Andy stayed at Danni's house for a week and then decided to go home, but she stopped at a drugstore to pick up a few things, mainly a pregnancy test. After driving home from the store, she had parked her car in the driveway, and then went directly to the bathroom, where the test showed positive. After staring at it for a while, she went numbly out to her favorite thinking spot. This was a hammock chair she had hung from the highest sturdy branch of the oak tree in her back yard, which left it hanging about seven feet off the ground.

I can't believe I did that. I screwed Chris in the back of a bus. Without…anything…what is WRONG with me! I don't even like the guy like that. I suppose me being drunk kind of explains some stuff, but…that doesn't make it right. And now I'm pregnant! I mean, its November now. Will they let me graduate? What will dad say? What will ADAM…oh my god; Adam…I can't let him know! But how can I keep it from him? I can't, unless…it would be so wrong. But it's my only chance. My only chance…

Then Andy broke into tears, sobbing until she had no tears left, and gently drifted off to sleep. Suddenly, she woke up to a gentle touch on her shoulder.

"Andy? What are you doing up here?"

"Adam!"

"Why are you sleeping all the way up in this tree, babe?"

"Wishing you were here. Oh, and feeling miserable."

"Oh, is it that time of the month again?"

"Adam!" Andy broke down into tears again, catching Adam completely off guard. He cradled her in his arms like he had done so many times before. When she stopped sobbing, he hugged her close, and whispered in her ear.

"I'm going to kiss you now"

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Andy lay snuggled up against Adam underneath a thin cotton sheet, nothing between them but the darkness. Sometimes she wondered how she ended up in these situations, but this…this had been different. This hadn't been rushed, hadn't been drunk, and hadn't been in a cramped space. It had truly been her the first time that any sort of love had been incorporated, and it had been amazing. Gentle but skilled, that's what Adam was. And she knew that he would take care of her and the baby, when she had it. She felt a stirring against her back, realizing that Adam was awake also. His arm stretched around her torso, slipping something onto her left ring finger.

"I guess we'll have to make do with my class ring until you graduate. And let me tell your dad, without you there. I'll explain things."

"Adam, I need to know that you'll love me, no matter what, before we make this commitment."

"Of course I will"

"Then never ever leave me, even if the worst happens."

"Like what?"

"Like…if I got pregnant from tonight. Because it's a dangerous time for us to have made love and odds are…"

"Then I'll marry you after you have the baby, silly. That wouldn't change anything; it would just bring us closer. Now, wear my ring, so all the other boys know you're my property, and I'll handle your dad. What's a good time?"

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After Andy's first checkup a month later, the doctor took both her and Adam to the side to talk.

"Are you sure you want to carry the baby to term, Andy? Most girls at your age would opt for an abortion."

"Oh, no! Adam and I, we were planning to get married after I graduated, even without the baby. I mean, he's got a job teaching private lessons at the schools in the district now, and…well, I'll be home with the baby. But I'm hoping to get a degree in music education once she gets old enough." Adam gave Andy a bemused look.

"She?"

"Or he…or possibly they." Andy gave a slight smirk at Adam's shocked face. She hadn't told him that there was a history of twins on her mother's side.

"They?"

"Yes, they" The doctor interrupted them gently.

"It's far, far too early in the pregnancy to tell right now. But what I really wanted to discuss with you was your future. Do you have your own place?"

"Adam does"

"Good, so…"