Disclaimer: I own nothing.
––
Amy stood outside, her thin clothes not keeping the cold out, and she crouched down, holding herself, shivering. She was so hungry. She hadn't eaten in what felt like days. She was tempted to just steal, but she didn't want to owe anyone anything when this was all over. She was the black sheep over the Horvath house, but she wasn't reducing herself to theft.
She wondered what her parents were doing right now. Tsh. They were probably inside with a roaring fire, drinking wine and talking about which college Andrea would go to. They probably were using every photo of Amy to fuel that fire, glad to be rid of her, and they probably laughed at how blessed they were to have Andrea and how proud they were of Andrea. They practically did that when she still lived with them. Assholes.
She missed Andrea, however, so much. She was her big sister, the one she always went to when she had a problem, the one who always got her and made her laugh. They were as thick as thieves back then. Now they weren't. Now Amy lived in a shitty little building, barely scraping by, and Andrea was living like a princess without a care in the world. She didn't even care enough to try and find Amy. Amy wasn't going to give her or their parents the satisfaction of her coming home and begging for them to let her back in. She would never beg them.
"Well, well, well, who do we have here?"
She shot up and met Tomas' looming eyes. "What do you want?"
"That's my line." He brushed his fingertips across her cheek. "I have something for you. I know you'll like it."
"Piss off." She smacked his hand off her face. "I don't associate with whiny bitches like you anymore, and even if I did, there's nothing you have that I want."
He smirked. "Are you sure about that?"
"Without a doubt."
He narrowed his eyes. "Is he that good?"
She scoffed. "That isn't any of your business."
He grabbed her forearm. "Yes, it is. You are mine, Amy."
"Get off me!" She scratched his cheek, drawing blood.
"You little bit—"
"What the fuck do you think you're doin'?" Merle growled, standing behind Tomas.
He turned to face Merle. "Well, if it isn't the puta."
Merle grabbed his collar and bashed his face into the wall, Amy scrambled back, the ground cutting into her through her extremely worn leggings, and she groaned as Merle broke Tomas' jaw and left him whimpering on the ground, taking his stash. "C'mon." He grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet, leading her out of the alley.
She glanced back once, but she stopped feeling sorry for Tomas when he tried to kill her. They crossed the street and hurried inside the building before someone found Tomas, and she closed the door behind them, turning to him. "So?"
He smirked. "C'mere." He pushed her against the wall and kissed her, his tongue invading her mouth, and he gripped her ass through her skirt. She lifted her hands to his neck, he grabbed them and held them against the wall, using his leg to part her thighs, and he raised her arms, holding them in one hand, using the other to lift her skirt.
She'd noticed that Merle always wanted her after they did something that could easily put them in jail. Those crimes were his biggest turn-on, and she never understood why. She really didn't care as long as no one died. She sometimes had to stop Merle when he just lost it, and she'd distract him with her body until he had worked the blood-lust out of his system. The only time he'd actually hurt her was when he bit into her shoulder so hard he drew blood. Other than that, he took care of her, and she took care of him. He was all she had anymore, and she took that seriously.
He pulled back, meeting her amorous green eyes, and he released her wrists, leaning down toward her ear. "I want to taste what you taste like," he whispered, grinning when she shuttered.
"Here?" She glanced around the first floor to the apartment building they were staying in as he bent down. She had to admit, the idea of it was hot, and people did worse in the hall.
"Don't tell me you've gotten shy."
She leaned over and kissed him, pulling her thin lace panties down, and he chuckled, grasping her hips, and she stumbled forward a bit. She closed her eyes, her lips parting as his tongue slipped inside her...
– – –
Carol invited Amy and Paige to spend the night with her since Patricia and Otis hadn't move in yet—not that it mattered since Sophia invited Paige to sleep with her. Carol knew it was so Sophia could stay up past her bedtime, because Amy would be with Paige, and Carol would talk to Amy. Smart little munchkin.
Amy combed Paige's thick, wet curly hair on Carol's bed. "I'm not hurting you, am I?"
