Manny's Lump: Chapter 6
Written By Poser
Craig sat on the couch later that night, listening to a lecturing Joey. He was on the edge of his seat, with both hands on her neck, elbows touching his knees, and leaning forward. Joey got into this whole story about how Spike had gotten pregnant around this age and how much she struggled because Emma's father had parents wouldn't let him be there for her.
"But with us," Joey had continued. "We'll be there for this baby. Because I am different from Shane's parents."
"I know," Craig said. "So...I can be there for the baby then?"
"Yes," Joey said walking past Craig, putting a hand on his shoulder. "But, you will be punished...and I'm not so sure what that punishment is yet. I'll sleep on it."
"Joey," Craig called as his stepfather was heading up the stairs.
"Yeah?" Joey asked, stopping half way up the staircase.
"I love Manny," Craig said, turning to face Joey. "Even though I may have lied to Manny about Ashley, I still love her. And even though it's your decision for me to be there for this baby, I want to be there for the baby."
Joey just smiled. He nodded, and turned to walk back up the stairs again. Craig turned back, facing the television. He stood, and walked to the kitchen to call Ashley. After all, it had been her he cheated on, and she pretty much had the right to know.
"Hey, Toby," Craig had said into the other end of the phone. "Can I talk to Ashley? Its Important."
...
"Ashley," Craig said after a long pause. "Its Craig...wait. Don't hang up. This is important, and I really think you should know."
...
"Manny...she's pregnant."
...
"Ashley...That's not funny."
...
"Because it's my child."
Hysterical sobs could be heard coming from the receiver. Now was the time he had felt incredibly horrible. He knew for a fact he had to tell her this, because he was the one who cheated on her, and didn't end the relationship with Ashley when he needed to. Of course Craig had loved Ashley. He just didn't feel the same kind of love for her that she had been feeling for him. That kind of love he had felt was only for Manny.
"Ashley," Craig said solemnly into the phone. "I'm sorry about this...and I am really sorry that this is happening, because after what happened on Christmas, this doesn't make things easier for you. But Manny needs me. She's having my kid."
...
"Okay," Craig said in a concluding tone. "Bye."
Craig hung up the phone, and ran a hand through the curly, brown mop on his head. He sat back down on the couch, because he needed to think, as a parent, what he was going to do.
Manny and JT had been at the Dot, finishing up a sundae that they'd ordered for dessert. JT was telling Manny jokes when she had ice cream in her mouth, and she could hardly swallow because what JT had said had been hilarious. When they had stopped laughing, Manny finally got the ice cream down. She knew she had to make the best of her day with JT because later tonight she'd have to struggle with something harder: telling her parent's she decided to keep the baby.
"So," JT had said after putting a spoonful of ice cream in his mouth. "When are you going to tell the 'rents you're keeping the baby?"
"Later tonight," Manny had said. "I know the rest of the night will be a living hell after that...well...the rest of my life...but I have you...and the baby...and the father is going to help take responsibility. I am so much luckier than most teen moms."
"Yeah," JT said contently. "You are. You're very lucky."
Manny nodded. They had finished their sundaes and JT paid the bill. They caught a movie at the mall, and when it finished, JT walked her home. They walked hand in hand, from the movies to Manny's house, and when they'd got there, they stood on the porch.
"Thanks," Manny said sweetly. "For taking me to Craig's...and treating me to dinner and a movie...and just for being there for me JT."
"No problem," JT said. "Wherever there is a Miss Santos in need JT will be there to..."
He was interrupted. Manny pulled him by the collar, and gave him a kiss that lasted a while. They stood there on the porch of her house, and it began to rain. It was a perfect way to end the date. While Manny had JT by the collar, JT held Manny's hips. Not knowing what the hell to do at a time like this. When Manny broke to the kiss, JT still had his eyes closed, and after 10 seconds, he opened them.
"Well," JT said jokingly. "That was rude! I was talking."
She just smiled at his humor. She pulled him into a final kiss, one that had lasted longer than the first. When that one was broken, Manny released the collar of his shirt, and stepped back to go through her door. She waved. He waved. He said bye. She said bye. She went in her house. He stood on the porch for 5 minutes. After the five minutes, he walked home, thinking about how much better his day could get, but at the same time, thinking about how Manny's day was going to get no better. Especially after she'd tell her parents.