DISCLAIMER: 7th Heaven belongs to alot of people who pick the stupidest ways to pair people up! "Somebody Else's Song" belongs to Lifehouse, one of the COOLEST rock bands en el mundo! Yup! There goes my Spanish dispersed with English again... "My Own Prison" belongs to Creed. Bugs Bunny belongs to Looney Toons. Simon isn't mine, but I can dream!
MY NOTES: Reviews are the greatest things ever! So give me some, PLEASE! I should actually prolly be updating my RtT fic, but I'm doin' this one... Sorry if you like my RtT better, but I don't think anyone does... I'm so excited, cuz now I gots a cute pic of Ryan Hurst and a cute pic of Simon on my LiveJournal...Good times...Down with Martin! Bring back Simon! Randomness... Sorry that my chronology is all out of whack...When I came up with this, I hadn't seen any re-runs in awhile, so I just put it this way and hoped I was right, but I wasn't...So shoot me...
Thanks to all my reviewers!
Shan- Yayness on the new keyboard! A spacebar is a very good thing. And the praying thing *teary eyes* So sad when that happens... I always loved those parts...
KayKayeLLe- The Jessica Simpson thing...*grins* yup! That was one of the most fun things to write! I think Ashlee's hair is real. *shivers* My mom thinks it's her natural color, but I really hope not, because it's not her best color...
RGblue16- Thanks! You're so nice!
Duckygirl- Glad you likes it!
AnnaG1- I'm gettin' my butt back here now...lol!
Camden-Kinkirk- One good thing about not havin' too many reviewers...You can respond personally...lol...But that doesn't mean I don't like havin' lots of reviewers! And, yep, Brad Maule is muy cool.
Tanguay18- Yeah...It was a little awkward, but I felt like throwing a little humor in to break the monotonous drama... I know it didn't fit...I just did it out of the randomness of my life...But it could also be used to show what a bad mood Cecilia's in...And I don't have anything against Jessicas in general, just Miss Simpson's ditziness... ("Is it chicken, or tuna?")
Matt91- Thanks, dude! Adding me to the favs? Now I feel special... That's too cool!
amber-1134- Thanks! That's cool...
Maria- Glad you find this still realistic.
Ebony- Thank you so much!
gqfan4life11- Thanks! That was really sweet!
~Chapter 5: Somebody Else's Song~
Saturday night, Simon and Cecilia went out for a movie. Cecilia knew that it was a chic flic, but she couldn't remember what it was about. Neither could Simon. they went outside and sat on a bench after the movie, trying to talk out how they planned to tell their parents.
Simon put his arma round Cecilia, and she scooted closer to him. She put her arms around his waist and clung to him. "Are you gonna be OK?" he asked.
"I think so. I'm just scared."
"Scared of telling your parents, or scared of having a baby?" He leaned his cheek into her hair and gave her shoulders a comforting squeeze.
"Both, I guess. I'm afraid of the pain when I have the baby. But I'm also afraid of losing the baby." Tears stung her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. "And I don't want my parents to hate me."
"It's gonna be all right."
She looked up at his face. "You think so?"
He nodded. "Yeah. I think our baby's going to be healthy, and safe, and beautiful."
Cecilia reached up and put her arms around his neck, bringing him close. She pressed a kiss to his lips, then pulled away.
"I thought kissing was no."
"I can kiss you. And you can kiss me if you ask first."
"OK. Then, Cecilia, may I please kiss you?"
She looked up into his green eyes with a smile. "Sure."
He leaned over and kissed her lips for a long sweet moment. She pulled away. "Look, Simon. My parents are going to be at your house in 25 minutes for dinner."
Simon jumped off of the bench and led Cecilia down to his car. He hadn't realized what time it was. They rode home with Creed's "My Own Prison" playing on the CD player.
Simon opened Cecilia's door for her, then took her hand as they walked up to the house together. He hesitated as he reached for the doorknob, but Cecilia gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Well, this is it," he said as he opened the door.
They walked in and Simon closed the door. "We're here, Mom," he called.
"Oh, good. You're just in time," Annie called from the kitchen.
They walked past the living room, where Sam and David were watching "Bugs Bunny." "Hi, Simon," David called, only to be echoed by Sam.
