Chapter 18: Interruptions from the Past

Ellie

"What is this?" I bumped backwards into Sean and he steadied me with his hands. "What's going on?"

One minute I'm on my way to go buy baby furniture, and the next minute I'm being surprised by a room full of people. I scanned the room quickly and saw all of my teachers, Marco's parents, classmates, my relatives... Whoever had planned this had gone all out.

Marco stepped forward shyly, "It's your baby shower, Els. We thought we'd surprise you. It was your dad's idea."

My dad? My dad's here? I smiled when I saw my dad step forward and envelope me in a hug. I had been so upset that he had gone to Tokyo, and, now, to know that he isn't going... "Are you happy, sweetie?" My dad rested his cheek against the top of my head and ran his hand over my hair.

"Yes!" I grasped him tighter before letting go and stepping back to take everything in again. The sun room was decorated to look like the baby's nursery. Tables were set up everywhere, as well as out on the deck. Thank God I had decided to dress up a little this morning. At first I was going to throw on a pair of pajama pants and a sweatshirt. I'm glad I managed to throw on a pair of nice jeans and a black shirt.

"Did you two know anything about this?" I looked back at my mom and Sean. They both had guilty smiles on their faces.

Sean pulled my credit card out of his pants pocket. "I thought you'd catch on when I went through your purse for this."

"You thief!" I snatched the card away from him and put it back into my purse, but kissed him quickly anyway. "Now I know I can never trust you."

I looked at my mom. "And I should have known you would never forget a credit card..."

My mom shrugged and put her hands up in a helpless gesture. "Lame, but effective."

I laughed and turned back around to face my party. "Thanks, you guys. Everything looks awesome."

After saying that, the room turned into chaos. All of my relatives flew forward to greet me and ask millions of questions about the baby- it's sex, what names we had picked out, if I was still getting sick, if it's kicked yet- all of the normal baby questions... Next, my teachers came forward and gave me hugs. I'm surprised they're all being so supportive. I figured there'd be a few who disapproved of my decision to have a baby at my age, but there aren't any- at least that I know of. Sure, my classmates are a different story- I still get strange looks from plenty of people, but do I care what they think? Sean and I are going to have a baby soon. None of them will matter when I have my own child. Someone to love me unconditionally.

"Okay, well, I'm going to fire up the grill! Other food is ready outside. We have potato salad, pasta salad, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, tator tot casserole, fresh fruit, corn, just about everything."

My dad is the perfect host. I laughed as he put on a chefs hat and apron. He's really getting into this whole baby thing. And to think, I was worried most about what he'd say when he found out.

"I'm just going to go put my purse in the kitchen," I kissed Sean on the cheek and headed down the short hallway towards the kitchen and dining room.

As soon as I entered the kitchen, I noticed him. It was Tracker. He was leaning against the refrigerator.

"Tracker? Does Sean know you're here?"

He stood up straighter and cleared his throat. "Nope. Thought I'd surprise him."

I opened my mouth to suggest he came back out with me, but something stopped me. Or should I say, someone.

"You must be Ellie."

I looked behind me and saw an older couple sitting at the kitchen table- looking completely out of place. The older woman was nervously patting her short, ash blonde hair, while the man stroked his chin. Have I seen them before? I feel like I know them.

"Can I help you?" I took a step towards them and grasped the back of a chair.

The woman spoke again. "We're Sean's parents."

I grasped the chair even tighter until my knuckled turned completely white. "Sean's parents?" I whispered back. They looked at each other and nodded. "Does he know? Does he have any idea that you're here?"

They shook their heads solemnly.

"Your dad called us. He said we should come up and spend the weekend with you guys."

The room started to spin in front of me. Sean's going to freak. He's going to throw a tantrum. It's going to ruin my baby shower. He's going to be devastated.

"Why don't you have a seat, Ellie?" Tracker put a hand on the small of my back and helped me sit down in the chair I had been strangling. He pulled a chair next to me and sat down himself.

So here we are. Sean's parents, Tracker, and me. Sean should be in here. He needs to know his parents are here. "Sean?" was all I could muster out.

