Title: The Consequences
Author: In Fair Verona
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Seth and Summer engender a 'rumor' which travels around Newport and learn the consequences of their actions when the unexpected happens.
Shipper: Seth x Summer
Disclaimer: It is all property of FOX, every last bit of it. I don't own anything in this story or related to it.
A/N: I have to apologize. I've had this chapter done for two weeks, I was just extremely lazy with actually uploading it. But, hey, just 2 more chapters (and an epilogue) to go! Exciting. Also, another apology I have is that I'm sorry that I didn't get to put more actually pregnancy things in the story. You know, lamaze (sp?) class, more doctor appointments, shopping, etc... I guess this story was just more focused on the social issues that came w/ the pregnancy than the actual pregnancy itself. It was like the pregnancy was used to fuel all the plots, etc... So, there won't be any lamaze classes in any future chapter, sorry. But feel free to imagine that they are taking it.
-
"Summer." Somebody was calling her name. It was kind of like the way they did it in those movies when somebody is waking up from a dream and a faint voice grows louder and louder. It was like that. "Summer..." It was a bit eerie, and if anything it made Summer not want to wake up. Instead she would rather be snuggling under warm sheets, not giving a damn about reality. She didn't want to return to a world of responsibility. Who-ever was trying to get her should've just thought about giving her a few more minutes to rest. She really needed it. "Summer. Summer."
" Ugh." Summer groaned and pushed herself up in the bed. Something was different, but she wasn't able to define what it was. Something about her was different. When Summer glanced around her surroundings, she realized that she was in the hospital. Like a dream sequence from a movie, everything was blurry at first and but then faded into focus. She turned her head to the side and a small smile tugged at her face upon seeing Seth sitting at her side. But there was something different about him as well. "Seth?"
"Summer." The voice that was insistently trying to get her attention belonged to Dr. Janney, who was now hovering before her, removing his gloves. "Are you awake?" He asked softly. Summer glared slightly, nodding her head. Yeah, she awake, now. Dr. Janney sighed and walked around to the opposite side of Summer's bed. "Summer, do you remember anything that happened before you woke up?" Dr. Janney asked, staring vacantly at the air above Summer's shoulder, rather than at the girl herself.
"Uh, I remember hurting and falling to the ground." Summer responded. She quickly glanced at Seth, who seemed silent. His head was bowed down and she wasn't sure if he was asleep or silent. Maybe both. "Is Seth allright?" She asked quickly with worry.
"You shouldn't worry about him." Dr. Janney responded. Summer frowned. He had totally evaded her question.
"What's wrong with him? What's going on?" Summer hastily turned to Seth, grabbing his arm. "Seth? Seth?" She turned back towards Dr. Janney. "Where's my dad?" She asked, biting her lip. "What aren't you telling me?"
"I'm trying to tell you." Dr. Janney insisted, pulling her grip away from Seth and holding both of her hands in his. "It's just very difficult to say." He dropped her hands, and spoke as his gaze studied the tiled floor. "Summer, you lost the baby."
Summer, you lost the baby. She had lost the baby.
Instantly Summer's hands flew to her stomache. It felt numb and frozen. There was no life inside, there was no baby. She killed it. She lost it, it was gone. All gone.
"Where did you take it?" Summer asked, her voice trembling. "Where did you take it!?" She demanded, pushing herself from the bed. Her legs felt weak and numb and she stumbled but Dr. Janney quickly supported her. "I want my baby, please, give me back my baby!" Summer said, feeling her eyes water and pristine tears threatening to fall.
"It's gone, Summer. There's nothing that I am able to do now." Dr. Janney said gently, feeling his throat get dry. He smoothed Summer's hair and spun her around to face Seth. Summer awkwardly stumbled towards Seth, and found herself losing what little balance she had, and she fell to her knees infront of him.
"Seth," The tears were free-falling now, and there was no stopping him. Summer hastily reached for Seth's hand, squeezing it tightly in hers. "I am so sorry! I didn't mean for this happen! I'm so sorry..." She sobbed, resting her head against his knee. She felt him move beneath her and quickly stared up at him.
"It doesn't matter anymore." Seth responded, he stood up and gently moved Summer away from him, leaving the room. Summer turned and tried to stand up, but she wasn't fast enough and fell down again.
"Seth! Please, I'm so sorry! Don't go!" She sobbed, burying her head in her hands. She let more tears fall than Marissa had ever done in her life. She huddled herself into a little ball, rocking back and forth and wailing and moaning with more emotion that she had ever shown before. But it didn't matter now if her image was ruined. Seth was right... nothing mattered anymore.
-
"SETH!" Summer screamed, sitting up straight in the hospital bed. In an instant Seth, Robert, and Dr. Janney were hastily surrounding her and by her side, all with desperation.
