Friends and Lovers
By Misha

Author's Notes- Okay, this part has a twist to it, one that I'm sure many of you saw coming from the last chapter. It shouldn't be that big of a surprise, but it'll definitely change things. Also, this part focus' mainly on Chloe, as will the next couple parts, though Phillip will play a big part in them as well. What I'm getting is that for the next little while, Phloe is going to be the main focus, but don't worry I will resolve the Mimi/Jason/Belle/Shawn thing. Really, I will. Well, that's all for now, enjoy!

Chapter Thirty-Two

Thursday, January 18th 2001

No, it can't be. Chloe thought as she finished throwing up for the hundredth time in the last three weeks.

She was beginning to think that it wasn't stress that was making her sick, but... Maybe she was pregnant.

It was possible, after all she was sexually active, but... She and Phillip had always been careful.

Not always. A voice in her head reminded her.

Chloe groaned as she remembered. New Year's Eve. Everything was so messed up with the Belle and Jason thing, plus she and Phillip were a little tipsy themselves, and they had just forgotten... Oh, God. They had forgotten to use protection and now, now she might be pregnant.

What am I going to do? She thought, dreading having to tell her parents if it was true. Talk about following in their footsteps.

Chloe knew that she hadn't been planned. Her mom had been nineteen and just finished her freshmen year at NYU and her dad was about to start Med school, when they learnt that her Mom was pregnant.

It wasn't the ideal situation. Still, her parents had made it work. Her grandfather had tried to convince her mother to give her up for her adoption, but Nancy refused and became estranged from her parents.

So, she had gotten a job and she and Craig had scraped every penny together so that they could pay for him to go to medical school and to raise Chloe as well. It had been rough, but they made it and now they were financially comfortable.

Still, Chloe wondered if sometimes her mother resented her for those years and if that was why they had never been close. She didn't know, but that she knew that her strained relationship with her mother was the reason that she couldn't go to her about this.

But she knew who she could talk to. Actually, there were two people she could talk to, two people who would offer her advice and support.

She pushed her hair back and grabbed her purse and decided to go see one of them, then afterwards she'd go see the other one.
* * * * *

"Chloe, hi." Sami said as she answered the door to her apartment. "What are you doing here?"

"I needed someone to talk to." Chloe told her.

She had decided to go see Sami first because Sami had been pretty young when she had gotten pregnant with her first child and also because she had always been close to Sami and knew that she would be supportive.

"Sure, come in." Sami told her, stepping back to allow Chloe access into the apartment.

Chloe took a good look at Sami. At a little over four months pregnant she was only showing a little bit, but the pregnancy certainly had a good affect on her. She was glowing and she looked happier than Chloe had ever seen her.

"You look great." Chloe told Sami as they both sat down on the couch.

Sami smiled. "Thanks. I feel great."

"How's Austin?" Chloe asked.

Sami smiled again. "He's great. He can't wait to be a father. I mean, he already thought he was once, but... This is different. There are no tricks, no lies, just love. The two of us are incredibly happy. Happier than I've ever imagined."

"I'm glad." Chloe said with a smile. "So when's the wedding?"

"Two months. I'll be a whale, but oh well. Austin wants to have it before the baby's born." Sami told her. "Which reminds me, how would you like to be a bridesmaid?"

Chloe stared at her. "Really?"

"Yeah, Billie's going to be my Maid of Honour and I want you and Belle to be my bridesmaids. Greta's going to be one too." She added, referring to her twin brother's wife.

"Well, I don't know about Belle, but I'd be honoured." Chloe told her.

"Great." Sami said. "Now what did you want to talk to me about?"

Chloe looked down at her hands. "I think I'm pregnant." She whispered.

Sami stared at her for a moment. "Oh, Chloe." She said softly. "Are you okay?"

Chloe nodded. "Yeah, it's just scary. I don't know what to do."

"Have you taken a test yet?" Sami asked.

Chloe shook her head. "No. But I've been sick a lot and I'm late, only a day or two, but... I'm pretty much always been steady."

"Have you and Phillip had unprotected sex?" Sami asked quietly.

Chloe nodded. "Yeah. On New Year's Eve. A lot was going on, we had both been drinking, and I guess we just got carried away. That's the only time we didn't use protection, but..."

"Once is enough." Sami said softly.

"Yeah."

"Have you told Phillip?" Chloe shook her head. "No. I don't know how. I'm just so scared."

"Don't be." Sami told her softly, patting her hand reassuringly. "Chloe, it'll be okay. Phillip loves you and he'll be there for you and somehow, the two of yous will come up with an answer."

Chloe looked up at Sami, her blue eyes filled with tears. "Do you really think so?"

"I really do." Sami assured her. "It's a bad situation, but you're strong and so is Phillip. You two can make it. I know you can."
* * * * *

Chloe ended up talking to Sami for over an hour. She found her to be very supportive and comforting.

After she left Sami's, she decided to go see Hope. She knew that Shawn's mother would give her the love and comfort her own mother never would. Just like always.

"Chloe." Hope said with a bright smile when she opened the door. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to talk, if that's okay." Chloe said softly.

ÔOf course it's okay." Hope told her. "You can come here anytime you want."

Chloe smiled slightly and followed Hope to the couch.

"Now, what's wrong?" Hope asked. "Are you and Phillip fighting again?"

Chloe shook her head. "No. I... I think I'm pregnant."

Hope stared at her for a minute. "Oh, Chloe." She whispered finally.

Chloe began to cry. "I don't know what to do. I'm so scared and I know my parents will freak..."

"It's okay." Hope comforted, wrapping around her. "It's okay to cry. Let it out."

Chloe just continued to cry, taking comfort from the older woman, while at the same time desperately wishing that her own mother would offer her the same kind of support.
* * * * *