Our Generation

by greenpeach20

It's the story of Billy and Sarah from when they first met to when they fall in love.

4. 1986

1986

As much as it agitated Billy, he did understand why Sarah's parents would be discontent with her dating him. He had racked up a bad reputation over the years. The drugs aside, he'd had a habit of lashing out a lot because of frustrations stemming from his home life. It would take a long time for Billy to change that image, especially when his parents were a factor in why her parents didn't like him. He did decide to take a little risk that New Year's Eve, though. Sarah's parents were throwing a party for all their friends and family, but Billy knew Sarah wouldn't be joining in. She had complained to Billy that most of her parents' friends were people she never spoke to and her relatives were all so much older than her that she had nothing in common with them except their regret for her brother's death.

The day before Ney Year's Eve, Billy went to a liquor store near the theatre he worked at and bought the best Champaign the store had and two crystal glasses. Sarah liked those kinds of glasses anyway. The night of New Years Eve, around eleven o'clock, Billy snuck through the woods to Sarah's house, making sure not to be seen, and glanced through her window. Sarah was in her room, getting ready to go to bed. She was wearing his Led Zeppelin shirt and it made Billy feel good to see it. As Sarah was walking to her bed, Billy chose then to knock on the window. Sarah jumped from surprise, then relaxed when she saw that it was just Billy. She walked to her window, opened it, and kissed Billy before enquiring as to why he was there so late.

"I knew you weren't planning to spend New Years with your parents, so I thought we could have our own." Sarah smiled.

"You did all this for me?" Billy nodded and Sarah giggled a little. "You dope. You need help getting in?"

"Just hold onto the bottle and glasses and I should be able to get in myself."

"Just be quiet. This house isn't any bigger than yours, so if we're too loud, my parents will hear." Billy stopped trying to get in, then smiled a little wider.

"How about we go to First Beach instead then? All your parent's friends are here at the house. If anyone's at the beach, it's people that would stay quiet for us. What do you say? There's probably a bonfire going too." Sarah smiled. She glanced back at her door listening to her parents' party, then back at Billy.

"If we get caught, I'm saying you kidnapped me." Billy chuckled and waited for Sarah to get dressed. She didn't take off Billy's shirt or put on a bra for that matter. She only put on a pair of pants, then ran back to the window and let Billy help her out her window once her lights were out. She'd made sure there were things under her covers so if her parents checked in, they would assume she was in bed.

Billy and Sarah went to First Beach not talking to anyone who was at the bonfire going on and went straight to the white, dead log that was off a half mile on the shore. After they were seated, Billy started untying the metal wire around the Champaign bottle. Wanting to impress Sarah, he took out his Swiss army knife and popped open the cork of the bottle the way they did in fancy restaurants. Sarah giggled and held her glass to Billy to fill it. After the glasses were filled, Billy put the bottle off to the side and looked at Sarah smiling.

"Happy New Year, Sarah."

"Happy New Year, Billy." They touched glasses and took a drink from their glass. Billy finished his in one gulp.

"You know, I've never had Champaign before. I've only ever had hard liquor." Sarah smiled.

"I always liked Champaign. The taste isn't too strong and it actually tastes good. I don't know how you can stand to drink whiskey or rum or tequila or scotch or any of those drinks you like." Billy chuckled.

"And I can't understand why you like eating anchovies." Sarah and Billy looked at each other a while before Sarah laughed.

"That's different. Anchovies are salty and delicious. Whiskey tastes like breathing in an Irishman's breath."

"And you know what an Irishman's breath smells like?"

"I can guess." Billy chuckled.

"If you say so. Who am I to argue?" Sarah giggled and leaned her head against Billy's shoulder as she listened to the fireworks go off in the background.

Billy and Sarah stayed at the beach for a few hours before he finally took Sarah home, hoping that her parents' guests had finally left. Just to be safe, Billy made sure they didn't walk around the front, but off to the side where view of Sarah's window was difficult from the yard and road. Billy helped Sarah get through her window and when she was inside; she turned to look at Billy and smiled.

"I had a lot of fun tonight, Billy. Thanks for the surprise."

"I'm glad you had fun. I actually just thought of it this morning." Sarah giggled.

"Nice." Billy laughed with her, making sure to be quiet like she was being. They looked at each other for a few seconds before Sarah finally spoke again. "Do you….do you want to come inside? My parents will be sleeping in tomorrow, so you can stay the night if you want." Billy smiled and nodded before, as quietly as possible, letting himself in through the window.

"Do you want to lock the door just in case?" Sarah smiled and walked over to her door to lock it. Once they both heard that click, Sarah went right back to Billy, embraced him, and kissed him.

After they began kissing, Sarah pulled Billy with her towards her bed, her small and slender single-bed, and pulled on his shirt as she sat down. Billy's hands landed on the other edge of the bed and he almost lost his balance. He ended the kiss so he could take a seat next to Sarah so they'd both be comfortable. Once Billy was seated, Sarah pushed Billy onto his back, allowed him to get his legs onto the bed that was also too short for him, and climbed on top. They kissed a little while longer before Billy started chuckling. Sarah brought her face back enough so she could look at Billy.

"What's so funny?"

"This bed was not made for a six plus tall man and certainly isn't meant for two people." Sarah giggled and sat up.

"Well, Billy, not all of us can have a nice, big queen bed. Most of us have to make due with a single." Billy smiled and pulled Sarah back down so their noses were touching. "Is there anything I can do to make this easier?" Billy smiled and little and took a hold of the bottom of his Led Zeppelin shirt and pulled it over Sarah's head, leaving her breasts exposed. Sarah grinned and giggled.

"That'll do." Sarah giggled more and leaned back down until she was kissing Billy again. After a few minutes, Billy took off his own shirt and unzipped his pants before returning to just making out with Sarah. Billy took a firm hold of Sarah's breasts and ended the kiss so he could suckle them as well. While he did so, Sarah rested her head on Billy's and reached down to rub his crotch erotically. Billy groaned and pulled his pants down so Sarah's touch would be even more intimate and pleasurable.

Since Billy had taken the rest of his clothes off, never pushing her off him, Sarah took off the rest of her clothes and rubbed herself against Billy's groin, exciting him further. Billy pulled Sarah closer to him and started kissing under her breasts and all around her midriff. Sarah smiled and snickered a little from it tickling and ran her fingers through Billy's hair, avoiding any spots that turned out to be tangled. After a few kisses and licks around Sarah's midriff, he gently pushed Sarah's body back down so he could enter her. Sarah moans quietly once he was inside her and she began moving. She had better control than Billy did on the bed, so Sarah did most of the movements. Though Sarah was sure to keep her movements as quiet as possible, so she avoided bouncing even though she knew Billy liked it when she did that.

Instead of the bouncing, Billy took a hold of Sarah's hips and made her do a grinding movement that was far quieter, but was still extremely pleasurable for both of them. After a few minutes of the routine, Billy let go of Sarah's hips so she could touch herself and try to change the pace a little. Billy glanced at Sarah's clock while she was moving and realized it was almost three in the morning. So he decided to take a chance and begin moving faster, ignoring the creaking of the bed. It felt good combined with Sarah's current efforts, so she didn't say a thing about the noise she knew her bed was making. Billy made sure the noise didn't last long. He came within a few more thrusts and Sarah was close behind. He stopped the excessive movement once he was done and returned to moving Sarah's hips in the previous grinding motion until she reached her own climax. Sarah sighed contentedly and fell into Billy's arms.

"I love you." Billy smiled and hugged Sarah tightly.

"I love you too." Billy kissed Sarah's forehead and rested his head on the pillow and fell asleep. When Billy woke up, he was in the same spot on the bed, Sarah in his arms still sound asleep. It was the first time in a while that he'd slept in at a girlfriend's house. Billy listened for movement, but there didn't seem to be anything, so Billy assumed that Sarah's parents were still in bed.

Billy stayed in bed with Sarah, dozing in and out, until Sarah woke up and kissed Billy's chest. When Sarah heard her parents begin to stir, Billy got dressed and gave Sarah a loving kiss before running off to go home. When he got back, there were some beer cans scattered around. Billy went to Bobby's room to check on him and found him in bed with his girlfriend, so he left them alone. What Billy found that bothered him immensely was two people naked in his bed. What annoyed him more was that it was Nikki and his cousin Sam. Billy thought against nagging a sociopath about cheating on his girlfriend and chose to get him and his new toy out of his bed and dressed. Sam ran out without a word to Nikki, leaving her alone with Billy and extremely embarrassed.

"Sorry. We didn't know it was your bed."

"Who's bed would it be, Nikki? Bobby and I are the only people who live here and I definitely don't share a bed with him."

"Sorry, okay. You don't need to be a prick about it."

"Speaking of pricks, did yours use one of my condoms? Condoms don't grow on trees, Nikki."

"Says the one who never brought a condom when he came to my house. Honestly, Billy, I was forced to spend a lot of my hard earned money on condoms."

"I brought condoms with me. I usually forgot about them is all. It's your own fault for not assuming that the condoms were probably in my pocket. And another thing, Nikki, you do know that Sam's dating Kelly, right? Or do you not care?" Nikki looked up at Billy, trying not to look guilty.

"He said he loves me. He's planning to break up with Kelly and date me instead." Billy laughed without humor.

