The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 45
A/N1—Four weeks after the previous chapter. If you skipped the last chapter, don't worry. I'll catch you up on things.
End of April
Prom is here. Jan, Beth and Julie are at their lockers, getting ready to leave for the day.
Jan: Beth, do you have your dress?
Beth: Smiling. Yes. Mom and I got it over spring break when we visited family in Texas.
Jan: Care to tell us what it looks like?
Beth: Nope! It'll be a surprise.
Jan: Almost begging. Aww! C'mon.
Beth: Nope! Not telling.
Jan: Help me out, Julie.
Julie: Distant. Okay.
They realize she's not really involved in the conversation.
Beth: I'm sorry.
Julie: No, it's okay. I'm just... She trails off and blinks back a tear.
Jan: We understand.
As Peter approaches the trio, Julie inhales and tries to compose herself.
Peter: Hey. He kisses her softly on the cheek.
Julie: Hey.
Peter: Jan, we'll meet you by the car, okay?
Jan nods as Peter and Julie walk to the car to be alone.
Peter: Do you still want to go to the prom?
Julie: Sighs. I don't know. I don't want to go, but I don't not want to go. You understand?
Peter: Yeah, I do.
Julie: Puts her hand on her abdomen. I still dream she's still in there, but healthy and growing.
Peter: Me too.
Julie: I even know what she was supposed to look like. She runs a hand through his hair. She'd have eyes like yours.
Peter: Beautiful long blonde hair like yours.
Julie: Mine was strawberry blonde when I was a baby.
Peter: Smiles. Then, she'd have beautiful strawberry blonde hair like you did.
Julie: But not straight like mine, but curly like yours.
Peter: And a smile like yours.
Julie: No, one like yours. I love your smile.
They engage in a silent embrace, until Julie breaks the silence.
Julie: I miss our girl.
Peter: I do too.
Julie: I can't get the ultrasound image out of my mind. Sighs. I feel it's my fault.
Peter: It's not.
Julie: Tears stream down her face. I still feel it's my fault. I literally gave her nothing.
Peter: You gave her love.
Julie: Scoffs. Some gift. My body gave her no way to survive and grow.
Peter: Kisses the top of her head. I'll continue to say this until we both believe it. It wasn't my fault and it wasn't yours either. It was an awful thing that just happened.
Julie: I know. Sighs. It does help talking to your mom. My mom never lost a child.
Peter: I'm glad.
Julie: Maybe Caryn and Paige have met and are best friends. I like to think that.
Peter: Me too.
Julie: Changes the subject. Can we go to prom, just the two of us?
Peter: Sure.
Julie: I mean, sure, we can do pictures at your mom and dad's and at my house, but I don't want to double with Jan and Billy, or be in a group. I just want it to be the two of us.
Peter: I'd rather do that too. I don't want to be around a whole lot of people right now.
Julie: And, do we have to stay the whole time? I'd rather us go to the park or something. She sees Peter's hesitancy. I know we can't do anything, especially right now, but I'd rather us be alone at least for part of the night.
Peter: Smiling. I think that can be arranged.
Meanwhile, back at the lockers.
Jan and Beth finish putting away their books for the day and getting out the ones they'll need for homework.
Jan: Who's taking you to prom?
Beth: Steve Rendon.
Jan: Grins. Oh, he's great.
Beth: Mmmm hmmm. We went to the movies over the weekend and he asked me then. Guess Lucas is taking Shelley?
Jan: Yep.
Beth: I haven't talked to her in ages. How is she?
Jan: Guess she's okay.
Beth: Don't she and your sister still hang out some?
Jan: Not as much as they used to. Guess cheerleading and other stuff keeps them busy.
Beth: Oh. Changes the subject. Back to prom, Billy asked you?
Billy approaches the two as if on cue.
Billy: Grinning. You have to ask?
Jan: Giggles. Hello, Billy.
Billy: Kisses her on the cheek. Hey. You wearing the dress you wore to football homecoming?
Jan: Yes. It's my favourite.
Billy: Mine too.
Beth: You looked so pretty in it.
Jan: What colour's your dress?
Beth: Black with silver in it.
Jan: Sounds pretty!
Billy: You still want to go to the library?
Jan: I'd rather go get ice cream and then to the park.
Billy: Chuckles. We can do that.
