"Kane, I'm pregnant."  Kirsty looked into his eyes, searching for a hint of an answer.  She wished it, yearned for it not to be an answer of rejection.  A few moments passed, Kane not knowing quite what to say to make Kirsty feel better.  It was a shock to say the least. 

"Um."  That was all he could say.  A stupid word, which meant nothing.  How else could he sum up the whirlwind of thoughts going round in his head? Pregnancy meant a baby, a baby meant fatherhood.  Kane had never really experienced a father's love; could he give it to someone else?

"Um?  Kane is that all you can say?" asked an anxious Kirsty.

"Well what happened then?"

"I think you know what happened Kane.  We slept together."  Kane sat down on the wharf, his head in his hands.

"They'll think it's all my fault.  Have you told your parents?" 

"Only my mum knows.  She wants me to have an abortion."  Kirsty began to cry.

"An abortion?"  Kane wasn't sure what he wanted.  He was still pretty young, he wasn't sure if he was the fatherly type, yet he couldn't help thinking.  A baby could be good for him, like Kirsty was.  When was he going to have an opportunity like this again?  "Kirst, don't cry, Shhhh."  Kirsty sat down next to Kane, who rested her head on his chest.

"But I don't want to kill it.  It's my baby Kane, our baby."

"I'll support you Kirsty, you know I will.  I love you, I never stopped."

Kirsty turned to look at him.  "What about my letter?  You never replied."

"What letter?"

"The one I told Flynn to give you."

"He hasn't spoken to me since I got back.  What did it say?"

"Oh just stuff."  That was an understatement.  Kirsty needed to share her feelings, yet Flynn didn't help her.  He lied.  Some counsellor he was.   "How are you after what happened?"

"I'm alright.  I went back to my old job last week; I'm lucky they had me back.  My aunts visiting her friend in Perth for a while so I'm mostly on my own."

"Wow.  That seems like heaven after being in a house where my mother hates me, yet everyone is nice to me because they don't know.  I'm gonna have to tell them sooner or later.  Everyone will know."

"Looks like we'll be gossiped about for a while yet, " said Kane.  "Should I come round and talk to your parents?  At least they'll know I'm taking responsibility."

"Not yet, I've gotta break the news to everyone else first.  My mum wants to send me to the city so I can 'think about things.'  She doesn't listen to me."

"Well you know you can always talk to me.  My phone works now, the numbers still the same."

"Good, " smiled Kirsty.  She knew she was happy again, now she had Kane's support.  She could tackle anything with him.

"How far are you gone then?"

"Only six weeks, it still feels weird, but I'm starting to get used to it.  Can you believe we're going to be parents?  There's no way I'm gonna be like my parents."

"Likewise.  Looks like we'll have to grow up properly now.  I'll probably have to make an honest woman of you now!"

Kirsty laughed.  "Is that the Phillips way of proposing, because it's pretty vague!"

"We'll see, " grinned Kane.  "We'll see."

The couple lay on the wharf for a while, just enjoyed each other's company.  They both felt happy; Kane because his life was never going to be lonely, and Kirsty because she was back with Kane.  Neither of them knew what lay ahead but both were sure that their relationship would stand the test of time.  Kirsty dreamily glanced at her watch. 

"Oh damn, I was meant to be back ages ago.  My mums gonna be so annoyed, we've probably missed our train.  Our cars in the garage, so that's the only way I could get there.  I've gotta go Kane."  Kirsty hurriedly got up and tried to arrange her windswept hair.

"Wait."  Kane got up.  "When will I see you again?"

"I dunno, I'll try to call you.  I'll let you know how it goes."  Kirsty tried to kiss Kane quickly, but it was too hard to break away.  It pained her to finally leave him.

***

 When Kirsty arrived home, her mother was far from pleased.  It was late afternoon, and no more trains were running at the moment.

"Kirsty where did you go?" asked Shelley.

"To get some air like I said."

"That was hours ago, you could have come back."

"I lost track of time Mum, it happens."

"Well you can't go to the city this week, I'm too busy over here to take you."

"Well I don't need to go there because I'm keeping the baby!"  Kirsty waited for her mother to stop staring but then she realised. Her mother was looking at someone behind her. 

"Hello Colleen, " said Shelley nervously, but calmly.  "How long have you been here?"

"Long enough to figure out what's going on Shelley Sutherland, " she piped.  "I was only coming here to tell you about the leaky tap in my caravan.  Honestly, what's happening to Summer Bay?  Promiscuity, that's what it is!  Kirsty Sutherland, pregnant at sixteen!  Sixteen!  In my day we didn't even know where babies came from at sixteen!"

"Perhaps that's the problem, " said a stern Shelley.  Kirsty ignored her mothers jibe.

"Well I won't keep your sordid little chat from continuing, I'm going to the diner, " and before Shelley could reply, she left.

"Great, " said Kirsty.  "The whole of Summer Bay will know by tomorrow."

"Well Kirsty, it's up to you to tell the rest of your family first, " said Shelley.  "It's your predicament, so you deal with everyone's reactions."