"Whatever. But best be warned, Sam's a sociopath, so when he does this to you and doesn't feel bad about it at all, you'll have no one to blame but yourself."

"He isn't a sociopath, Billy. He's a normal guy that doesn't have bad habits, unlike you." Billy rolled his eyes.

"I may have had bad habits, but at least I had the sense to know the difference between right and wrong. Now get out of my room. Why are you even here? I have a hard time believing Bobby invited you or Sam."

"Sam told me about this party, so we crashed it."

"Great. Have sex in my bed and you stole my beer. Classy, Nikki. Now get out. You're getting on my nerves." Nikki didn't say anything. She just got dressed and left. Billy never brought the incident up with Bobby. He probably didn't know Sam had brought another girl to his party.

Billy and Sarah didn't get to see each other much through the rest of the winter break, so when they met up in front of Sarah's locker the first day of school, it was a pleasant, loving reunion. As tempted as he was, Billy chose not to tell Sarah about Sam and Nikki. He actually assumed that Sam would get bored of her in a week and that would be the end of the matter. He figured, why trouble Sarah with nothing. As the days moved on, everything stayed normal for the most part. Sarah continued to keep her parents in the dark and Billy said nothing about it. Sarah knew her parents best, so if she needed time to defuse her parents, he would let her do that.

A few weeks after winter break, though, Billy noticed Sarah seemed to be troubled and worried. Whenever Billy asked her about it, she told him that she was worried about something concerning her dad. When Billy asked her to elaborate, she would tell him, 'no offense, but I think this is something I should keep private for now.' Billy bit the bullet and said fine to that and that was the last time he asked Sarah what was bothering her. Then, one day in the girl's locker room, Sarah finally confided in someone about what was bothering her. She looked at Sue and Kelly, whose lockers were right next to hers, and spoke meekly.

"Are you guys free after school today?" Sue shook her head.

"Sorry. Harry's got a day off from work, so we're doing something special. He hasn't said yet what he's planning, but whatever it is, it's got my hands tied for the day."

"Kelly?" Sarah looked at Kelly with hopefully eyes which were immediately lost when Kelly shook her head.

"Sorry, Sarah, I can't either. Sam's taking me to a movie and dinner tonight." Sarah sighed. "Why, what's wrong? You can still tell us now." Sarah shook her head.

"No, I don't want to talk about it here. Gossips change in this locker room."

"What's so bed that you're concerned about who we're talking around? Did you steal something?" Sarah shook her head.

"Of course not. If you guys are busy, it's alright. We can hang out another day after school."

"I'm free tomorrow." Said Kelly.

"I am too." Sue said. Sarah smiled weakly.

"Okay, we'll hang out tomorrow."

"Hey, what's wrong with you? You've looked bummed for days now. Is there something wrong?" Sarah shook her head.

"Nothing important. I'm just a little sad lately…..my period." Sarah said hurriedly. Both Kelly and Sue shrugged and finished changing before going out to the gym to start gym class.

Immediately after school was done, Sarah left and began her walk home. When she was home, she took out every beverage in the fridge, except her daddy's beer, and began drinking. She started with the gallon of Cherry Kool-Aid her mom had made up the day before. Once she was done with that, she drank four cans of Coca-cola as fast as she could, then took at least a minute to get all the bubbles out of her throat. After that, she drank as much of the milk she could straight from the carton and didn't stop until her stomach began to feel uneasy. Then Sarah drank as much of her mother's iced tea as she could stand. Once she'd drunk all that, she put it back in the fridge, and began walking to the convenience store down the road. Sarah walked in and was about to go look for what she wanted, but then she saw a friend of her mom's and instead hid among the candy section. Sadly, though, her mom's friend spotted her and smiled kindly.

"Sarah! Honey, how've you been? I haven't seen you since New Years. And you were there so briefly, I felt like I hardly saw you."

"Hey, Julie." Sarah said awkwardly. "I've been good."

"So what are you here for? I'm getting my husband his cigarettes. Honestly, that man won't go a day without them." Awkwardly again, Sarah giggled.

"I'm just getting food. I'm dying for some candy." She was also about to burst after all those drinks, but she kept that to herself and remained polite.

"You know, I think I'll do the same. I've had a sweet tooth myself lately." God Damn it! Sarah thought to herself.

"Well, you go first. I'm actually not positive what I want." Julia smiled and walked closer to look at the candy. Sarah looked at it too, desperately trying to pretend she wasn't extremely uncomfortable at the moment.

"Ah! Payday. You can never go wrong with Payday. Have you decided what you want, dear?" Sarah shook her head.

"No, I haven't. It all looks good, so it'll take me a while to decide." Julia giggled and sighed.

"I remember when I was your age and I could eat whatever I wanted and not gain an ounce." Julia sighed remorsefully. "Now, I need to actually watch what I eat or it goes straight to my thighs."

"That sucks." Sarah was beginning to shake, she needed to pee so bad. She hadn't anticipated Julia and now she wasn't sure how long she could hold it in.

"Well, I better get home with my husband's smokes or he'll get cranky. You tell your parents I said hi." FINALLY! Sarah thought to herself.

"I will. Bye, Julia." Julia said goodbye back and went to the register to pay for her things. She waved a last goodbye to Sarah before leaving so store. After that, Sarah rushed to the aisle she wanted and grabbed three pregnancy tests. She wanted to be certain. Then she ran to the register, handed the clerk ten dollars, probably more than she owed, and ran to the bathroom with the tests.

Sarah ripped each test from their boxes and did what the directions said. She felt much better in one respect, but she still had the twisting in her stomach from the fear. That fear was mounting more and more as the minutes passed. Each box said to wait at least five minutes for the full results. So Sarah sat in that stall not looking at any of the tests and waited anxiously. She checked her watch constantly, hoping time would go by faster, but all that did was make it go by slower. Sarah twiddled her thumbs and bit her lip and willed for the tests to be negative. If she was pregnant, she didn't know what she would do. What would Billy say about it? Would he not want it? More importantly, how would she tell her parents? She'd lied to her parents for almost six months about Billy. If she came home pregnant with his baby, that baby might be born without a father. It would if daddy and his shot gun had anything to say about the matter. The more she thought about it, the more it scared her. She even started tearing up a little as she waited. What if Billy didn't want the baby? Would he break up with her and call it her problem? No, Billy wouldn't do that to her. He loved her….but did he love her enough to have a baby, especially at their age?

Sarah eventually glanced down at her watch and realized eight minutes had passed. She grabbed all three tests and looked at them at the same time. But then her heart sank. Three little pink plus signs filled the reader. She was definitely pregnant. There was no way three pregnancy tests were wrong. Sarah stared at the tests for a few seconds as she felt her shoulders seem to get a lot heavier. She was screwed. Her parents were going to kill her for this. And Billy…Sarah had no idea what he would say. It was his response she was most concerned about. Sarah already knew she wouldn't get rid of the baby. Despite the timing, this baby was hers. And it was Billy's. That made it more special. But what if he didn't want it? What if he demanded she get an abortion or put the baby up for adoption? Or worse, what if he left her and made her raise the baby by herself? She couldn't do that. She knew she couldn't. She had no job, no money, and when her parents found out, she'd be homeless too, almost certainly. She couldn't do it by herself.

Eventually, Sarah left the stall, threw away the tests, washed her hands, and walked out of the bathroom with a look of terror. The clerk didn't talk to her, but she noticed there was two dollars and forty cents on the counter. Sarah took her change and walked back to her house with her head held down in shame. She went right to bed when she got home and started crying. She was so scared, she couldn't even speak, couldn't think outside of everything that she was scared would happen. The next day at school, Sarah looked like she was in a completely different world. She stood in front of her locker staring blankly when she got to school until Billy was standing next to her and said her name.

"Sarah?" Sarah looked up at Billy and smiled.

"Hey. How was work yesterday." Billy noticed, as Sarah spoke, that her voice was weak sounding this morning.

"Is everything okay, Sarah? You look upset."

"I'm fine, Billy. I need to get to class. I'll see you later." Sarah all but ran from her locker to her first class after that. She wasn't ready to tell Billy yet. She wasn't sure how to tell him. She doubted she'd ever be ready, but she wanted at least a little encouragement before she took the plunge. Sarah never even glanced at Billy during second period and made a quick escape after the bell rang. Then when lunch rolled around, she went straight to Kelly and Sue and near pulled them away from the lunch room to the outside, wanted to leave before Billy saw her. When they were outside, Kelly raised her voice.

"Jesus, Sarah, what was that about? What's so important that you can't talk in the cafeteria?" Sue looked at Sarah too, awaiting her answer. Sarah got a little light headed before she answered them.

"I'm…..I'm pregnant." Now, instead of being annoyed, Sue and Kelly's eyes shot open.

"I guess now's not the best time to say Harry and I are engaged is it?"

"You're pregnant? Are you sure?" Kelly said after looking around making sure they were alone, then saying it quietly.

"Yes, I'm sure. I drank about four gallons of liquid and took three tests. I'm definitely pregnant."

"You took three pregnancy tests at once? How the hell did you do that?" Kelly asked. Sarah groaned.

"A gallon of Kool-Aid. Look, what am I going to tell Billy? I've been avoiding him all morning because I'm scared to tell him."

"Why? Do you think he'll react badly?" Sue asked.

"I don't know. I don't think so, but what if he does?" Kelly shrugged.