"No." Paige held a stuffed hippo, adjusting the little hat from time to time.
"Good, just tell me if I do, okay?"
"Okay."
Carol set a bowl of popcorn on the nightstand in between her and Sophia's beds. "I brought up chocolate milk. Is that good?" Carol pointed to the cups Sophia had brought up, which had lids otherwise Carol could've made two trips.
"Yes, thank you." Paige smiled.
Amy combed out the last tangle then let Paige join Sophia on the floor to watch a movie. "Thank you for letting us stay the night." She set the comb in her bag and crossed her legs.
"You'd do the same for me." Carol handed her a cup of tea. "It's lemon. It's so soothing it should be illegal." She sat in front of her.
"Thanks." She placed it on the nightstand and exhaled deeply, and Carol could feel the stress pouring off her body.
"I don't know what I'm going to do, Carol." Tears filled her eyes. "I can't go back there. Tomas will have told his friends, and Andrew will be waiting for Paige. I won't let them hurt her, but how can I make her homeless? I'm her mother. I'm supposed to have all the answers. I'm supposed to protect her."
"Who says mothers have all the answers?" Carol met her eyes. "I'm a mother, and I'm clueless ninety percent of the time."
She covered her mouth with her hand so Paige wouldn't know she was crying. Paige always curled up in Amy's lap and hugged her until she felt better, and Amy didn't want Paige to worry about her. She wanted her to enjoy the movie. "What am I going to do? Where am I going to go?"
"I would love to say you can stay here, but there's no room. I—" She cut off. Daryl has two empty rooms at his house. If she told him about Paige and who her father was, there was no way Daryl would say no to them staying with him. It was screwed up to back him into a corner, but Amy was desperate, and Daryl was able to help. She needed to apologize before she asked though. Maybe she could send Sophia in first.
"Carol?" Maggie called up the stairs.
"Wait here." She left the room and saw all of them downstairs with her mom. Oh, shit! She forgot about that. "I'm so sorry! I completely forgot!"
"I know. Rick called. Are you all right?" Maggie looked her over with concern.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Amy's the one who was beaten."
"Beaten?" Annette paled. "Is she all right?"
"Yes. She's fine. She just has a black eye and a busted lip with a few cuts. The girls are fine, and so am I."
"Well, thank God." Hershel hung up his jacket. "We were on our way to dinner when Rick called, so we'll just eat here instead."
"You don't have to—"
"Well, we are," Beth interrupted. "I bought some steak the other day, so I'll make those with boiled potatoes and fresh broccoli." She headed to the kitchen.
"I'll call Shawn and tell him about the change of plans." Maggie grabbed the phone and went into the living room.
"I'll make some tea." Annette removed her jacket with Hershel unneeded help. "Do you want some, pretty girl?"
"No. Umm, Dad, Mom, wait." She stepped of the stairs. "Amy and Paige are here. They're staying the night. Is that a problem? They don't have anywhere else to stay."
"That's perfectly okay." Annette smiled. "I'll tell Beth to make some for them too."
"Do we have enough?" Carol asked.
"I can run to the store if we don't," Maggie told them. "Besides, tonight's about celebratin', so no one's goin' without."
"Go and tell them." Annette set a hand on Carol's arm. "They're welcome to stay as long as they need to. Otis and Patricia have some business to attend to out of town, so we'll have that spare room for a day or two, and if they need to stay longer, we'll make it work."
"Thank you, Mom." Carol hugged her. "I'll be back down to help."
"Take your time." Annette smiled and went to help Beth.
Carol knew she meant more than just talking to Amy. She meant about everything.
"What happened to your hands?" Hershel gently took one of her hands.
"I burned them by accident. That fryer—it's a killer." She shrugged. "I'll be down soon." She returned to her room. "Hungry?"
"Starving," Sophia replied.
"Beth's making dinner now for all of us, and Mom says you and Paige can stay as long as you need." Amy nodded. "How do you like your steak?"
"Without a pile of guilt," she replied.
