Life as we know it Chapter 6, a tribe fanfic

Chapter Six

Trudy stared down at her baby girl. Her parents, who'd been called as soon as they arrived at the hospital, had been there for most of it but left her to sleep. Bray dozed lightly in a chair. He hadn't left her side or rested during her fourteen hours of labor. He was just now able to catch a few blinks before the sun came up. It took over an hour after the baby's delivery for the nurses to stop fluttering around the room. Trudy was finally alone to look at the wonder she'd produced.

The baby was perfect. She looked just like her father and her only resemblance to Trudy was the pale skin they shared. This made her frown. She wondered of the people coming to adopt her child. What were they like? Would the baby be happy? This would most likely be the last time they ever saw each other. While the baby would have no recollection of her mother, Trudy was sure this moment would be burned into her memory forever.

She then looked over at Bray's sleeping face and smiled slightly. He'd been so good at taking care of her, looking after her, keeping her spirits up through it all. Better than her parents even when it came to understanding. They had got on well the last six months that he'd known about it. They made a good match and no one could dispute that. Did she really have to give the baby up? Couldn't it work out between them? Maybe this was meant to happen in order for them to realize their true feelings for one another. Sure Bray was her true blue friend but could he have done all this for another reason? Could it be possible he loved her, the way she loved him?

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"You're what?"

Trudy looked at each of the surprised faces staring back at her. It was just after one pm. later that day and after much thought she'd told her parents and Bray that she was keeping the baby. She told them the baby belonged with it's real family, not some strangers.

"I'll still finish school." She promised. "Though I might need help finding someone to care for her."

"Trudy," Her mother finally spoke up still struggling to find her voice. "You're just a child. You can't possibly raise a baby on your own."

"I won't be on my own." She spoke maybe too quickly and avoided looking at Bray who sat silently. "I mean I have you two. You are her grandparents... unless you plan on disowning me."

"Now Trude we would never..." Her father made a disbelieving face.

"And I'm not a child." She cut him off. "I may be young but I'm more mature than you think. And I wanna keep her."

There was silence in the room and Trudy could see that while her father looked defeated, her mother was trying hard to control her anger. A nurse stepped into the room with a whimpering baby in her arms. She observed the uncomfortable silence before clearing her throat.

"I thought you might want to try feeding her again."

Trudy feigned a smile as the nurse placed the baby in her inexperienced arms. No one spoke even after the nurse was gone. The infant started to fuss a bit louder begging for it's meal.

"Are you going to feed her?"

"Of course." Trudy narrowed her eyes at her father. She hadn't much luck getting the baby to take to her nipple. Something about a bad latch and it hurt. She was still trying to get the hang of it. There was no way she wanted her parents to see she was already having difficulty.

"Well then," Her father stood up. "I suppose we should go. I'll call the agency..."

"Dear," Trudy's mother looked at him sharply.

"What would you have me do? We can't force her to give it up."

Trudy watched her mother turn red. "This is ridiculous." She spoke through clenched teeth.

Her husband looked at his daughter and new grand child on the bed. His eyes softened a bit. "Ridiculous or not, this is Trudy's choice." He stepped close to the bed and kissed Trudy's cheek before leaving the room.

Trudy's mother shot angry looks at both Trudy and Bray as she grabbed her pocketbook."You're making a big mistake." She told them her voice uneven. "I say this because I love you. If you keep that baby you're going to ruin your life." With that she stomped out the door.

Bray hadn't moved from his seat and his continued silence was starting to worry Trudy. For once she couldn't tell what he was thinking. She wondered if he was upset though she couldn't imagine him having reason to be. The baby cried a little harder. Finally Trudy started to make awkward attempts to feed her child. After a few bad latches the infants wails grew annoyingly loud so Trudy allowed her to suck though it hurt like the dickens. The nurses had warned her against letting the baby suck with a bad latch, could damage her nipple. But they weren't the ones trying to do this for the first time.

"Trudy," Bray's voice startled her as he spoke.

"What?"

He gazed at her, an unrecognizable look in his eyes. "Are you really keeping her?"

She nodded slowly. Bray nodded himself before standing up and sitting on the edge of the bed. He stared down at the baby suckling hungrily. She was so small and delicate. His mind raced with all the things she would now need. Up until this point he'd been able to handle this. Trudy only needed support and friendship. He happily gave her those things without complaint. He didn't care what people thought of either of them. Bray never counted on Trudy keeping the baby. This changed everything.

"So could you give me a ride?"

Zandra leaned against the locker besides Ryan's. He tried his best not to notice that her shirt was riding up a bit and exposed her smooth stomach. He saw Lex walking towards them in the hall and swallowed. He couldn't be caught making eyes at Lex's prize.

"I uh..."

"Come on Ryan." She pouted. "You don't want me to have to walk do you?"

"Walk where?" Lex made his presence known as he tried to slip Zandra's neck a kiss.

"The hospital." She gently pushed him away. "To visit Trudy."

"Trudy?" Lex frowned. "Why you wanna visit that snotty cow?"

"To see the baby."