"Summer!" Seth grasped her hand, and noticed the expression of absolute fear and horror in his girlfriend's eyes. "I'm here, are you allright?" He asked. Summer shook her head, and lifted a hand up to her forehead. It was sweaty and hot. Her hands immediately then drifted down to her stomache. She felt it's warm roundness, heavyness, and the motion of liquid inside. There was definetly life in there. Summer let out a sigh of relief and leaned back into her pillow, taking a deep breath.
"Seth, I had a nightmare. It seemed so real." Summer admitted, turning to face him. "It was so horrible." She said softly, staring down at her hands. She glanced up and looked at Dr. Janney. He seemed normal, not like the bearer of bad news. He also seemed less serious and more like his forgetful self.
"Well, now that you're awake, I should tell you that the baby is absolutely fine." Dr. Janney told her, "I ran some tests while you were sleeping and it wasn't injured in any way. You were just inexperiencing some pregnancy pains, it really isn't too uncommon. It was simply overwhelming this time, so much that it made you faint." The doctor explained. "But as your pregnancy draws nearer, you might experience more pain. There are rare instances when such extroardinary pain is abnormal, so much that the mother is unable to give birth, but I wouldn't worry about that. You're doing absolutely fine, Summer." Dr. Janney gave her a warm smile and then turned to leave.
"Thanks." Summer replied after him. Robert approached Summer on the side of the hospital bed opposite of Seth, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze.
"I'm relieved that you're allright, princess. I don't know what I would've done if anything happened to you." He said, planting a kiss on her head.
"I don't know what I would've done if anything happened to the baby." Summer admitted.
"Is there anything I can get you? Something to eat or drink?" Her father asked. It was strange how Summer's pregnancy and newfound parental skills had also turned her father into, well... a father.
"Some water would be nice. My mouth is really dry." Summer said. Robert nodded and walked out of the hospital room to get his daughter's water. After he left, Summer turned to face Seth, giving him a quick smile.
"So, are you going to tell me what that dream was about?" Seth asked, leaning over the hospital bed railing and looking at her curiously.
"It wasn't a dream, Seth. It was a nightmare." Summer corrected, smoothing her bed-sheets over her stomache.
"Hmm. How bad could it be? Did you see Holly walking around naked or something? Although, for some people, that's not exactly a nightmare..."
"Shut up." Summer hit his arm. "It was serious, Seth. Speaking of Holly, where is she?" Summer asked curiously.
"She was in the waiting room with Marissa." Seth said nonchalantly.
"Marissa and Holly? In the same room?" Summer repeated with wide eyes.
"Not anymore." Marissa replied, walking through the door. She approached Summer, leaning over the bed to give her best friend a gentle hug. "It's kind of weird seeing you in the hospital bed instead of me."
"It kind of is." Summer responded with a grin. "So, you and Holly getting along?"
"She left after Dr. Janney told us you woke up and were allright." Marissa explained. "But it was definetly an awkward 2 hours. Luckily I had Ryan with me."
"Ryan's here?" Summer asked in surprise, seeming somewhat touched.
"He went to go get something to drink, but he'll be back." Marissa explained. "Anyway, I was surprised that Holly actually hung around."
"She probably had nothing better to do. You know, nobody to do." Seth put in.
"You guys!" Summer reprimanded, "If it weren't for Holly, something bad may have happened to me. I know she's a slutty whore bitch, but she's still a person with a heart." Summer told them. Marissa and Seth simply stared at her. "Allright, she's just a slutty whore bitch." Summer shrugged.
"Look who I found." Robert said, entering the room with a styrofoam cup of water and Ryan right behind him. Ryan had a dark, regretful expression and the other three teenagers were about to discover why. Robert put a hand on his shoulder, leading him over to where Seth was standing. "Ryan and I had a good talk and we got to know each other."
"Ryan talked?" Summer asked in confusion. Ryan simply shrugged, averting his gaze.
"This kid doesn't let me push him around." Robert explained, turning to Seth. "Maybe you should let him give you some lessons in growing up and being a father. He'd be good at it."
"Well, I'm sure if I grew up in a home with my mother's abusive boyfriend, I would be too." Seth retorted. He glanced over Robert's shoulder at Ryan. "Sorry, man."
"It's allright." Ryan said, seemingly a little frightened of Robert and leaning towards Marissa as much as possible.
"You," Robert pointed at Ryan, "Do me a favor and show this kid how to be an adult," He lowered his voice, "and throw away all his video games."
"Uh... sure." Ryan responded.
"I've got to go pick up your step-mother from the airport, princess. But I'll stop by your house later to see you." He leaned over and gave Summer a kiss on the cheek before leaving. Seth turned to Ryan.
"Dude, are you really going to throw away my video games?" He asked, feeling like he had been stabbed in the back.
"No," Ryan responded, "How else can I kick your ass without getting in trouble?"