"Sarah, all you can do it tell him. It doesn't matter how you word it or when you tell him. Ultimately, you're telling him you're pregnant and he'll react how he reacts. He wouldn't hurt you if that's what you're worried about."

"I know he wouldn't hit me. But what if he doesn't want the baby?"

"A little late for that, wouldn't you say?" Kelly said.

"Kelly, you're not helping."

"What do you want from me? You asked what to do, I told you. I can't magically make this problem disappear. This may have been unintentional, but it happened and you both need to handle this. I doubt Billy would, but if he tries to lay this all on you, you tell him fuck you and make him be a father." Sue nodded.

"What she said."

After that, Sarah finally allowed Sue and Kelly to go back inside so they could have their lunch, though she took a brief moment to tell them to keep what they talked about a secret. She would announce this if and when it was time. Sarah cringed a little when the word IF crossed her mind. She wasn't having an abortion. She was putting her foot down in that respect. Once they were back in the cafeteria, Sarah stayed still when she noticed that Billy was making a bee-line right for her. Sue and Kelly ran to their table, but this time, Sarah stayed put. Whether she liked it or not, she would have to tell Billy now. Once Billy got to her, he took a hold of her arm and gently pulled her with him.

"Where are we going?"

"My car." Billy said frankly. Sarah followed Billy to the parking lot without argument. Billy unlocked the passenger's side door and let Sarah in. Then he went around and sat in the driver's seat. He noticed Sarah roll up the window, so he did the same. "Did I do something?" Sarah looked at Billy surprised.

"Of course not. What makes you think that?"

"You avoided me all day. You gave me the silent treatment during second period. Sarah, I realize I've done or said something that's upset you. Just tell me what it is and I'll begin apologizing for it." Sarah smiled a little, realizing Billy was attempting to lighten the mood. But then she shook her head.

"You didn't do anything, Billy."

"Then what's the matter with you? Did something happen at home?" Sarah shook her head.

"I don't want to talk about it here. Are you working after school today?"

"Yes, I am." Sarah sighed.

"Then come to my window after work and we'll talk about this then."

"No, we'll talk about this now."

"Billy, I don't want to talk about it here." Billy sighed heavily, then rested his head against the headrest of his seat. After a few seconds, he put on his seatbelt and started his car. "What are you doing?"

"You don't want to talk here, so we're going to my house."

"Billy, school isn't done. We'll get in trouble."

"Put on your seatbelt, Sarah." Then Billy pulled out of the space and began driving the few minutes home. Sarah stayed quiet once the car was in motion and stayed quiet until they reached the house. Billy got Sarah out of the car and took her inside and locked the door behind them. "Alright, we're somewhere else. Now what's the problem?" Sarah looked at Billy a while before holding her head down and looking at the floor. Billy remained patient and let her take her time. Sarah walked to the couch and sat down, Billy followed. "Sarah." Sarah took a deep breath and finally looked at Billy again.

"I'm pregnant." Billy's face changed from concerned to terror stricken. He licked his lips and turned his head to look at the floor without saying a word. Sarah felt her heart hit the pit of her stomach and she looked at the floor with tears in her eyes, anticipating what Billy would say. But he didn't say anything for a long time. He just stared at the floor thinking. When he did speak, he was near inaudible.

"When did you find out?"

"Yesterday." Sarah responded, her voice just as quiet with tears making her voice shaky.

"And you're sure beyond a reasonable doubt? You're sure you're not just late?" Sarah nodded.

"I took three tests. They all said positive." Sarah's voice cracked at the last word and she rested her face in her knees. Billy took a deep breath and rubbed his head trying to think.

"Oh fuck." Billy said. Sarah didn't respond at all. "Have you told anyone else? Your parents, friends?"

"Just Sue and Kelly." Billy sighed.

"You haven't told Quil?" Sarah shook her head.

"No."

"Good. I'd like to live long enough to fix this." Billy and Sarah were quiet again. Billy took another deep breath, trying to calm down a little, and looked at Sarah. He saw the tears that were starting to flow, so he wrapped his arm around her and held her close. Sarah started really crying then. "What do you want to do?"

"I don't know."

"Do you want an abortion?" Sarah shook her head and looked at Billy.

"No! I don't want to do that. Regardless how this happened, it's ours….it's ours.." Sarah began crying a little harder and Billy tightened his hold on her to reassure her.

"You want to keep it, then?" Sarah didn't answer immediately. She wanted to, but that didn't mean they could. She didn't have a job, and the one Billy had couldn't support a child.

"I do, but I don't know if we can."

"Sarah, look at me." Sarah looked up at Billy, whose face was as reassuring as his embrace. "If you want to keep this baby, tell me. Whatever you want to do, I'll support you. I'm not going to leave you hanging, if that's what you're scared about."

"I'm scared because I don't know what we'll do. I want to keep this baby, but….."

"Sarah," Billy interrupted, "we'll figure it out. I can find a better job. I'll find a place for us to live that I can afford and I'll make sure you can still go to school."

"I don't want you dropping out, Billy."

"I can get a GED, Sarah. It's an easy enough process. Once I have that, my job options will be a little better. You'll graduate before the baby's born, so once you've graduated, concentrate on the baby, then when we can afford it and you're ready, you can work to if you want. I'll make sure everything is okay. And we'll tell your parents tonight if you want. My parents too." Sarah shook her head.

"No, not yet." Sarah looked at Billy's chest, embarrassed. "I'm not ready to tell them."

"Let me know when you are."

"So…..we're having a baby? Together?" Billy smiled and kissed Sarah's forehead.

"Yeah, we're having a baby. Do you mind if we hold off on telling Quil for a while? I don't think us agreeing to have the baby will make him any less angry with me." Sarah smiled.

"I can agree to that." They both laughed a little before hugging tenderly. Sarah was so relieved. She realized she'd panicked for nothing and now, she couldn't imagine being happier than she was at that moment. There was still that fear, but at least now she knew she wouldn't be facing it alone. As they hugged, there was a knock on the door. Billy was content to ignore it until he heard who was at the door.

"I know you're home, Billy. Open up." Billy stiffened and so did Sarah. It was Quil at the door. Billy let go of Sarah and took a deep breath before going to the door. He wanted to make sure he looked completely innocent. Once he was ready, he opened the door for an angry looking Quil.

"Hey, Quil."

"You knocked up my cousin, Billy. Don't you hey me."

"Damn it." Sarah muttered to herself. "I'm sorry, Billy, I told Sue and Kelly to keep quiet."

"They didn't say anything. I went to the convenience store during lunch today and came to find out from the cashier that you bought three pregnancy tests yesterday. I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, but he also said you looked 'shell-shocked' as he put it when you came out of the bathroom. That says pregnant to me. Now, Billy, kindly step outside so I can hand your ass to you." Sarah near leaped from the couch and ran to the door stepping between Billy and Quil.

"There's no need for that, Quil. This is as much my fault as it is Billy's. You shouldn't be threatening him." Quil sighed.

"I know it's your fault too, but your parents would frown upon me taking any anger out on you." Sarah stood in front of Billy and crossed her arms.

"I'm not letting you, Quil."

"Sarah," Billy said, "I knew this was coming. Just let him get it out of his system." Sarah shook her head, never looking away from Quil.

"No. I'll only allow you two to talk this out like rational adults. Otherwise, we'll just stay like this until you're calm enough to talk rationally."

"There's nothing to talk about, Sarah. I told Billy he could date you if he treated you well, but apparently he doesn't even have the decency to use a condom!"

"Look, Quil, sometimes it slipped my mind, and I'm sorry. Sarah and I talked it out and I'll make everything right, okay. In fact, we're getting married as soon as we can."

"Wait, we're what?" Sarah said, finally turning to look at Billy. Quil was a little stunned too. But he eventually smiled.

"Damn right you are." Sarah kept looking at Billy, surprised.

"You're serious?" Billy looked at Sarah and nodded.

"Dead serious. Hell, if you want, we can go to the courthouse in Port Angeles and get married today." Sarah shook her head.

"No. I mean, yes, I would…..I'd marry you I mean…..but I don't want it to be like that. I want it to be special. I know this is happening fast, but I at least want this to be happy. Getting married at a courthouse is so…..businesslike." Billy smiled.

"Do you think your parents will be alright with us getting married?" Quil was the one to answer Billy's question.

"They'd sooner shoot you. I suggest just getting married today and getting it over with so they have no choice but to go along with it." Sarah shook her head.

"No. I want a ceremony. I don't care how small it is, Billy, but I want a ceremony. If nothing else, I want our closest friends there. Then, after that, we can tell our parents about this."

"Sarah, do have any idea how long it'll take to set up a ceremony like that and keep your parents in the dark? Most people plan their weddings, at the very least, a year in advance. You don't have a year."

"I'm sure we can set something up. It doesn't have to be fancy. I know I'm being pushy, but I want at least something ."

"I'll see what I can do. I can always get a Justice of the Peace or something. And First Beach is free." Sarah smiled and hugged Billy tightly. Quil sighed discontentedly.

"Thank you, Billy." Billy returned the hug and looked at Quil.

"I know you're mad at me. I know I fucked up and I'm sorry. But yelling at me won't solve anything."

"It's not a matter of solving anything, Billy. I'm just….I'm mad because I feel betrayed. Sarah's my cousin, Billy. I know you're planning to take responsibility, but that doesn't change the fact that Sarah's life is pretty much ruined now because of you."