"Hi, guys," Simon replied with his best smile.
"Cecilia!" they called in unison, hopping off the couch to hug their favorite babysitter.
"Hi, guys!" she said, giving each of them a hug.
"Can you play with us, Cecilia?" Sam asked hopefully.
Cecilia shook her head. "Not today. Sorry, guys, but I'll try to play with you another day."
"OK," said Sam, with David repeating the sentiment.
She smiled and stood back up, feeling just a little dizzy. She felt Simon take her hand and squeeze it. "Here we go."
She nodded, and they entered the kitchen. Annie, and Cecilia's mom, Lori, were making dinner. It was almost done, and Simon could smell the cinnamon from Annie's apple pie. He hoped Cecilia would feel like eating. She was beginning to look weak.
"Smells good, Mom," Simon said, leaning over to kiss Annie's cheek.
"Thank you," she replied.
"What're we having?"
"Um...Homemade bread, green beans, roast beef, and corn on the cob. Apple pie for desert."
Simon kissed her cheek again. "Thanks, Mom. You're the best."
Annie smiled at her son, and Simon had the sinking feeling that she wouldn't be smiling for long.
Cecilia and Simon went outside with Ruthie, Sam, and David. Simon and Cecilia sat on the bench in the yard and watched Ruthie and the boys play basketball. Well, honestly, Ruthie was playing, and the boys just thought they were. Simon had the random thought that Ruthie might be as good a basketball player as Mary was. Which would be good. Then he and Mary would be the only disappointments in the family. Matt was a medical student, soon to marry another medical student. Lucy was married to a police officer and studying to be a minister. Ruthie was very smart and well-behaved. And Sam and David hadn't been around long enough to be a disappointment. But Mary had vandalized the gym and stolen from the Varsity restaurant. And now Simon was a teen father. At least five out of seven hadn't done anything too stupid thus far.
"Dinner's ready!" Annie called from the kitchen.
Simon and Cecilia held tight to each other's hands, each moment bringing them closer to the moment of truth. They knew it had to come, but there was no really good way to tell their parents that they were having a baby.
They ate dinner, and things were pretty lively with Kevin and Lucy. Those two were so in love and so happy. Simon felt his heart pounding as Annie brought out desert and coffee. Cecilia squeezed his hand, and they stood up, side-by-side. Simon cleared his throat, and everyone turned to look at him and Cecilia. He took a deep breath and got ready for the worst. "Cecilia and I..." He hadn't known it would be this hard. Ruthie and Matt nodded reassuringly, and Simon swallowed hard. "Cecilia and I are having a baby."
Everyone became silent. Noone spoke for a long time. Simon kept trying to look up, but he didn't need to look up to realize that everyone was looking at them. He could feel eyes burning into him on all sides. He felt like a worm in a room full of hungry birds, wishing he could squirm into the ground.
Cecilia squeezed his hand until the bones were coming together. He thought for a short moment, that if she squeezed that hard just because they were telling their families, it was really going to hurt if she wanted him in the delivery room.
Simon looked around the table. Kevin was staring into his plate. Lucy was wide-eyed, and her mouth was hanging open. Ruthie looked calmer than anyone else. Matt was looking at Simon, expressionless. Eric...Simon could hardly look at Eric and Annie. They were both fighting tears. Sam and David were just getting antsy, since they knew something was wrong, but they didn't understand just what it was. And then there were Cecilia's parents. Her dad was angry, and Simon could almost feel the anger in his eyes burning through him. And Lori Smith was just crying.
Simon felt terrible. How could they have done this to their families?
Eric was the first to speak. "Simon, your mother and I will see you upstairs in your room."
Simon swallowed hard and nodded.
"Cecilia, we're going home," Mr. Smith said, angrily.
"OK," Cecilia whispered, quickly pecking Simon on the cheek. "I love you," she whispered into his ear.
"I love you, too."
She walked away and Simon turned to go upstairs. "Simon, wait," Ruthie called.
He turned around and Ruthie gave him a hug. "I love you. No matter what."
"Thanks, Ruthie. I love you, too."
He went up to his room and waited for Annie and Eric. It didn't take them long to get there, unfortunately, because Simon really needed some time to think.