"Heh. Ryan, the funny thing doesn't work for you." Seth replied with a snerk.
"And the adult thing works for you...?"
"That hurts, man. Right here." Seth pointed at his heart.
"Well, I think we're going to go. Before Seth gets hurt too badly." Marissa said, tugging on Ryan's hand.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Seth asked. Marissa shrugged, pulling Ryan towards the exit.
"Bye, Summer. I'll see you later tonight!" She said, then turned around and dragged her boyfriend away with her.
"Huh. I don't think Marissa likes me very much." Seth mumbled.
"Is my dad giving you trouble?" Summer asked curiously, glancing up at him.
"No, not at all! Why he's been absolutely friendly and amiable! We're tight." Seth replied sarcastically. "If it isn't too childish of me to say so, yes, he is. But you know what, that's life, and I will deal with it." Seth said with a wave of gusto.
"Uh-huh. Well, if you want to put up with him, that's your decision. I guess I won't talk to him about being easier on you after all. Even though he does everything I say." Summer replied nonchalantly.
"You... were going to do that?" Seth asked, feeling a bit stupid.
"Well, I'm kind of in love with you, so... I would." Summer admitted, giving him a genuine smile.
"P-pardon? What did you say? Did you just say what I think you said, you know what I've always wished they you'd say... Did you just say that?" Seth repeated, gripping the bed railing tightly. "I, um, wow..."
"I said I'm kind of in love with you. But that could change soon because I'm really thirsty and I really need a drink, and I really can't get it for myself." Summer put in, leaning back in her bed.
"R-right. I'm on it." Seth said, slowly making his way outside of the small hospital room. His feet automatically guided him towards the vending machines, although his mind wasn't directing him because it was somewhere else. Summer said she was in love with him. Well, actually, she said she kind of was, which was just as good. "She's in love with me." Seth said to himself, and he really liked hearing that. "Amazing."
Seth took a right turn and ended up infront of the vending machines. He stared at the choices for a moment and then dug into his pockets for some change. However, it wasn't change that his hand found. He felt a small box-like object in his pocket and curiously encompassed it with his hand and fished it out. It was a small blue velvet box, and Seth had a freaky feeling that he knew what was in this little blue box. He gingerly pried it apart and the top snapped up. Nestled in them middle of the box between soft material was a gleaming diamond ring. It had a gold band and large diamond adorned by randomly placed little diamonds. Seth felt his breath get caught in his throat. Where did this come from? When did it get in his pocket? Who bought the ring? Then it hit him. Mr. Roberts did it. He remembered earlier at the mall, he had seen Mr. Roberts exit the jewelry store. Mr. Roberts had also put his arm around him. That was probably when he slipped the ring in. But there was still a question left unanswered. Why? Robert hated him... Robert thought that he was an incompetent kid, why would he even do this?
"I want the best for my daughter."
His words rang in Seth's ears. It did make sense in a strange way. This was just another way for Mr. Roberts to push Seth towards becoming a father... by becoming a husband. And it wasn't as if Robert would let his daughter raise a child and not be married to the man who was helping her raise it. His logic was a bit incomprehensible, but his motives were pure. Seth shook his head and smiled, shutting the little box and slipping it back into his pocket. He dished in his pant pockets and finally found some spare change. After inserting it into the vending machine and receiving a bottle of Snapple in return, Seth returned to Summer's room.
"Hey," Summer smiled when he returned and sat up in bed. "Dr. Janney said that I should go home now." She told Seth, attempting to remove herself from her tangled bed sheets.
"Then let's hit the road." Seth said happily. "Here's your drink." He said, holding it up.
"I'm not really thirsty anymore." Summer replied. As she did so, Dr. Janney entered the room with a wheelchair and assisted Seth into helping Summer from the bed to it.
"I want you to get a lot of rest, take it easy for the next few days." Dr. Janney instructed. Summer nodded obediently and the doctor handed Seth some pain-killers for her. Then Seth gripped the wheelchair and slowly pushed her towards the exit.
-
"Sum!" Marissa knocked on the door to Summer's bedroom, where she was resting while watching The Valley on the t.v. set infront of her. Summer grabbed her remote and paused it, and turned to Marissa expectantly. "I have exciting news!" Marissa said, sitting down on the edge of the bed and fiddling with her purse. "And you know, since you've been gone from school for the past week, somebody has to keep you up to date on social events, right?"
"And nobody does that better than you." Summer replied. "So what's up?"
"Well, you know, Prom is in three weeks..." Marissa began.
"Ugh, don't remind me." Summer said in a moody tone. "I mean, you know I've been looking forward to Prom since... well, a long time. It's supposed to be a magical night. How magical can it get in a maternity dress?" Summer asked, folding her arms across her chest. "I mean... I'm not upset that I'm pregnant and I know there's always next year's prom, but... I guess it's just a little disappointing to have to miss it this year." Summer sighed. Marissa's enthusiastic face dropped.
