Chapter 11: Getting Ready; Vince and Gretchen

Everyone went his or her separate ways in getting ready. Mikey and Gus went to their rooms and Spinelli went to hers. Gretchen would have followed her but Vince had whispered to her "We need to talk" and gone into his room where they could talk in privacy.

"What is it you wanted to talk about Vince?" Gretchen said facing the door she had just closed. She couldn't look at him, she was already nervous about her own confession she was going to make.

Vince didn't answer but walked up behind her and gentle wrapped his arms around her and resting his hands on her stomach. Leaning down on to her ear Vince softly spoke, "I just want to say that I'm sorry and that I'll be here for you and..." Vince gave Gretchen's stomach a light squeeze.

Gretchen whirled around out of Vince's embrace and stared at him, the confusion and surprise most evident in her dancing eyes as she tried to figure out how Vince could have found out and what he was sorry for. Finally Gretchen asked in a weak voice, "How did you find out?"

Vince pulled the pregnancy test out of his jean pocket and showed it to Gretchen. "Found it on your side of the bathroom when I was cleaning house. I know Spinelli hasn't, and that we have so..." Vince explained.

"Oh." Gretchen said and looked down at the floor. She hadn't expected this when she had entered the room and was totally unprepared for the fact that Vince knew about her being pregnant. "So what are you sorry about?" Gretchen asked to end the loud silence.

Vince stole a sideward glance at Gretchen. She was standing in a plain blue dress staring at the floor and ringing her hands. She only did that whenever she was very nervous or unsure of something. He took a deep breath to calm himself before launching into his apology. "I'm sorry your first time was the way it was."

Gretchen's head snapped up and she stared at Vince with a look of disbelief on her face but Vince didn't see it. He was talking with his back to her and looking out the window.

"I should have been more gentle and making you cry. I'm sorry for r..ra... forcing myself on you. I'm sorry for getting you pregnant, for avoiding you for the last six weeks, for screwing up your life. I know it's not much but I promise to support you and the baby 'til meet the right man for you." Vince finished and felt relieved for getting his confession off his chest but he also felt horrible for having done all the things he had said. Vince just hoped Gretchen would be able to find someone who loved her as much as he did but didn't dot he stupid things he did.

Gretchen was crying. She had started crying when Vince had gotten to the part about raping her. 'How can men be so stupid?' Was the one thought that ran through her mind. Seeing that Vince was being plain stupid and needed things put straight for him Gretchen marched up to him, tears hitting the carpet with every step, turned him around, wrapped her arms around his neck and locked her lips fiercely onto his.

Vince was taken back by surprise but soon he just enjoyed the kiss he was sharing with the love of his life and snaked his arms around her to pull her closer to him. After what seemed like an eternity Gretchen slowly pulled away and buried her face against Vince's chest.

"I cried because I was so happy, you big stupid lug." Gretchen said as she weakly hit Vince on the chest. "You have no idea how wonderful you were to me that night. You were gentle to me and you have no idea how long I had waited for that night to happen." Gretchen looked up into Vince's eyes, which were threatening to well up. "It was a dream come true for me. And this..." Gretchen took Vince's hand and placed it on her abdomen without breaking eye contact with him. "This is another dream come true. And they all happened with right man for me, you." Gretchen sealed the last words with another kiss. This time it was it was a soft tender kiss unlike the strong fierce one they had shared just moments ago.

When they broke the kiss Gretchen placed her long finger on his lips hushed Vince silent before he could say anything. "Don't say anything. Just promise me you love me and you'll be there for me."

"I love you and you know I'll always be there for you if you'll let me." Vince said with a smile.

"I'm never letting you out of my sight." Gretchen said as she smiled back at her boyfriend. Leaning up to his ear, despite the fact they were alone, Gretchen whispered, "If you're good, we can celebrate tonight. I promise not to cry this time."

Vince just smiled and drew Gretchen in for another kiss.

Here's my corner; It's an amazing thing to get a bunch of reviews at the same time. Do you all plan this cause I got like 5 different reviews in the span of 30 seconds on the last chapter. Anyway here are a few questions and comments from people I felt I had to reply to:

Clintronic Waldrop, good to hear from you. Thanks for clearing up that eye thing everyone was going on about.

LilVickiRyan, I know you weren't being bitchy, and I just like history and warfare so I know a lot about. You have to be more specific when you say you're studying "war" in history. Which one? There have been many wars through out the ages, the world over. Also my email is LockDownAlphaLance@hotmail.com if you (or an one else) want to drop me a line or chat; my s/n is either Jonny Boy!-_o! or The LockDown.

Noelle, interesting, what's your hair color? And how about your parents?

Political Princess(since you mentioned the colors) The light neon green is hard to look at, especially on a light background regardless of color. Apart from that the rest is fine. Contrasting colors are good to draw attention but the text is too much of a contrast

I tried to make it dramatic but that was the best I could do. Sorry. Well, comments? I'll try and get another one up and running ASAP, it may be a few days. I have 2 major papers due soon so priorities shift some. LockDown out...