Summer's End
A/N - So many thanks to: Alwaysanalyzing, arodsoccerchic13, beAchbuMxX, Bridgette and melodie568 for the reviews, comments, and suggestions. I'm really glad that you guys are taking the time to review this and that so far you're liking it.
emily- I know that I haven't been updating lately. Geez, it took me nearly 3 weeks to get this chapter out. I'm hoping to get more out, and sooner, especially since school's starting in 2 ½ weeks. I really am sorry that you can't read more of this story sooner, but I'm glad that you like what you've read so far. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
A/N2 - I know that what happens at the end of this chapter is slightly unbelievable and unrealistic, but that's what fiction is, right? Humor me and go along with it.
"Jay?" Amanda called into the apparently empty back room of the surf shop. "You here?"
"Hey, aren't you the girl from the doctor's office?" a voice Amanda didn't recognize spoke from over by a wall of boards.
She turned around and met with the other young girl that had been in the waiting room the day of her first check-up. From what Bradin had told her, she was Morgan, Joanna's daughter. "Yup, that's me. You're Morgan, right?"
"That's me. Amanda?"
Amanda nodded. "You know me through Bradin?"
"Yeah. I take it you know me the same way."
Both girls laughed. "So . . . how far along are you?" Amanda asked after a beat.
"Seven months, but this little guy's so small it makes me look more like four or five," Morgan answered, patting her stomach.
"You're having a boy?"
"Uh-huh. Do you know what you're having yet?" asked Morgan. Like everyone else, Morgan had been privy to the information about Amanda changing her mind through her mother.
"No, I'm not sure I'm going to find out even when I can," Amanda said. "So . . . what brings you to this lovely shop owned and operated by my brother?"
Morgan laughed and said, "I'm just dreaming about the day that I'll be able to surf again."
"You surf? No way!" Amanda cried.
"You too?" Morgan asked.
"I love surfing, though I've been chewed out lately for even thinking about it," Amanda said, disappointment evident in her eyes.
"Don't worry about it, you'll get back to it eventually," Morgan assured her.
"Hey, guys." Both Amanda and Morgan turned at the sound of Bradin's voice.
"Bradin, I haven't seen you since . . . " Morgan trailed off as she realized that day might be a touchy subject for Amanda.
However, Amanda was the one who finished the sentence. "Since the day I was at Dr. Trudy's office. Don't worry, I'm fine with talking about it. I almost made a huge mistake, but I came to my senses at the last minute."
Morgan nodded. "I see. So you're about three months, right?"
"Really four, since it's almost September," Amanda replied.
"Uh, Amanda," Bradin interrupted. "I came to get you, Aunt Ava wants to talk to you about something."
"Okay, I'll be home in a minute." Bradin kissed her quickly before leaving.
Morgan observed with a wise smile. "You're with him?"
"Yes," Amanda grinned at the retreating form of Bradin. "I am." Her grin faded as Morgan asked, "Is he the father?"
"No. That honor belongs to a jerk back in Australia. That's where I'm originally from," Amanda explained.
"Australia?" Morgan breathed in disbelief. "I was there with my family back in February . . . that's where my boyfriend lives."
This is not happening . . . "Please, for the love of God tell me your boyfriend's name is not Brenn."
Morgan's grin now vanished as well. "Brenn Hunter?"
Amanda closed her eyes and leaned against the wall, her face gone grey and pale.
"No no no, chill out . . . he's not the father. Do you happen to know a Parker Wells?" Morgan questioned. Amanda nodded, vaguely remembering Parker as one of Brenn's more decent friends. "Parker's my boyfriend. And my son's father."
"Thank God. I don't think I would have been able to handle it if I found out Brenn cheated on me, then got me pregnant."
"Hello, ladies, what brings you here?" Jay walked from the back room holding a box, which he placed on a shelf underneath the counter.
"Um . . . " Amanda struggled to think about the reason she'd come here in the first place. "Oh, Erika said she has a lesson at 4:30 today and she'll probably be a little late for dinner."
"Okay, if you see her tell her I'll swing by the beach later and pick her up."
