AN: Sorry for the long wait on this update. I hope everyone is staying safe with all the craziness going on in the world. My work has been shut down until next month for the time being. Anyway, I hope you all like this update. PLZ R&R!
Disclaimer: See earlier chapters.
Chapter 23
On Monday morning, everyone was gathered in the kitchen before school as they ate the breakfast that Terry had prepared. Everyone was quiet and kept glancing at Monica and Chandler, whose emotions were beginning to show now that the moment was just a little more than an hour away.
"All right," Terry announced. "You guys need to get going."
They all took care of their dishes and went upstairs to retrieve their bags and other things for school. Chandler and Monica came downstairs as Terry came out of the kitchen and handed them each a note.
"Make sure you give these notes to the office so they know you're leaving just before lunch,"
"Got it," Chandler took it from him as he grabbed his bag for soccer. "I do have to go back after school for practice."
"Let's get going," Ross came out to them. "We can't put it off any longer."
"I guess you're right,"
They all filed out of the house and went to get in their cars. Chandler pulled down the driveway and Ross pulled out behind him as the group made their way to the high school. They pulled into the parking lot and looked towards the entrance of the school.
"Here we go," Monica looked over at Chandler. "Ready for this?"
"As I'll ever be," they all climbed out and started the walk towards the front doors.
Ross led the way into the school, opening the doors and scanning the halls. Time seemed to stop as everyone who was standing around in the halls just stared at them as they all entered.
"They definitely know," Joey commented.
"Let's go," Phoebe urged. "Into the Lion's Den."
The group of them started down the hall and stopped at their lockers. They ignored the pointing, whispering, and snickering as they gathered their things.
"Thank goodness," Carol caught up with them. "So many people have come up to me to ask if the stories are true."
"What'd you tell them?" Monica asked her.
"Nothing. I just ignored them."
"We'd better let the office know about our appointments later." Chandler stated. "I can only imagine what they're going to say to us."
"We'll go with you," Joey told them. "For witnesses."
"Thanks,"
Chandler and Monica led the way towards the office and they all filed into the front office area. The secretarial staff looked up at the group as the head secretary went to them and smiled.
"How can I help you guys?"
"We have a note from my dad," Chandler handed their notes over to her. "Monica and I have checkups this afternoon. He says that I can drive us over and he'll meet us there."
"Normally we don't allow that,"
"He said to call him with any concerns,"
"Since you're both Seniors and Monica is legally an adult, it should be fine."
"Thanks," Monica told her as they took their passes for her class and they all walked out of the office.
"That went all right," Carol stated as they all started down the hall as the warning bell rang.
"Give it some time," Monica told them as she started towards her first class with Chandler.
When they walked into their Composition class it seemed as if everything stopped. You could practically hear a pin drop.
"This won't be awkward," Chandler stated sarcastically as they went to their seats.
The teacher came in and handed out their last assignment as he started to tell them about the next book that they needed to purchase. Monica and Chandler tried to concentrate on what the teacher was saying and tried to ignore the other students as they kept glancing back at them.
By the time that Monica and Chandler walked out of Spanish after third period ended, they were just glad that they were able to leave. They went into the office to sign out and noticed all the looks they were getting.
"Let's go," Chandler took Monica's hand and started to lead her out.
"Hold on," they heard and turned to see the principal coming out of his office.
"Hi Mr. Reynolds," Chandler greeted.
"Where are you two headed?"
"We have doctor appointments," they showed the passes that they had gotten that morning. "Just checkups. We showed the secretary our notes this morning. She gave us these passes."
"Neither one of you are eighteen yet. You are not allowed to leave school grounds without a parent."
"You've let me before,"
"And I'm emancipated now," Monica told him. "So I can-"
"There is protocol,"
"I'll call Terry," Monica looked at Chandler as she took out her cell phone.
"There's no need," they all looked up as the door to the office opened and someone came into them.
"Uncle Stan?" Chandler looked at him.
"Uncle?" Monica asked.
"Honorary title," Stan smiled at her.
"He's friends with my dads," Chandler told her. "He's also the school superintendent."
"Terry called me this morning and asked me to swing by around the time you were supposed to leave just in case there were any problems,"
"There is no problem here," Principal Reynolds assured him.
"He won't let us leave for our doctors appointments," Monica told him.
"Terry said he gave you guys notes this morning,"
"The secretary gave us passes," Chandler said.
"And I've been emancipated," Monica added.
"We've never had any problems before," Chandler stated. "But with the announcement that was made yesterday-"
"Yes I heard," Stan nodded. "Congratulations, by the way."
"Thank you,"
"You two go ahead and go," Stan told them. "You have excused absences for the rest of your classes today."
"Thanks," they walked out of the office and ran into Carol coming from her locker.
"Shouldn't you guys have left by now?" she asked them.
"We should have," Monica told her. "But the principal tried to stop us from signing ourselves out."
"Didn't you have a note?"
"Yes we did."
"So it's beginning already," Carol stated.