"You're going to miss it? Summer, who cares about the dress, you should still go." Marissa suggested.
"You know very well that the dress is the most important part. After you have the perfect dress, it's just downhill from there." Summer explained.
"Still, believe me, you're going to want to go." Marissa told her. "May I finally tell you why?"
"Why?"
"Because you have been nominated for Prom Queen!" Marissa said excitedly, clapping her hands.
"Why?"
"Aren't you excited?" Marissa asked with a worried expression.
"About getting up infront of a bunch of people in a big ugly maternity prom dress? No." Summer replied. "Who the hell would nominate me?"
"Well..." Marissa trailed off. "I did. But not just me. Anna, and Holly and Danny, and Luke. Ryan didn't want anything to do with Prom though. But he got nominated for Prom king." She laughed slightly.
"Really? Maybe I'll go just to see that." Summer said thoughtfully. "Who else was nominated?"
"Well... Me." Marissa smiled, "And some random people. I really didn't look after I saw your name." Marissa smiled.
"I'm glad you're nominated." Summer told her. "You'll definetly win and I won't have to mortify myself."
"You should be more optimistic. You're popular, you have a good chance of winning. Especially after all you've been through." Marissa put in.
"But you're more of the Prom Queen type... I'm not really into that." Summer responded. "You know that."
"Well, yeah, but then what type of person are you?" Marissa asked with a smile.
"The maternal type." Summer responded dutifully. "And I don't want to take my chances on spiked punch or anything at the Prom." She put in. Marissa was about to speak but she was interrupted by a soft tapping at the bedroom door. Marissa got up from the bed and opened the door, revealing Seth on the other side.
"Hey, Ryan needs to go run an errand, so he's ready to go." Seth said, gesturing down the stairs behind him.
"Allright." Marissa turned around and walked over to Summer, giving her a friendly hug and a quick wave before disappearing with her boyfriend. After the couple had left, Seth slowly approached Summer, sitting down where Marissa once sat.
"I'm sorry about Prom, Summer." He said earnestly, looking her in the eye. "I'm sorry that your ideal night has been sort of... ruined." He said awkwardly, tapping his fingers on his knee. Summer stared at him in discontentment for a moment.
"You were listening?" She asked.
"I overheard." Seth corrected.
"Don't worry about it, Seth. It was really... kind of shallow." Summer admitted. "I mean, it doesn't really matter, at all."
"Yes, it does. It matters to you, it always has." Seth told her. "You don't have to pretend to be unaffected. The girl that I love always speaks her mind and she doesn't care whose feelings she may hurt... but that's why I love you. You're not afraid to say things like that, and I don't ever want that to change no matter what the relationship between us is." Seth told her. "Allright?" Summer stared at him with wide eyes and then slowly nodded in response.
"Allright." She took a deep breath. "A part of me wishes that things were different. That I wasn't pregnant, that I was skinny and that I would walk into prom with confidence and in the perfect strappy black dress." Summer said, shrugging her shoulders. "And my hair would be up. I would be the one spiking the punch. I would dance with at least 10 different guys, and Marissa, Luke and I were supposed to rent a limo and just drive around town all night long. So much for all that though. It's really immature of me to want all of that anyway. Especially now, but that's how I really feel." She said, looking at Seth.
"Well, I might not be able to guarantee 10 different guys - just one, and I can't guarantee Luke and Marissa, but I can give you Ryan and Marissa and maybe not the dress that you want or spiked punch... Well, actually I can guarantee the punch, but I still want to try to make that night magical. Like it should be. I know how important this is to you. I understand." Seth told her. "So I'm going to try." He took her hand in his, squeezing it gently. "Summer, will you be my prom date?" He asked sincerely.
"I wouldn't be anybody else's." Summer replied, nodding her head. Seth smiled and leaned in, planting a gentle kiss on her lips and then pulling away. "It'll be a night you'll always remember. Although I can't guarantee if the part you'll remember is the actual prom, or the drunken sex afterwards." Seth told her, earning himself another smack in the arm.
"It depends who the sex's with, I'm sure Danny would make it unforgettable." Summer retorted.
"That was below the belt, Summer." Seth told her, shaking his head. "He might be big in the funny department, but not anywhere else."
"Well they say that funny guys are usually compensating for something." Summer replied nonchalantly.
"Is that what they say? Well, if you see a funny guy anywhere, tell me if that's true." Seth told her.
"I think you'll get in a funny guy's pants before me, Seth."
"That hurts, Summer. But I got in your pants." Seth pointed out.
"Right now, I'm not wearing any pants."
"Oh really?" Seth arched an eyebrow curiously.
"Really." Summer reassured him, grabbing him by the collar and pressing her lips to his.
