Chapter 12
SIX WEEKS LATER (A/N---Jo is 32 weeks, 8 months along)------THE BEGINNING OF MAY
Sam, Jo, Lizzie, and Matt are decorating Lizzie's old bedroom. "Mom, I like this theme," Lizzie comments.
"Thanks. We wanted something that would go with a girl or a boy."
"You didn't find out during your last ultrasound?"
"Not telling!"
"Why not? Aww, come on, mom?"
"You can't get it out of me, so don't even bother. Sam, help me out here."
"Nope, not sayin' a thing. Jo, where do you want the cribs to go?"
"Put them along that wall. Matt, could you put the rocker by the window? Thanks!" Sam and Matt do as requested.
Lizzie turns green. "Excuse me, I think I'm gonna be sick!" She runs out of the room, and wretches in the toilet.
Jo follows her daughter. "Lizzie, are you okay?" She pulls her daughter's hair away from her face.
"No." She shivers and passes out.
"Lizzie! Lizzie!" Jo shakes her daughter. No response. "Lizzie, wake up! Sam! Get in here! Lizzie's sick."
Sam rushes into the bathroom.
"Sam, she feels so cold. We gotta get her to a hospital." Lizzie moans.
Sam picks Lizzie up and carries her to the car. Jo and Matt follow.
-----At The Hospital--------
At the hospital, the ER team is examining Lizzie. "I want a chem panel and tox screen. Throw in a pregnancy test too," the doctor ordered. "Mr. and Mrs. McGuire? Can I talk to you?" She takes the couple aside.
"What's wrong with her?" Sam asks.
"She is showing signs of malnutrition and dehydration."
"You don't think she has an eating disorder, do you?" Jo asks, worried.
"No, I don't think so. Her tox screen looks clear. I don't know how to ask this, but is your daughter sexually active?"
"No, I, don't think... No!" Jo replies, flustered.
"Let me go talk to Lizzie. Why don't you two go wait in the family room. I'll come get you in a few minutes." She goes to Lizzie's bedside. "Elizabeth, your tox screen looks good. You seem to be a bit dehydrated and malnourished, but that's normal for a fifteen year old who is six weeks pregnant."
"WHAT!" Lizzie sits up suddenly. "I can't be!"
"Your parents don't know, do they?"
"It was only one time!" Ohmygoshthisisn'thappening!
"It only takes one time."
"Please don't tell my folks."
"I'm actually bound by doctor patient confidentiality to keep it confidential, but I suggest you talk to them soon."
"I can't! Mom's a few weeks from having twins. I can't put her through more stress."
"Put her through stress, or you through stress? If you don't want to talk to your folks, find someone to talk to. What about the baby's father?"
"Yeah, I guess I need to tell him before it becomes obvious."
"You're free to go. I'll go get your folks while you get dressed."
"Thanks for everything. And, thanks for not ratting me out to my folks."
Lizzie walks out of the exam room. Jo, Sam, and Matt were waiting outside the curtain. "Lizzie, are you feeling okay?" Jo asks, "We were so worried. What did the doctor say?"
"I'm fine, mom. Can we just go home?"
----In Lizzie's Suite------
Lizzie dials Gordo's number. "Gordo, we need to talk."
"What's wrong?"
"Can you come over? We need to talk."
"Are you breaking up with me?"
"No. I love you, Gordo. Please, come over."
"I'll be there in ten."
"Thanks. I love you."
"I love you, too."
Ten minutes later, Gordo rings the doorbell.
"Oh hi, Gordo," Jo greets.
"Lizzie called me. She sounded upset."
"She got sick while we were decorating the babies' room and we had to take her to the ER."
"Is she gonna be okay?"
"She'll be fine. The doctor just wants her to rest. She's in her suite, if you wanna go see her."
"Uh, thanks, Mrs. McGuire."
Gordo knocks on Lizzie's door. "It's me, Gordo. Can I come in?"
"Come in." Gordo sees Lizzie on the couch crying.
"What's wrong, baby?" He rushes to the couch and embraces her.
"Gordo, we're in trouble."
"What's going on? Your mom said you were sick?"
"Gordo, I'm not sick. I'm 6 weeks pregnant!"
"What? How?"
"Remember that night after we finished the suite?"
Gordo's face falls. "What are we going to do?"
"I don't know." My life is over!
"A baby. This is so, so, so..."
"Huge!" I'm just a kid myself! I can't have a baby!
"Marry me."
"What?"
"Marry me. We can raise the baby together. Here."
"One thing at a time. Our parents would have to sign a consent form. They won't let us get married. Gordo, just hold me." Gordo embraces her on the couch.
----A Few Minutes Later----
Jo knocks on the door. "Lizzie, how are you feeling?"
"Better."
"Do you want some Ginger Ale or something?"
"No, I'm fine." She and Gordo exchange glances. He nods. "Uh, mom?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Can you and dad come down here?" Might as well get this over with.
Sam and Jo join the pair on the couch.
"Mom, dad, we need to talk." Here goes nothing!
"What about?" Jo querries.
Lizzie holds Gordo's hand. "Mom, uh, dad, uh, I'm... I don't know how to say this."
"Say what, honey? You can tell us anything." Sam reassurres.
Lizzie begins tearing up. I'm pregnant! "Mom, dad, I'm pregnant!" Jo and Sam sit in stunned silence. "I'm 6 weeks along."
"Wha? You're pre? I can't even say it!" Jo tries to respond. Her eyes fill with tears.
"You mean to tell me that you are pregnant?" Sam booms, outraged. "And who is the father?"
"I am." Gordo announces.
"When?" Jo asks. "On second thought, I don't wanna know."
"David, I think Jo and I need to talk to our daughter alone."
"Lizzie, call me later, okay?" He kisses her on the cheek. She nods, and he leaves.
"Elizabeth Brooke McGuire, what were you thinking, having sex under our roof!" Jo yells. "On second thought, I know what you were thinking!"
Matt stands silently at the threshold. A tear escapes his eyes.
"But, mom!" Lizzie yells.
"Don't 'but, mom' me, little girl!"
"Jo, calm down. You don't need to get too stressed," Sam cautioned.
"I AM CALM!" She doubles over. "AAAAHHH! Sam, help me!" She puts her hand on her forehead.
"Breathe, Jo. Are you in labor?"
"I don't know. Something's wrong."
"Okay, I'm taking you to the hospital. Lizzie, call Dr. James and let her know I'm bringing your mother in."
"Sure thing, dad. I'll tell Matt."
"Good. Come on, Jo. Breathe."
"My head hurts. It's pounding."