Eric came in, followed by Annie. They sat beside Simon on the bed. He couldn't stand looking at him. He finally got four words past the knot in his throat. "Do you hate me?"
"No, Simon," Annie said. "We don't hate you. But we're not happy about what you and Cecilia have done. We're not glad you're having a baby."
"I'm sorry, Mom. But don't blame my baby."
"I don't blame your baby. I'm going to love your baby. It'll be my grandchild. Simon, I'm angry with you and Cecilia for deciding to have sex. You're only 16."
Simon nodded. "I know. I just don't..." He trailed off, trying to gather his thoughts.
"Why on earth did you do this, Simon?" Eric asked.
"I don't know, Dad," Simon said, crying. "I wish I did."
Eric shook his head. How could his son... He and Annie had tried so hard to raise them right. A part of him kept picturing Simon as a tiny baby, innocent, and full of potential. How could that same baby be a tall sixteen-year-old who was crying his eyes out because he was a father too soon.
"Dad," Simon said, sniffling and wiping his eyes. "I want to ask Cecilia to..." he paused to sniffle. "...to marry me."
Annie closed her eyes. Eric looked at Simon intently. "If that's what you feel like you need to do, then do it."
"Cecilia deserves it. And so does my baby. I just...I'm scared, Dad. I don't know how to be a husband or a father." Simons teary eyes pled with Eric. "Help me, Dad," he whispered.
Eric's chin quivered. "I..."
"Please, Dad?"
Eric nodded. "I'll do whatever I can."
"I need to talk to Cecilia's dad. The sooner the better. I need to get it over with. I think I'm gonna head on over there."
"OK. Do you want someone to go with you?"
"No. I need to do this on my own."
Eric nodded. "I love you, Simon."
"I love you, too, Dad."
Simon stood up and put his shoes back on. He went downstairs, and then down the street to Cecilia's house. He rang the doorbell, and waited for someone to come to the door. Cecilia's dad opened the door. When he saw Simon, his eyes filled with an anger that was right on the edge of hatred. "What do you want?" he practically growled.
"I want to talk to you, sir," he said, hoping that his voice would show how sorry he was.
"I don't have time for you."
"Mr. Smith, I'm the father of your grandchild. And I know that what I did was wrong. But I want to take responsibility for it."
"You talked my daughter into sleeping with you. I don't forgive that too easily, boy." He started to close the door, but Simon stopped him.
"Please, sir. I want to do the right thing. I..."
Mr. Smith interrupted him. "Why didn't you do what was right when you wanted to talk Cecilia into sleeping with you?"
"Dad," Cecilia called, making her prescence behind her father known. "Simon didn't talk me into it. I said I wanted to."
"Cecilia, stay out of this."
"No, Dad. You can't blame Simon for what happened."
"I can, and I do."
"Dad, we were both wrong. It's a two way thing."
"Stay out of this, Cecilia."
She looked at Simon and mouthed, "Sorry."
I need to talk to you, Mr. Smith. It's important."
"It was also important when I told you to take care of Cecilia."
Simon looked at his feet. "Yes, sir. I was wrong. And I'm sorry. And I want to take responsibility for what I did, if you'll let me."
Mr. Smith looked at Simon a long time. "OK. We'll talk. But you better have a good plan."
Simon followed him into the living room. He sat down in the chair that Mr. Smith directed him to, and watched the older man take a seat across from him.
"Well, what do you want?"
"I want...I want to marry Cecilia. It's the right thing to do. Our baby deserves a real family." He looked for a response for what seemed like eternity.
Mr. Smith finally said, "I'll think about it. But do you think two sixteen-year-olds is a 'real family'?"
Simon shook his head. "No, sir. But it's the best Cecilia and I can do."
"You could give the baby up for adoption," he suggested.
Simon closed his eyes. "We could, sir...But I want to keep it. The baby's my child...even if I hadn't planned on having one yet. I want to raise it."
Unknown to her father and Simon, Cecilia was standing just outside the entrance to the living room, listening, and praying that her father wouldn't make her give her baby up. She already loved it more than life. But she and Simon weren't ready for marriage and a family. But they should've tought of that before...before they had taken that chance.