Author: In Fair Verona
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Seth and Summer engender a 'rumor' which travels around Newport and learn the consequences of their actions when the unexpected happens.
Shipper: Seth x Summer
Disclaimer: It is all property of FOX, every last bit of it. I don't own anything in this story or related to it.
A/N: I have to apologize. I've had this chapter done for two weeks, I was just extremely lazy with actually uploading it. But, hey, just 2 more chapters (and an epilogue) to go! Exciting. Also, another apology I have is that I'm sorry that I didn't get to put more actually pregnancy things in the story. You know, lamaze (sp?) class, more doctor appointments, shopping, etc... I guess this story was just more focused on the social issues that came w/ the pregnancy than the actual pregnancy itself. It was like the pregnancy was used to fuel all the plots, etc... So, there won't be any lamaze classes in any future chapter, sorry. But feel free to imagine that they are taking it.
-
"Summer." Somebody was calling her name. It was kind of like the way they did it in those movies when somebody is waking up from a dream and a faint voice grows louder and louder. It was like that. "Summer..." It was a bit eerie, and if anything it made Summer not want to wake up. Instead she would rather be snuggling under warm sheets, not giving a damn about reality. She didn't want to return to a world of responsibility. Who-ever was trying to get her should've just thought about giving her a few more minutes to rest. She really needed it. "Summer. Summer."
" Ugh." Summer groaned and pushed herself up in the bed. Something was different, but she wasn't able to define what it was. Something about her was different. When Summer glanced around her surroundings, she realized that she was in the hospital. Like a dream sequence from a movie, everything was blurry at first and but then faded into focus. She turned her head to the side and a small smile tugged at her face upon seeing Seth sitting at her side. But there was something different about him as well. "Seth?"
"Summer." The voice that was insistently trying to get her attention belonged to Dr. Janney, who was now hovering before her, removing his gloves. "Are you awake?" He asked softly. Summer glared slightly, nodding her head. Yeah, she awake, now. Dr. Janney sighed and walked around to the opposite side of Summer's bed. "Summer, do you remember anything that happened before you woke up?" Dr. Janney asked, staring vacantly at the air above Summer's shoulder, rather than at the girl herself.
"Uh, I remember hurting and falling to the ground." Summer responded. She quickly glanced at Seth, who seemed silent. His head was bowed down and she wasn't sure if he was asleep or silent. Maybe both. "Is Seth allright?" She asked quickly with worry.
"You shouldn't worry about him." Dr. Janney responded. Summer frowned. He had totally evaded her question.
"What's wrong with him? What's going on?" Summer hastily turned to Seth, grabbing his arm. "Seth? Seth?" She turned back towards Dr. Janney. "Where's my dad?" She asked, biting her lip. "What aren't you telling me?"
"I'm trying to tell you." Dr. Janney insisted, pulling her grip away from Seth and holding both of her hands in his. "It's just very difficult to say." He dropped her hands, and spoke as his gaze studied the tiled floor. "Summer, you lost the baby."
Summer, you lost the baby. She had lost the baby.
Instantly Summer's hands flew to her stomache. It felt numb and frozen. There was no life inside, there was no baby. She killed it. She lost it, it was gone. All gone.
"Where did you take it?" Summer asked, her voice trembling. "Where did you take it!?" She demanded, pushing herself from the bed. Her legs felt weak and numb and she stumbled but Dr. Janney quickly supported her. "I want my baby, please, give me back my baby!" Summer said, feeling her eyes water and pristine tears threatening to fall.
"It's gone, Summer. There's nothing that I am able to do now." Dr. Janney said gently, feeling his throat get dry. He smoothed Summer's hair and spun her around to face Seth. Summer awkwardly stumbled towards Seth, and found herself losing what little balance she had, and she fell to her knees infront of him.
"Seth," The tears were free-falling now, and there was no stopping him. Summer hastily reached for Seth's hand, squeezing it tightly in hers. "I am so sorry! I didn't mean for this happen! I'm so sorry..." She sobbed, resting her head against his knee. She felt him move beneath her and quickly stared up at him.
"It doesn't matter anymore." Seth responded, he stood up and gently moved Summer away from him, leaving the room. Summer turned and tried to stand up, but she wasn't fast enough and fell down again.
"Seth! Please, I'm so sorry! Don't go!" She sobbed, burying her head in her hands. She let more tears fall than Marissa had ever done in her life. She huddled herself into a little ball, rocking back and forth and wailing and moaning with more emotion that she had ever shown before. But it didn't matter now if her image was ruined. Seth was right... nothing mattered anymore.
-
"SETH!" Summer screamed, sitting up straight in the hospital bed. In an instant Seth, Robert, and Dr. Janney were hastily surrounding her and by her side, all with desperation.
