A/N: I want to thank all of you who reviewed, alerted, or favored this story. Your feedback has been much appreciated. – Jaz
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"I don't see anything?" Ethan said to Dr. Lee.
"Right here" She re positioned the wand and pointed to the screen.
"Oh, there's the head. Can we tell if it's a boy or girl?" Ethan asked. Kristina watched the screen then glanced over at Ethan; he'd been great all morning. He'd picked her on time and he was very supportive. It was great to see his excitement but apart of her was sad. This wasn't his baby, he shouldn't be put in this position; she had to keep reminding herself that this was what he wanted.
"No, we won't be able to determine gender for a couple of weeks."
"Are you crying?" Ethan asked taking his eyes off the baby and looking at Kristina
"Sorry, hormones." She explained. Ethan looked at Dr. Lee
"Pregnant women are very emotional"
"I'm happy. I just couldn't …"
"It's okay" he told her then looked at Dr. Lee who had started cleaning up
"When is her next appointment?" Ethan asked
"Next month, we will try to have monthly appointments until the 7th month then it will be twice a month, once she's nine months along I'll need to check on her every week."
"Okay" Ethan said nodding.
"Right now she is only 13 weeks along." Looking at Kristina she continued, "You may be experiencing heartburn but try sleeping with your head elevated to alleviate the discomfort and Tums will also help."
"Thanks so much Dr. Lee"
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After their appointment with Dr. Lee, they decided to go to lunch at Kelly's.
"Hey Grandpa Mike"
"Hey sweetheart, I just pulled a fresh cobbler out of the oven."
"Great! We'll have that and a chicken wrap for me. Ethan?"
"I'll have the chili with a grilled cheese sandwich."
"To drink?"
"Water." Kristina answered
"Sprite." Ethan said.
"Grandpa Mike makes the best chili."
"I know the perfect amount of spice and he doesn't skim on the beef" Ethan said and they shared smiles over the table.
"You two look happy." Mike said bring them their drinks
"We are" his granddaughter answered, "We had an appointment with Dr. Lee and she said that everything is going great."
"It's hard to believe I'm going to be a great-grandfather."
"Did you want to see the pictures?"
"Sure" Mike said.
Kristina, Ethan, and Mike were ooh-ing over the sonogram pictures when Kiefer entered the diner. Kiefer sat at a table on the other side of the diner, across from the happy couple. He was furious, he'd had an awful month, and all he'd been able to think about was Kay. He realized that even though the baby wasn't his, he still wanted her in his life. He loved her. He grades were starting to slip, and his father was on his case about it. Know matter how much he tried she was always at the forefront of his mind. Christmas was four days away he'd gone out and ordered gifts for both her and the baby. He couldn't explain why. Kristina got him, she always had. She knew what it meant to have a flaw when you were expected to be perfect. Her family was taking this teenage pregnancy a lot better than his would have. His father would have killed him for screwing up the plan. Kiefer realized that for her he'd risk disappointing his father.
Kristina's laughter caught his attention. Looking over as discreetly as possible he saw that the three of them were looking at pictures. "… Dr. Lee says that we'll be able to tell its gender by our next visit." Kiefer realized then that it was a family moment he was spying in on. That should be them. They should be happily preparing for the arrival of their child. Some of his friends even mentioned that she had her own apartment. All of this was too much; he didn't even touch his drink. Leaving enough money to pay for his meal he left in a rage of loathing.
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Two days before Christmas
"Do you even celebrate Christmas in Australia?" Kristina asked as they decorated the tree.
"Sure, though Christmas takes place during our summer months. My father use to fix kabobs on the barbie."
"Barbie that's the grill, right?"
"Yeah, I remember traveling to Melbourne one year for the Carols by Candlelight. It's this great outdoor concert where we light candles and sing Christmas carols." Ethan said remembering his eleventh year Christmas.
"When I was younger I'd spend the holidays with my dad. Michael, Morgan, and I would make a new ornament every year to add to the tree."
"Sounds like a great tradition"
"It was, but that ended once Michael became comatose. That year was my worst Christmas."
"Well this Christmas will be your best." He said trying to lighten the mood.
"With you here how could it not be? Are you going to the Quartermaine's for Christmas?"
"No, both my dad and Tracy warned me to steer clear of the Quartermaine's during holiday celebrations."
"My mom invited us to Christmas dinner at Mac's if you're interested." Kristina said
"I'd love to come."
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Ethan left for work at six that evening. Kristina was about to lie down for a nap when some one knocked at her door. You would think that she'd remember to check the peephole or at the very least ask who was at the door but she was so tired she forgot to do either. On the other side of the doorway stood Kiefer. She tried to close the door after she opened it but his foot blocked her.
"I just want to talk." He insisted
"No, if you want to talk we can do so in a public place."
"Come on Kay, don't be that way."
"My name is Kristina or even Krissy but I am not your Kay."
"I didn't mean any thing by it. Just give me a few minutes; please, I only want to talk."
Kristina saw a neighbor peek out and realize she'd rather not dry her dirty laundry where all her neighbors could see. Stepping aside, she waved him in.
"Why are you here?" she asked calmly.
"You're my best friend Kay."
"Kristina" she stressed
"Kristina, my dad's been giving me a hard time. You and me, we shared so much. I need someone to talk to."
"You have five minutes" She said crossing her arms over her chest, becoming the picture of impatience.
"Since we broke up I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. I love you, Ka…Kristina. I haven't been able to sleep, my grades are slipping, and I just want you to forgive me. I promise that I'm different now. I don't care that the baby isn't mine, I just want to be with you."
"Kiefer, I care about you but I'm with Ethan now and we are going to be a family. You and I are over. You never treated me right. I made excuse after excuse for you. Just because your father abused you and your mother didn't giver you the right to take your rage out on me."
Kiefer tightened his fist and started to count down from ten. "Didn't you hear me? I love you. Without you everything is falling apart. My dad will kill me when he finds out how bad things are going at Harvard. I just need you to be with me, you're the only one that understands."
Kristina walked to the door to open it and let Kiefer out, her hand touched the handle then he grabbed her.
"Kiefer!" She started to panic, "The baby, Kiefer. You said you've changed. If that was the truth you wouldn't hurt me. You would let me be happy with Ethan."
"No! Don't say his name. It's always Ethan, even when you claimed to be in love with me. If you know what's good for you, you will end things with that bastard and take me back. Just like you always said, I'm the best thing that ever happened to you." With that he slammed her shoulders in to the door before pushing her aside and leaving.
After he left Kristina locked and chained her door. Tears continued to roll silently down her face as she turned off all the lights. Sitting in a corner looking at the shadowed Christmas tree she broke down, silent tears turned in to body shaking sobs. She could never be happy. She hated to think of what he'd do. Kiefer's anger issues were only half of it; his family was very influential in New York. Kristina knew that he would do everything in his power to make her life miserable, something much worst than being outcast at school. Kristina was no longer sure if having a relationship with Ethan was a good thing. She would hate herself if Kiefer did something to him because of her.
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A/N: Australian Christmas traditions provided by Santa's Net: Christmas around the world. Don't forget to review. Thank you