She loved Simon for wanting to marry her and take care of her baby. But, she didn't think he was ready.
Mr. Smith sighed. "Simon, if you won't to marry my daughter and take care of this child, I...I won't stand in your way. It takes a man to take responsibility for doing something like this. And, I think that you're going to be a good man."
"Thank you, sir," Simon said, relieved. They wouldn't have to give up their baby after all.
"But I want you to promise me three things."
"Yes, sir?"
"First, promise you'll never hurt Cecilia."
"Yes, sir. I promise."
"Second, promise me you will never hurt my grandchild."
"Promise."
"Third, promise you'll keep a roof over their heads."
"Yes, sir."
"OK, Simon. I'll hold you to that. If you break any of those promises, you'll be sorry."
Cecilia heard them getting up, so she ran down the hall to the kitchen. The two men walked out just seconds later.
Mr. Smith couldn't believe he was letting his little girl get married. He didn't want to give her up. But Simon was right about one ting. The baby needed both parents.
Simon left the house to go home. He went inside, and Eric and Annie were in the living room. "I'm home," he called.
"How'd it go?" Eric asked.
"He's gonna let us get married, but only if I can get us a place to stay." He sighed, disappointed at his prospects.
"Oh," Annie said. "Maybe you can find a place."
"Mom, I don't have a job. How can find a place?"
"I...I could help you get a job, Simon," Eric said.
"Where?"
"Actually, there's an opening for a waiter at the pool hall."
"Dad, I can't support a family on minimum wage."
Lucy had come up behind them and caught the tail-end of the conversation. "Yes, you can."
Simon's brow creased as he tried to figure out what his sister was talking about.
"Kevin and I put a down payment on a house, so the garage apartment will be freed up if you and Cecilia want to live here."
"You and Kevin put a down payment on a house?" Annie said.
"Yeah. It's a few streets over."
Simon smiled. Maybe this would work out.
"So when are you moving?" Simon asked.
"The end of the month. It should be cleaned up and ready by then."
Simon gave Lucy the biggest hug possible. "Thanks, Luce!"
"Gosh, Simon! We're not moving out for you. We're moving out for us."
"Still, thanks, Luce." Simon turned to Eric. "Dad, I'm goin' down to the pool hall to see if I can get that job."
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~
A/N: Next time...Simon asks Cecilia to marry him...
MY NOTES: Reviews are the greatest things ever! So give me some, PLEASE! I should actually prolly be updating my RtT fic, but I'm doin' this one... Sorry if you like my RtT better, but I don't think anyone does... I'm so excited, cuz now I gots a cute pic of Ryan Hurst and a cute pic of Simon on my LiveJournal...Good times...Down with Martin! Bring back Simon! Randomness... Sorry that my chronology is all out of whack...When I came up with this, I hadn't seen any re-runs in awhile, so I just put it this way and hoped I was right, but I wasn't...So shoot me...
Thanks to all my reviewers!
Shan- Yayness on the new keyboard! A spacebar is a very good thing. And the praying thing *teary eyes* So sad when that happens... I always loved those parts...
KayKayeLLe- The Jessica Simpson thing...*grins* yup! That was one of the most fun things to write! I think Ashlee's hair is real. *shivers* My mom thinks it's her natural color, but I really hope not, because it's not her best color...
RGblue16- Thanks! You're so nice!
Duckygirl- Glad you likes it!
AnnaG1- I'm gettin' my butt back here now...lol!
Camden-Kinkirk- One good thing about not havin' too many reviewers...You can respond personally...lol...But that doesn't mean I don't like havin' lots of reviewers! And, yep, Brad Maule is muy cool.
Tanguay18- Yeah...It was a little awkward, but I felt like throwing a little humor in to break the monotonous drama... I know it didn't fit...I just did it out of the randomness of my life...But it could also be used to show what a bad mood Cecilia's in...And I don't have anything against Jessicas in general, just Miss Simpson's ditziness... ("Is it chicken, or tuna?")
Matt91- Thanks, dude! Adding me to the favs? Now I feel special... That's too cool!
amber-1134- Thanks! That's cool...
Maria- Glad you find this still realistic.
Ebony- Thank you so much!
gqfan4life11- Thanks! That was really sweet!