"Well done it is." Carol smirked.
Amy let out a small laugh. "Yes, well done. Same for Paige."
Carol told Beth how they like their steaks, helping her prepare them while Mom and Maggie began making a dessert that didn't need the oven since it was already packed with beef, and Sasha helped the broccoli when she and Shawn arrived, leaving Shawn and Hershel to set the table and bring up the extra from the basement for the kids.
Amy joined them, helping Shawn and Hershel, and Carol noticed Mom watching Amy, looking over her injures, and she wondered why she cared so much. She knew her mom and Dale were very close, so Mom cared deeply for Andrea and Amy, but it seemed to be more than that. What was it?
Once dinner was ready, Beth got the girls, and they sat down. Mom said a few words before they ate, and then everyone kept asking about the attack. Amy didn't seem to mind answering, but she left out the part about Paige stabbing Tomas. She didn't want them to know about her past and how she taught Paige how to protect herself just in case.
"Do you girls need more drink?" Beth asked as she went to grab some more rolls.
"Yes, please."
"All right." She grabbed the rolls and the bottle of lemon-lime soda, filling their glasses and setting the basket on the table.
"I have good news," Maggie announced, tucking her phone back into her pocket. "Tomas is getting a long sentence, and not just for the assault. They found almost three pounds of cocaine in his car. Rick made sure he didn't get off easy."
Amy nodded, looking over at Paige. There's still Andrew. "I should thank him."
"He's been tryin' put Tomas away for years now," Maggie told her. "I just wish you hadn't been attacked for it to be done."
She shrugged a shoulder. "It's done, and I'm all right, so is Paige."
"What do you do for a living, Amy?" Annette asked, mostly to change the subject.
"I teach. Sorta." She pushed a potato around her plate.
Mom didn't ask any more questions about Amy's job, they ate, listening to Maggie talk about her arrest today, and the way she had to tackle this guy was hilarious. As muscled as Maggie was, she still wasn't a giant in height, but the guy was. They could all imagine her tackling this man, and Maggie was determined to get this guy without her partner's help. And she did.
Beth rose. "All right, since I made dinner, I'm not washing dishes. I will cut the cheesecake though, and put on some coffee."
"I'll wash," Maggie offered. "After dessert, of course. Wanna dry, Amy?"
"Yeah. Here, let me help you collect the dishes." She picked up Paige's plate and Sophia's.
Carol helped collect the plates as Beth prepared coffee and Maggie cut up the cheesecake, giving the girls a slice first then Amy, Sasha and Annette and then everyone else. Carol was about to join them in the living room, but Shawn waved her over, and she walked over to him.
"What is it? You look...worried."
"I—I guess I am." He leaned against the wall. "Look, Sasha has a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning at seven, and I need you to come with us."
"Sha—"
"Please, Carol. Dr. S had to cancel last time 'cause of something happened to one of his other patients. I need you there. It's silly, but I would really appreciate if you came."
"Fine. At seven." She had to get Sophia tested anyway, and the sooner the better, right? "I expect a free breakfast."
"Thank you." He smiled. "By the way, you just agreed to stand by Sasha when I pass out or freak out while she's in labor." He walked away.
"A—What?" She went after him.
"I love you too."
She glared. "You asshole."
"Prove it."
"I'll need days."
He glared back. "You're evil."
"Prove it." She smirked.
"Well, I know I'm home." Annette crossed her arms. "Nothing changes between you two."
Carol smiled. "Nope."
––
Paige and Sophia were passed out on Sophia's bed, both of them sleep in the same position, clinging to their stuffed animals. Carol covered them up, kissing her daughter's forehead and running her fingers gently over Paige's wavy hair before sitting on her bed.
"If I were any more full, I'd have steak coming out of my pores." Amy flicked the light off to the bathroom. "That's a disturbing image."
"Yes, it is." Carol pushed her blanket back. "I guess you'll be sleeping alone tonight."
