AN-So this is sort of a prequel to chapter 445, where Freddie finds out Emma is on birth control.
….
Contraception
"How does Fredwad's stuff take up this much of our closet?" Sam mumbled, pushing her husband's clothes away from her half of their closet as she hung up some of her own clothes. "He's a boy! He has like, two shirts!"
She kicked a pair of his shoes out of the way. "I swear, he can't complain about my clothes being all over the floor when he takes up the whole dang closet!"
"Um, mom?"
Sam turned around to see her seventeen-year old daughter standing in her doorway.
"Oh, hey Emma," Sam said. "What's up?"
"Are you busy?" Emma asked.
"Nah, just cursing out your dad for claiming our closet as his," Sam said. "What do you need?"
"Um, could-could I talk to you?" Emma mumbled, her face red.
Sam frowned. "Sure," she said, sitting down on her bed and nodding for Emma to join her. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah…I guess," Emma sighed. "Um…well…"
"What is it, sweetie?" Sam asked, concerned. Emma was never one to have trouble saying what she wanted.
"I was wondering if, um, maybe…maybe I could…could I start…" and them Emma mumbled something under her breath that Sam couldn't make out.
"What?" Sam asked. "I didn't hear you."
Emma took a deep breath. "Can I start taking birth control?"
Sam's eyes widened. "Um…what?"
"Never mind," Emma said quickly. "Forget I-"
"No, come on," Sam said, holding her daughter's arm to keep her from leaving the room. "Why do you want to be on birth control? You-You and Quincy aren't…doing anything yet, are you?"
"I-No," Emma said slowly. "But, um, lately…lately I've kind of been thinking about it…"
Aw jeez, Sam thought to herself. She wasn't as overprotective of the girls as Freddie was, but it was still hard for her to think about her little girl in such an adult situation.
"Um, well…alright," Sam said, feeling a bit awkward, but knowing Emma must've felt ten times more embarrassed at that moment. "Um, it's good that you came to me…but you know that just because you and Quincy have been dating for awhile-"
"Two years," Emma corrected.
"Right…just because you and Quincy have been dating for two years, doesn't mean you have to…take this step," Sam said seriously. "Now, I'm not an idiot. I know if I just tell you right now that you aren't allowed to do anything more than kiss Quincy, you'll just do it behind my back. But I just want to let you know that this is something that both of you need to be completely ready for. It's a huge step to take."
"I know that," Emma said.
"Good," Sam said. "So, um, is this something you've discussed with Quincy?"
"No," Emma sighed.
"Well you do need to talk to him before you do anything," Sam said.
"I know," Emma mumbled. "I just wanted to be ready…in case we do decide we want to…you know."
Sam nodded. "Well…I guess that's very responsible of you. But like I said, whatever happens…I just want you to make sure you're ready. I mean, do you think you're ready for this, Emma?"
"I-I'm not entirely sure," Emma admitted. "I really love him…like a lot. And sometimes when I think about, um, doing that stuff with him, I feel ready, but then sometimes I get kind of nervous. You think I would be more sure after I talk to him?"
"Probably," Sam nodded. "But…seriously, promise me that you're going to be one hundred percent comfortable with any decision you make, Emma. Because if you wind up doing something, you know you can't go back and undo it. There's nothing wrong with waiting if you feel that's what's best for you."
"Okay," Emma said earnestly. "I promise."
"And with the birth control," Sam continued. "You do know it's not one hundred percent effective? It's important to use, obviously, but it's not indestructible. Just keep that in mind."
"I will," Emma said. "So, um, can-can I start taking it?"
Sam let out a soft sigh. "Yes. I'll take you in to the doctor's tomorrow and we can get you a prescription."
Emma smiled. "Thanks, mom."
Sam held out an arm for her. "Come here, kid."
She hugged her daughter tightly. "You grew up too fast…you know that?" she whispered.
Once Emma left, Sam stayed sitting in her spot, thinking about the conversation she had just had. She really was glad Emma chose to talk to her about this. She knew Emma never liked to bring up personal subjects, something she had no doubt picked up from her. Sam had never had any of these talks with her own mother. She remembered back when her and Freddie were dating and she was in the same position Emma was in right now, she had to go to some clinic on her own to get birth control.
And as much as she would love to keep her kids young and innocent forever, she knew that was completely out of the question.
You did the right thing, Sam told herself. At least now…at least now you know she'll be safe if she decides to do anything. And-And it's not like she's thinking about doing this with a guy she's been with for a week. Her and Quincy have been together for two years…I guess I should've seen this coming awhile ago.
Still, though, there was one thing Sam knew for certain; there was no way she was going to be telling Freddie about this.
