "This is going to be my only chance"

"Well, there are things you could do, to lessen your chances of losing your baby" Benny said with a sigh. "If you really are determined to go through with this"

"I am"

"No heavy exercise, especially riding" Benny began. "In fact don't do anything that puts pressure on your stomach. Get a lot of rest too, don't push yourself to do anything. Personally, I'd pick one place you want to stay, either Rivendell or Silverwood or wherever and stay there until the baby is born, since you shouldn't be travelling full stop. And lastly, try tot to get worked up about things. It won't do you any good"

"Thanks Benny, thanks Damon" I gave them a weary smile. "I think I had better tell the others. But I know that they'll try and talk me out of it"

"As long as it is your choice, I guess that is all that matters" I got to my feet and Benny slipped his arm around my waist to steady me. Slowly we walked downstairs and went into the kitchen. Everyone looked up. Jaime, Frodo, Julia, Baz, Jake, Billee, Legolas, Boromir and Elrond were all there. I don't know where the others were, probably in the garden or something.

"Emma" Jaime began to stand up. "Are you okay? I heard that you were a bit upset"

"Sit down Jaime" Damon said gently. "Emma has something to tell you"

"I'm pregnant," I whispered. "And despite the risks, I'm going through with it"

The whole room stared at me in amazement.