~Chapter 5: Somebody Else's Song~
Saturday night, Simon and Cecilia went out for a movie. Cecilia knew that it was a chic flic, but she couldn't remember what it was about. Neither could Simon. they went outside and sat on a bench after the movie, trying to talk out how they planned to tell their parents.
Simon put his arma round Cecilia, and she scooted closer to him. She put her arms around his waist and clung to him. "Are you gonna be OK?" he asked.
"I think so. I'm just scared."
"Scared of telling your parents, or scared of having a baby?" He leaned his cheek into her hair and gave her shoulders a comforting squeeze.
"Both, I guess. I'm afraid of the pain when I have the baby. But I'm also afraid of losing the baby." Tears stung her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. "And I don't want my parents to hate me."
"It's gonna be all right."
She looked up at his face. "You think so?"
He nodded. "Yeah. I think our baby's going to be healthy, and safe, and beautiful."
Cecilia reached up and put her arms around his neck, bringing him close. She pressed a kiss to his lips, then pulled away.
"I thought kissing was no."
"I can kiss you. And you can kiss me if you ask first."
"OK. Then, Cecilia, may I please kiss you?"
She looked up into his green eyes with a smile. "Sure."
He leaned over and kissed her lips for a long sweet moment. She pulled away. "Look, Simon. My parents are going to be at your house in 25 minutes for dinner."
Simon jumped off of the bench and led Cecilia down to his car. He hadn't realized what time it was. They rode home with Creed's "My Own Prison" playing on the CD player.
Simon opened Cecilia's door for her, then took her hand as they walked up to the house together. He hesitated as he reached for the doorknob, but Cecilia gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Well, this is it," he said as he opened the door.
They walked in and Simon closed the door. "We're here, Mom," he called.
"Oh, good. You're just in time," Annie called from the kitchen.
They walked past the living room, where Sam and David were watching "Bugs Bunny." "Hi, Simon," David called, only to be echoed by Sam.
"Hi, guys," Simon replied with his best smile.
"Cecilia!" they called in unison, hopping off the couch to hug their favorite babysitter.
"Hi, guys!" she said, giving each of them a hug.
"Can you play with us, Cecilia?" Sam asked hopefully.
Cecilia shook her head. "Not today. Sorry, guys, but I'll try to play with you another day."
"OK," said Sam, with David repeating the sentiment.
She smiled and stood back up, feeling just a little dizzy. She felt Simon take her hand and squeeze it. "Here we go."
She nodded, and they entered the kitchen. Annie, and Cecilia's mom, Lori, were making dinner. It was almost done, and Simon could smell the cinnamon from Annie's apple pie. He hoped Cecilia would feel like eating. She was beginning to look weak.
"Smells good, Mom," Simon said, leaning over to kiss Annie's cheek.
"Thank you," she replied.
"What're we having?"
"Um...Homemade bread, green beans, roast beef, and corn on the cob. Apple pie for desert."
Simon kissed her cheek again. "Thanks, Mom. You're the best."
Annie smiled at her son, and Simon had the sinking feeling that she wouldn't be smiling for long.
Cecilia and Simon went outside with Ruthie, Sam, and David. Simon and Cecilia sat on the bench in the yard and watched Ruthie and the boys play basketball. Well, honestly, Ruthie was playing, and the boys just thought they were. Simon had the random thought that Ruthie might be as good a basketball player as Mary was. Which would be good. Then he and Mary would be the only disappointments in the family. Matt was a medical student, soon to marry another medical student. Lucy was married to a police officer and studying to be a minister. Ruthie was very smart and well-behaved. And Sam and David hadn't been around long enough to be a disappointment. But Mary had vandalized the gym and stolen from the Varsity restaurant. And now Simon was a teen father. At least five out of seven hadn't done anything too stupid thus far.
"Dinner's ready!" Annie called from the kitchen.
Simon and Cecilia held tight to each other's hands, each moment bringing them closer to the moment of truth. They knew it had to come, but there was no really good way to tell their parents that they were having a baby.