Jan: Let's stop by Peter's car so I can tell him we're going out.
Billy: 'kay.
They make their way to Peter's car and see Peter embracing Julie. Hesitantly, Jan approaches her brother and lets him know she's going with Billy. They each buy a Cool Summer Sundae, still a Brady favourite, and do their homework before they drive to Woodland Park and walk the Green Belt.
Jan: It's good to get away from the house and everything.
Billy: Been hard?
Jan: Yeah. Pauses. And I understand, but sometimes I just can't take it.
They find a secluded bench and continue their conversation.
Billy: Takes her hand. Tell me.
Jan: There's just been so much sadness over the last year: finding out Carolyn's deaf, mom's accident, Carolyn's surgery and learning hearing aids won't help, finding out Peter and Julie were pregnant and then that the baby didn't develop and couldn't be born. Tears stream down her face. It's just so much.
Billy: I'm sorry.
Jan: It feels so much like it did when Paige died.
Billy: Who's Paige?
Jan: Mom and dad lost a baby not long after they got married.
Billy: Oh.
Jan: It took mom a long time to recover from that... Physically, she was fine, but emotionally, she was a wreck for a long time.
Billy: Your family will be okay in time.
Jan: I know. Sighs. It's just hard right now. Peter's understandably upset and mopes around the house. Mom's trying to hold it together, but she looks lost. Bobby and Cindy are always gone with baseball and cheerleading... especially now that she's getting ready for tryouts again. Dad works a lot because he's got a couple projects going on. At least the twins give some comic relief. She smiles. They're so cute! They're starting to copy each other. She chuckles. I have a feeling mom and dad are going to have a lot on their hands when those two turn two!
Billy: Chuckles. I imagine they will. I couldn't imagine having two at a time.
Jan: Yeah.
They embrace in silence.
Prom night
Jan is in her bedroom dressing for prom. She slips on her dress and studies herself in the mirror, and smiles. "I like this dress on me!" She hears a knock on the door.
Jan: Come in!
The door opens, revealing her mother.
Carol: Studying her daughter. You are beautiful.
Jan: Blushing. Thanks, mom.
Carol: I brought the jewelry I let you borrow for homecoming. Would you like to wear it?
Jan: Smiles. Sure.
Carol: Helps her daughter put it on. Your father would be so proud of the lovely young woman you've grown up to be.
Jan: Beams. Thanks.
Jan studies herself in the mirror. She's wearing the jewelry her mother wore the day she married her father. Carol fixes her hair into a partial updo.
Carol: There! All finished. You like?
Jan: I do. Thanks!
They hear another knock on the door.
Cindy: Billy, Beth and her date, Shelley and Lucas are here!
Jan: I'll be down in a sec.
Carol: Smiles. I'll see you downstairs in a few.
Carol descends the stairs and greets Billy, Beth, Steve, Shelley, Lucas and Julie. Peter, Cindy and Bobby, who are holding the twins, are with them.
Carol: You guys look great.
Shelley: Thanks, Mrs. Brady.
They hear someone clear their throat and see Jan descending the stairs.
Billy: Kisses her cheek. You look beautiful.
Jan: Thanks.
Mike: Where are you guys going for dinner?
Billy: We're going to Marioni's.
Peter: We're going to Ma Chérie.
Beth: Ooh! I've hear that place is divine.
Steve: Maybe for our senior prom, we can go there.
Beth: Giggles. It's a date!
Mike takes pictures of the couples.
Carol: Well, you guys have a good time!
Jan: We will!
The couples leave. Mike envelopes his wife into an embrace and kisses the top of her head.
After the prom
Once again, the prom goes too quickly for the Brady kids' liking. Billy and Jan walk out of the venue, holding hands.
Jan: I had a great time.
Billy: Me too.
Jan: Chuckles. My feet are killing me! I can't believe we danced nearly every dance.
Billy: Well, you were the belle of the ball.
Jan: Snickers. Who says that any more?
Billy: That phrase may be a bit antiquated, but it's true.
Jan: You're too much.
Billy: Bows. Well, you are the queen.
Jan: Fingering the tiara she's wearing. I can't believe we won. I was sure Beth and Steve were going to win.
Billy: You're always my queen.
Jan: Blushes. You're too much.
Billy: Is it okay if I give the queen a kiss?
