Chapter 4:

Everyone else was enjoying the movie. As for Daphne, she couldn't even remember the protagonists' names. Supposedly it was a comedy; Daphne didn't so much as giggle the entire show. She vaguely remembered a salty taste in her mouth- apparently she ordered popcorn- and her left leg falling asleep; other than that, she might not have realized she had been to the theater at all.

Afterward, Fred suggested a trip to the Malt Shop. He was great at sounding casual. He even looked like he had paid attention to the movie. Was he faking it? Or was he honestly not worried sick about the future?

Silence seemed to fall over the gang as they walked to a table. Daphne tried to find the right words to express it, but everything seemed wrong.

"I'm pregnant." This, of course, was the truth, but it seemed too sudden, too abrupt, too out-in-the-open.

"Freddie and I are expecting." No, that wasn't right either. It sounded like a married couple who had been trying for years to have a baby, not a couple of barely-past-their-teens who had been caught off-guard.

"I'm going to have a baby." Even worse. It sounded like a basic, let's-explain-it-for-the-little-kids description.

"I am with child." Ugh, what century was this anyway?

"I got knocked up." Ah, no. But frustratingly it felt like the most accurate description so far.

"Daphne? Hello, Earth-to-Daphne...?" Velma poked Daphne's shoulder.

"Uh, what?" Daphne responded stupidly.

"I asked if you wanted... oh, never mind. Daphne, are you okay? You've been sort of spaced out this evening..."

So much for hoping Freddie would tell the gang. Velma had asked Daphne, specifically. Daphne had to answer. Now.

"Well..." Daphne tried to think. Finally she spoke.

"Let's just say that in several months, Mystery Inc. will have a sixth member..."

It was about the dumbest way to put it; the hint made absolutely no sense. Daphne watched the puzzled expressions on Velma's, Shaggy's, and Scooby's faces; then, surprisingly, Velma's eyes lit up and she smiled. She leaned across the table and gave Daphne a hug.

"This explains a lot," she told her friend. "Congratulations."

Congratulations?

"I mean, it explains the fact that you've been sick the past few mornings... and that doctor's appointment. I mean, that is it, right?"

Daphne nodded. Somehow Velma always remembered everything and pieced it all together. Sheesh, she probably suspected Daphne was pregnant before Daphne did.

"Well, it's good to know you weren't actually sick or anything..."

Suddenly Daphne understood the real reason Velma had congratulated her. She probably understood the pregnancy wasn't intentional. Yet it was likely a relief to know that your friend was in good health and not dying of AIDS or something.

Daphne caught a glimpse of Shaggy and Scooby looking at each other and shrugging. Clearly neither of them got it, still.

Then Velma asked, "So when are you due?"

Now they seemed to understand, and for some reason were blushing.

"November 14," Daphne answered her.

"Jinkies... that's a long way to go..."

Daphne sighed. "Well, I've only known for a few hours that I even am pregnant. I haven't even called home about it yet..."

A new fear crept into Daphne's mind. What would her father say? He had always been very strict, very orderly, and the idea that his daughter, of all people, had been impregnated out of wedlock would shame him to tears.

Would he even speak to her? Daphne had often pondered that as a curious middle-schooler, playing those what-if games at sleepovers: What would your parents do if you were pregnant and you weren't married?

"Probably disown me," she had answered gleefully, giggling and reaching for the Fritos. At age 11, it felt so grown-up to ask those kinds of questions; now, at age 21, the question was a horrifying reality.

Would the answer be?

Velma stroked Daphne's arm reassuringly. "You'll have time for all that. But for now, shouldn't we celebrate?" She smiled her nerdy, yet oddly comforting smile.

Daphne felt her mood shift entirely. Velma was right; sure, Daphne would have to tell her father, and he might or might not react every bit as harshly as she imagined.

But right now, why not celebrate? Daphne felt herself infinitely grateful to Velma, who had found a reason to be happy for her even now- and why shouldn't she be? Whether she had tried for one or not, Daphne now had a baby- she may as well enjoy it.

As the remainder of the evening went on, Daphne felt the support of her loyal friends more and more. She realized that she would definitely keep the baby, and what surprised her more was:

Deep down, she really, really wanted it.