Tracker nodded. "I should go get him. He'll be least surprised to see me."

I followed his form as he walked out of the room. He walks just like Sean. Or maybe Sean walks just like him. They both have that strong gait. Their shoulders move with them. I wonder if their dad walks the same way. I turned back to look into his parents' sad eyes. Should I feel bad for them? I guess I do in a way. It must be hell to not know what's going on in your son's life. To not know that he has a girlfriend and a child on the way.

"I'm glad to finally meet you," I reached my hand across the table and shook the hands of his mom and dad. Their hands were rough, but warm. Just like Sean's. A smile traveled across my face slowly.

"You're beautiful!" Sean's mother's eyes grew teary and she clasped onto my hand, not wanting to let go. "I can't believe I'm meeting my son's girlfriend. And that you're... You're about to have a baby! It's so much."

"I know. I can hardly believe it myself, Mrs. Cameron."

"Call me June. And you can call this old goat, here, Phil."

"June. Phil," I repeated, with a nod of my head. I wanted to be more polite, more engaging, but all I could think about was how Sean was going to freak when he saw them in here. Seriously, what will his first reaction be? Will he cry? Will he scream? Will he throw or break something? Option three seems the closest to what will actually happen.

I wouldn't blame him either. I mean, his parents sent him away. I know there must have been some sort of good explanation to it, because parents just don't give up on their kids like that. They just don't send their kids away. Maybe they felt like it was better for him. Maybe they didn't want him growing up in a setting with poor opportunities. Whatever the reason was, I think I can kind of understand what Sean feels like. I know my experience isn't as extreme, but I, too, felt abandoned by my parents when they sent me to that- that hospital. They just wanted what was best for me, except they didn't know what was best for me.

"Is Ellie in here? Man, I can't believe you're here!"

I swallowed nervously when I heard Sean's voice nearing and his parents tensed visibly. I don't blame them. They know just as well as anyone about their son's short temper. Sure, it's gotten better these days, but seeing them would definitely set it off. Is it too much to ask for one peaceful day where I don't have to stress out about everything?

Well... I guess Sean is getting me ready for motherhood, in his own little way.

"What the-? Why are you here?"

I closed my eyes tightly. If the Camerons know what's good for them, they won't say anything. They'll just let Sean spout off. They won't answer.

"Ellie's dad thought we should be here, son."

I could practically hear Sean seething behind me. I opened my eyes slowly, but still sat rigid in my chair. His footsteps were slowly coming closer. I could hear Tracker mumbling under his breath- something about staying cool.

"Who the hell does your dad think he is?"

Wait, was he talking to me? I turned my head and saw the glare Sean was giving me. Wait a second, why is he pissed off at me? I knew nothing about this...

"What?" I cried.

"Your dad. He just has to go and get into everyone's business, doesn't he? What right does he have to invite my parents here? Who does he think he is? I'm going to go and give him a piece of my mind, that basta-..."

"Shut up!" I stood up so fast from the table that my chair turned over. "You have no right, no right, to ever say anything bad about my father! If you ever say anything bad about him again, Sean, we're through!"

"He brought them here!" Sean pointed a shaking finger at his parents.

"He cares about you!" I grabbed a hold of his hand and held it in between us. "My dad cares about you. He didn't know any better. Don't be angry with him. He's trying."

Sean mulled it over in his head a bit. Finally, he agreed to not blame my dad. "Whatever..."

I threw a worried look at his parents. They still hadn't said anything to him.

"Sean?" his mom slowly stood up and made her way around the table.

"Stay away from me."

"Please, Sean!"

"Get away!"

"Sean!" I pinched his side and gave him a disapproving look. "Why don't you at least talk to your parents? We can all talk together."

"Can I talk to you alone?" He grabbed my wrist and drug me towards the laundry room. "Listen, I know what you're pulling here. You're going to try and sweet-talk me and try and make me forgive them. It's not going to work, okay? So, give up! I don't like them. I don't have to."

"They're your parents, Sean. They care about you-..."

"They sent me away!"

"Did you ever ask them why?"

"I don't have to."