They ate dinner, and things were pretty lively with Kevin and Lucy. Those two were so in love and so happy. Simon felt his heart pounding as Annie brought out desert and coffee. Cecilia squeezed his hand, and they stood up, side-by-side. Simon cleared his throat, and everyone turned to look at him and Cecilia. He took a deep breath and got ready for the worst. "Cecilia and I..." He hadn't known it would be this hard. Ruthie and Matt nodded reassuringly, and Simon swallowed hard. "Cecilia and I are having a baby."
Everyone became silent. Noone spoke for a long time. Simon kept trying to look up, but he didn't need to look up to realize that everyone was looking at them. He could feel eyes burning into him on all sides. He felt like a worm in a room full of hungry birds, wishing he could squirm into the ground.
Cecilia squeezed his hand until the bones were coming together. He thought for a short moment, that if she squeezed that hard just because they were telling their families, it was really going to hurt if she wanted him in the delivery room.
Simon looked around the table. Kevin was staring into his plate. Lucy was wide-eyed, and her mouth was hanging open. Ruthie looked calmer than anyone else. Matt was looking at Simon, expressionless. Eric...Simon could hardly look at Eric and Annie. They were both fighting tears. Sam and David were just getting antsy, since they knew something was wrong, but they didn't understand just what it was. And then there were Cecilia's parents. Her dad was angry, and Simon could almost feel the anger in his eyes burning through him. And Lori Smith was just crying.
Simon felt terrible. How could they have done this to their families?
Eric was the first to speak. "Simon, your mother and I will see you upstairs in your room."
Simon swallowed hard and nodded.
"Cecilia, we're going home," Mr. Smith said, angrily.
"OK," Cecilia whispered, quickly pecking Simon on the cheek. "I love you," she whispered into his ear.
"I love you, too."
She walked away and Simon turned to go upstairs. "Simon, wait," Ruthie called.
He turned around and Ruthie gave him a hug. "I love you. No matter what."
"Thanks, Ruthie. I love you, too."
He went up to his room and waited for Annie and Eric. It didn't take them long to get there, unfortunately, because Simon really needed some time to think.
Eric came in, followed by Annie. They sat beside Simon on the bed. He couldn't stand looking at him. He finally got four words past the knot in his throat. "Do you hate me?"
"No, Simon," Annie said. "We don't hate you. But we're not happy about what you and Cecilia have done. We're not glad you're having a baby."
"I'm sorry, Mom. But don't blame my baby."
"I don't blame your baby. I'm going to love your baby. It'll be my grandchild. Simon, I'm angry with you and Cecilia for deciding to have sex. You're only 16."
Simon nodded. "I know. I just don't..." He trailed off, trying to gather his thoughts.
"Why on earth did you do this, Simon?" Eric asked.
"I don't know, Dad," Simon said, crying. "I wish I did."
Eric shook his head. How could his son... He and Annie had tried so hard to raise them right. A part of him kept picturing Simon as a tiny baby, innocent, and full of potential. How could that same baby be a tall sixteen-year-old who was crying his eyes out because he was a father too soon.
"Dad," Simon said, sniffling and wiping his eyes. "I want to ask Cecilia to..." he paused to sniffle. "...to marry me."
Annie closed her eyes. Eric looked at Simon intently. "If that's what you feel like you need to do, then do it."
"Cecilia deserves it. And so does my baby. I just...I'm scared, Dad. I don't know how to be a husband or a father." Simons teary eyes pled with Eric. "Help me, Dad," he whispered.
Eric's chin quivered. "I..."
"Please, Dad?"
Eric nodded. "I'll do whatever I can."
"I need to talk to Cecilia's dad. The sooner the better. I need to get it over with. I think I'm gonna head on over there."
"OK. Do you want someone to go with you?"
"No. I need to do this on my own."
Eric nodded. "I love you, Simon."
"I love you, too, Dad."
Simon stood up and put his shoes back on. He went downstairs, and then down the street to Cecilia's house. He rang the doorbell, and waited for someone to come to the door. Cecilia's dad opened the door. When he saw Simon, his eyes filled with an anger that was right on the edge of hatred. "What do you want?" he practically growled.
"I want to talk to you, sir," he said, hoping that his voice would show how sorry he was.
"I don't have time for you."
"Mr. Smith, I'm the father of your grandchild. And I know that what I did was wrong. But I want to take responsibility for it."