"It's all right," Chandler said. "Terry called Uncle Stan and he showed up and told us we could take the rest of the day off."
"We'd better get going," Monica looked at the time. "We're running late now."
"I'll stop by after school," Carol called after them as they started out of the school.
Chandler pulled up to the Family Center connected to the hospital and they both got out and started inside. They spotted Terry sitting in one of the seats and he stood up and came over to them.
"Sorry we're late," Chandler sighed.
"Stan already called and told me what happened," Terry told them. "He said to call him immediately if any of us have any problems with any of the faculty."
Monica went to let the nurse know that she was there and she came back with a clipboard full of papers for both her and Chandler to fill out.
It wasn't long before they were being called back for the exam. Chandler followed behind Monica and Terry followed behind them both.
Chandler and Terry sat in the chairs by the examining table as Monica changed into a gown in the adjoining bathroom. Monica came out to them as the nurse came in to take her weight, blood pressure, and other vitals.
Monica silently sat on the table as Chandler pulled his chair closer to her and took her hand. She looked over at him and they smiled at each other. They all looked up as the door opened and a lady came in to them and shut the door behind her.
"Hello," she smiled at them. "You must be Monica."
"Yes," she reached out to shake her hand.
"I am Dr. Whilcomb," she turned to Chandler, who had stood up when she had entered the room. "And you're Chandler. I believe that we talked on the phone."
"Hello," he shook her hand as well and turned to Terry. "This is my dad Terry."
"Yes, we have met before," Dr. Whilcomb smiled at Terry. "Is it just you three today? Or will Charles be joining us as well?"
"He couldn't get out of work," Terry told her. "But I'm here for support."
"Not a problem," she turned back to Monica and Chandler. "It is my job from here on out to make this as comfortable for you as possible."
"Thank you," Monica sighed.
"So this is your first prenatal visit, I see. You both have already filled out all the paperwork about your past sexual history?"
Chandler and Monica nodded uncomfortably because Terry was in the room. Though he already knew all their history as they had only been with each other.
"And do you have any guesses about how far along you are?"
"Around eight weeks," Chandler spoke up. "That's when our four month anniversary was."
"And when we were on vacation," Monica added.
There were a few more questions and a couple more tests, one of which Monica had to give a urine sample so they could test her iron.
"Now," Dr. Whilcomb glanced at Terry before looking back at the teenagers. "Are you comfortable with…."
"I-I want him here. I just-" Monica started.
"Why don't I stand behind the screen?" Terry stood up and moved to stand behind the room separator. "So if you need me, you can just call."
"Thank you," Monica smiled at him as Chandler took her hand again.
"Well let's lay you back and see what's going on with the baby," Monica lay back against the cold table and smiled at Chandler.
"I'm ready," she stated as Dr. Whilcomb brought a machine over to the table.
"I'm going to put this jelly on you to see the baby better. It may be cold." Monica watched as the bottom of her gown was lifted just above her stomach and the doctor squirted some on her belly and took the wand connected to the machine and started running it along her stomach.
"How has your appetite been?"
"It comes and goes," Monica told her. "I was able to keep everything down so far today though."
"Good," Dr. Whilcomb smiled at her. "It's also a good idea to keep some saltines stashed in your bag to snack on throughout the day."
"Does everything look ok?" Terry called.
"Everything is good," Dr. Whilcomb stated. "The baby is developing normally. We can usually hear the heartbeat now, but it looks like the baby wants to hide."
"But everything is ok?" Chandler asked.
"Absolutely," Dr. Whilcomb smiled at them. "Have you been taking any prenatal vitamins?"
"Yes, everyday." Monica slowly sat up as Terry came back out from behind the screen.
"Good. Continue to do so. Try to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, and get some exercise in. For example, by taking a walk everyday."
"Will do," Monica told her as she got off the bed and started back into the bathroom so she could change back into her clothes.
"I will get your next appointment scheduled and I will see you next month."
"Thank you," Terry shook her hand.
Chandler and Terry stood out in the hall to wait for Monica and Terry noticed a distance with Chandler.
"Everything ok?" Terry asked him.
"Yeah, fine." he sighed.
"It's a little overwhelming having to do this at your age,"
"I'm just glad that she wants me here for all this,"
"Ok," the door opened and Monica came out to them. "I'm all set."
Chandler walked with her out to the reception area, where they stopped at the front desk to get a copy of their baby's first picture. Terry followed behind them as they walked out to the parking lot.
"Hey," Terry caught their attention. "I was thinking. Since you guys have been excused for the rest of the day. Would you want to stop at the dealership in town? Monica needs a car and Chandler you can browse the cars to see if there's anything that interests you."
"Sure," Monica smiled as she looked at Chandler. "Do you want to?"
"I'm in," he smiled at her as they climbed into his car and Terry got into his and they pulled away from the doctor's office.
AN: So what did you all think of this? How much worse will it get for Monica and Chandler at school? What was wrong with Chandler after the appointment? Leave your guesses in your reviews. I hope you all liked this. I will try to post again soon. PLZ R&R!