"Okay, then why did they send you away?"

"Because."

"Because why, Sean?" When he didn't say anything, I gave him an irritated look. "See, this is what I don't get. How can you blame them, hate them, when you don't even know the full story? It doesn't make sense."

"You said some things don't make sense."

"Well, some things do."

"Not us."

"We're not talking about us. We're talking about your relationship with your parents. Why do you want to give that up?" I tried to place a comforting hand on his arm, but he smacked it away. Instead, he sought comfort in grabbing a nearby detergent bottle and thrusting it towards the wall.

"They never tried to call me!" Sean yelled in my face. I backed against the wall, scared at how red his face was getting. I've never seen him this out of control before. "You always complain about how your parents don't care about you- how they've 'abandoned' you. Do you know what it feels like for me to hear you say that? To see your big house and all of your possessions and to still hear you moan about how no one loves you? Do you know how hard that is for me?"

My lower lip trembled slightly. I'm not going to give in and cry. I am not giving in and crying. "This isn't about me or my issues. This is about you. You and the fact that your parents are here and there are so many unanswered questions you have. And you're not doing anything about it."

"They never called; they never wrote; they never asked about me... They never tried to visit... What kind of parents are they?"

"Haven't you ever heard of a second chance?"

"I don't give second chances."

"You've given me plenty of second chances."

"But I love you."

Sean

I can't believe I just said that. Do I love my parents? Do I? I don't even know if I do. I guess, deep down, in some buried part of my heart, I must love them. Otherwise, I wouldn't care about whether or not they think about me or what they're doing or if they're still drinking. If I didn't love them, I wouldn't care.

"That's a horrible thing to say."

Ellie crossed her arms and shook her head slightly. She wouldn't even look at me.

"Listen, I'm trying to do the right thing here, El."

"By seeking revenge? Sean, think about the baby. Our baby wants both set of grandparents. Don't deny our baby your parents just because you're angry with them."

She really knows how to get to me. She knows I'd do anything for this baby. And she's using it against me. Can I really just forgive them?

"How do you do it?" I slid down the washer until I reached the floor, bringing my knees up to my chest.

She kneeled down in front of me, wrapping her hands around my knees. "How do I do what?"

"Forgive? Forgive your parents so easily for... everything?"

"I remember they're my parents. And that they love each other. And that, although they may not always show it, they love me, too. I don't know, I guess I just keep hoping that the next time it'll get better. That one day I'll finally have all the assurance I need that my parents truly care about me. Until then, it's all a blind leap."

"I don't think I can do it."

She sucked on her bottom lip. "Well... that's what I'm here for. You can do it. And I'll help you. Think of this, Sean- if your parents didn't care about you, then why did they come today? They could have easily stayed home. They didn't have to go through this. But they chose to."

I sighed heavily, "Then why did they send me away?"

"Where would you be if they hadn't?"

I thought it over in my head. Let's see, where would I be? "Probably in jail," I mused. Ellie gave me a look that clearly said it wasn't funny. "I'd probably be in some juvenile detention or something. Maybe I would have killed that kid."

The sad thing is I probably would have. I was so angry back then- always wanting, never having quite enough. And that stupid kid always stole my lunch money. He always took it from me, and I was too much of a baby to fight him back for it. Then I became friends with those guys. I learned to stand up for myself- and I deafened him. If I had stayed in Wasaga, one of his friends would have surely started something with me. Then who knows where I'd be. I was already on my way into a gang.

I felt a pair of lips press against my cheek and I started. Ellie kissed away another tear as it fell. This is all too much for me- seeing my parents, possibly understanding why they did what they did, growing up. Where do I go now? Do I go into the kitchen and hug them? Do I talk to them? What am I supposed to do?

"Let's go," Ellie whispered. She gave me one last kiss on the mouth and pulled away.

Before she could fully stand up, I brought my hands to her cheeks and pulled her to me again. This time I thanked her for helping me see what I couldn't before.

Ellie and I walked back into the kitchen, hand in hand, to face my parents. They weren't sitting anymore. Now they were whispering amongst themselves and my brother. I cleared my throat to get their attention. Their heads turned towards me sharply and my knees buckled. I don't think I've ever been more nervous in my life.