"My life isn't ruined, Quil." Sarah said, never leaving Billy's arms. "I'm becoming a mother. That hardly qualifies as ruining my life."

"You're eighteen."

"So? My mom was sixteen when she had my brother."

"That was the fifties, Sarah. And your parents were already married. Back then, it wasn't weird to get married in high school. And women having kids at the time, as long as they were married, wasn't that weird either. This is the eighties and you're having a kid out of wedlock and with no plan."

"We're getting married, Quil. We'll be married by the time the baby's born." Quil sighed heavily and started biting his lip.

"Quil?" Quil looked up at Billy. "I love Sarah. And I'll do what I can to make sure she and the baby have a good life. I promise." Quil sighed again.

"Fine. I'll let you do this how you want. And I'll keep quiet."

"Thanks, Quil." Billy said.

"Don't thank me yet. As far as I'm concerned, you're still on my shit list until this is all taken care of." Billy smiled.

"Duly noted, Quil." Quil finally smiled too.

"As long as you're both happy, I'm happy for you."

After that chat, Billy drove Sarah back to school. Lunch hour, luckily, wasn't over yet, so Sarah wouldn't get in any trouble. Billy drove into Port Angeles after that and went to the courthouse to ask about marriage licenses and getting someone to marry him and Sarah. He set up a date for the next week and got all the information he needed. Once that was taken care of, Billy went to the theatre and asked them for the day off so he could handle a few personal things. Then he began driving back to the reservation and waited outside the school for Sarah. Once he saw her, he drove up to the sidewalk and asked her to get in.

On the way to Port Angeles, Billy filled Sarah in on what he'd done and let her know they could get their marriage licenses that day. They went to the courthouse, got their licenses within an hour, and signed it there. They were officially married, but Sarah still wanted the ceremony, which Billy assured her would still happen next week. Sarah decided she wanted Billy with her when she picked out a dress to wear, so they went to a bridal shop that had ready to take home gowns. She ended up finding a gown for really cheap that was from the fifties. It was almost entirely lace and was far less poufy than the other gowns in the store. The dress fit, she Billy paid the fifty two hundred dollars so Sarah could take it home. He offered to let her keep it at his house so her parents wouldn't find it. After Billy dropped off Sarah, he went to the convenience store in Forks where Bobby worked so let him know about the big news.

"She's pregnant?" Billy nodded. There weren't currently any customers, so Billy didn't correct the sudden outburst.

"Yeah. She found out yesterday. So we went downtown earlier and get married at the courthouse. We're still having a ceremony, though. It's next week."

"Why have a ceremony if you're already married? And another thing, why are you here talking to me when you should be having a nice wedding night with your new wife?"

"Because Sarah wants that ceremony. It's the least I can do for her. I can count the number of times we've had protected sex on one hand. That's my fault." Bobby sighed. "Anyway, I was wondering if you would be my best man." Bobby smiled.

"You know I will. And hey, don't worry about moving out. I'll start looking for a new place soon. You need to stay in the rez a lot more than I do. Besides, you need all that room if you're going to raise a family. I'll be out as soon as I find a place."

"You'd really do that?"

"Of course, little brother. Think of it as my wedding gift." Billy smiled and hugged Bobby.

"I don't know how to thank you, Bobby."

"Have a happy marriage. That's how you can thank me. Never turn into mom and dad."

"Hell no! Never."

"Good. Speaking of mom and dad, do they know about this?" Billy laughed without humor. "Is that a no?"

"We aren't telling either of our parents until after the ceremony."

"Are you serious?" Billy nodded.

"Yeah. Sarah said she'd rather have everything set and done before we tell our parents. She's hoping to render her parents helpless to do anything."

"Ah. And what makes her think the parents won't demand a divorce?"

"Well, it doesn't really matter. We have to agree to get that divorce and we have to sign all that paperwork involved in the process. If we aren't willing, they can't make us."

"True, true."

"Truth be told, I think her parents will ultimately expect me to take responsibility and marry her." Bobby shrugged.

"Well, you did get her pregnant. It's yours, right?" Billy gave Bobby a mean look.

"Of course it's mine. Who's else's would it be?" Bobby was about to mention someone. "And if you say Michael, I swear I'll kick you in the balls." Bobby chuckled.

"Then I'm drawing a blank. So what did Quil have to say about you knocking up his cousin?" Billy sighed.

"Please don't say it that way. I don't like thinking of it like that."

"But that's what happened. You knocked her up. But on the bright side, you're manning up and taking care of your business. Not all men do that, so what you're doing is commendable. You should be proud of yourself." Billy sighed and looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Can I admit something?"

"Of course you can." Billy took a deep breath.

"I'm not as much scared as I am guilty. I feel like I'm stealing her life right out from under her. She says she's happy to be a mother, but I feel like I forced it on her too soon without even meaning to."

"It's a good thing you feel that way, Billy."

"What?"

"Well, think about it. If you didn't feel guilty about this, you'd be….well, the best example I can think of is you'd be Sam." Billy shuddered.

"Please. No human being should be like Sam." Bobby shrugged.

"Well, you think he's a sociopath right? By definition, they don't feel things like normal people do. So I guess it's fair to say he's as none human as a human being can get." Bobby thought a moment. "It's paradoxical, isn't it?"

"I don't care. I fucked up, so the least I can do is take responsibility." Bobby gave Billy a weird look.

"Do you love her?"

"Of course I love her." Bobby shrugged.

"It just sounded like you didn't love her. But if you say you do…."

"I do, Bobby. My feelings for her aren't the issue. The issue is I got her pregnant."

"Look, Billy, it happened, it's done, just deal with it. That's all you can do. Have you started job hunting at all?"

"I just found out she's pregnant today. Between deciding to keep it and getting married, I didn't have time to start looking for a new job. Hell, I still need to buy rings."

"Why not give her grandma's ring? She did say she wanted you to give it to whoever you marry. Mom has it hidden away in a box in the garage labeled, 'Mom's things'. You don't even need to ask. Just step in and take it." Billy's face lit up as he remembered the diamond ring his grandma had left him.

"Shit, you're right! I'd forgotten about that ring." Billy remembered when his grandma had said he could have it before she died. At the time, he didn't really care, but now the ring was a life saver.

"There, one problem solved. Now all you need to do it get yourself a gold band. Actually, I wonder if grandpa's ring is in the garage too."

"I'll be sure to check. I'm not sure I can afford to buy a $300 gold band or however much those things cost."

"I don't think they're too expensive depending on where you go. But look for those rings first before you buy anything. You need to save up all the money you can get. And fuck school tomorrow. Go straight to job hunting. I hear there's a job opening at a packing place in Hoquiam or something. Just look through the newspapers and apply everywhere the pay is good. Just remember to tell your current employer that you're looking for a better job. You know, the two week notice or whatever."

"Yeah. Thanks for the help, Bobby."

"No problem. Hey, neither mom and dad are usually home around now, so go there and get those rings."

"Will do."

Billy and Bobby said goodbye, and Billy left the convenience store and went straight to his parent's house. The key to the garage was cleverly hidden in a crack in the door, so Billy let himself in and began looking in the box labeled, 'Mom's things'. One of the first things he'd found was a photo album of his grandparents on his mom's side. They were so much happier than his parents were. They hardly visited while Billy was growing up because being with Will and Anne was so desperately unpleasant. Hence why Billy thought it was weird that his grandma had left him anything. Either way, Billy couldn't image how such kind and loving people could raise the monster that Billy considered his mother to be.

After glancing through the photo album, Billy found a ring box and was relieved to find his grandmother's diamond ring. It was a gold banded ring with a big square diamond. It wasn't grandma's engagement ring. It was actually one of her anniversary rings that grandpa would save up for. Either way, Billy knew Sarah would like it. Billy looked a little longer in the box until he found another ring box that, luckily enough, was his grandpa's wedding band. Once Billy had the rings, he locked up the garage and put its key in its rightful place before driving off. Billy didn't go to school the next day. Instead, he officially, over the phone, pulled out of school and began applying to every available, fulltime well-paying, job he could find. He even applied to places that he knew were out of his expertise, such as a bank and a few corporations that he had no idea what their purpose was.

Billy went to work at the movie theatre later that day and let them know that he was looking for a different job because he was now married and had a baby on the way, officially giving his two week notice to his job. After work was through, Billy drove home, left the car at his house, and snuck through the woods to Sarah's house. She was lying in bed reading when he walked to her window. Billy knocked on the window, getting Sarah's attention. She put her book down and walked over to the window and opened it for Billy. Billy helped himself inside Sarah's room, but Sarah was a little upset with him.

"You weren't in school today." Billy shook his head.

"I told you what would have to happen and that's what happened. I'm looking for a new job right now, so let's keep our fingers crossed, okay." Sarah sighed.

"I know, Billy, but….I still feel like…."

"This isn't your fault, Sarah. It's mine." Sarah kept looking at Billy, looking sad. Billy walked closer to Sarah and hugged her. "Let me take care of this, Sarah. Please just trust me."

"I do trust you." Billy smiled and bent his head down and kissed Sarah a moment. Then he smiled a little wider.

"You know, technically, we're already married. We haven't even gotten rings yet." Sarah smiled a little.

"Oh yeah. When should we do that?" Billy smiled impossibly more and got down on one knee, took out his grandma's ring and presented it to Sarah, who was dumbfounded.