"Sure," Amanda agreed. "By the way, this is Morgan. Morgan, this is my brother, Jay."
The two shook hands. "Nice to meet you."
"Same here," Jay replied.
"Well, I guess I'd better get home. Morgan, you want to come over and have some lunch? You can meet the rest of my family," Amanda suggested.
Jay smiled as the two young women left, realizing that it was the first time Amanda had referred to everyone as her family.
########
"Yes, Aunt Ava, she's coming." Morgan and Amanda were met with Bradin and Ava in the kitchen when they entered the house. "Look, she's here right now and she even brought Morgan with her. Will you relax now?"
"Ava, you know Morgan, right?" Amanda asked.
The older woman smiled pleasantly at the two and said, "Yes, you're Joanna's daughter. Are you guys hungry? Amanda, we need to talk about plans for a nursery."
"Is that all you need to talk about? You got all freaked out over that?" Bradin asked in disbelief.
"Yes, Bradin. Believe it or not, there's going to be an infant living here in five months and we need to start making preparations," Ava said.
Bradin rolled his eyes as the women brought lunch out into the backyard. He had eaten earlier, so he remained inside and watched TV for a while. He was interrupted when Amanda came back inside with a large bowl that had previously held salad and empty soda cans to dispose of. "Hey."
"Hey yourself. What are you doing in here all alone?" Amanda asked. She threw the cans into the recycling bin and the bowl in the sink, then sat down next to him.
"I thought I'd leave you guys alone for lunch. Where's Morgan and Aunt Ava?"
"Chatting up a storm about nursery wallpaper," Amanda sighed.
"Yeah? Well, I was thinking footballs would be good for our little guy."
Amanda's breath hitched in her throat at Bradin's words. Our little guy. Our. "Do you really mean it when you say 'our'?" she asked quietly.
"More than anything," Bradin declared.
"Promise?"
"I promise," Bradin said, leaning down and planting a kiss on Amanda's lips.
"Wait . . . who says I'm having a boy?"
########
During dinner later that evening, after Morgan had left, the subject of starting school came up. "Do you guys have all the clothes and stuff you need? What about you, Amanda?"
"I have plenty of stuff," Amanda answered Ava's question. "It's just weird because the seasons are all screwed up to me. I feel like it's supposed to be winter."
Jay laughed. "Yeah, you'll get used to that, don't worry."
"Does school start for all of us on the same day?" Nikki asked.
"September 6th for Bradin and Amanda. Nikki and Derrick start on the 3rd," Ava explained.
"Why do we have to start 3 days early?" Nikki complained. "That's just wrong."
"You have to start early because they don't want any casualties in the first week of school. You know, those high school kids and all," Jay joked.
Nikki went pale and closed her mouth. "Oh."
"Just kidding," Jay corrected when Ava shot him a stern glare.
"Cool, so we get 3 extra days of summer," Bradin said. He and Amanda exchanged a high-five.
After dinner, the rest of the family left for ice cream. Amanda had declined the offer, and Bradin graciously stayed behind with her.
Amanda stood sideways in front of the full-length mirror in her room with her shirt raised, baring her stomach. She couldn't picture it five months from now, swollen to the size of a beach ball. Already, she could detect the slight bump forming.
"What are you doing?"
Amanda jumped when Bradin spoke into the silence. "Trying to see myself in February. Fat and disgusting."
Bradin walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, laying both hands flat across her stomach. He bent down to kiss her neck, and Amanda trembled at his touch. "You could never be fat and disgusting."
"You say that now."
Bradin turned Amanda to face him. "I'm not lying. You'll be even more beautiful."
Unwanted tears came to Amanda's eyes. She cursed the hormone changes and wiped them away. "Thanks."
"You're welcome. Don't cry anymore, 'kay?"
"I'll try not to," Amanda said, voice muffled in Bradin's shirt. She let go after a couple seconds. "So, have any ideas about what we're going to do with our 3 extra days of summer?"
"I'm sure I can think of something," Bradin teased.
"Oh, I'm sure you can."
########
The evening of September 2nd found a very anxious Nikki knocking on the door of the room Bradin and Amanda shared.