"Summer!" Seth grasped her hand, and noticed the expression of absolute fear and horror in his girlfriend's eyes. "I'm here, are you allright?" He asked. Summer shook her head, and lifted a hand up to her forehead. It was sweaty and hot. Her hands immediately then drifted down to her stomache. She felt it's warm roundness, heavyness, and the motion of liquid inside. There was definetly life in there. Summer let out a sigh of relief and leaned back into her pillow, taking a deep breath.
"Seth, I had a nightmare. It seemed so real." Summer admitted, turning to face him. "It was so horrible." She said softly, staring down at her hands. She glanced up and looked at Dr. Janney. He seemed normal, not like the bearer of bad news. He also seemed less serious and more like his forgetful self.
"Well, now that you're awake, I should tell you that the baby is absolutely fine." Dr. Janney told her, "I ran some tests while you were sleeping and it wasn't injured in any way. You were just inexperiencing some pregnancy pains, it really isn't too uncommon. It was simply overwhelming this time, so much that it made you faint." The doctor explained. "But as your pregnancy draws nearer, you might experience more pain. There are rare instances when such extroardinary pain is abnormal, so much that the mother is unable to give birth, but I wouldn't worry about that. You're doing absolutely fine, Summer." Dr. Janney gave her a warm smile and then turned to leave.
"Thanks." Summer replied after him. Robert approached Summer on the side of the hospital bed opposite of Seth, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze.
"I'm relieved that you're allright, princess. I don't know what I would've done if anything happened to you." He said, planting a kiss on her head.
"I don't know what I would've done if anything happened to the baby." Summer admitted.
"Is there anything I can get you? Something to eat or drink?" Her father asked. It was strange how Summer's pregnancy and newfound parental skills had also turned her father into, well... a father.
"Some water would be nice. My mouth is really dry." Summer said. Robert nodded and walked out of the hospital room to get his daughter's water. After he left, Summer turned to face Seth, giving him a quick smile.
"So, are you going to tell me what that dream was about?" Seth asked, leaning over the hospital bed railing and looking at her curiously.
"It wasn't a dream, Seth. It was a nightmare." Summer corrected, smoothing her bed-sheets over her stomache.
"Hmm. How bad could it be? Did you see Holly walking around naked or something? Although, for some people, that's not exactly a nightmare..."
"Shut up." Summer hit his arm. "It was serious, Seth. Speaking of Holly, where is she?" Summer asked curiously.
"She was in the waiting room with Marissa." Seth said nonchalantly.
"Marissa and Holly? In the same room?" Summer repeated with wide eyes.
"Not anymore." Marissa replied, walking through the door. She approached Summer, leaning over the bed to give her best friend a gentle hug. "It's kind of weird seeing you in the hospital bed instead of me."
"It kind of is." Summer responded with a grin. "So, you and Holly getting along?"
"She left after Dr. Janney told us you woke up and were allright." Marissa explained. "But it was definetly an awkward 2 hours. Luckily I had Ryan with me."
"Ryan's here?" Summer asked in surprise, seeming somewhat touched.
"He went to go get something to drink, but he'll be back." Marissa explained. "Anyway, I was surprised that Holly actually hung around."
"She probably had nothing better to do. You know, nobody to do." Seth put in.
"You guys!" Summer reprimanded, "If it weren't for Holly, something bad may have happened to me. I know she's a slutty whore bitch, but she's still a person with a heart." Summer told them. Marissa and Seth simply stared at her. "Allright, she's just a slutty whore bitch." Summer shrugged.
"Look who I found." Robert said, entering the room with a styrofoam cup of water and Ryan right behind him. Ryan had a dark, regretful expression and the other three teenagers were about to discover why. Robert put a hand on his shoulder, leading him over to where Seth was standing. "Ryan and I had a good talk and we got to know each other."
"Ryan talked?" Summer asked in confusion. Ryan simply shrugged, averting his gaze.
"This kid doesn't let me push him around." Robert explained, turning to Seth. "Maybe you should let him give you some lessons in growing up and being a father. He'd be good at it."
"Well, I'm sure if I grew up in a home with my mother's abusive boyfriend, I would be too." Seth retorted. He glanced over Robert's shoulder at Ryan. "Sorry, man."
"It's allright." Ryan said, seemingly a little frightened of Robert and leaning towards Marissa as much as possible.
"You," Robert pointed at Ryan, "Do me a favor and show this kid how to be an adult," He lowered his voice, "and throw away all his video games."
"Uh... sure." Ryan responded.
"I've got to go pick up your step-mother from the airport, princess. But I'll stop by your house later to see you." He leaned over and gave Summer a kiss on the cheek before leaving. Seth turned to Ryan.
"Dude, are you really going to throw away my video games?" He asked, feeling like he had been stabbed in the back.
"No," Ryan responded, "How else can I kick your ass without getting in trouble?"
