Chapter 13

---At the Hospital----

Jo is hooked up to monitors and an IV at the hospital. Dr. James is examining her patient. "Mrs. McGuire, you're not in labor, but I'm really concerned about your blood pressure. If it doesn't come down soon, we'll have to do an emergency C-section."

"Please help my babies."

"I'll do my best. Now, get some rest, and I'll come check on you later."

"Thanks." Dr. James leaves. "Sam, my baby's having a baby."

"We can talk about that later, honey."

"But, Lizzie, my baby. We're going to be grandparents! Sam, what are we going to do?

"I don't know, but I don't want you getting yourself all worked up. It's not good for you or the twins."

"Okay. We'll get through this, won't we?"

"Yes, we will. You know something?"

"What?"

"We've got two great kids already, and soon these little ones will join them." He puts a hand on her abdomen.

"I can't wait to see what they look like. Sam, I wanna meet these kids."

"Why don't you get some sleep, honey?"

"All right." She snuggles into the blankets and falls asleep.

While Jo sleeps, Sam calls Lizzie. "Lizzie? It's dad."

"How's mom?"

"Right now, she's sleeping."

"Is she in labor?"

"No. Her blood pressure is really high, and the doctor is concerned it won't go back down."

"Dad, is it because of me?"

"Sweetheart, no. The doctor has been monitoring your mother's blood pressure for awhile. It's been a bit high through the whole pregnancy."

"Is she going to have the twins today?"

"We don't know. If her blood pressure doesn't come back down, then yes, the doctor will deliver them today. How's Matt?"

"He's fine. He's studying over at Melina's. Their science project is due tomorrow."

"That's fine. Can you fill him in on the details?"

"Sure. I love you, dad, and I'm sorry. Tell mom I love her."

"I love you, too. We'll talk about it later, and I'll tell her." They say goodbye and hang up. Sam looks at his wife. "Oh, God please let my wife be okay," he prays. "She's my life, the mother of my kids. I don't know what I would do without her." He gently places a kiss on her lips.

Two hours later, Jo stirs awake. "Did you call Lizzie?"

"I did. She sends her love."

"How long have I been asleep?"

"A couple hours. How are you feeling?"

"Like I got run over by a steamroller."

Dr. James walks in the room and checks the printouts from the machines. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired. Been sleeping."

"Your blood pressure's going down. I think the Magnesium is working." Sam and Jo clasp hands. "I don't think we'll be delivering the twins anytime soon, but I want to keep you overnight for observation."

"Will everything be okay?" Sam asks.

"The twins' heartbeats are strong. Your blood pressure is coming down. If this trend continues, then I'll send you home on bed rest tomorrow. Get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."

------The Next Morning----

The next morning, Dr. James checks on Jo. "Your blood pressure is normal. The twins look good. You can go home."

"Thanks, doctor." Jo replies.

"I'm putting you on bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy. I don't think you'll go the full four weeks. If you start having headaches again, I want you to come back in."

"Okay."

"I'll see you Tuesday for your next appointment. Take care you guys."

The couple returns home. Lizzie greets them at the door. "Mom, how are you feeling?"

"Better, but I'm still tired."

"What did the doctor say?"

"Let's get your mom to the couch, and then we'll talk." Sam helps Jo to the couch in the living room.

"The doctor put me on bed rest until the babies are born."

"Mom, I'm sorry."

"You didn't cause this. It's not your fault."

"I know, but I feel so bad. If I hadn't told you I'm pregnant, then you wouldn't have gotten sick."

"That didn't have anything to do with this, sweetie. I haven't been feeling well for a few days. Don't beat yourself up about it. It's not good for you or the baby."

"Have you and Gordo talked some more?" Sam asks.

"We told his parents last night. They went ballistic."

"I'm sorry you're going through this," Jo comforts her daughter.

"Gordo and I talked about it, and we want to keep the baby."