"Come in," Amanda called.
Nikki entered the room and found Amanda laying on Bradin's bed with a wet washcloth across her eyes. "I'm sorry, you obviously aren't in the mood to talk — "
"No, I'm fine." Amanda sat up and brushed the hair back from her eyes. She motioned for Nikki to sit on the other bed. "Is something wrong?"
Nikki flopped backward onto Amanda's empty bed. "I'm starting school tomorrow."
"Yes you are," Amanda agreed. "You're going into 8th grade, right?"
"Uh-huh. But the only people I know are Cameron and Amber," Nikki said.
"And you're worried that you won't make any new friends?"
"Well . . . sort of, yeah," Nikki said quietly. "And what if I get teased for being the new farm-kid from Kansas?"
"Tell you what. How about I drive you to school tomorrow so you can tell anyone who has a problem with that I'm your brother's girlfriend, and I'll be a senior in high school. And it probably won't hurt to mention that Bradin will be one, too."
"Would you really do that for me?"
"Of course."
Nikki squealed and jumped up from the bed, hugging Amanda tightly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"You're welcome."
########
"So, are you excited about starting school tomorrow, Derrick?"
After dinner, everyone had gathered out on the back porch. "I guess. Martha's in my class."
"That's great!" Ava said brightly.
"Tone it down there, Mary Sunshine," Jay laughed.
"Hey, guys. Long time, no see," Johnny said. He had addressed the comment to Amanda and Bradin, who'd emerged from the path leading down to the beach holding hands.
Amanda blushed a deep crimson and said, "We were just out for a walk. I didn't really feel good and the smell of dinner . . . "
"Okay, no explanation needed," Johnny said with a smile and wink.
Both teenagers took a seat around the table, joining Ava, Johnny, Jay, and Derrick. "Where's Susannah and Nikki?"
"Susannah's inside helping Nikki pick out something to wear tomorrow," Ava explained. "Amanda, is something wrong?"
"Nah, I — I just haven't felt so good all day."
"Haven't felt good like what? Are you just nauseous?" Ava asked worriedly.
"This morning I was just sick, but then a little while ago I started getting these cramps . . . " Amanda trailed off as she felt another tightening in her stomach. "Ow . . . see, there's another one." She held one hand to her stomach and clutched Bradin's arm with the other.
"Oh my God, we need to get you to a hospital," Ava said, grabbing Amanda's shoulder and leading her around to the front of the house.
Amanda gasped as the pain in her stomach intensified. "Bradin . . . " she moaned his name as if begging for him to stop the pain.
"Bradin, take her to the car while I go call Dr. Trudy."
"I'm here, Amanda, you're gonna be okay," Bradin promised while trying to get her down the walkway.
"I can't — "
Bradin bent down and lifted her into his arms, then set her gently in the backseat of the car and climbed in after her. "I won't leave you."
Amanda gazed at Bradin with tear-filled emerald eyes. She rested her head on the window and squeezed her eyes shut tightly. Bradin repeated, "I won't leave you."
########
The unmistakable strongly sanitized scent of hospital was what Amanda woke to. That and light snoring from a chair beside her bed. She stirred and opened her eyes, blinking them a few times to adjust to the dim light. When she had full sight again, she noticed Bradin sleeping in the chair and Jay slumped against the wall by the door. To her left was another bed that was occupied by a woman feeding a newborn baby. The sight triggered something in Amanda's mind and she bolted upright, causing Bradin and Jay to wake. "The baby! What happened to my baby?"
"Calm down, Amanda. You're supposed to be resting," Jay said as he wiped the sleep from his eyes and moved to stand next to her bed.
"How do you expect me to rest when I don't even know if my baby is alive?" Jay and Bradin glanced at each other uneasily. "What? Why are you looking at me like that? Is the baby okay?"
"The baby's fine, Amanda. It's you they're worried about for now," Jay said.
"Me? Will you just give me a straight answer!" Amanda said in frustration.
"Guys, she's not supposed to be stressed out over anything," a soft voice said from the doorway. All three turned to find Ava standing there, looking tired and somewhat worn out.