"Mom. Dad," I choked out. Tears were already threatening to spill again. Not now, Cameron. You're a big boy now.

Whatever emotion I had displayed in those two words, was enough for them. My parents flew to my side, wrapping their arms around me, reassuring me that everything would be okay. My mom cooed in my ear, as my dad told me how much I'd grown. Tracker rustled my hair. This is what being a family feels like.

I pulled Ellie against me, hugging her to my side. My mom wrapped an arm around her too.

And this is what home feels like.

Ellie

"Who wants to open presents?" My mom sang out, relishing being the hostess with the mostest. I couldn't help but smile at how girlish she was being- flushed cheeks, a small glass of wine in her hand, and playing with the delicate strand of pearls around her neck.

The next two hours was chaotic as I was shoved into a seat and crowded around. I paid special attention to every present I unwrapped, remarking at how cute and tiny everything was. At the end of the day, I received tons of clothes, two diaper bags, some bibs and bottles, burping rags, bath supplies, diapers, baby wipes, baby powder, a hairbrush and comb, a crib, mobile toys, a few stuffed animals, and a stroller. My teachers had all chipped in and bought me a beautiful baby book, as well as a few personal gifts. Inside the baby book, each teacher had written a special message to Sean, me, and the baby.

"Baby games!" My mom cried, waving slips of paper in the air. I smiled sleepily and watched as everyone scrambled around for their pens and paper to participate.

"Tired?" Sean came around and rubbed my shoulders.

"A little."

"I thought so. It looks like we got everything we need."

"Just about," I murmured.

"Just about? What else do we need?"

"You'd be surprised. Don't think you're getting out of shopping, buster," I rested my head back and looked up at him.

"I know better than that," he teased and kissed the tip of my nose.

"Mmm..."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Thanks you guys. Really."

I smiled at everyone as they started to get their things together. Hell, I even managed to smile at Paige - who gave my baby a yellow shirt that said "Hottie" across it in silver glitter. Honestly, some people never change. And, in a way, that's very comforting.

"Oh, well, anything for you, Ellie," Paige gave me a nasty smile. It was a sincere nasty smile, though, so I didn't take it too much to heart.

"Do you need help cleaning up?" Alex hooked an arm around my neck and drug me closer to her.

"Uh, no," I wheezed out.

"Whoops, sorry. Okay, well, you and that little... thing take care."

"It's a baby, Alex."

"I know. I was talking about Seany, here."

Sean smirked, "I care about you, too, Alex."

Jay rubbed his hands together. "So, uh, you two are staying the night here, right?"

Sean and I looked at each other. "Um, yeah?"

"Well, I need a key then. Lexi and I are going to watch a movie."

I don't like the way he just dragged out "movie". I lifted an eyebrow, but gave him my key anyway. "Keep it clean."

"Oh, we will," Jay snorted and stuck his tongue down Alex's throat. Attractive.

Craig and Ashley hugged me goodbye. Jimmy rustled my hair and kissed me on top of the head. Marco kissed my cheek. I stopped Spinner from putting his lips anywhere near me. "I don't think so, Boner." He mumbled something unintelligible under his breath and ran after Paige and Hazel.

Sean's family hugged us and gave us the name and number for the hotel they were staying at. My parents went out for coffee with all of my relatives, leaving Sean and I alone in the house. I collapsed on the couch, my feet throbbing from moving around so much. "My feet hurt," I whined, sticking them up in the air.

"Aw," Sean tickled them and wrapped my legs around his waist. "How about we soak them in the tub?"

"Um... Okay," I hugged Sean around the neck and let him carry me up the stairs to my bathroom.

It wasn't too long ago we were in this bathroom- talking about my problems. We've come so far since then. I sat on the edge of the tub as Sean checked the temperature of the water. "I think it's warm enough. Okay, do you want... Jasmine Tea or Sandalwood Rose?"

"You pick."

I watched as he sniffed each bottle and finally settled on Sandalwood Rose. "Is this enough?"

