Lucas POV~1/13/18

Mama was down stairs cooking or something like that when I heard the doorbell ring. I turned over in my bed to check the time, 3:10, which meant it couldn't be Maya; I was going to pick her up at four anyway. I crept to the edge of the loft that overlooked the entryway. Mama was at the door, her apron tied to her waist and a towel tossed over her shoulder.

"Oh, hello Maya. We weren't expecting you over this early," Mama said, stepping to the side a bit.

"Oh, sorry. I just had nothing better to do and the house was getting hot. I thought I'd come over and help you cook or something," she said, her voice small from up where I was sitting.

"That's so sweet. Come in, come in, you can help me make the cornbread." once they disappeared from my line of sight and went to I assume the kitchen Mama called out to me. "Lucas, go ahead and shower. Maya is here, early."

"Yes Mama," I called back to her, and walked back to my bathroom.

When I walked into the kitchen Maya was leaning on the island, picking at the cornbread in front of her and talking with my Mom.

"Hey Maya," I said, sitting down at the bar stool across from her.

"Howdy Ranger Rick," she said, eyebrows quirking up and mischievous smile easing onto her face. I heard Mama silence a chortle.

"So, Lucas said y'all wanted to talk to me," she said, pulling a rack of ribs out of the oven. Maya stood up straight, allowing her outfit to show. She was wearing a knitted grey sweater and a fluffy blue skirt. I sat up a bit and looked at Maya's scared eyes.

"Why don't you serve and sit down first," I suggested. She cocked her head slightly at me but nodded and pulled plates out of the cupboard.

"Lucas, can you pour me a chardonnay and get you and Maya a root beer or somethin'," she said, pulling the ribs apart and placing them on plates. "Maya can you come here and help me serve the collard greens."

We bustled around the kitchen, setting the island and serving food. When we were finally done everyone was laughing over Maya who had dropped a glass that shattered everywhere. We sat down and Mama led us in a prayer and then we tucked in.

"So, what did y'all have to say?" Mama said as she put down her cutlery and looked between us. "Are y'all engaged because y'all are a little young for that."

"No Mama, no ring. Maya, do you want to say it?"

"Lucas… that's not fair," Mama said but Maya had already tugged her skirt down, the bump making itself known. So that's why her skirt was up so high.

"We're pregnant, Ms Friar." Maya sat back down, fiddling with her plate and silverware but not looking at Mama.

"Oh dear," Mama said. She propped her head onto her hand lost in thought it seemed. "Well ya know, Lucas, Aunt Molly was teen mama. She gave her baby up for adoption. Ruined her."

"That's what I said," Maya cut in. I nodded and Mama folded her hands in front of her.

"On my side, Lucas, Auntie Layla was a teen mama. I think the worst mistake my Mama and Pappy made was not supporting her. Pappy was furious, practically stopped talking to her. Mama didn't want to anger her husband so took his side. Layla gave up and ran away, moved in with her boyfriend at the time. He wasn't bright, had no future no matter what. But Layla did and because she ran away she gave it up.

"Ya see it now, Lucas. She works such long hours at the bakery and her daughter is just as bright as her father. Such a waste of the two of them. So sad. I think the biggest mistake I can make is not supporting you two. Although, I can't say I'm thrilled about this."

Maya and I nodded. "I understand, Ms Friar. Thank you so much."

"Thank you for understanding Mama," I said. She chuckled and cracked her knuckles.

"Now son, if you think you're off the hook you are sadly mistaken little Friar. What on the holy Earth were you thinking having unprotected sex in high school? Did Maya agree to that, did you two considera a baby? Obviously not since here we are," she tiraded, waving a finger in the general direction of me.

I nodded along as she spoke. Her voice wavered every now and then but she tried to keep it level I could tell. "Yes Mama," I said when she looked over at me. She sighed and shook her head gently.

"Oh son." she said a few times. "Well then," she said a moment later, clapping her hands together and opening a drawer in the island to pull out a pen and a notepad. "Maya's due…"

"July 22." Maya traced a circle on the counter with her silver coated nails as she spoke.

"That gives us some time. So you're about," Mama paused to calculate, "twelve weeks." She wrote something at the top of the paper. "And…. it's not fair for one of yous to have to have to conquer that baby alone so an apartment or convert the guest room here. And clothes, diapers, Maya needs prenatals, and she's gonna need new clothes. But a baby shower should get you some baby clothes and diapers, but trust me you'll need more. Baby shower should get you a stroller and carseat too but probably not a crib, but I think I may have Lucas' in storage." she prattled.

I nodded slightly and Maya started talking about little details with Mama but I tuned them out.

"Does that sound good, Lucas?" Mama asked, snapping me back to reality.

"Does what sound good?" I asked cluelessly.

"I swear you never hear a word I say. How does it sound if Maya goes to to her appointments alone and then we'll go with her to the scans?"

"That's good."

Maya and Mama nodded pleased and then went back to chatting.

/||\\/||\\/||\\

"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?" I asked Maya as we walked from lunch to fifth period.

"I'm sure, we're only going to talk and measure my belly and take my vitals," she assured me. She turned a few books into her locker and took one more out.

"But what if they do one? What if they have bad news that I should be there for?"

"Then I'll call you. But nothing is going to happen Huckleberry."

"Fine, fine. But let me give you a ride there and some money for a onesie at the shop, please Maya."

"If that will make you happy."

"It will," I promised her. As we separate ways I remember something, "Hey Maya," I call out and she turns around. "How did telling your mom go?"

"Not good," she calls back and resumes walking to art.

/||\\/||\\/||\\

We were in my truck at a red light and Maya was playing around with the radio.

"So how 'not good' did your mom take the news?" I asked her as I eased the car into movement.

"Very not good," she says and I look over to her.

"What do you mean Maya?"

"She's angry and Sean won't talk even talk to me. What if they kick me out?"

"They won't kick you out baby, they love you." I say as we hit another red light.

"I hate being called that. And you don't understand how angry they are."

"You're here, have a good appointment. I'll call you later," I said when we pulled up to the hospital entrance.

"Ok, thanks for the ride," she said, pressing a kiss to my cheek and then jumped out of my truck.

"Hey, careful," I called but she had already closed the door.

I shook my head and drove away, humming along to the radio.

You've got the words to change a nation

But you're biting your tongue

You've spent a lifetime stuck in silence

Afraid you'll say something wrong

If no one ever hears it how we gonna learn your song?

A/N: The song hummed (∧) is 'Read All About It, part II' by Emeli Sandé. Name suggestions are still being taken and considered.