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Wilson sat in his math class learning about the graphs of quadratic equations. As much as he enjoyed math, he really could never get excited about a semi-circle graph that went on infinitely. The knock on the door was a welcome interruption to the boring class. The teacher excused himself and went to the door. After some whisperings, the vice principal motioned Wilson over. Amidst some "oohs" from his classmates, he stood and walked out the door.
"Wilson, do you know a John Tanny? He's here and he's demanding to see you. He's making up some crazy story about being your father-in-law."
"Oh, yeah. I know him. Where is he?"
"In the main office."
Wilson walked down the corridors, ahead of the vice principal, and saw Becca's father yelling and screaming at one of the secretaries. "Mr. Tanny," Wilson yelled out.
"Thank God," John yelled out. "Finally."
"What brings you here? What do you want?" Wilson already knew why he was here, but he figured he'd play dumb. That would be the best way to approach this, the way that would make the smallest scene. Everyone was already staring at them; there was no need to make it worse.
"I got some bill today in the mail for $2500 from the Bay General Hospital saying that Rebecca is there. I went to her school, and she's not there. Apparently she has not been there all week!"
Wilson didn't say anything.
"Did you murder my daughter?"
"What? Mr. Tanny, no. Becca's had some complications from the pregnancy and she has to stay in the hospital. That's all."
The compassionate switch flipped in his head. "What's wrong with her?"
"She has preeclampsia."
John nodded. "Her mother had that when she was pregnant with Stephanie. All she did was complain the whole time about how scared she was. I imagine Becca's no different."
"Like mother, like daughter- at least for the complaining. She's not really scared."
John sighed heavily and shook his head to clear his head. "OK. Well, that's all I wanted to know. You can go back to class now."
That was quick. "…Do you want me to relay a message to Becca or something?"
"Nope."
"O-OK." Wilson turned around and rolled his eyes. Some concerned father he turned out to be. He was going to take off down the hallway, but turned back around. Mr. Tanny was already halfway down the hall, but Wilson still yelled out to him. "She's in Room 518 if you wanted to go see her."
John Tanny didn't even bother to turn around. He held his hand up to acknowledge that he had heard what Wilson said, but didn't say a word. He disappeared around the wall and was not to be seen again.
X
Wilson went straight to the hospital from practice. When he walked back in the room and said hello to Becca, he noticed a blanket and a few new pairs of clothes on his chair.
"Your dad was in the hospital today. He brought them for you," Becca said.
"That's funny."
"Why is that?"
"Because I saw your dad today."
"What? Wilson, I told you not to! God, why don't you listen! Now you're getting me all worked up and-"
"I didn't."
"What do you mean you didn't?"
"I didn't ask to see him, I didn't contact him. He came and found me at school. He got the bill for your hospital stay, since you're still on his insurance and all."
"Oh," she said quietly. "Sorry."
"It's OK."
"What did he say?"
"He asked me if I tried to murder you."
She laughed. "Really?"
"Yeah…since you were in the hospital and not in school and all." He laughed, too. "I told him about the preeclampsia. Your mom had it with Stephanie. I guess it's hereditary."
"Yeah, it is." Becca got a distant look in her eyes. "Did he say anything else?"
"Not really, no."
Wilson could have sworn he saw her eyes tear up. "Oh."
Wilson got up on the side of her bed and hugged her tightly. He had no idea that she longed for a relationship with her father this badly. "Becks."
"No, it's fine. Just a hormonal moment."
"Still," he said and pulled her in tighter. She needed the hug.
X
Dr. West had two back-to-back surgeries to do. He stayed in the hospital until past dinner time, so he knew Wilson was probably in with Becca. He decided to stop in and see them before he went home for the night.
He knocked and entered. Wilson was doing his homework and Becca was playing solitaire on the bed. "Hi kids."
They both looked up. "Hey," Becca said.
"How's everything in here?"
"Boring."
He smiled at Becca sympathetically. "Savor this time. You're both together and it's quiet. Once the baby comes you won't be so lucky." Becca just nodded.
"Are you holding up OK?"
She just shrugged.
"She's fine," Wilson answered for her.