"How about now?" Sarah stared at the ring for what seemed like eternity. Billy had made sure to clean it a little so it would shine a little brighter. Sarah's eyes actually began filling with tears.

"Billy…..it's beautiful. How did you get this?"

"It was my grandma's ring. She gave it to me when she died and told me to give this to the woman I married." Billy slipped it on Sarah's finger. Thankfully, the ring fit well. "And we are married now."

"Billy…" Sarah fell into Billy's arms and hugged him tightly. "Oh, Billy, I love it. It's beautiful, thank you." Billy smiled and kissed Sarah's neck.

"I hoped you would." Then, Billy reached into his pocket again and pulled out the gold band and slipped it on his finger. It fit great, leaving Billy, again, with less to worry about.

"Should I wait to wear it until the ceremony?" Billy thought a moment.

"Probably. You can keep it, though." Sarah smiled wider.

"Thank you, Billy."

Billy and Sarah kept hugging for a few minutes before they rested on her bed and made out for a little while, but once Sarah heard movement outside her room, she made Billy leave and promise they'd see each other again soon. The next day, Billy continued his job search and eagerly answered any phone calls he received during work. He managed to get a few interviews scheduled through the week, though he made sure to keep February 10th free, since that was the day Billy was able to get the guy to come out and marry him and Sarah. Thankfully, few of the employers were really concerned with Billy's lack of a diploma. They were more interested in the fantastic reviews they'd received about him from his current employer about his work ethic.

Ultimately, two days before his wedding, Billy was hired to work at a manufacturing plant in Hoquiam. It had benefits, it paid well, and it was a full time job that would keep a roof over his and his new wife and child's heads and food on the table. Billy agreed to start work the following Monday after the 10th, giving him and Sarah at least two days to enjoy being newlyweds. The next day, Billy went to his parent's house early in the morning hoping to catch his mom before she went to bed after returning from work and before his dad left for work after waking up. He was in luck, walking up to the house as his dad was limping out the door.

"Morning, dad. Do you mind if I talk to you and mom a moment?"

"I do." His dad said, continuing to limp to his car. "I have to go to work and get away from your mom. Anything you need to talk about, you can tell your mom." Billy rolled his eyes.

"Fuck, dad, can you sit with me and mom for five minutes? It's important."

"Is my car being towed or my house being foreclosed on?" Billy look at his dad, confused.

"I don't know. What does that have to do with me needing to talk to you?"

"Exactly." Billy stared at his dad a moment.

"Dad, are you drunk already?"

"I'm drunk still, boy. Now I need to get to work. You might get lucky and catch her before she goes to sleep." Then Will got into his car and drove away without another word to Billy. Billy sighed and walked up to the house and let himself in. He walked to his mom's room just as she was about to go to bed.

"Hey, mom?" Anne jumped and groaned.

"What the hell, Billy! I need to get to sleep!" Billy avoided mentioning any of the many times his mother had forced him out of bed and got straight to the point.

"Look, Mom, I need to invite you to the Arteara's house this Monday for something."

"Okay, why aren't they inviting me, and secondly, why the hell would I go to their house for anything?"

"Mom, it's important, okay." Anne sighed.

"Just to be clear, we're talking about Joseph and Maxine Arteara, right? Not Harold and Carla?" Billy nodded.

"Joseph and Maxine, yeah. Sarah's parents. Not Quil's parents."

"Which begs the question as to why we would need to have dinner together." Anne looked Billy over a second looking for something suspicious. Thankfully, Billy had remembered to take of his gold band, so Anne didn't see the most damning evidence.

"There are just a few things we all need to talk about. I'm telling you to wait until Monday because I want you all to make sure you make time for this. I can't very well tell you to come to dinner tonight and make you late for work." Anne rolled her eyes.

"Billy, I'm here right now. There's no need to have dinner with those pretentious bastards. Whatever's wrong, you can tell me now."

"Sorry, mom. It's a family issue." Anne glared at Billy a moment, then realization filled her eyes, followed by rage.

"She's pregnant isn't she?" It was hardly a question. Accusation filled Anne's voice and Billy sighed.

"We'll talk about it Monday, mom."

"No! We'll talk about this now! You forced me out of bed; we'll talk about it now! When did you find out about this?" Billy sighed heavily.

"A few days ago."

"Damn it, Billy! What have I told you! Condoms, condoms, condoms! Why didn't you listen to me?"

"We did use condoms, but it just broke." Billy lied. They'd used condoms occasionally, but admittedly, Billy preferred the feeling without it. He made sure not to say that, though. "I don't know what else to tell you mom. She's pregnant, we're dealing with it, that's all we can do."

"You shouldn't have gotten her pregnant in the first place Billy! God damn it, you're so fucking stupid; getting a girl pregnant when I've always cautioned you against it!"

"Mom, yelling won't change anything! All you're doing is making this into a bigger thing." Anne took a deep, angry breath, then looked at Billy again.

"Why aren't you at school?" Billy sighed.

"I dropped out, mom. I can't go to school and work full time and provide for a family."

"You what!"

"You heard me. I'm looking for a new job now." Billy chose to, again, lie to Anne. He didn't want to risk his mom finding out where he worked and calling them and causing problems. It wouldn't be beyond her to do something like that.

"Oh no you're not! You're going back to that school and begging them to let you come back."

"No, I'm not. I'm a grown fucking man, mom. You can't tell me what to do anymore. Hell, you're lucky I even came here to talk to you! You know what, mom, don't even bother going to Sarah's house Monday. You know everything you need to know," Billy lied again, "and I'd like to tell her parents everything without you screaming in my ear!"

"No, Billy! You will tell her to get rid of that baby so you can finish school."

"NO I WON'T!" Anne stepped back a second, surprised by how loud Billy had yelled. "I told Sarah I would support her no matter what she decided, and that's exactly what I'll do and I sure as fuck don't need your permission to do that!"

"I can guarantee you that Sarah's parents will have the same thing to say as I do. And frankly, if it takes an angry daddy with a shotgun to knock some fucking sense into you, then so be it! Now get out of here! I need some sleep."

"Gladly, you vicious old harpy."

Billy mumbled as he walked away. He felt something soft hit the back of his head and saw that it was a small throw pillow. Instead of arguing more, Billy just walked out of the house and went straight to Port Angeles to let his current employer know he was starting his new job Monday. Billy picked Sarah up after school and drove her back to her house. Sarah's mom was at a baby shower, so Sarah decided to use that time to get the bulk of her packing done so Billy could bring some of her stuff back to his house. While they were filling up some boxes, Billy decided he needed to tell Sarah about that morning.

"Sarah?"

"Yeah?" Sarah was currently putting some books into a large box.

"I went to my parents' house this morning to invite them to dinner Monday." Sarah stopped what she was doing and looked at Billy, who was sullenly packing away some clothes in her closet.

"What happened?" Sarah walked over to Billy, who finally looked at her when she was standing next to him. Billy took a deep breath and dropped Sarah's blouse in the box.

"I told mom we all needed to have dinner together. In a nutshell, she figured out you were pregnant and we got into an argument. So my parents won't be coming to dinner on Monday."

"Did you tell her we're getting married?"

"We're already married. But no, I didn't tell her we were married or about to get married. All she knows is your pregnant and I'm planning to get a full time job to support you and the baby." Sarah looked at Billy confused.

"I thought you already found a new job." Billy sighed.

"I…may have lied to mom."

"Billy."

"Sarah, if she knew I already had a new job, she might call them and tell them to fire me and make me go back to school. I'd rather mom thought I was unemployed than risk losing my job because of my crazy mom."

"Billy, you need to tell her everything. Maybe she got this mad because you didn't tell her all the details."

"Trust me, Sarah, I'm wise not to tell her everything. If she knew we were married and moving in together and all that shit, she would've reacted even worse than she already did."

"Billy, it doesn't matter how she reacts. She's your mother and she deserves to know what's going on in your life."

"Sarah, my family isn't like yours where we talk openly and are one big happy family."

"Billy!"

"Don't yell at me! I've had enough of being yelled at today!" Sarah stayed silent and backed away. Billy sighed and walked over to her and hugged her. Sarah hugged him back after a moment. "I'm sorry. I know where you're coming from, Sarah, but trust me. I know how to handle my parents, and the less they know, the better. We'll tell them we're married Monday. I'll make my parents come to dinner." Sarah shook her head and looked up at Billy.

"No. If it makes you that uncomfortable, than I won't force it. We'll talk just to my parents and deal with yours when you're ready." Billy smiled and hugged Sarah tighter.

"Thanks Sarah. I appreciate it. Now let's keep packing. I'd like to get as much packed as possible before your mom gets home."

They packed up the majority of Sarah's room and things, putting some things in a box to sell. Any childhood toys that she still had were put into boxes that Billy would put in his room. Once Bobby moved out, Billy and Sarah would take over the master bedroom and Billy's room would become the baby's room. Billy managed to get all the packed boxes in his car and leave before Sarah's mom got back home. Before he left, he gave Sarah a kiss and told her the person marrying them would meet them at First Beach at three o'clock. Billy went to bed early that night and desperately hoped that Bobby had remembered to get himself a pair of dark khaki pants and a white shirt. When morning rolled along, Billy woke up with Sarah snuggling up to him. He'd already given her a key to the house.