"Ava, please . . . tell me what's going on," Amanda begged.
"Let me talk to her alone," Ava said. Jay hugged Amanda quickly, and kissed her forehead before he left with Bradin to get coffee. "First of all, the baby's okay. Did you notice any swelling in your feet or hands earlier?"
"What does that have to do — "
"Just answer the question."
"Yes, I did. But I thought that was normal," Amanda said.
"And then you got a headache, and started getting cramps later on in the day, right?" Ava continued.
"Uh-huh."
"Well, it's too early to tell for sure, but the doctor thinks you may have early signs of pre-eclampsia."
"What's that?" Amanda asked, fear tinging her voice.
"I think I can answer that question." Amanda and Ava looked to the door to see Dr. Trudy standing there, clipboard in hand. "Pre-eclampsia is a condition that occurs in pregnant women, indicated by a steep rise in blood pressure, generalized swelling, and eventual kidney failure. It's extremely dangerous because it can lead to total eclampsia or toxemia of the pregnancy, which has the possibility of resulting in the death of the mother, the baby, or both."
Amanda's face was chalk-white when the doctor finished her explanation. "And that's what I have?"
"Fortunately, not yet. You have the very early symptoms, which we will be able to treat and in doing so, hopefully prevent the condition from occurring," Dr. Trudy said. "We'll give you an antihypertensive drug to lower your blood pressure, and keep you for a couple days to make sure it's working."
"What about school? We're supposed to start on the 6th," said Amanda.
"My suggestion is getting a tutor to home-school you. You need to be on bed rest for the remainder of your pregnancy and you should avoid any stressful situations or activities," Dr. Trudy advised.
"Okay," Amanda said numbly. Everything had happened in such a short time, she was still getting over the initial shock.
"I'll be back later to check on you." Dr. Trudy left with a warm squeeze to Amanda's shoulder.
"Ava, I can't ask you to pay for a tutor — "
"It's already set up. Erika's going to do it for you, and Jay called Mr. Hunter. He's arranged to pay her," Ava reassured the younger girl. "You don't have a thing to worry about."
"I'm sorry for putting you through all of this," Amanda said with tears in her eyes.
"None of this is your fault," Ava assured Amanda tenderly, leaning down to hug her. "I'll go tell Jay and Bradin they can come back now."
She left the room, and a couple minutes later Bradin came back by himself. He looked very tired; there were purple circles under his eyes, which were bloodshot with lack of sleep. He sat down on the chair he'd previously occupied. "Hey."
"Hey," Amanda echoed. "Thanks for staying with me."
"It's nothing. I'm just glad you're okay." He reached over to give her hand a reassuring squeeze.
"I'm afraid, Bradin."
With a sigh, he said, "I know you are. But the point is, it's early enough for you to prevent anything serious from happening. Sucks that you're on bed rest, though."
"You're telling me. And I can't participate in any strenuous activities, if you know what I mean."
"I know what you mean."
Silence for a few minutes and then: "Bradin?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
"Love you, too," Bradin said. Amanda scooted over to make room for him to lay next to her, which he did and then gently laid a hand on her stomach. "You're gonna be fine."
########
Ava and Jay watched through the blinds on the window of Amanda's room as Bradin crawled into bed with her. "She's lucky to have someone like him."
Ava looked up at Jay through tired eyes and said, "I'm sure it's true the other way around, too."
"Y'know, if they get married we'll be related," mused Jay.
"You think they'll get married?"
"Without a doubt. Look at them," Jay said quietly.
It seemed that through all the hustle and bustle of the hospital area, Bradin and Amanda created a haven of peace together. One couldn't help but see the clear meaning of true love when gazing at them.
"You're right. I just hope they can survive the next five months."
"God, Amanda on bed rest for five months? It's gonna be hell," said Jay with a smirk. "The poor bloke doesn't know what's coming."
"I would hate to be bed-ridden for months like that. And her senior year, too. It's so kind of Erika to be tutoring her."
"Yeah, I think they'll get along well," Jay said.