Jan: Cheeky. Well, kiss away!
Billy plants a soft kiss on her lips. Jan leans in and deepens the embrace. They release.
Jan: I'm not ready for this night to end.
Billy: Would you like to go to Lookout Point?
Jan: Smiles. Sure.
They drive to Lookout Point and find a place to park. Jan looks to her right and sees Peter and Julie.
Jan: Sighs in disbelief. Don't look to the right, but Peter and Julie are right beside us.
Billy: Shakes his head. Whodathunkit? Do you want us to find another spot?
Jan: No, that's okay. Smirks. Maybe that'll keep us from going too far.
Billy snakes his arm around her shoulders and plants kisses along her neck. She moans.
Billy: Between kisses. Your perfume is driving me wild.
Jan: You're driving me wild.
Billy: More?
Jan: Breathless. Yes.
Billy leans down and plants kisses along her collar bone.
Meanwhile, in Peter's car
Julie: I had a good time
Peter: Me too.
Julie: That's exciting that Jan won prom queen.
Peter: Yeah. Although to me, you're the queen.
Julie: Kisses his cheek. You say the sweetest things.
Peter: Grins. You glad we stayed longer than we'd planned?
Julie: Serene. I am. I think we needed this. It was nice not to think about anything.
Peter: It was. He plants a gentle kiss on her cheek. I love you, you know.
Julie: I know. I love you too.
They engage in a passionate lip lock. Julie's eyes shoot wide open and they release.
Peter: Stunned. What?
Julie: Horrified. Uh, Pete, don't make it obvious, but look to your left.
Peter: Confused. Why?
Julie: Stammering. Umm, Billy and Jan are in the car beside us.
Peter stealthily glances to his left and sees Billy and Jan engaged in heavy petting. The windows are fogging up.
Peter: Alarmed. Excuse me, but I think I need to break them up.
Julie: Be careful.
Peter: I will.
Peter gets out of the car and knocks on Jan's window. The couple ignores the tap and deepens their kiss. Billy unzips her dress and removes her bodice, exposing her bra.
Billy: Unhooking her bra. Beautiful.
Jan: Blushes. Aww! She moves in and plants a passionate kiss on his lips.
Peter taps again and they ignore him. Jan unbuttons Billy's shirt and runs her hands up and down his chest. Peter backs away and glances at Julie, who motions for him to continue. He tries to open the passenger door and it gives way, causing Billy and Jan to almost tumble out of the car.
Jan: Furious. What did you do that for?
Peter: Angry. What do you mean, what did you do that for?
Billy: Equally furious. Like Jan said, what did you do that for?
Peter: What were you two doing? Corrects himself. On second thought, I know what you were doing.
Jan: We weren't doing anything?
Peter: Trying not to look at her exposed chest. Then explain the state of your undress.
Jan startles as she sees that she is nearly undressed. She dresses herself, and Julie comes around the car and zips her dress back up. Billy retrieves his shirt and puts it back on.
Julie: Peter, let me talk to Jan and you talk to Billy.
Peter: Steaming. I don't know if I have anything to say to you, Billy.
Julie: Yes, you do. To Jan. Come with me. We've got to talk.
Jan: Seeing she's cornered, complies. Okay, talk.
Julie: We're not trying to ruin your night, but you two were getting a little hot and heavy there.
Jan: Deflates. I know. Sighs. We saw Pete's car and we were going to move, but we decided to ignore the fact that you two were right beside us.
Julie: I understand. We saw you two pull up. We didn't want to bother you guys, but things were getting a little steamy over your way.
Jan: I don't know what came over us.
Julie: Empathetic. I get it. We got carried away and you know what it cost us. A tear rolls down her cheek. I don't want you and Billy to get in the same situation we were in, and would still be in if the baby had developed the way she should've.
Jan: I'd thought of that and wanted to be careful, but...
Julie: You got carried away. Smiles. Now, I'll help you get cleaned up so that you don't have to explain anything to your folks.
Jan: Appreciative. Thanks.
Julie: You're welcome. Now, let's get you put back together.
As Julie helps Jan repair her makeup and hair, Peter talks to Billy.
Peter: Still angry. What were you doing with my sister?
Billy: What? We were just...
Peter: I know what you were doing. Refrains from punching him. Keep your hands off her.