"Morning, Sarah." Sarah smiled.

"I can't believe I didn't wake you after all that noise I made trying to maneuver around all the boxes in this room." Billy grinned and turned on his side to face Sarah.

"Sorry. I didn't want to put anything in Bobby's room until he moved out."

"How's he fairing finding a new place?"

"Not bad. He's found this one apartment that's close to his work and it's within his price range. He's also considering moving to Hoquiam and trying to get a job at that manufacturing plant I got hired at." Sarah smiled.

"That would be nice for you two to work together."

"It would. He's already applied and I promised I'd put in a good word for him."

"That's good to hear." Sarah kissed Billy and wrapped her right arm around Billy's neck. "We're getting married today." Billy smiled and kissed her back.

"I know. I can't wait either. When are Sue and Kelly getting here? They're both being your bridesmaids right?" Sarah nodded.

"Yeah. I actually just got back from that flower shop in Forks." Sarah turned to the side of the bed, reached for something, then pulled it out and showed a bouquet of pink roses to Billy. "Isn't it pretty?" Billy smiled.

"Really pretty. What time is it?"

"It's almost eleven. Kelly and Sue will be here soon and help me with my hair and make-up. We need to be there by three right?" Billy nodded.

"Yeah." Billy groaned and tried to sit up in bed. "I'll go check and see if Bobby's awake. He and I can get ready in here. You, Kelly, and Sue can use the master's." Sarah smiled.

"Thank you."

Billy and Sarah stayed in bed together until Kelly and Sue knocked at the door. Billy then went to Bobby's room and woke him up so they could start gettingready. Bobby insisted that Billy take his shower first so Bobby could get some more sleep. Once Billy was clean and had shaved, he walked out in his sweat pants and gently kicked Bobby telling him he needed to start getting ready. Bobby groaned and half sleep-walked to the bathroom to take a shower. Once they were both ready and dressed, Billy and Bobby left early to meet the Justice of the Peace at the beach. It was overcast like it usually was, but at least it wasn't raining. The news report said there wouldn't be any rain until late in the night, so Billy was hoping the news would be right about the rain for once.

Sarah, Sue, and Kelly were near the beach a half hour before the actual ceremony, ready to tell whoever else came where they needed to go. Sue had invited her now Fiancé Harry, and Kelly invited Sam, even though Billy had specifically asked that he not come. Quil had broken up with Maggie a few days ago, so he ended up bringing Joy, a girl he's been friends with for years. All the guests went to the beach and Billy hid his discontent when he saw Sam among his guests. A few minutes later, Sarah, Sue, and Kelly walked to the spot on the beach and the ceremony commenced. It was a short ceremony, only thirty minutes with Sarah and Billy saying their vows and sharing a kiss when they were told to kiss. When the ceremony was over, the group said goodbye to the Justice, then went to a nice restaurant in Port Angeles and had dinner together. Billy enjoyed himself as best he could, trying to ignore Sam. Not just because he didn't like him. Billy was extremely uneasy because he was smiling and talking to Kelly and everyone like nothing had happened and like Billy had never caught him with Nikki. He wasn't planning to tell Kelly, but he felt worse and worse about it the longer he was around Sam.

Wanting to get away from Sam without being rude, Billy insisted that he and Sarah get home after desert, claiming he just wanted to be alone with his wife. Sarah was none the wiser and agreed to go home so they could have some alone time together. Bobby promised he'd spend the weekend with a girlfriend so they'd be completely alone for their makeshift honeymoon time.

That weekend was very similar to the weekend they shared during winter break, but they were married. Sarah would lay down with Billy and admire her wedding ring after they'd made love and they began a little unpacking, getting ready for Bobby's eminent move. That Monday, when it was Billy's first day at his new job, he woke up early and made himself and Sarah some breakfast before leaving for work. It was like any job, but it paid better, and since it was his first day, he was trying to talk and befriend as many people as he could. He managed to get home by six thirty that night. Bobby was in the kitchen eating something.

"Hey, Bobby. Did Sarah call?" Bobby nodded.

"Yeah, she did. She said she offered to fix dinner so she could lure her parents into a false sense of security. And I already called mom for you and let her know that Sarah said dinner would be at seven." Billy groaned.

"I shouldn't have promised mom and dad would be at this." Bobby shrugged.

"Get, you never know. They might actually get along." Billy laughed out loud without humor.

"Sure they will, Bobby. Hey, maybe after that, maybe I can sit out on the porch and shoot flying pigs." Bobby smiled.

"You don't need to be so sarcastic about it. I'm just trying to lighten your mood." Billy sighed.

"Did mom actually agree to come?" Bobby nodded without a smile.

"Yes, yes she did." Billy sighed.

"How did she sound when she agreed?"

"She sounded like she normally does when she's intensely displeased with either of us. So yeah, you're in for one hell of a night. Is all Sarah's stuff moved in?"

"Almost. There's a few other things she wants to move but if we can't move those, no big deal. Everything she really needs is already here. She's coming home with me tonight as far as we're both concerned." Bobby lifted his glass up to cheer Billy.

"Kudos to you, Billy. And don't you worry about me. I found a place in Hoquiam and that manufacturing plant said they would hire me." Billy grinned.

"Yeah, I heard about that. I'm glad I'll have someone working with me that I know really well."

"Indeed, and you and Sarah can work on being a happy family together. Speaking of families, dinner's at seven, so you better get going." Billy groaned.

"If I have to." Billy opened the door again, then turned to look at Bobby. "Oh, and Bobby? If I'm not home by ten….you know who did it." Bobby chuckled and wished Billy luck. Before leaving, Billy decided to quickly change into cleaner, nicer clothes and then finally left, managing to get to Sarah's house ten minutes later. Billy was wearing his ring, assuming her parents wouldn't be looking at his hand anyway. Once he was in front of the door, he took a deep breath before knocking on the door. He waited a few seconds before Sarah opened the door, then immediately stepped outside and closed the door. "What? What's wrong?"

"I didn't tell my parents anyone was coming, so they'll be surprised to see you."

"Yeah, I know. Bobby let me know. He said my parents were planning to come too." Sarah smiled.

"I appreciate that, Jacob. Dinner will be ready soon, so you can just stay in the kitchen with me, okay. Assuming my parents don't get upset with you being here."

"Why wouldn't they?" Sarah sighed.

"Let's just go inside. We'll explain ourselves when they ask." Sarah opened the door and went back inside the house, taking Billy with her. Her father looked back and saw Billy, this instantly got his attention.

"Sarah?" Mr. Arteara stood up looking at Billy. "What's Billy Black doing here?"

"I invited him to dinner." Mr. Arteara looked at Sarah oddly.

"Did you now. Why's that?" Billy spoke before Sarah could.

"Look, Mr. Arteara, small talk aside, my parents should be here soon too." This time, Mr. Arteara looked angry.

"What?" After he said that, Mrs. Arteara came back from the bedroom where she'd been and spoke in surprise.

"Your parents are coming? Anne Black is coming to my house?"

"Mrs. Arteara," Billy interrupted, "I promise, my mom will be on her best behavior. And if she says anything out of line, I'll come to your defense."

"Why is that woman even planning on coming here? For that matter, what are you doing here? Sarah, honey, what's going on?" The doorbell rang then and Sarah, wanting to dodge her mom's question for as long as possible, went to the door and opened it for Billy's parents, who walked in with a grimace on each of their faces, but for different reasons.

"Mr. and Mrs. Black! It's a pleasure to see you." Sarah said, trying to be pleasant.

"Let's just get this over with." Anne said. Will looked like he was half hung over, which wasn't uncommon to Billy.

"Ann, what the hell was so important that you felt the need to force me awake?"

"All I did was keep you from sitting on your ass and drinking like you always do. Or did you have a date tonight?" Ann said with heavy sarcasm.

"Mom, stop it. If you and dad are going to argue, do it on your own time." Sarah ran to the kitchen, the tension now in the air growing ever more palpable.

"Why don't we sit down and have dinner? It looks like dinner's ready." Billy went right to Sarah and helped her set the table and get food ready. No one sat at the table with them, though. The parents were all staring at each other. Or more appropriately, Mr. and Mrs. Arteara were glaring at Ann, Ann was glaring back, and Will was staring out into space not caring what was going on.

"Mom, dad, dinner's ready." Billy's dad finally heard Billy say something and went to the table and sat next to Billy at the table. The other parents reluctantly followed, but once everyone was at the table, Will was the only one eating. Everyone else sat at the table awkwardly. Ann was the one who eventually broke the painful silence.

"Alright, Billy. Tell them what you told me. Or do you want me to tell them?" Billy immediately shook his head.

"We'll do it, mom." Mr. Arteara looked right at Ann.

"What do you know that we don't?" Then Mr. Arteara looked at Sarah. "For that matter, what did your mother and I tell you? We don't want you dating this boy?" Mrs. Arteara put her hand on her husband's arm.

"She's not dating him." Mrs. Arteara said, giving her daughter the benefit of the doubt. Then she looked at Sarah. "You two aren't dating, right honey?"

"Oh, they're dating alright." Ann, said. "On top of that, Sarah's pregnant." Mrs. Arteara's face froze in horror and Mr. Arteara glared right at Billy.

"You got my daughter pregnant?" Billy nodded, keeping his face stern and strong, not letting Sarah's dad intimidate him.