"Heh. Ryan, the funny thing doesn't work for you." Seth replied with a snerk.
"And the adult thing works for you...?"
"That hurts, man. Right here." Seth pointed at his heart.
"Well, I think we're going to go. Before Seth gets hurt too badly." Marissa said, tugging on Ryan's hand.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Seth asked. Marissa shrugged, pulling Ryan towards the exit.
"Bye, Summer. I'll see you later tonight!" She said, then turned around and dragged her boyfriend away with her.
"Huh. I don't think Marissa likes me very much." Seth mumbled.
"Is my dad giving you trouble?" Summer asked curiously, glancing up at him.
"No, not at all! Why he's been absolutely friendly and amiable! We're tight." Seth replied sarcastically. "If it isn't too childish of me to say so, yes, he is. But you know what, that's life, and I will deal with it." Seth said with a wave of gusto.
"Uh-huh. Well, if you want to put up with him, that's your decision. I guess I won't talk to him about being easier on you after all. Even though he does everything I say." Summer replied nonchalantly.
"You... were going to do that?" Seth asked, feeling a bit stupid.
"Well, I'm kind of in love with you, so... I would." Summer admitted, giving him a genuine smile.
"P-pardon? What did you say? Did you just say what I think you said, you know what I've always wished they you'd say... Did you just say that?" Seth repeated, gripping the bed railing tightly. "I, um, wow..."
"I said I'm kind of in love with you. But that could change soon because I'm really thirsty and I really need a drink, and I really can't get it for myself." Summer put in, leaning back in her bed.
"R-right. I'm on it." Seth said, slowly making his way outside of the small hospital room. His feet automatically guided him towards the vending machines, although his mind wasn't directing him because it was somewhere else. Summer said she was in love with him. Well, actually, she said she kind of was, which was just as good. "She's in love with me." Seth said to himself, and he really liked hearing that. "Amazing."
Seth took a right turn and ended up infront of the vending machines. He stared at the choices for a moment and then dug into his pockets for some change. However, it wasn't change that his hand found. He felt a small box-like object in his pocket and curiously encompassed it with his hand and fished it out. It was a small blue velvet box, and Seth had a freaky feeling that he knew what was in this little blue box. He gingerly pried it apart and the top snapped up. Nestled in them middle of the box between soft material was a gleaming diamond ring. It had a gold band and large diamond adorned by randomly placed little diamonds. Seth felt his breath get caught in his throat. Where did this come from? When did it get in his pocket? Who bought the ring? Then it hit him. Mr. Roberts did it. He remembered earlier at the mall, he had seen Mr. Roberts exit the jewelry store. Mr. Roberts had also put his arm around him. That was probably when he slipped the ring in. But there was still a question left unanswered. Why? Robert hated him... Robert thought that he was an incompetent kid, why would he even do this?
"I want the best for my daughter."
His words rang in Seth's ears. It did make sense in a strange way. This was just another way for Mr. Roberts to push Seth towards becoming a father... by becoming a husband. And it wasn't as if Robert would let his daughter raise a child and not be married to the man who was helping her raise it. His logic was a bit incomprehensible, but his motives were pure. Seth shook his head and smiled, shutting the little box and slipping it back into his pocket. He dished in his pant pockets and finally found some spare change. After inserting it into the vending machine and receiving a bottle of Snapple in return, Seth returned to Summer's room.
"Hey," Summer smiled when he returned and sat up in bed. "Dr. Janney said that I should go home now." She told Seth, attempting to remove herself from her tangled bed sheets.
"Then let's hit the road." Seth said happily. "Here's your drink." He said, holding it up.
"I'm not really thirsty anymore." Summer replied. As she did so, Dr. Janney entered the room with a wheelchair and assisted Seth into helping Summer from the bed to it.
"I want you to get a lot of rest, take it easy for the next few days." Dr. Janney instructed. Summer nodded obediently and the doctor handed Seth some pain-killers for her. Then Seth gripped the wheelchair and slowly pushed her towards the exit.
-
"Sum!" Marissa knocked on the door to Summer's bedroom, where she was resting while watching The Valley on the t.v. set infront of her. Summer grabbed her remote and paused it, and turned to Marissa expectantly. "I have exciting news!" Marissa said, sitting down on the edge of the bed and fiddling with her purse. "And you know, since you've been gone from school for the past week, somebody has to keep you up to date on social events, right?"
"And nobody does that better than you." Summer replied. "So what's up?"
"Well, you know, Prom is in three weeks..." Marissa began.
"Ugh, don't remind me." Summer said in a moody tone. "I mean, you know I've been looking forward to Prom since... well, a long time. It's supposed to be a magical night. How magical can it get in a maternity dress?" Summer asked, folding her arms across her chest. "I mean... I'm not upset that I'm pregnant and I know there's always next year's prom, but... I guess it's just a little disappointing to have to miss it this year." Summer sighed. Marissa's enthusiastic face dropped.
