Author's Notes: Thanks to those of you who left reviews!
Disclaimer: See Prologue.
Chapter 19: Telling the Parents
Brandon walked into the kitchen, and was greeted by his mother.
"Hi honey, dinner will be in an hour."
"Great," said Brandon, feigning enthusiasm.
He looked at his watch. It was just after 5PM. He was supposed to meet Andrea in three hours.
He wondered when he should break the news about Hannah to his parents. Should he wait until after dinner? That would probably be best, although it wouldn't give him much time. On the other hand, if things got ugly he had a valid excuse to get away quickly. On the whole, it would be best to wait.
He left the kitchen and went upstairs to rehearse exactly what he was going to say.
An hour later the Walsh family was sitting around the table. Brenda looked subdued, Brandon thought. He hadn't spoken to her since he saw her that morning. She'd been out for a walk and had only gotten back a few minutes ago.
The dinner wasn't as happy an affair as Cindy had hoped. Both her children seemed preoccupied. Since this was the last dinner before Brandon left she'd hoped it would be like old times with the four of them together.
After everyone had finished eating, Brandon stood up.
"Mom, Dad, there's something I need to tell you," he said.
Brenda shot him a supportive look. She guessed what he was about to say.
"What is it son?" Jim asked. He and Cindy exchanged questioning looks.
"You remember Andrea Zuckerman?" he began.
His parents looked at each other, a little surprised by this question.
"Yes, of course," Cindy told him.
"Well, something happened between Andrea and me," Brandon continued.
His parents were surprised by this statement. His mother wondered if he and Andrea had met up at the reunion and had hit it off. She remembered there had been a spark between them at high school. They'd gone to the Prom together too.
"It happened about ten years ago," Brandon clarified.
Now his parents were very curious. Why was it important for them to know about something that had happened such a long time ago?
"We uh," Brandon began, not quite sure how to finish the sentence.
Brenda gave him a reassuring smile. It helped. Brandon realised there was no "nice" "easy" way of saying this. He'd just have to be blunt.
"We slept together," he told his parents.
His parents exchanged another look. Why was Brandon telling them this?
"Brandon," his father began, intending to question him, but Brenda jumped in.
"Dad, let him finish."
Brandon gave Brenda a grateful smile.
"Anyway, I don't know if you guys remember this, but just before high school ended Andrea and I seemed to break away from each other."
Now that Brandon had mentioned it, she did remember noticing that Andrea seemed to have suddenly disappeared, Cindy thought to herself. It was right before graduation, but obviously after the Prom since after all, they had gone together.
"I didn't know it at the time, but a few months later Andrea…." He paused.
"Andrea had… she had a baby," Brandon said.
His parents looked shocked. Was Brandon telling them what it sounded like he was telling them?
"Brandon, are you telling us that you are the father of this baby?" his father demanded.
Brandon saw that his parents were stunned. His mother looked upset.
"Yes," he answered.
"I don't believe this. I don't believe this!" Jim said, angrily.
"Why didn't you say anything?" his mother asked desperately.
"I didn't know Mom!" he replied.
"Why not?" Jim asked; his anger still evident.
"She never told me Dad."
"Why didn't she tell you?" asked Cindy.
"Things were bad between us back then. It was my fault; I said and did some things that really hurt her. I don't blame her for not wanting me involved!"
"So, how long have you known?" Jim asked.
"She told me yesterday," Brandon answered.
Before his parents could make any more comments, Brenda felt she had to speak up.
"Mom, Dad, I know this is a shock, but it's not Brandon's fault, and it's not Andrea's either. It's just something that happened!" she told them.
"You told your sister about this before us?" Jim asked.
Brandon and Brenda looked at each other. Brenda looked guilty. How would her parents react if they knew she knew before Brandon? Brandon didn't want to open that can of worms and decided to remain quiet. Brenda however decided to own up.
"He didn't have to tell me. I already knew," Brenda admitted.
Her father hit the roof.
"WHAT?" he shouted.
"You knew?" her mother added, shocked.
"Only for a few days. When I met Andrea with Hannah, I don't know, it just all fit. I wasn't sure though until I confronted her, and she told me."
"When was this?" Jim demanded.
"Thursday," Brenda replied.
Cindy didn't pay any attention to the last exchange. Brenda had said when she met Andrea with Hannah.
"Hannah? So the baby was a girl?" Cindy asked.
Brandon and Brenda smiled at each other.
"Yeah, she's a girl, and her name is Hannah. You have a grand-daughter," Brandon told her.
"I have a grand-daughter," Cindy repeated, the news sinking in.
"How could you be so irresponsible Brandon? Getting a girl pregnant!" Jim shouted.
"It just happened Dad! We were careful, but sometimes these things just happen! What do you want me to say?" Brandon shouted back.
"I just don't believe this!" Jim said again, shaking his head.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you're disappointed Dad, but it's happened. I have a daughter. A wonderful, beautiful amazing daughter that I wouldn't change for anything in the world," Brandon said.
Brenda could feel tears in her eyes as she was listening to Brandon. He may have only been doing it for a day but her brother was a fantastic father.
"You should see her," Brenda said. "She's amazing, just like Brandon said."
Cindy seemed to be softening.
"What's she like?" she asked.
"She looks just like Andrea," Brandon said.
"Except her eyes," Brenda added. "She's got her daddy's eyes."
Brandon laughed.
"Yeah, she does," he admitted.
"Can we meet her?" Cindy asked.
"Um, yeah. I don't think that will be a problem," Brandon replied.
"When?" Cindy asked. She was beginning to feel excited. This was certainly a shock, but Brandon seemed happy and that put her at ease.
"I'll try and arrange something for tomorrow," Brandon said,
Jim remained silent. He was very disappointed in Brandon. Brandon was a smart, responsible person. How had this happened? He was angry with Andrea also. How could she keep this news from his son?
Cindy listened to Brenda's stories about Hannah, becoming more enthralled by the minute. Brandon was relieved. It hadn't gone as badly as he'd thought it would. His father was being very quiet, but at least he'd stopped yelling.
Brandon realised it was about time he left to go and meet Andrea. His mother forced a promise out of him to ask Andrea to bring Hannah by tomorrow. His father just looked at him, not saying anything, the disappointment obvious in his face. Brandon was hurt by this, but he hoped his father would overcome it when he met Hannah.
Before he got into his car he heard Brenda calling him. She'd run out after him.
"I just wanted to say before you go, I'm really proud of you Brandon. Hannah's lucky to have you as a father," Brenda told him.
Brandon was touched by this. He hugged his sister and then got into his car. Brenda waved good-bye, and watched his car go down the street for as long as it was visible. She stayed outside another two or three minutes, thinking about things, and then turned and headed back into the house.