"So she had the brat then?"

Zandra rolled her eyes. "It's a newborn Lex. It hasn't even had time to be a brat yet."

"You're not actually going are you?" Lex turned to Ryan with dark moody eyes.

Ryan shrugged. "I uh... I don't... I'm not sure."

"And the genius speaks again."

"Lex!" Zandra shot him an angry look.

He looked at her in mock innocence. "And who rattled your cage?"

"He's supposed to be your friend. I don't think..."

"That's a novelty, you thinking." Lex narrowed his eyes. "Just shut it Zandra."

Her pretty face went red. "Ooh! Ryan! You come with me!"

Ryan allowed her to drag him away as Lex watched them go with annoyance. He looked at her as she stomped down the hall muttering to herself. He wasn't sure if he should say anything so he kept quiet. Out in the parking lot Zandra finally stopped and looked around.

"Where's your car Ryan?"

He pointed. "This way."

Ryan didn't even ask where they were going as he pulled out into the street. He figured Zandra would tell him sooner or later. He simply drove straight through town waiting for her to unleash her silent fuming. Three traffic lights later Zandra screamed through clenched teeth.

"Lex!"

"What about him?"

"He treats us like muck. I'm sick of it. I hate him!"

Ryan shrugged. "I think he fancies you."

She made a face. "In his dreams."

A small smirk played on the boy's lips though he tried to pretend he wasn't pleased to hear such a thing. Lex was his best mate but could Ryan help it if he wanted Zandra all to himself? So far Lex wasn't playing the part of the ideal suitor and many a time Ryan wanted to speak up on Zandra's behalf. She deserved so much better. She was like a princess who should have a man willing to do anything to please her.

"So what do you think?" Her tone had changed.

"About what?"

"Trudy's baby. She's so young to be a mom."

Ryan tilted his head. "I don't know."

Zandra smiled a little. "I think she's lucky though. Might be nice having a little baby around. All those clothes. Booties and stuff. You can teach them things."

"Like what?"

"Like anything Ryan." She rolled her eyes. "Babies don't know anything when they're born. Even you could teach it something."

Ryan shook his head. "I don't think Lex would like that."

"He doesn't own you Ryan." Zandra huffed with exasperation. "And he certainly doesn't own me."

"Yeah," He nodded in agreement.

She watched him drive with a slight pity in her eyes. It was shame. Ryan was handsome and sweet and he played Football. Very nice credentials as far as boyfriends went. If only he didn't act so dense. Having some sort of backbone wouldn't hurt him either. Too bad he didn't have those two issues in order or Zandra might consider dating him herself. She shook her head and looked out the window. It was a shame.

"Thanks for coming with." Salene smiled at Amber as the two of them guided the three children into the elevator. "It's the second floor."

Amber pushed the button and the kids giggled as their stomachs dropped. Though they had just met last night Amber agreed to join Salene on a visit to the hospital after school. She wasn't quite sure why she was here since she didn't even know who Trudy was. Not that it mattered. Half the school had turned out to visit the young mother but the nurses turned most of them away. Salene was a nice enough person and Amber found it difficult to resist her sweet charm. So here she was visiting with someone she didn't know. The doors opened and the small group followed the arrows to the Maternity ward. Salene was surprised to see Bray sitting in the waiting room by himself. But not as surprised as Amber.

"Bray,"

He looked up at first only seeing his friend come towards him with a smile. He stood to greet her though smiling wasn't coming easily to him at the moment.

"How is she?"

Bray nodded. "She's fine. Just resting."

Then he saw Amber hanging back with Cloe while Patsy and Paul stood on either side of Salene. He couldn't believe she was there staring back at him with a guarded expression. She was even prettier than she was the day before. The fluorescent lights of the ward somehow making her blue eyes stand out. Her blond waves were now in two messy braids that rested on her shoulders.

"Can we see her?"

Bray turned his attention back to Salene. "Uh yeah. Ryan and some Zandra girl are in there now."

"Good." Salene smiled and then remembered her companion. "Oh yeah, Bray this is Amber. We met last night."

"Hey," Bray gave her a nod.

"Hi," Amber quickly looked away.

Salene took no notice of their awkward moment as she stepped out of the waiting room. Bray accepted her silent invitation and took the lead as the group followed him to Trudy's room. Amber was still confused as to what he was doing here. This wing of the hospital made her uncomfortable. In fact she didn't like hospitals at all. Not since her mother died when she was six leaving her father a single parent of she and Solaris.

"Hi hun,"

Trudy looked up to see Salene slip past Bray into the room. She smiled at her friend and the three children. She didn't recognize the blond girl trailing behind but that didn't matter. All this attention was flattering and she didn't mind it at all. Zandra grinned at the group, the baby nestled safely in her arms.

"Hey Salene."

"Hi Zandra."

Salene directed the children to different spots around the bed. She noticed Ryan who had politely retreated to a corner and gave him a small smile. Bray sat on the edge of the bed while Amber stood awkwardly in the doorway. Trudy waved her in.

"Don't be shy. there's room for everyone."

