Chapter 19

Halley's POV

When I woke up the next morning, I was still on the couch. My face felt stiff from the dried up tears from yesterday. Emily was sleeping in the armchair and I was leaning on Soda with his arms around me. I guess this could've been romantic were it not for the current situation.

I slowly got up from the couch so I wouldn't wake up Soda, and went into the bathroom. I splashed some cool water on my face to wake me up and to also get rid of the tears. After that, I went into the kitchen, poured myself some milk, got some chocolate cake, and sat down at the table.

About twenty minutes later, Soda walked into the kitchen and sat down next to me, where I was reading a book.

"Good morning sleepyhead," I said to him.

He smiled. "Good mornin'. How'd ya sleep?"

"Fine. You are a very comfortable person to fall asleep on."

"Thanks, I think….So what're you gonna do about Dallas and the baby?"

"I don't know what I'm gonna do about Dallas but I'm definitely keeping the baby."

"I can help you if you want. I wouldn't mind."

"Thanks Sodapop. That's really sweet of you. And I can use all the help I can get, if it's not a problem."

He smiled. "No problem at all. I'd be more than happy to help you." I smiled. "So when are you going to tell Arya?"

"I don't know. Probably tonight when she gets home from work. I want to tell everyone at once so I might wait until everyone's here."

"Yeah, that'd probably be good so then you don't have to explain things more than once." Just then Emily walked into the room.

"Why hello darlin'. You slept well," I said.

"Yes I did. Your chair is very comfortable." She sat down at the table with us. "So what are you two talkin' about?"

"Stuff about the baby and when I'm gonna tell everyone."

"Oh and when would that be?"

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"Tonight when everyone comes here for dinner, as usual."

"Oh, well, good luck with that. Well I will see you later. I gotta get home. Let me know how they take it."

"Okay, bye," I said and Emily left.

"Well I gotta go too. Shower and stuff. If you want I can come back in like an hour and we can hang out," said Soda.

"Yeah Sodapop. That'd be great."

"Okay, bye." He came over and kissed me on the top of my head and left.

I sat at the table for about ten more minutes reading the paper. There wasn't anything interesting so I put it down. Then I went upstairs, showered, and changed. When I came back downstairs, Two-Bit was sitting on the couch watching TV.

"Hey Halley gally," he said.

"What do ya want Two-Bit?"

"I just came to check up on you. After yesterday and all."

"Well I'm fine. Soda and Emily were with me."

"Have you decided what you're gonna do?"

"With Dallas or the baby?"

"Both."

"I'm keeping the baby whether anyone likes it or not. And I don't know what I'm gonna do with Dallas. I don't even want to think about him right now."

"Okay. We won't talk about him then," he paused, "so what're you doin' today?"

"I will be hanging out with Soda and later I will be telling Arya about the baby."

"Oh, how fun."

"Oh yeah, tons."

"Well I better be goin'. Gotta meet Emily at the Dingo."

I smiled. "See ya later. Make sure you're here for dinner," I yelled out the door.

"When aren't I?" he yelled back and continued walking down the street.

I closed the door and sat down on the couch and waited for Soda to come. About fifteen minutes later he walked in.

"So what're we going to do today Sodapop?" I asked as he came and sat down next to me on the couch.

"I thought we could go get some food, walk around, go to the movies, and then come back here and tell everyone you're 'with child'."

"Oh sounds fun, except for that last thing you mentioned." Soda gave me a look. "Yeah, I know. I have to tell them," I paused, "Well let's get goin'. We don't have all day."

"Okay, let's go." He took my hand and we were out the door.

We walked over to the Dingo and sat down at a booth. We ordered burger, fries, and coca-colas, and started to talk.

"Have you thought about what you're gonna name the baby?"

"Actually I have. If it's a girl, I wanna name her Lena, Lorelai, or Piper. And if it's a boy, Matt or Lucas."

"I like them. Now you just gotta choose one or the other."

"Yeah. It's a tough decision. Plus I got plenty of time to decide. Almost nine months."

"Yup." We finished our food and left the Dingo and walked around for awhile. We ran into Tim when we reached the lot.

"Hey Tim," I said.

"Hey Hal," he replied, "Have you seen Dallas anywhere?"

I looked down and didn't answer. Soda saw this and answered for me. "Sorry Tim, we haven't seen Dallas since yesterday afternoon."

"Really? He was at my house yesterday but he seemed to have disappeared over night."

"Sorry, we can't help you."

"No problem. And Halley, congratulations. Even though I'm happy for you, I'm glad it didn't happen when we were goin' out. I definitely wouldn't have been ready for a kid."

"Thanks Tim, I think," I said and he walked away. We continued our walk in the direction of the cinema.

I don't know what the movie was called. It was some western movie with Paul Newman. It was okay but not really my taste of movies. When it ended, it was 5:00 and Arya should've been arriving at the house any time now, so Soda and I headed in that direction.

Arya and Darry were just pulling up as we arrived at the house, so we all walked inside together. Everyone was already there, waiting for the food. Even Emily was there, sitting on Two-Bit's lap, as there was no room left on the couch or chair. Arya and Darry went into the kitchen and started dinner while the rest of us sat in the living room and watched television.

In about twenty minutes the food was on the table and everyone was digging in. It was pasta, which just happens to be everyone's favorite, so it was gone in a matter of twenty minutes.

"Yummy. That sure was good," said Two-Bit.

"Yeah, we can tell. It's all over your face," Soda said and we all laughed.

Darry and Arya walked into the living room, where we all were, and sat down. I decided this would be as good a time as any to tell everyone my 'news.' I stood up, with Soda standing behind me. "Everyone, I have some news." Everyone looked up from what they were doing. "I'm…pregnant."

"You're what!" Arya said.

Darry looked over at Soda. "How could you let this happen, Soda. You should've been more responsible."

Soda interrupted him. "Whoa, hold up Darry. I didn't sleep with Halley (as much as I would've like to)." I hit him in the arm. "The baby's not mine."

"Phew, don't scare me like that."

"Whose is it then?" Arya asked.

"Dallas's."

"Oh…so that's why he left town this morning. Running away from his responsibilities as usual."

"He left? Just like that?" I said, tears forming in my eyes. "How the hell could he do this to me! I know I wasn't speaking to him but how could he just run away from this!"

Soda put his arm around me, whispering comforting things in my ear. "It's gonna be okay Halley. I said I'd help you and I will."

"Thanks Soda. You're so sweet." He smiled.

"So have you made a doctor's appointment yet?"

"No, but I will tomorrow."

"Good."