"For the first time in five years." Amy sat beside Carol. "Paige likes to sleep with me. My bed's more comfortable, supposedly. I think she just likes having me nearby. She wants to protect me. She's five, and she wants to protect me. She got that from her father."
"Merle doesn't know, does he?"
"No. I left him and that life behind a week or two before I knew I was pregnant." She crossed her legs. "I never told him I had a daughter, let alone that she was his."
"Why didn't you? He could've helped."
"Because I didn't want my past to affect Paige's future. Merle is a good guy...sometimes, but he's like a wild animal most of the time. I didn't want her to grow up in his world of drugs and police. She's so like him, and she's never even met him. Lord knows how she'd be if grew up with him."
"Merle's changed."
"Are you really trying to push me to Merle?"
"No, not push. Gently urge, maybe."
"Well, my answer is no. I've thought about it, but no." She scratched her arm.
"And your parents? Do they not know as well?"
"Oh, God, here it comes." She sighed. "No, my parents and Andrea haven't seen me in about six years. Dale, on the other hand...found me. Paige was about seven months old when Dale found me. I was taking her for a walk to get out of the apartment, and Dale was at the park. He'd been following me. Him and Shane, the human bloodhound."
Carol laughed.
"Anyway, he took me to lunch and saw I wasn't doing that great, so he—against my wishes—bought us beds, couches, chairs, nightstands and tables. He bought Paige an awesome crib, a highchair, stroller, carrier—everything she needed. I was so pissy with him, but he did it anyway."
"Why were you mad?"
"Because I thought he told my mom and dad about me and her, but... he hadn't. He respected my wish for my parents not to know. He sends me money every month, but I don't want his money or theirs. I can take care of Paige myself. I don't want the Horvath name stamped on her. It's a damn curse."
"What's her last name? Surely not Dixon."
"Harrison, like you. It was the only name I could think of when I changed my name two years ago. Besides, I got to keep my initials."
"Paige Harrison?"
"Paige Merrill Harrison."
"Ooh, so sneaky, Amy," Carol sarcastically told her.
"You do realize I smoked away a lot of my brain cells, right?" Amy teased.
"So, Horvath curse?"
"Right. Well, as you know my parents are wealthy entrepreneurs, Dale and Andrea are very successful Civil Rights attorneys, but you don't know that all of my grandparents followed that same path almost exactly. Everyone Horvath has been very successful and wealthy, and all of my life I've been pressured to follow in their footsteps. We're talking straight A's, honors and AP classes, scholarships out the yin yang, early graduations even."
"That must have been rough."
"It was. I stressed every single day, and I always came in second place with Andrea, and when I did come in first, it didn't matter anymore." She sighed deeply. "I don't want Paige to go through that. I want her to enjoy being a kid and being a teenager without them pressuring her to be perfect. She is perfect to me, and I won't have them tell her otherwise."
Carol nodded. "I understand, but... Don't they have a right to know their grandchild?"
Amy's jaw clenched. "They don't even have a right to know her name."
"Why?"
"Why? Why?! Are you kidding?" She lowered her voice as to not wake the girls. "They didn't even care enough about me to look for me after I left. I spent two months starving and barely living while they expanded their business and increase annual net gross. My parents didn't give two shits about me. They let me disappear!"
"But you ran away."
"Yes, I did, but they didn't try to even find me." She tried to change to be the daughter she knew they wanted. She wanted to be just like Andrea: intelligent, witty, beautiful and able to do anything and everything. She wasn't Andrea. She was the screw up. She was the one who stood in the background while Andrea got praised. She was the one who they always said could do better, who they always threatened to take things away from, who they wish they never had. She was a mistake, and they would never forgive her for that. "Instead Merle found me, and even though I'm not proud of what we did, I am proud that we made Paige. She's the best of me and the best of him."
"It sounds like you're in love with him, Amy."
"It sounds like that, but I'm not. The only love I have room for in my life is Paige. Right now, I have to focus on taking care of her, so tomorrow I need to go to the bank and see if I can take out a loan. For that, I need to wake up early, so I'm going to bed."
"All right. Good night, Amy."