"Yes, sir. I realize we were irresponsible, but I've made things as right as possible."

"Yeah, you dropped out of school, Billy. That's really making things right." Ann said, then Will, amazingly, came to Billy's defense…sort of.

"For fuck sake, woman, let the boy talk! You talk so damn much and shit talk these boys while you're at it and you wonder why our sons are fuck ups. According to Bobby, Billy gave up pot for this girl. You should be damn grateful someone's forcing Billy to live a straight life."

"Yeah, like you talk to Bobby."

"I talk to him a hell of a lot more than you do. I guess that comes with not yelling at them all the time."

"No, you usually reserve that for me."

"Of course. You're the one that makes my life miserable."

"SHUT UP!" Sarah's father yelled. Then he looked right at Billy. "What do you mean you've made things as right as possible? What else have you done to my little girl?"

"Daddy, please." Sarah said. Sarah's father looked at her and his face softened, but minimally. "When I found out I was pregnant, Billy said he would stand by me no matter what I decided to do. It was my decision to keep the baby." Sarah's mother interrupted.

"Honey, I admire that you're both trying to do the right thing, but abortion isn't the only answer. You can put the baby up for adoption. Find a family that's ready for a baby. You two simply are too young to have a family."

"Mom, we've already decided what to do." Sarah's mother interrupted her again.

"Honey, there's no need to be rash. We can talk about this and figure out what to do. There's no need to drop out or anything." Sarah shook her head.

"I haven't, mom. Billy dropped out so he could get a better job." Ann laughed without humor.

"Good luck with that." This time, Billy didn't hold in his temper with his mom.

"For your information, mother, I did find a better job. I started today. I'm paid well, I have benefits, and I'm already working on getting Sarah on the health insurance plan the job provides. I'll keep a roof over our heads and food on the table and I don't need Bobby's help to do it either." Will smiled.

"See, Ann, it solved itself." Ann was sneering now.

"How can you say that? That doesn't solve anything! Now he's just a bum with a bad job and no education!"

"Mrs. Black, please don't say that." Sarah said in Billy's defense. "Billy's doing everything he can for me and the baby and he doesn't deserve to be degraded like that." Billy put his hand on Sarah's arm, stopping her.

"Don't bother, Sarah. She'll say what she wants."

"Billy." Mr. Arteara said. Billy looked at him. "Really, I appreciate that you're trying to do right by my daughter. I respect you more knowing you're willing to take care of your business and be a man. But I don't want Sarah throwing her life away. You're both too young for this."

"Mr. Arteara,"

"Billy, stop. I want Sarah to finish school and go on to college. She can't do that with a baby. As far as I'm concerned, this subject is closed. And I expect you and my daughter to end this relationship. To be frank, Billy, my daughter deserves better than you." This took Billy by surprise and it really angered him. Even more surprising, Will again came to Billy's defense.

"You know what, Joseph, you can just go fuck yourself. My son is telling you he's willing to take care of your daughter and her baby. He could've easily said, 'Sorry, bitch, this is your problem', and left her to deal with this herself, but he didn't. He's being a man and taking care of his business. I can tell you right now, my son's more a man than most boys in the tribe these days and you should be proud that your daughter found a man that's willing to love and take care of her. Billy even went out of his way to make sure he could provide a good life for the two of them by getting a better job at his own expense. My son's not good enough for your daughter? I think he is. All that's left is for them to get married."

"We already did." Billy blurted out. This time, everyone at the table looked right at Billy. Sarah's mother went stiff and her father became impossibly angrier.

"What?"

"We got married last week." Sarah's mother looked at her, almost teary eyed.

"Sarah, please tell me you didn't." Sarah looked at her mother, not guilty about getting married, but not telling her mother sooner. She knew her mother always wanted to be involved in her wedding planning, so having a wedding without her was heartbreaking to her. Never mind that Sarah married a boy her mother wasn't thrilled about, but she didn't even get the chance to help her daughter plan her wedding. That was more than Mrs. Arteara could stand. Sarah took her ring out of her pocket, put it on, and showed it to her mother. Mrs. Arteara started crying then. Ann grabbed Sarah's hand.

"That's my mother's." Billy took Sarah's hand back from his mom.

"Grandma left it to me when she died, mom. So it's mine to give to who I want. I chose to give it to Sarah as her wedding ring." Billy could see his mother's face turning red from pure anger. Will shrugged.

"There, that's done too."

"Sarah, why?" Mrs. Arteara asked. "Why didn't you just come and talk to me? We could've worked this out. Why didn't you come and talk to me?" Sarah looked at her hands, tearing up herself.

"Mom, I'm sorry. But I knew you and father would never let Billy and I get married. And it was my decision for things to happen this way. If you want to blame anyone, blame me."

"Getting married was my idea." Billy interrupted. It wasn't just Sarah's fault and he had no intention of letting her parents think otherwise. "Sarah decided she wanted to keep the baby and I made the decision for us to get married and be a family. I don't want you to think I just married her because she's pregnant. I love Sarah and am happy to have married her, and I'll do everything I can for her."

"I don't care." Mr. Arteara said. "You married my daughter without my permission, behind my back."

"Daddy, that was my decision too. I knew you would never allow Billy and me to do what we needed to do."

"You two didn't need to get married, Sarah! You should've come talk to me and your mother and let us help you, not make the rash decision to get married just because you're pregnant." Ann sighed.

"You're both fucking stupid, you know that? I can't believe this happened. I've told you I don't care if you have your flings and whores as long as you're safe about it, and yet this is what happens? You're both fucking idiots."

"You know what, mom," Billy said, his tone extremely harsh, "I'll take that shit from you, but I won't let you talk about my wife that way. She decided to keep this baby because she already loves it and she loves me enough to ask what I'd like to do instead of going six months looking for a person to give her an abortion, then finally going to the father and telling him she's pregnant and, 'we might as well deal with it'. Yes, mom, Sarah and I messed up, but at least we're trying to do the right thing. That's a lot more than you can ever say you did. And for the record, mother, we'll raise this baby letting him or her know we love them, not reminding them whenever it's convenient that he or she was a mistake."

"I never said you or Bobby were a mistake!" Will rolled his eyes.

"Yes you have. I may be drunk most of the time, but I hear when you tell the boys they ruined your life." Ann was about to say something, but Will turned his attention back to Mr. Arteara. "And yes, Joseph, Billy married Sarah without telling you. I'll admit that was wrong of him. But regardless, my son is doing the best he can to do what's right and I can honestly say I've never been prouder of him. I know you're mad, but get over it. We're going to be grandparents soon, so we need to get ready to be there for that child like good grandparents." Mr. Arteara laughed without humor.

"You and Ann being good grandparents? That's laughable. You aren't even good parents."

"Fuck you! I've been a great mother to my children!" Ann yelled.

"Mom, you made me and Bobby start doing drugs and drinking. Is that good parenting to you?"

"You both did that to yourselves, young man. I never 'pushed' either of you into anything."

"That's bullshit, mom, and you know it." Ann was about to speak, but Will said something first.

"Ann, you're a monstrous, overbearing cunt. If you force me to drink, just so I can stand to be around you, then believe me, it wouldn't be beyond Billy and Bobby to find their own ways to make sure you're as tolerable as possible."

"Oh, like you're a fucking saint." Ann said sarcastically. "All you ever do is sit on your ass and drink while watching sports. Aren't you just a prime role model." Will rolled his eyes.

"At least I never threw a lamp or something at either of our children." Mr. Arteara finally intervened.

"That's it, I've had enough of both of you. I want you out of my house." Then Mr. Arteara looked at Billy. "That goes for you too. I want to talk to my daughter alone." Billy looked at Sarah, silently asking if she was alright with that. Sarah smiled and kissed Billy's cheek, reassuring him she'd be fine. With that reassurance, Billy left the table, walking to the door with his parents who were still arguing. When they were all outside, Will stopped pretending to listen to Ann and looked at Billy.

"Billy, I'm going home with you. I'd like to have a talk with you myself." Billy looked at Ann a moment as she got into the car and drove away, despite not knowing what Billy and Will were talking about. Billy smiled a little.

"I think you'll have to anyway."

Will and Billy got into his car and drove to Billy's house. Once they were there, Billy took out two beers, one for him, one for his dad, then they sat on the couch together. Will didn't talk immediately. I took a few gulps of beer first. He eventually asked Billy for a cigarette, which Billy gave him, and joined him in. After Will had a few drags of the cigarette, he sighed and finally said something that wasn't related to alcohol or smokes.

"So Sarah's pregnant?" Billy nodded.

"Yes, sir."

"And you've already married her?"

"I did." Will took another drag from his cigarette, then took a gulp of beer.

"I see." There was an awkward silence between them. This was the most Billy and his father had ever spoken before and it was weird. Then Will said something that surprised Billy yet again. His dad was full of surprises tonight. "I really am proud of you, Billy. You didn't let what happened between me and your mother dictate your decision to do the right thing."

"Sarah isn't like mom."

"I know she isn't. She's Joseph's little girl. He's a good guy and he treats her like a princess. It still pains me that we aren't friends anymore."

"Well…..thanks dad. It means a lot to me to have someone understand." Will shrugged.

"You were irresponsible. There's no disputing that. But if there's anyone I'd like this to have happened with, I'm glad it was Sarah. I want you to be good to her, son. Don't turn into me and your mother." There was another bought of silence between them. Will eventually continued. "Also….I realize I owe you a great deal of apology."