Ava didn't get the chance to answer. Dr. Trudy walked up beside them and asked, "Which one of you is the legal guardian of Miss Robertson?"
"That would be me," Jay piped up. "Is something wrong?"
"I just wanted to make sure that a Mr. Carl Hunter is authorized to pay for this hospital bill," the doctor said.
Jay smiled and answered, "He most certainly is. He's the baby's paternal grandfather."
"Okay, I'll be back in a little while."
"You sure did one hell of a job on getting Carl to pay for everything," Ava said.
"I can be very persuasive," Jay replied cryptically.
"That you can. Well, I guess I'd better get back home and see what kind of trouble's going on over there. Do you think we should leave them alone for a while? You might as well come with me."
With a last look into Amanda's room, Jay said, "They'll be fine. Let's go home."
########
Three days later, the night before Bradin was supposed to start school, Amanda came home. Johnny, Susannah, Ava, Nikki and Derrick sat in the living room anxiously awaiting her arrival. Jay and Bradin had gone to pick her up from the hospital an hour before, and had yet to return.
"So, Amanda's still having the baby, right? This hasn't changed her decision."
"No, Nikki, she's still determined to have and raise this child, which I think is awesome and very mature for someone her age," Ava said all in one breath. She had been uptight and tense ever since the night Amanda had gone to the hospital.
"Calm down, Aunt Ava. Take a deep breath," Nikki tried to soothe her aunt. "Everything's going to be fine."
"No, I know that. I'm just a little worried about Amanda."
The front door slammed shut, and Jay walked in with Amanda in his arms, Bradin behind them carrying her duffel bag. "Jay, I really can walk as far as my room you know."
"You're not supposed to be doing anything you don't have to, and I'm perfectly capable of carrying you there," Jay argued. He stopped in the living room when he saw everyone.
"Hey, guys," Amanda said quietly.
"How are you feeling?" Nikki asked.
"Okay. Not great, but okay," Amanda answered. "I'm really tired."
"Jay, go bring her to bed. She needs her rest," Ava said in a slightly reprimanding tone.
"Yes, ma'am."
Bradin followed as Jay headed for their room and gently placed Amanda on her bed. "Jay, I need to take a shower. You can let me down now."
"You're supposed to be in bed."
"I'm allowed to be up half an hour every day, you know that. I'm supposed to take a light walk, too," Amanda pointed out.
"Fine, but please don't overdo it. You really scared me there, Reeflet."
Amanda smiled comfortingly at Jay and leaned up to hug him. "I love you, too."
Jay left the room with one last look back at his baby sister. Finally alone, Bradin and Amanda both released long-held breaths of tension. "How are you doing? Do you need anything?"
"Just you." Amanda gingerly pulled back her covers and crawled underneath them, wary of doing anything that might bring on another crisis.
Fully clothed and everything, Bradin slipped in beside Amanda as she snuggled her head against his chest. He stroked her long blonde tresses lovingly, looking down at her. The threat of losing her had put things into perspective so clearly that it felt as if he'd been slapped in the face with the realization that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with the young woman beside him. They hadn't even finished high school, and yet Bradin knew that nothing could ever keep them apart.
Laying in bed with Bradin, having him so close to her, made Amanda feel so protected and so . . . safe was the only word that came to mind. Her last thought as she drifted off to sleep was, He's the one. I'm going to be with this man for the rest of my life.
The next day dawned with on a completely different scene. Amanda was cranky and upset that she wasn't going to be finishing out her high school career in a normal fashion, while Bradin was trying to comfort her, but only succeeding in getting various items thrown at him, until he was finally forced by the threat of tardiness on his first day to leave.
At around 9:30 a soft knock sounded on Amanda's door. "Come in."
"Hey . . . how's it going?"
Amanda looked up and saw Erika standing in the doorway, bookbag in hand. "Fine, I guess. I wish I could be at school right now. There's something you don't often hear a teenager say."
Erika laughed and sat down next to Amanda. "Everything will work out. You'll see."
"I hope so. So, what are you supposed to be teaching me?"
"As much as I can. Not only am I a brilliant surfing instructor, I'm also a fairly good, not to mention licensed, tutor," Erika said, trying to lighten the mood.