"Night." She kissed Paige's forehead. "Good night, baby."
Carol looked at her daughter. Tomorrow, Carol would know if her baby was a Dixon. God, she hoped and prayed Sophia wasn't a Peletier. At least Amy knew her baby was a Dixon. Hell even Shawn knew his baby was a Greene.
She groaned. Thanks to Shawn, she had to wake up early. Asshole. Cheating asshole, at that. She was glad she gave Shawn another chance.
– – –
"What do you need me to do?" Sasha asked her mom, who had closed the shop for the entire day to work on inventory since Annette was in the hospital, and it was going to take some time. Sasha was on her way to the hospital after she stopped by to see if her mom needed help. She may not be happy with Shawn, but she respected Annette and cared for her. She was going to see if she needed anything.
"Aside from talking to Shawn, not much." Jacqui wrote down how many straws they had. "Could you carry that box into the freezer for me? Ty will be here soon to help me with the heavy lifting, so that's all I need from you."
"Shawn?" Sasha crossed her arms, already pissed off. "Why the hell do you want me to talk to Shawn?"
"Because all he does is ask about you. Every morning it's "coffee, black, how's Sasha?"." She turned to her daughter. "I don't want to be the middle child with you two. I'm not getting involved, which he is making it hard to do."
"Then tell him to stop asking."
"Do you think that thought hasn't crossed my mind? I'm tempted to throw his damn coffee on his face just so I don't have to hear that question. I couldn't hurt him like that. He still loves you." She lowered the clipboard. "And you still wear the ring."
Her hand automatically went to the engagement ring hanging around her neck. It'd only been a few weeks, but she couldn't take it off. She didn't want to, but perhaps it was time. He stopped calling and texting, so perhaps it was time she stopped clinging to the past. She didn't know this Shawn anymore. She needed to stop acting like she did.
"I have to drop by the hospital to see Annette." She carried the box into the freezer like her mom asked. "Is there anything you want me to bring her?"
"Yes. I left a bag on the counter."
"All right." She hugged her mom. "I'll see you later."
"Take care of yourself."
"I always do." She smiled. "Bye."
"Bye, baby."
She used her phone as a flashlight since the lights weren't turned on, and she spotted the bag. She picked it up and started to leave, and as she left, Shawn entered. She watched his face slowly lift into the happiest smile possible, and she guarded her eyes.
"Sa—"
She walked right by him, not saying a word, not listening to him call after her. She got in her car and drove to the hospital. She felt the tears in her eyes, but she blinked hard to erase them. She wasn't going to do this again. She wasn't going to get upset. He was the one who cheated, so why did she feel so bad? Like there was something dying inside of her. God, it was worse than any bodily injury.
At the hospital, Sasha found Beth and Annette lying on the hospital bed, reading a child's novel and laughing. She knocked and smiled a hello. They returned it, Beth looked away for a moment, and Sasha knew Beth was still uncomfortable around her. She wasn't sure how to act, especially since Shawn was the one who cheated. Shawn was her big brother, but Sasha was her friend. She didn't want to hear Sasha say horrible things about him, because she loved him dearly, even if he was an ass.
"Mom wanted me to bring you these." She set the bag on her bed. "Hey, Beth."
"Hey." Beth closed the book.
Annette untied the bag and found a container was full of fried green tomatoes. She smiled. "How sweet."
"Tomatoes?" Sasha crossed her arms. "Mom rarely makes those, even when Ty and I beg."
"I like my tomatoes in salad only, thank you." Beth wrinkled her nose a little.
"Have you even had one before?" Annette sat up.
"Daddy made them once, and they were nasty."
"Hershel also made cooked-on-the outside-raw-on-the-inside chicken breasts," Sasha pointed out.
"True." She looked them over. "May I have one?"
"Of course." She found napkins in the bag and set one on a napkin for her.
"Thanks." Beth took it and bit into it, chewing slowly. "Huh...they're really good."
Annette smiled. "Told you." She gestured for Sasha to sit. "Help yourself."