"Oh yeah," Salene flushed slightly. "I forgot. Amber this is Trudy, Zandra and Ryan."

Amber took an casual step forward as she and Zandra nodded at one another.

"We know each other." Zandra gave a half smile.

True Amber and Zandra were both Freshmen and had been in the same classes since kindergarten, but the acquaintanceship stopped there. They didn't socialize in the same circles and they certainly didn't have anything in common. Amber had always thought of the other girl as a superficial airhead. Then again, she felt that way about most of the popular kids in her class. Zandra on the other hand was too busy to think about Amber at all. She had far too much going on in her life to pay attention to some goody two shoes who was too self important to socialize.

Salene moved next to Zandra and gazed down at the baby in her arms. She smiled lovingly. "Oh Trudy, Bray, she's beautiful. Can I hold her?"

Trudy smiled with pride. "Of course."

As the baby was handed over Amber began to feel nauseous. Trudy was the beautiful brunette she'd seen with Bray in the cafeteria. She watched them eat together. She'd had no idea they were expecting a baby. She didn't know why she was surprised that someone as handsome as Bray already had an equally good looking girlfriend on his arm. She also didn't know why his having a girlfriend and a new baby bothered her. She didn't even know him. She hadn't learned his name until just now.

Cloe suddenly stepped forward revealing the noisy, shiny object she'd been hiding behind her back. "I made you a mobile. It clangs and everything."

Trudy smiled at the makeshift gift. "Thank you Cloe, it's lovely."

Patsy, not to be undone, pulled some penny candy from her pocket. "We brought you some sweets."

Another smile from Trudy as she took the candy appreciatively.

"What's the baby going to eat?"

Salene didn't look at Cloe, her eyes still on the infant. "Milk to start with."

"What! Breastfeeding?" Patsy turned and signed to Paul and the siblings started giggling.

"Yes," Salene continued. "And then she gets weaned onto solid food."

Silently Bray took this moment to slip from the room. Trudy watched him go her heart fluttering nervously. He hadn't been acting the same since her sudden decision to keep the baby. He didn't seem angry or anything, just quiet. Almost vacant. She wished he would tell her what was wrong. At least tell her how he felt about the baby.

"What are you going to call it Trudy?" Cloe asked trying to peek over Salene's arm

The new mother shrugged. "I don't know."

Zandra smirked. "I suppose if it was a boy she would have called it Bray."

The visit lasted a little while longer before an agitated nurse, annoyed with all the visitors, insisted the kids leave Mom and baby to rest. Trudy waved them all away silently grateful to have some peace and quiet. She wondered where Bray had gone off to as she played with her daughters tiny fingers.

Out in the hallway Bray was leaning against the wall deep in thought when he saw the kids leaving. Amber barely looked at him as she walked past, he and Ryan exchanged nods and Zandra gave him a big smile. The younger ones raced one another to the elevator but Salene paused in front of Bray. There was a look of concern on her heart shaped face.

"Are you okay?" He nodded but his eyes gave away what he was really feeling. Salene reached for his hand. "Bray what's wrong?"

He wanted to tell her everything. Needed to tell someone what a mess he and Trudy had gotten themselves into. It was never supposed to end up like this. He thought he was being so clever but now he had no idea what he was going to do.

"Salene I..."

"You're nervous about being a new Dad aren't you?" He sighed and looked at the floor. He couldn't tell her. "It'll be okay." She comforted and rubbed his arm. Just being that close to him was making her dizzy with happiness. "You two will be fine." She leaned in to hug him and Bray gratefully wrapped his arms around her. He definitely needed a hug at the moment.

Trudy carefully slid off the bed and lay the baby gently in her bassinet. She smiled at the dozing infant before going to the doorway to look for Bray. What she saw made her blood run cold though she wasn't exactly sure why. Bray hugging Salene wasn't that big a deal. They were good friends after all. Still Trudy didn't like seeing them that close and it gnawed at her stomach. Perhaps it bothered her because she and Bray were in a strange place at the moment or because her hormones were trying to go back to normal. None of this mattered to Trudy. She simply didn't like Bray hugging another girl, even if that girl was a close friend of them both.

"I'll see you later,"

Bray smiled and waved at Salene before turning back to the room where Trudy waited for him. He found her walking around rocking the baby in a slightly aggressive manner. She seemed a bit upset but he wasn't sure he wanted to know what about. She didn't say anything to acknowledge his presence though she looked right at him. He stood watching her, searching for the right words. He wasn't quite sure what to say to her right now. He had too much running through his mind to think straight. Finally he cleared his throat.

"Trude,"

"I thought of a name." She spoke suddenly.

"Oh?"

"Yes. I'm calling her Brady."

Bray narrowed his eyes. "Bra-dy?"

"Isn't it pretty?" She finally looked at him, a smile on her lips and a weird look in her eyes.

He didn't answer right away as he sat on the bed and stared at the floor. The clever mixing of he and Trudy's names was in no way lost on him.

"Why Brady?"

"Why not?"

Bray could only sigh as he watched her continue to walk the newly named child about the room. He was in way over his head.