"You're going to miss it? Summer, who cares about the dress, you should still go." Marissa suggested.
"You know very well that the dress is the most important part. After you have the perfect dress, it's just downhill from there." Summer explained.
"Still, believe me, you're going to want to go." Marissa told her. "May I finally tell you why?"
"Why?"
"Because you have been nominated for Prom Queen!" Marissa said excitedly, clapping her hands.
"Why?"
"Aren't you excited?" Marissa asked with a worried expression.
"About getting up infront of a bunch of people in a big ugly maternity prom dress? No." Summer replied. "Who the hell would nominate me?"
"Well..." Marissa trailed off. "I did. But not just me. Anna, and Holly and Danny, and Luke. Ryan didn't want anything to do with Prom though. But he got nominated for Prom king." She laughed slightly.
"Really? Maybe I'll go just to see that." Summer said thoughtfully. "Who else was nominated?"
"Well... Me." Marissa smiled, "And some random people. I really didn't look after I saw your name." Marissa smiled.
"I'm glad you're nominated." Summer told her. "You'll definetly win and I won't have to mortify myself."
"You should be more optimistic. You're popular, you have a good chance of winning. Especially after all you've been through." Marissa put in.
"But you're more of the Prom Queen type... I'm not really into that." Summer responded. "You know that."
"Well, yeah, but then what type of person are you?" Marissa asked with a smile.
"The maternal type." Summer responded dutifully. "And I don't want to take my chances on spiked punch or anything at the Prom." She put in. Marissa was about to speak but she was interrupted by a soft tapping at the bedroom door. Marissa got up from the bed and opened the door, revealing Seth on the other side.
"Hey, Ryan needs to go run an errand, so he's ready to go." Seth said, gesturing down the stairs behind him.
"Allright." Marissa turned around and walked over to Summer, giving her a friendly hug and a quick wave before disappearing with her boyfriend. After the couple had left, Seth slowly approached Summer, sitting down where Marissa once sat.
"I'm sorry about Prom, Summer." He said earnestly, looking her in the eye. "I'm sorry that your ideal night has been sort of... ruined." He said awkwardly, tapping his fingers on his knee. Summer stared at him in discontentment for a moment.
"You were listening?" She asked.
"I overheard." Seth corrected.
"Don't worry about it, Seth. It was really... kind of shallow." Summer admitted. "I mean, it doesn't really matter, at all."
"Yes, it does. It matters to you, it always has." Seth told her. "You don't have to pretend to be unaffected. The girl that I love always speaks her mind and she doesn't care whose feelings she may hurt... but that's why I love you. You're not afraid to say things like that, and I don't ever want that to change no matter what the relationship between us is." Seth told her. "Allright?" Summer stared at him with wide eyes and then slowly nodded in response.
"Allright." She took a deep breath. "A part of me wishes that things were different. That I wasn't pregnant, that I was skinny and that I would walk into prom with confidence and in the perfect strappy black dress." Summer said, shrugging her shoulders. "And my hair would be up. I would be the one spiking the punch. I would dance with at least 10 different guys, and Marissa, Luke and I were supposed to rent a limo and just drive around town all night long. So much for all that though. It's really immature of me to want all of that anyway. Especially now, but that's how I really feel." She said, looking at Seth.
"Well, I might not be able to guarantee 10 different guys - just one, and I can't guarantee Luke and Marissa, but I can give you Ryan and Marissa and maybe not the dress that you want or spiked punch... Well, actually I can guarantee the punch, but I still want to try to make that night magical. Like it should be. I know how important this is to you. I understand." Seth told her. "So I'm going to try." He took her hand in his, squeezing it gently. "Summer, will you be my prom date?" He asked sincerely.
"I wouldn't be anybody else's." Summer replied, nodding her head. Seth smiled and leaned in, planting a gentle kiss on her lips and then pulling away. "It'll be a night you'll always remember. Although I can't guarantee if the part you'll remember is the actual prom, or the drunken sex afterwards." Seth told her, earning himself another smack in the arm.
"It depends who the sex's with, I'm sure Danny would make it unforgettable." Summer retorted.
"That was below the belt, Summer." Seth told her, shaking his head. "He might be big in the funny department, but not anywhere else."
"Well they say that funny guys are usually compensating for something." Summer replied nonchalantly.
"Is that what they say? Well, if you see a funny guy anywhere, tell me if that's true." Seth told her.
"I think you'll get in a funny guy's pants before me, Seth."
"That hurts, Summer. But I got in your pants." Seth pointed out.
"Right now, I'm not wearing any pants."
"Oh really?" Seth arched an eyebrow curiously.
"Really." Summer reassured him, grabbing him by the collar and pressing her lips to his.