"I'm fine, I'm just sick of being in this room. It's been over a week. There's not even a window in here. The only things that change are him," she pointed to Wilson, "and the nurses every eight hours."
"You're doing it for a good cause. Your health is important."
"Not as important as my sanity."
"Ah- that's mental health." Becca laughed sarcastically. "Anything you want me to bring you?"
"No, that's OK. Thanks though."
Dr. West nodded. "Bye guys."
Becca looked to Wilson, who had gone back to reading, then back at her hands. He saw her look at him and looked up.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Don't think I don't know that you're not fine. I just don't know what to do for you. If you can't be helpful, be harmless."
"You're not being harmless. You're being annoying. You're just sitting here. Do something!"
"What do you want me to do?"
"I don't know. Come up with something!"
"It's not like I haven't been thinking Becca. Give me a break."
"Fine." She sighed heavily. "You know what, I'm going to just drop it. I don't want to fight with you. It's dumb and it's not worth it."
"Thank you. Now can I go back to reading or are you going to be upset that I'm ignoring you?"
"No, read."
He tried to read but he couldn't. Becca had annoyed him to the point of no return. "I can't read now." Wilson put his book down on the floor next to him and stared at Becca.
"What?"
"Nothing. I didn't think it was going to be like this. Do you know how much we fight?"
"Uh, yeah, I do. And I hate it. But I can't help it. We're in a high tension situation I guess. Stress happens."
"Can we call a truce or something?"
"I will if you will."
"OK." He reached out and shook her hand. "It's a deal. No more fighting- at least for tonight."
"No more fighting."
X
It was twelve o'clock at night when Becca noticed Wilson just staring at her. Usually he was asleep by now, since he had to get up the next morning for school. Instead he was just sitting there- and it was creeping her out.
"What are you looking at?"
He shook his head, breaking his trance. "Nothing."
"No, you were staring at me. Why? Is there something on my face?" He laughed and sat on the side of her bed. "What?"
"I love you." Her eyes widened and she hit him. "Ouch. What was that for?"
"You want sex from me, don't you?"
"No. Yes. No."
She leaned in and kissed him. "I applaud your suave attempts at seduction, but I am afraid they're lost on me. You know we can't-"
"I know, I know. I just feel like sex would fix everything."
"As opposed to just talking it out? You boys are all the same. All you want is sex and more often than not you're too chicken to come right out and ask for it."
"See, now that's not fair," he said.
"Why not?"
"Because I wouldn't have come right out and said it because I know we can't."
"Yeah, but you never said it before. You just get that weird look in your eyes and stare at me. That's how I know."
"And you, you-" He went to counter her point, but realized it was futile. Becca was a pretty vocal person.
"Exactly."
"But fine," he said, "forget this then. Let's just talk."
She picked up his hand and held it in hers. "OK. About what?"
"School."
"I thought you were trying not to fight," she said with a sigh.
"No fighting, just talking."
"School is a hassle," she finally confessed. "I barely keep my head above water when I'm there. I couldn't learn it by myself. And you couldn't help me because you're a year behind me. So when they said I had to stay here, I decided to hell with it. I'll loose the year and repeat it. Besides, squeaking by and not learning anything won't exactly help me."
"True, but, I don't know if that's really the right thing. I want what's best for you."
"I know, but did it ever occur to you that I might want what's best for me, too? I know my limitations, I know what I want, I know what I should be doing. And right now, I just want to tackle one problem at a time."
"Yeah, but don't you think I know you, too?"
"Not as well as I know myself." She squeezed his hand. "Wilson, I love you, and you're a nice guy, but just…calm down a little. You've been trying to fix it all. You can't. Let it go sweetie."
"I'm sorry."
She smiled. "You don't have to apologize. But fix it. Drop the macho act and start acting like a normal person."
He laughed. "Was it that obvious?"
She laughed, too, and kissed his cheek. "Yes."
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A/N: I always thought the relationship between Wilson's parents and Becca would have been a cute thing to explore. There really isn't much of that in the story, but it probably would have been good had it existed. Well, existed more.
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Stress happens. Review.
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