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

By Risty Maskell and Silver15

Disclaimer: Not ours. Unfortunately.

Summary: I can't tell you. I'm brain dead.

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(Emma's POV)

The following day, Blue came round to give us the news about Wendy. She had been very lucky according to the doctor. If the guys hadn't got there when they did, she would have drowned.

"It wasn't really down to us," Benny said with a shrug. "Damon gave her CPR but if Laddie hadn't dragged her out…" he trailed off and scratched Laddie behind the ears. "I've done my best with his leg," he continued after a moment. "It's just a matter of waiting to see how he is in a week or so"

"Do you think there will be any lasting damage?" I asked. I know it sounded pretty bad, everyone else was concerned about Wendy and I was worried about my dog, but Laddie is my best friend and the thought that I'd almost lost him made me go cold. Benny shrugged.

"I'm not sure," he said honestly. "His leg was bleeding pretty badly, but I'm hoping that he hasn't seriously damaged the muscle. We'll see how he is in a week or so"

"Thanks Benny"

"No problem"

Colan was very upset about Wendy so we all tried to act normally for his sake. He began to have nightmares almost every night, usually coming to me. If he seemed sleepy, I'd let him get in beside me and hold him until he fell asleep, but if he was very distressed, I would take him downstairs and make him a hot drink. I was eight months gone and I wasn't sleeping particularly well anyway, a fact that I knew was concerning Damon, Benny and Boromir. But it wasn't just the toll of pregnancy itself; I was also beginning to worry about the birth. I knew that I had been very lucky so far, I had only bled once after which I had been warned by the doctor to take it easy. But I was aware of the risks and although I didn't regret for one moment choosing to go through with the pregnancy, I couldn't help feeling scared. I couldn't talk to Boromir about my fears, every time I tried, he would just tell me that everything would be all right. I wasn't completely sure whether he was trying to reassure himself or me. I don't think I had ever felt so alone in my life.

A few nights later, we were sitting around watching the traditional Saturday night film. This time we had gone for a horror film, Scream, and it was giving me, Legolas and Jaime plenty of opportunities to cuddle up to our partners. Billee, Damon and Benny love horror films, but the rest of us aren't particularly keen on them. It's a rule however, that we adults take turns in choosing the film we see.

When it finished, Frodo stood up and switched off the television. The whole room was silent. Suddenly a loud knock at the door made us all jump.

"I'll get it" Frodo went into the hall and opened the door. We heard him talking to someone, and then he came back in with a strange look on his face.

"Boromir" he said slowly. "There is someone to see you. It's your brother…"

"Faramir" Boromir stood up, looking rather confused. I knew why. Boromir has had almost no contact with his family since we got back together. I guess they don't really approve of me, so I couldn't understand what Faramir wanted.

Boromir went out to the hallway and I followed him. I was just in time to see him embrace a young man, who looked much like a younger version of himself.

"Emma" he said, drawing away. "This is Faramir, my younger brother. Faramir, this is Emma, my fiancée"

"I am pleased to meet you" Faramir said with a nod. But although his words were sincere, his voice was cold. He looked at his brother, ignoring me completely.

"Our father ordered me to come," he said. "Boromir, is there a place where we can talk alone?"

"Come through to the kitchen" Boromir said after a moment. "We can talk there"

"Boromir" As he went past, I grabbed his arm. "What is going on?"

"I don't know," he said with a sigh. "I'll let you know as soon as I have spoken with him. Go back to the living room with the others. I'll be in as soon as I can"

I could do nothing but go back and sit with Billee. But try as I might, I could not relax. I just wished I knew what they were saying.

(Boromir's POV)

We went into the kitchen. Faramir seemed pretty agitated, he was pacing up and down the kitchen with his head down, refusing to meet my eye.

"Alright Faramir, what's this about?" I asked finally. "It's a bit late for a social call isn't it?"

"You're still with her then?" Faramir said coldly. "Please don't tell me the baby she's having is yours?"

"Of course it is," I snapped. "What business is it of yours anyway? You didn't come all this way to question me on my love life, did you?"

"No" My brother finally lifted his head to look at me. "I've come because father ordered me to try and talk some sense into you"

"I should have known," I said angrily. "Why can't he just let me get on with my life? I don't want to marry Annabel"

"Annabel is a lovely girl," Faramir told me. "Her family are well off, she's beautiful…"

"I don't love her!" I yelled. "I love Emma and nothing is going to change that. And if you think I'm going to turn my back on her now…"

"Boromir, she's nothing special. There are plenty of beautiful and nice girls in Gondor. Come back with me tonight and forget about her"

"No! And if you are going to talk like that, you can get out"

"Father has told me to tell you" Faramir said finally. "That if you don't come back and abandon your plan to marry Emma, he and mother will have nothing more to do with you. It's her or us"

"They can't…" I looked at him in shock, shaking my head. "They can't do that"

"I think you'll find that they can and they will" Faramir turned to go. "I'm sorry Boromir. I just hope that you will make the right choice. I'll be staying in the inn tonight. I'll see myself out"

He stormed out and slammed the front door behind him. I was just trying to get my head around what he had said, when I heard a small voice say my name. I looked up and saw Emma standing at the kitchen door.

"I heard you shouting," she said quietly. "What happened?"

"Father and mother are going to disown me if we go ahead with wedding plans" I said quietly. "Faramir was sent to try and persuade me to go back"

"Oh Boromir! What…what are you going to do?" she sounded so scared and alone and I knew what she was thinking. She was scared that I'd leave her. I went over and slid my arms around her waist.

"What do you think I'm going to do?" I asked. "Do you really think there is any choice?"

"But your family…"

"Maybe they will come round in time," I told her. "But even if they don't, it's their loss. My place is with you and our little one. And anyone who doesn't like it can just get lost"

"Oh Boromir" Emma raised her head and I kissed her gently on the mouth. As I drew back, I saw Damon leaning against the doorpost. He looked at me and winked. I knew then that I had made the right choice.