"That's a big commitment, and your mom and I can't help you as much as we would like, since we'll have the twins."

"I know it is, but I can't see myself giving my baby away."

Jo runs her hand over her daughter's hair, "Whatever you decide, we support you all the way."

"Did Matt come home last night?" Sam asks.

"No, he stayed over at Melina's."

------That Afternoon-------

Matt returns home from school. Jo and Sam are asleep in their bedroom. Lizzie is watching TV in the living room. "I know what you did," he scowls.

"What?"

"I know what you did."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Lizzie replies, annoyed.

"You hurt mom and dad. Even though we drive each other crazy, I looked up to you, but not any more."

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, MATT?"

Jo startles, gets out of bed, and sits at the top of the stairs.

"I never thought I would have a slut for a sister. You do the old 'mattress dance' with your boyfriend and now you're knocked up!"

Lizzie sits stunned. She regains her composure, "What were you doing listening in on our conversation anyway?"

"I was worried about you, Lizzie. You got sick; we had to take you to the hospital, and I wanted to check on you."

"I'm sorry, Matt."

"I love you, Lizzie. You're my sister. It hurts that you snuck around like that. Mom and dad didn't raise a slut."

"I love you too. I'm not a slut. I made a mistake." Boy is this a BIG one!

"I know you did. It's going to change your life forever. Are you going to marry Gordo? I know he proposed."

Jo whispers to herself, "He proposed? Where's the other shoe?"

"I haven't told him yes."

"Are you?"

"I want to."

"There's the other shoe," Jo whispers. She leaned against the wall and cried herself to sleep.

Sam comes out of the bedroom and sees Jo sleeping at the top of the stairs. "Honey," he shakes her awake, "wake up."

"Wha? Sam, our family. It's falling apart!" She cries into his chest.

"Come on," he helps her stand up, "let's get you back in bed, and we can talk there."

"Okay," she agrees. "Matt confronted Lizzie. He called her a slut."

"Ah, Geez!" Sam sighs.

"Gordo proposed."

"Oh, God."

-----Later that Day-----

"Matt, tell mom and dad I'm at Miranda's. I've gotta clear my head." She leaves the house and calls Miranda on her cell phone.

"Hello?"

"Miranda. It's me."

"What's up? Gordo said you've been sick."

"Sorta. Can I come over?"

"Sure.

"I'll be there in 10." Lizzie walks to Miranda's house and rings the doorbell.

Miranda answers and sees that Lizzie's been crying. "Lizzie," she frowns, "what's wrong?"

"Everything. I threw up and collapsed while I was helping my folks decorate my old room, and mom and dad had to take me to the ER."

"I bet that was awful."

"Yeah. The doctor found out I'm pregnant."

"WHAT!"

"Six weeks."

"Wait. You're pregnant! Who's the father?"

"You have to ask?"

"Oh my gosh! Gordo?"

"Yes."

"Does he know? Have you told your folks?"

"I called him after I got home and we told my folks together."

"And!"

"They went ballistic and then mom got sick. Dad had to take her to the hospital. She nearly lost the babies."

"Oh my gosh! Is she okay?"

"She'll be fine. She's home and the doctor put her on bed rest."

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't know. Gordo proposed. He wants us to get married and live in my suite."

"Are you?"

"We're fifteen. Our parents aren't going to sign for us to get married."

"Wow! This is big." Miranda gulps.

"I know. Just think. Last year, all we thought about was how to get Ethan Craft to notice us and how to keep away from Kate. Now, I'm six weeks pregnant."

"That seems like a long time ago."

"Yeah. What makes it even worse is that Matt, the kid who prides himself in annoying me, called me a slut."

"Ouch! That hurts!"

Lizzie's cell phone rings. "Hello? Mom? Okay. I will. See you soon. Bye."

"Gotta go?"

"Yeah." She gives her a hug. "Miranda, thank you."

"You're welcome."