"You talked my daughter into sleeping with you. I don't forgive that too easily, boy." He started to close the door, but Simon stopped him.
"Please, sir. I want to do the right thing. I..."
Mr. Smith interrupted him. "Why didn't you do what was right when you wanted to talk Cecilia into sleeping with you?"
"Dad," Cecilia called, making her prescence behind her father known. "Simon didn't talk me into it. I said I wanted to."
"Cecilia, stay out of this."
"No, Dad. You can't blame Simon for what happened."
"I can, and I do."
"Dad, we were both wrong. It's a two way thing."
"Stay out of this, Cecilia."
She looked at Simon and mouthed, "Sorry."
I need to talk to you, Mr. Smith. It's important."
"It was also important when I told you to take care of Cecilia."
Simon looked at his feet. "Yes, sir. I was wrong. And I'm sorry. And I want to take responsibility for what I did, if you'll let me."
Mr. Smith looked at Simon a long time. "OK. We'll talk. But you better have a good plan."
Simon followed him into the living room. He sat down in the chair that Mr. Smith directed him to, and watched the older man take a seat across from him.
"Well, what do you want?"
"I want...I want to marry Cecilia. It's the right thing to do. Our baby deserves a real family." He looked for a response for what seemed like eternity.
Mr. Smith finally said, "I'll think about it. But do you think two sixteen-year-olds is a 'real family'?"
Simon shook his head. "No, sir. But it's the best Cecilia and I can do."
"You could give the baby up for adoption," he suggested.
Simon closed his eyes. "We could, sir...But I want to keep it. The baby's my child...even if I hadn't planned on having one yet. I want to raise it."
Unknown to her father and Simon, Cecilia was standing just outside the entrance to the living room, listening, and praying that her father wouldn't make her give her baby up. She already loved it more than life. But she and Simon weren't ready for marriage and a family. But they should've tought of that before...before they had taken that chance.
She loved Simon for wanting to marry her and take care of her baby. But, she didn't think he was ready.
Mr. Smith sighed. "Simon, if you won't to marry my daughter and take care of this child, I...I won't stand in your way. It takes a man to take responsibility for doing something like this. And, I think that you're going to be a good man."
"Thank you, sir," Simon said, relieved. They wouldn't have to give up their baby after all.
"But I want you to promise me three things."
"Yes, sir?"
"First, promise you'll never hurt Cecilia."
"Yes, sir. I promise."
"Second, promise me you will never hurt my grandchild."
"Promise."
"Third, promise you'll keep a roof over their heads."
"Yes, sir."
"OK, Simon. I'll hold you to that. If you break any of those promises, you'll be sorry."
Cecilia heard them getting up, so she ran down the hall to the kitchen. The two men walked out just seconds later.
Mr. Smith couldn't believe he was letting his little girl get married. He didn't want to give her up. But Simon was right about one ting. The baby needed both parents.
Simon left the house to go home. He went inside, and Eric and Annie were in the living room. "I'm home," he called.
"How'd it go?" Eric asked.
"He's gonna let us get married, but only if I can get us a place to stay." He sighed, disappointed at his prospects.
"Oh," Annie said. "Maybe you can find a place."
"Mom, I don't have a job. How can find a place?"
"I...I could help you get a job, Simon," Eric said.
"Where?"
"Actually, there's an opening for a waiter at the pool hall."
"Dad, I can't support a family on minimum wage."
Lucy had come up behind them and caught the tail-end of the conversation. "Yes, you can."
Simon's brow creased as he tried to figure out what his sister was talking about.
"Kevin and I put a down payment on a house, so the garage apartment will be freed up if you and Cecilia want to live here."
"You and Kevin put a down payment on a house?" Annie said.
"Yeah. It's a few streets over."
Simon smiled. Maybe this would work out.
"So when are you moving?" Simon asked.
"The end of the month. It should be cleaned up and ready by then."
Simon gave Lucy the biggest hug possible. "Thanks, Luce!"
"Gosh, Simon! We're not moving out for you. We're moving out for us."
"Still, thanks, Luce." Simon turned to Eric. "Dad, I'm goin' down to the pool hall to see if I can get that job."
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~
A/N: Next time...Simon asks Cecilia to marry him...