Amanda sat up and pulled the comforter up to her chest. "I really appreciate your doing this for me. I'll feel a lot more comfortable learning like this with someone I know instead of a complete stranger."
"Oh, it's no problem at all. I love doing these sorts of things."
Amanda smiled weakly in gratitude. "Well, I'm ready to learn. Let's do this."
Bradin was the first to get home that afternoon, having rushed directly home from school to see Amanda. He closed the front door quietly behind him in case she was sleeping. After grabbing a quick snack from the refrigerator, Bradin made his way to his room and threw his bookbag to the floor. He realized that he had been correct, and Amanda was sleeping.
He abandoned the can of soda and leftover piece of pizza he'd grabbed from the kitchen on the nightstand and took a seat beside her. He gently ran a hand over her stomach, reveling in the subtle round firmness of it already, then traced her jaw line up to her cheekbone. "Hey."
Amanda frowned and stirred, but didn't wake. She mumbled something that Bradin couldn't make out, then finally opened her eyes. When she saw him, she smiled. "You're home."
"Yes I am. And you're awake."
She yawned, then sat up. "How was school?"
"You're not missing anything special, trust me."
"Aw, you're sweet. But I'd rather be there with you anyway," Amanda insisted.
"Of course you would, but you need to stay here and take care of yourself. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you."
Amanda felt the presence of tears making yet another entrance, and steadfastly refused to release them. "Same here, Bradin. I don't know what I would do without you."
"Have you used up your half hour for today yet?"
"Not yet. Why, have something in mind?"
"Does it count as being up if I carry you?"
"I don't think so," Amanda answered suspiciously. "What have you got up your sleeve?"
"You'll see. Come on, let's get you out of here." Bradin leaned down and Amanda reached up to wrap her arms around his neck.
"Where are you taking me?" she asked as Bradin left the house.
"No questions allowed." He nodded civilly at the people watching him carry Amanda down the beach. At long last, he set her down on the sand near the water's edge.
"Just an ordinary walk, that's all," Bradin said a little too quickly. He grabbed her hand and set a slow pace along the wet sand. Two sets of footprints were left behind as they walked for a few minutes. "Happy birthday."
"Who — Jay," Amanda said in sudden understanding. "He told you it was my birthday. I didn't want anybody to know because I absolutely hate surprises of any kind, and birthdays just open you up to them."
"So what, you were never going to tell me when your birthday was?"
"You would have figured it out eventually," said Amanda playfully.
"I have something for you."
"This is what I wanted to avoid, I don't need anything. It's enough that I'm here," Amanda argued.
"Before I give you your present I need to tell you something. Look, we're seventeen years old and I'm not pretending that I know everything's going to work out. But I do know something. I want to be with you forever. And I'm not just saying this because I'm living in the moment. I've thought about the future, and whenever I do you're in it. I don't have a ring or anything yet. Hell, I don't even have a plan. But, what I'm trying to say is . . . will you marry me?"
"Bradin — I'm not going to waste my time trying to tell you over and over that you're too young to make this kind of commitment. I've told you so many times that I've lost count by now. Are you sure that this is what you want? Whatever your answer is, this is the last time that I'll ask you."
"I know what I want, Amanda. I want this."
"Then you leave me no choice."
Bradin frowned in incomprehension. "What are you talking about?"
She stopped walking and turned to face him. "Yes."
"Amanda, I already told you that I'm ready and willing to accept everything that comes along with this — "
Amanda placed a finger against Bradin's lips and smiled. "Did you hear what I said? I said yes, Bradin. I'll marry you."
A wide grin broke out across Bradin's face and he carefully scooped Amanda into his arms for the second time that night. "I love you so much."
"I love you, too, Bradin. I can't believe we're getting married. You do realize that I've known you for only like 2 months, right? But promise me that we'll wait until after the baby's born to get married. Promise."
"I promise."
"Good." Amanda kissed Bradin hard on the mouth, regretting the restrictions placed on her activities by bed rest. But it didn't really matter now. They had the rest of their lives to be together.