"Ok, Hershel you can do it, it's just one phone call and it's all over," Brenda prompted handing him the phone. Hershel looked nervous. He really did not want to have to do this.

"Are you sure this is the best way to do it?" He muttered, undoing his tie then taking the phone.

"Well how else are you supposed to do it, hmm?" Brenda smiled lightly "Besides they are all the way in Stansbury,"

"Yes but…"

"No Hershel, this cannot be avoided; they're your parents for goodness sake!"

Hershel sighed solemnly and began to slowly dial the number. Each press of the button dug deeper at his now shattered nerves. The phone began to ring.

It soon ceased when someone answered.

"Hello?" the voice asked.

"H-hello?" Hershel muttered, instantly recognising the voice as began that of his mother "Is that you ma?"

"Hershel, oh it's lovely to hear from you, I've been so worried, I haven't heard from you in over a week!" Lucille called; thrilled to hear her son's voice "How are you?"

"Umm, fine, um … it's just that…" Lucille immediately detected that all was not well.

"Hershel dear what is it?"

He took a long, deep breath before continuing.

"Ma, it's just Claire and I um,"

"What?"

"Claire is pregnant," Hershel's heart stopped. He dreaded his mother's reaction.

"What?" Lucille said, more surprised than angry.

"Yes, you heard right, Claire and I are going to be parents,"

There was no response. Hershel just stood there.

"Ma?"

The phone then proceeded to erupt with Lucille's frantic ramblings; more out of excitement than of anger.

"Ma, please calm down," Hershel said, slightly raising his voice in an attempt to control the situation.

"Oh but Hershel I am pleased for you," She said "I know most mothers would be horrified to hear that their son, studying for an expensive degree, was about to be a father to an equally expensive child, but I know you will be fine,"

"What makes you think that?" Hershel sighed, fidgeting worriedly with his tie.

"Because you are a strong, mature, young gentleman, who will do everything in their power to ensure that both you and Claire can give this child a proper life,"

Hershel was touched by his mother's kind words, but somehow what she was saying hinted to something he had not thought of before. A child will be an expensive burden to place on two in-debt university students. He had never even thought about how he and Claire would pay for the child and tend to its needs. Still, he would rather be in crippling debt than kill his own child. Hershel had already lost one important person in his life and he was not prepared to lose another. The way he say it was he was big enough to conceive the child so he should be big enough to face the consequences, not just take the easy way out.

"Hershel?" Lucille asked, causing Hershel to lose his train of thought.

"Everything will be alright, I promise you,"

Hershel smiled slightly, seeing his mother's supportiveness.

"Thank you,"

"There's no need, oh and I'll handle your father, if I tell him gently he should be very accepting,"

Lucille's innocence caused Hershel to chuckle.

"And if there's anything either you or Claire need I will be up to that university so fast,"

"Thanks again Ma,"

"It's alright dear,"

After a bit more idly chatting their call finally ended.

A soft smile grew on Hershel's face as he turned to Brenda.

She smiled back.

"See that wasn't so bad now was it?"