Small Signs of Life

Disclaimer: I do not own the Outsiders. I only own Leah and Jane.
A/N Thanks for all the reviews guys.
The beginning of the chapter is a short conversation between Leah, Jane, Johnny, and Pony that takes place two weeks after chapter 15.

* Leah's POV

Now I was six weeks pregnant. Luckily enough for me you usually don't start to show until about the third month. That way none of the guys would know until I told them. Funny, it wasn't so hard telling Johnny.
Then Jane spoke up
Do you want us to be with you when you tell them?
I managed a small smile.
That makes it sound like I'm going to tell my parents, I said.
Well, in a way you are, said Pony.
Yeah, we are all a family, said Johnny.
Pony looked at me with a slightly serious look on his face. Leah, I think Soda suspects something.
A look of alarm crossed all of our faces. What, why? asked Johnny
Pony looked down at the ground. Sometimes Leah gets sick in the middle of the night, and Soda's noticed.
He thinks you might be turning bulimic or something.
Bulimic ? I asked.
Wow, he couldn't have been any further from the truth., said Jane
There was a long period of silence. Just when we were all about to fall asleep, I spoke up. I want to tell the guys, and soon.
Are you sure you don't want us there?asked Johnny.
I'm sure, I need to do this alone.
We understand, said Pony.
Thanks guys.

Two weeks later
*Jane's POV*
When I opened my eyes, Leah was standing straight over me with a big smile on her face. It's too early for cheerfulness, I mumbled.
Leah completely ignored me and pulled up her shirt. Look, she said indicating her stomach.
I looked and noticed a slight bulge on her stomach. You had to look closely and her shirt hid it. Pretty amazing isn't it? she asked.
How far along are you? I asked
. Two months, she answered.
It's so weird to think of something growing inside of me. she said
. Yeah, it is pretty surreal.
Leah then looked like she was really upset.
I'm going to tell them today.
By them I know she meant Steve, Dally, Darry, Soda and Two Bit. I also knew how hard it was for her, but she wanted to do it alone.
Good luck, I said.


* Dally's POV*
I sat down on a bench in the lot and put my head on my knees. Just as I was about to really drift off I felt someone sit down beside me. I looked up and saw an extremely pale Leah. Without warning she burst into tears, and buried her head on my shoulder. I started to comfort her, but there was a secret thought in the back of my mind. I hope nobody sees this
Sure, I loved Leah like she was my little sister, but I had a reputation to keep up. If someone saw me being emotional, I might be at a disadvantage for a fight. Leah lifted her tear stained face from my shoulder and mumbled something. What? I asked.
She took a deep breath and repeated what she said. I have something extremely important to tell , but I'm afraid of what you're going to say.
I'm sure it's not that bad. I said.
Before I tell you I need to ask you something.
What do you think of me and Johnny's relationship?
I think it's a good thing.
Johnny seems a lot happier.
She seemed to be blushing a little.
Are we also talking about the physical part?
Leah just looked down at the ground.
Johnny's seventeen and you almost are, so I think you guys are old enough to make that descion.
Also if Johnny's going to be doing anything at least its with someone he cares about.
So what did you want to tell me?
Well, there's no other way to really put this, she said.
There was a pause and then she choked out the words, I'm pregnant.
Wait a minute. Pregnant? As in going to have a baby? I looked at her. She seemed upset , and yet extremely relieved at the same time. Pregnant? I echoed.
she said
. How, when who?
I think you know how Dally.
Now it was my turn to turn slightly red. I'm two months pregnant, she told me.
Haven't you told anybody else?
I was in complete shock. I never expected anything like this to happen. I wasn't really mad though, maybe a little upset. Jane, Pony, and Johnny have known for a month now, she said.
Wait a minute, I said
. Johnny's the father isn't he?
Leah now looked like she was going to throw up. Yeah, she whispered.
Wow, I always thought I would be the first one to be a dad. I said.
Leah smiled sadly and said, I feel like you guys are going to kick me out of the gang, but at least I know Johnny will stay with me.
How is the kid taking this?
I didn't want Johnny to turn into an emotional wreck over this. He's gotten used to it, and he seems pretty happy actually.
But he's also scared, and so am I.
I can't believe it. Weren't you guys careful?
Of course we were, we're not stupid Dallas.
Oh no, she's calling me Dallas. It happened once and we had protection, but nothing's one hundred percent sure.
Only once?
Yeah, almost exactly two months ago.
Mentally I counted back in my head.
That would make it around Johnny's birthday then. Now she was really blushing. That must've been some birthday present, I said teasingly. Are you mad at us? No I'm not mad, just very surprised. Hey, that means I'll be an uncle.
She laughed, and then took my hand and guided it towards her stomach. When she put my hand on the lower part of her stomach I could feel a small bump. It was incredible. If anyone ever wants to feel amazing then they should touch the stomachs of their pregnant friends. Ok I know that sounds weird, but just trust me on this. Even more amazing was the fact that this was Johnny's kid. Little, scared, hurt Johnny. He wasn't like that anymore though. This was his son or daughter inside Leah. I didn't say anything, just kept my hand there for a minute. I removed my hand and said, That's incredible.
I know and it will be even more incredible when the baby starts kicking.
Just then I noticed the rest of the gang walking over towards us.

* Leah's POV*

When I saw all of the guys I noticed the looks on their faces. They looked like Dally's when I told him I was pregnant. Johnny looked kinda sheepish. Darry was the first to speak up. We uh hear you're going to be a mom.
Yeah, said quietly
. I know you wanted to tell them, but Soda said you might be bulimic and it just spilled out, said Johnny.
It's ok, I said.
He came over and put his arms around me. Johnny told us about all the plans you guys have made about this, said Darry.
I'm proud of you two because they are very realistic plans, and you're both being adults about this.
said Darry. Soda, Steve and Two Bit all just looked at my stomach. Can you see anything yet?' asked Two Bit.
I pulled up my shirt and heard the gasps. I guess because when my shirt was pulled up, and you saw the bulge, and knew I was pregnant it made it more real. Gently, Soda put his hand on my stomach and moved his fingers over the lump. The rest of the gang followed. They all seemed pretty happy, surprised, and scared like me and Johnny. Ok, that's enough of that. I said pulling my shirt down.
They all laughed and then Steve said, Congratulations Johnny.
Thanks man, said Johnny.
Wow, a baby. said Soda.
Yeah, just think in seven months you guys'll be parents. said Jane.
It was a weird thought. Pony must've read our minds because he said, It doesn't seem real does it?
You guys'll be great parents, said Dally smiling a little.
Even though I tried to stop it, I could feel tears rolling down my cheeks. Johnny hugged me tighter. It's ok Leah, don't cry, said Darry.
Yeah, you're part of the family now, said Steve.
And families should stick together, said Soda.
Through thick and thin, said Two Bit.
Then he broke out with, I still can't believe you're going to be a dad, he said looking at Johnny.
We all laughed. Neither can I, but I know I'll be used to it when I'm holding the baby, said Johnny.
Yeah, there's actually going to be a real human being, said Pony.
Pretty amazing, said Steve.
Yeah, it really is, I said.



Ok that chapter 16. Well? Good? Bad? Please review.
firechild. For those of you confused about the chapter title. I called it that because you can barely see Leah's pregnancy when she pulls up her shirt.