"For what?" Billy asked, confused. Will sighed.

"I haven't been any better to you than your mom has. I was happy when she told me she was pregnant. I was looking forward to having a son. I pictured playing baseball with Bobby, taking him to games, you know, all that sort of stuff. And at first, when Bobby was first born, things weren't so bad. I didn't love your mom, but I loved your brother. It's when your mom got pregnant with you when things really started getting sour. She blamed me for everything, she yelled at me all the time, and she just kept getting worse and worse as time went on."

"Then why did you and mom stay married? I doubt it was just because of me and Bobby." Will sighed.

"Nope, that was the only reason. I mentioned divorce once and your mom threw a fit. 'This is your fault this happened, you'll take responsibility for it,' were her exact words. Also, I think your mom thought if we got a divorce, we'd be the laughing stock of the tribe. Your mother's really hung up about her father being one of the Quileute wolves back in the day and it gives her an undeserved sense of entitlement."

"Even so, what did sticking it out with each other accomplish besides you two bringing out the worst in each other?"

"That's all it did. It drove me to seek solace through alcohol and other women. Your mom knows damn well I've cheated on her, but she doesn't care."

"We all know that, dad." Billy said, a little bitterly. Will took the bitterness, knowing he deserved it.

"I know, Billy, and I'm sorry you and Bobby ever knew. I've been a horrible father to you two, putting my own misery first and leaving you and your brother on the backburner."

"Dad, what are you getting at?" Will sighed.

"I've been a terrible father, Billy. I know there's nothing I can do to make that up to either you or Bobby. But I will do what I can for your child. I'll be a better grandfather, is what I'm getting at." Billy looked at Will, a little unconvinced his father was being sincere or if it were even possible for him to do what he promised.

"Dad, you've been the father you've been because you hated mom more than you loved me or Bobby."

"I know, and that's my fault. I'm sorry. But listen to me. I want to do better. This child deserve that much from me and you certainly deserve that from me at the very least." Billy looked at his father for a while, not sure what to say. Will's face was pleading. It was the most emotion he'd ever seen his father express in front of him.

"I don't want my child to have to deal with what I did when I was growing up. I want this baby to know what it's like to be loved by their parents and not have them be surrounded by unhealthy dysfunction. But I don't want them not getting to know their grandparents."

"I don't either, Billy. I've fucked up, and I know that. At least let me try to be a good grandfather where I failed being a father."

"I will, but you have to promise you'll never physically fight in front of my kid. That screwed with me a lot."

"It'll never happen. I swear it. And Billy?"

"Yeah, dad?" Will finally smiled, a little, but it was still there.

"I know I rarely showed it, but I do love you and Bobby. You're the only good that came between me and Ann." Billy was shocked. He couldn't think what to say. He couldn't remember the last time his father ever said he loved it. It was so alien to him. Eventually, Billy smiled and hugged his dad. Will hugged back.

"I love you too, dad."

Billy and Will had a few more beers together and talked a little longer before he finally went ahead and drove Will home. Sarah still hadn't come back when Billy came back home, and he was starting to get worried. He stayed in the living room, waiting for either a call from her and for her to get home. By the time it was nine, Billy was near panicking. What could they be talking about that was taking them this long? Once it was nine thirty, Billy heard the door open and Sarah finally walked into the house holding three boxes. Billy ran to her and took the boxes from her. Then he put it in his room before coming back to Sarah.

"What happened? Are you okay?" Sarah nodded and sighed. Her eyes were red, so she'd obviously been crying.

"Daddy was just extremely disappointed with me. Mom's upset because we had a wedding without involving her and they won't want to talk to me for a while." Sarah started tearing up again and Billy took her in his arms trying to comfort her.

"I'm sorry, Sarah. This is my fault." Sarah shook her head, rubbing her face into Billy's chest.

"It's both our faults, Billy. That's what I told my parents." Billy sighed.

"Will they forgive you?" Sarah nodded after a moment.

"Yes…..I think they will. It'll be a while, but I think they will. What about your parents? Are they upset?"

"Mom, yes. Dad surprised me, though. He was really understanding about it and he apologized to me for being a bad father all my life and asked for the chance to be a better grandfather." Sarah looked up at Billy and smiled a little through her tears.

"That's nice, isn't it? And I'm sure your mom will cool off eventually, right." Billy rolled his eyes.

"Mom hasn't cooled off since Bobby was born. Honestly, she's probably calling Bobby asking him where I'm working now so she can tell them to fire me and make me go back to school." Sarah sighed.

"I still wish you hadn't done that. You could've waited until after you graduated to find a better job. I wouldn't mind Bobby staying with us for that time, Billy."

"Sarah, if I stayed at the theatre and went through school, we wouldn't be able to afford the baby. And I can't tell Bobby to put his hard earned money towards helping with the baby. He'd be more than happy to, I know, but I can't make him do that. It's bad enough that I took his offer to let us keep the house."

"Bobby's a good guy, Billy. Anyone would be lucky to have such a good brother and I'm grateful for his help." Billy smiled and kissed Sarah.

"Don't worry too much, okay. I might not finish high school, but you will."

They didn't talk too much after that. They just went to bed together and let what happened today go to the back of their minds as best they could. The next day at school, Sarah talked to Sue, Kelly, and Quil about what happened with hers and Billy's parents. Quil wasn't surprised about the outcome regarding the parents. But Sarah ended the discussion when she noticed Sue's engagement ring that Harry had given her, congratulating her about the engagement, even though it had been mentioned a million times since Harry proposed. By the end of the week, Bobby was able to move out, leaving Sarah and Billy able to start fixing up the rooms, starting with Billy's old room. Billy spent most of the weekend helping Bobby move his mattress and mount to his new place, then got Bobby, Quil, and Harry to help him move the mattress and mount from his old room to Bobby's old room, leaving Billy's old room ready to be remodeled for a baby.

Once Billy's bed was moved to the master bedroom, Sarah began cleaning the room so it didn't smell like pot and cigarettes anymore. As she was cleaning, she found a few rolls of aluminum foil and some stuff in bottles that looked like black tar and a little tube that looked like a straw, but was a little thicker. Sarah figured they were drugs, but she didn't know what kind they were, so she took them to the kitchen and finally said something when Billy came back from Bobby's apartment.

"Hey, Billy? I found a few things in Bobby's room I think he forgot." Sarah held the things she found up and Billy's eyes went wide and he grabbed them from Sarah.

"Don't worry about this. I'll get them to him."

"Billy, what is that?"

"Nothing. I'll be right back, okay?" Before Sarah could inquire further, Billy was out of the house, in his car, and on his way back to Bobby's apartment. He hid everything in his pocket once he arrived and rang the buzzer. Once Bobby let Billy upstairs and into the apartment, he got straight to the point. "Sorry to barge in on you."

"Not at all. Did you leave something?"

"Actually you left something at my house." Billy pulled out the stuff in his pocket and put it on Bobby's kitchen counter. Bobby sighed.

"Holy shit, I was wondering where that went. Thanks, Billy."

"Bobby…..is this stuff heroin?" Bobby and Billy looked at each other a moment before Bobby sighed and nodded.

"Black tar heroin, yes." There was an awkward silence between them after that. Bobby scratched his head looking at his feet and Billy didn't know what to say. He knew Bobby was into harder stuff here and there, but having the proof stare him in the face was something else all together. "Look, Billy, I'm not addicted to it if that's what you're worried about. I only smoke it when I know mom's supposed to come and see me."

"Bobby, I'm not accusing you. The reason I'm a little upset about this is because Sarah's the one who found this while she was cleaning. I don't want her seeing this."

"I know, I'm sorry Billy. That was my fault for not looking for that more thoroughly."

"Is there any more that might be in that room?"

"I don't think so, but I'll check if you want me to. I don't want Sarah seeing that anymore than you do. How upset about this was she?"

"I'm not sure. I snatched it from her the moment I realized what it was." Bobby sighed.

"Look, Billy, I'm sorry about this. This is my problem, not yours. I never wanted you getting dragged in, especially when you've given this up and have a family on the way. I don't want Sarah to think I'm a screw up and not let me be around or anything."

"I wouldn't allow that. And Sarah wouldn't do that. She knows you're a great guy. I just don't want Sarah or the baby having to be around this or really even know about it. I can't tell you what to do. I'm no better. Frankly, I'd probably be doing this too if Quil had never given me that ultimatum and I know why you do this. I just don't want this taking over your life and making seeing your niece or nephew hard. That's all I'm going to say about this."

"Tell Sarah I'm sorry, okay?" Billy nodded and walked over and hugged Bobby.

"I will. And don't worry about this too much. I'm not mad at you."

After that was taken care of, Billy went back home with Sarah back in the master bedroom cleaning. Thankfully, she didn't push about what happened and she didn't find anything else that Bobby might have left behind. Just to be certain, Billy asked Sarah to do a little cleaning in his old room instead so he could make sure the master bedroom was clean. Later that night, Billy and Sarah went to bed in their new room. Sarah was rather proud of the changes she'd made thus far and was looking forward to the others that were to come soon. She didn't say anything about what she'd found because she knew Billy didn't want to talk about it. So they just said they loved each other, kissed, and went to bed for the night, tired from the day's exertions.