Billy: You and Julie have been past third base yourself.
Peter: First of all, if Julie had a brother, he would've put me six feet under, and second, you know what trouble we got into by going too far. I don't want to see my sister in similar dire straits. You understand?
Billy: Exasperated. Crystal.
Peter: Through gritted teeth. Good. If I ever catch or hear of you going as far or farther than you did tonight, I will hunt you down and hurt you. You get me? And if I hear any rumours flying around about my sister, I'll hunt you down and hurt you.
Billy: All right! I get it. We did go a bit too far.
Peter: A bit?
Billy: Okay, we went a lot too far.
Peter: That's better.
Billy: Now, I'd like to take my date home. Corrects himself. Back to your home and I know you want to take Julie back to hers.
Peter: I do. Now, get yourself presentable. If you give me your word that you won't try anything like this again, I won't rat you out to my folks.
Billy: I promise.
Peter: Good.
Billy and Jan put themselves back together and drive back to the Brady house in silence. He walks her up to the door.
Jan: I had a good time.
Billy: Blushes. Me too. I'm sorry about earlier.
Jan: That's okay. We both got carried away.
Billy: Nervous. May I kiss you?
Jan: Giggles. Yes. I don't think we can get into any trouble out here.
Billy: Chuckles. Okay.
He leans in and plants a soft kiss on her lips. She deepens the kiss. They startle out of their embrace as they hear someone clear their throat.
Jan: Dad!
Mike: Say good night, Billy.
Billy: Kisses her cheek. Good night. See you Monday.
Jan: Good night.
Jan watches Billy leave and then follows her dad into the house. Carol is sitting in one of the easy chairs.
Carol: Hi! Did you have a good time?
Jan: I did. I won prom queen and Billy won king.
Carol: Congratulations. Notices her tiara. It's beautiful!
Jan: Thanks!
Peter pulls up and enters through the family room. He sees Jan and pretends the confrontation earlier didn't happen.
Peter: Hi!
Carol: Hi! Did you and Julie have a good time?
Peter: We did.
Carol: Good!
Peter: Eyes Jan. Well, I'm going to turn in. Good night.
Jan: I am too. 'Night.
Mike: Good night, you two.
Carol: Glad you had a good time.
Peter and Jan go up to their respective rooms. Mike and Carol snuggle in one of the easy chairs.
Mike: I can't put my finger on it, but me thinks one of them was covering for the other.
Carol: Oh?
Mike: Did you happen to see the look on Jan's face when Peter came in?
Carol: Knowing. Actually, I did. Sighs. I hope we don't have a repeat of last month.
Mike: I was hoping that Peter's ordeal would be a lesson to the rest of the kids.
Carol: Snuggles into his embrace. Oh Mike. I hoped it would be too. What do you suggest?
Mike: I don't want to ruin her night, but let's talk to her later.
Carol: Mike, do we have to?
Mike: Sighs. Carol, do you want to become a grandmother this early? We were about to with Peter. Do you want to risk it again?
Carol: No, I don't. Tears stream down her face. Just hold me.
Unbeknownst to Mike and Carol, Jan hears their whole exchange. Quietly, she goes back to her room, dresses for bed, and calls Billy.
Billy: Answers the phone. Hello?
Jan: It's Jan. I just wanted to call and say I had a good time.
Billy: Smiles. Me too. Did Peter cover for you?
Jan: Yes, but I think mom and dad are on to us.
Billy: How do you mean?
Jan: I heard them talking and they mentioned not wanting to become grandparents so soon.
Billy: Sighs. Oh boy.
Jan: I don't want to break up, but I think we need to cool our jets for awhile.
Billy: I agree. I'm not ready to be a father.
Jan: And I'm not ready to be a mother.
Billy: What do you suggest?
Jan: How 'bout sticking to group dates and not being alone together in a secluded area for awhile. Maybe that'll help.
Billy: I think that's a good idea.
Jan: Well, I need to go. I'll see you Monday.
Billy: All right. Good night.
They hang up and Jan gets in bed. Sleep quickly overtakes her.
-End of Chapter 45-
A/N2—Peter and Julie's baby wasn't viable due to a condition called molar pregnancy. Google it and read the Wikipedia article for more information.
A/N3—Sorry about the formatting. This website is wonky again.