"Perfect." I couldn't help but have the biggest smile on my face as I watched him. He turned the faucet off and dipped a few fingers into the water.

"Okay, I think it's good."

I slipped my feet into the tub and sighed at how good it felt. "It's great. Thanks, babe."

"Would it be weird if I did it, too?"

"No, slip your feet in. It feels good."

He took his shoes and socks off and sat on the edge of the tub with me, taking one of my hands in his. We sat in silence, reflecting the day and the outcomes it would bring. Our baby would now have both sets of grandparents. And maybe Sean wouldn't feel so alone anymore.

"I want to thank your dad when he comes back. You know, for inviting them," Sean looked over at me seriously.

"You don't have to thank him."

"No, I do. I was wrong for what I said about him."

"He really does care about you."

"I know. His inviting them- that shows he gives a damn about me. About us and this baby. It's been awhile since I've felt like someone has given a damn about me."

"Well, I give a damn about you."

"And I give a damn about you, too."

Underneath the bubbles, his foot knocked against mine. I stared shyly at our feet. I don't know why, but for some strange reason, I imagined Sean and I in our old age. Would we still be together? Would we be wrinkled and senile together? Maybe we'll be sitting on our porch, much like we're sitting on this bathtub, playing footsie and talking about how much we care about each other. In moments like this, those future aspirations don't seem so impossible.

Ms. Kwan

Ellie and Sean,

Congratulations on the nearing arrival of your little bundle of joy. The day that you can look into your beautiful son or daughter's eyes, will be the most wonderful day of your life. I cannot wait for you two to experience parenthood. Ellie, I can see you teaching your child how to read or write. He or she will gain the gift of the written and spoken word from you. Sean, with all due respect, let Ellie teach your child about Shakespeare. Instead, you can teach your son or daughter the values of hard work, friendship, and belief in ones self. I believe you have become a master in your knowledge of these. I'm looking forward to seeing the new parent glow on you both.

Yours,

Ms. Kwan

Mr. Simpson

As someone who has just experienced the joys of parenthood recently, I look forward to

sharing this journey with you. It'll be tough- don't doubt that- but so worth it. There's nothing quite like it. I have watched you both grow in the past few years from adolescents to mature adults. I have become such an advocate for you two, and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you both.

Archie "Snake" Simpson

P.S. Enclosed is a copy of the Zit Remedy's famous song "Everybody Wants Something" to help the baby sleep.

P.P.S. And a note from my wife.

Dear Ellie and Sean,

I can barely express how happy I am for you both. This is a very special point in your life. As someone who has gone through the troubles of young motherhood, I feel it is my duty to tell you to be prepared for how tough it's going to be at first. And how tough it's going to get. Parenthood never gets easier. But then you watch your precious child grow up and form opinions and thoughts and nothing could be more worth it.

With joy,

Christine "Spike" Nelson

Mr. Radditch

It always starts in detention... I hope this time is special for you both. I look forward to

being the future principal of your little tyke. Take care and God bless.

Mr. Radditch

Paige

Congratulations, Ellie and Sean.

If you ever need a babysitter or, you know, stylist for your baby, you know who to contact.

Hazel

I'm so happy for you guys!

I can't wait to see your precious little baby!

Love ya, Hazel

Jimmy

You two are amazing.

Here's to you being great parents of a little champ very soon.

Craig

If you ever need anything, I'm here.

I'm already starting on a lullaby for the baby.

Ashley

Let's hope the baby takes after it's mother.

Love you, El!

Emma

I wish you all the luck.

I know you two will be great parents.

Spinner

Happy birthday.

And happy giving birth soon day.

Or whatever.

This is Ellie's birthday card from a long time ago. I forgot to give it to you.

Deal with it.

Alex & Jay

You two drive us nuts with your constant bickering and whining,

but we can't help but feel a deep warmth when we see how much

you love each other.

That's from a Hallmark card.

Practice safe sex. Always. Please.

Yay, another chapter! I think next chapter, Sean and Ellie will see how different their parents really are. And... I don't know what else. Hope you liked the chapter! Thanks for the reviews.