"Oh, no. She made them for you." She set her purse on the floor as she sat in the chair.
"I said help yourself. Maggie's stopping by after she gets done at the gym, so whatever we don't eat, she will."
"How is Maggie? I heard she enrolled in the police academy." Sasha crossed her legs, taking one of the fried tomatoes.
"She's doing well."
"I heard Rick say she might be the youngest to make detective," Beth added. "She's still in trainin', and he said that."
Sasha smiled. "That's great."
They talked about Maggie and how Beth was doing in school, eating half of the tomatoes. Sasha missed talking to them. Since Shawn and she broke up, she stopped going to see them. If she ran into them at the store or any place like that, she'd talk to them for a bit, but she didn't go out of her way to find them. That was another shitty downside to that bastard cheating.
Beth went to wash her hands and Annette closed the container while Sasha tossed the napkins into the trashcan.
"I know you've probably been asked this many times these past few weeks, but...how are you?"
Sasha faced her. "It's been...a long couple of weeks." She shrugged. "I don't really want to talk about it."
"I understand." She met Sasha's eyes. "I'm not telling you what to do or pushing you in any way, but Shawn is a good man. He made a bad decision, and I'm very disappointed with him, but he doesn't repeat bad decisions. I'm not telling you this as his mother; I'm telling you this as your friend."
She didn't look at Annette.
"You're a strong young woman, capable of making your own choices, and I respect you and love you. I've known you since you were just a baby, so please let me say this."
She lifted her eyes. "What?"
"Don't let what he did cloud your opinion of him."
"How can you ask me to do that? I was loyal to him, and I respected and loved him deeply. He couldn't do the same. I'm not giving him a second chance when he couldn't respect me or our relationship enough to say no that night." Tears burned in the back of her eyes. "I can't have this argument with you. I just can't. Have a good night, Annette, and I do hope you feel better." She left the room, grabbing her purse on the way.
Beth hurried after her. "Sasha, wait!"
She stopped, swallowing tears and turning. "What?"
"He's my brother, but I can't hate him for what he did. I'm pissed at him for cheating, and I understand that you have a right to be even more pissed at him, but don't...become distant. You're still a friend to all of us, and we love you, so please don't hate us for his mistake."
"I don't hate any of you."
"Then talk to me. Tell me what you're feeling, please. I can see you bottlin' it up, and that's not helpin' anybody."
She inhaled deeply. "I appreciate that, Beth, but...this is my problem. Please, have a good night." She turned on her heel and left the hospital. She set her purse in the passenger seat and dug her keys out of her pocket, cursing when they fell onto the floor.
She felt something under her seat, so she scooped it up along with her keys. She flicked the light on and saw it was the picture of her Shawn had taken when he decided to become a serious professional photographer. This was his first and best picture, he'd even written it on the back along with the date.
Hot tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked at the picture. She loved him so much, even after he told her he'd slept with someone else. It cut her so deep that he had slept with someone, but she would never tell anyone, just like she never Shawn that he was the best thing that ever happened to her.
I need my girl
Sasha packed up everything that belonged to Shawn and set it in the back of her closet. She would return it eventually, but for now she had to focus on more important things, because she didn't want to see Shawn. She wasn't sure what those important things were, but they were there.
She sat down on her bed, looking at the pictures of nature that Shawn and she had hung along the wall to brighten up the her room and give it a more home-y feel. She was tempted to pull them down and throw them in the trash, but she decided to let them stay. She and Shawn had had some pretty good times, and she didn't want to forget them.
Maybe she could balance her checkbook?
She flopped back and closed her eyes, trying her best to not remember those good times right now.
I am good, I am grounded
Davy says I look taller
Sasha laughed for the first time in what felt like a long time, listening to Mike and Michonne and Terry argue. She was glad she decided to come and see them. After everything with Shawn, she needed some time away from her apartment. Every time she saw her bed, she saw Shawn and her looking over the many pictures he'd take of nature, trying to decide which was better. They always managed to get distract...
"Are you sure you don't want to stay the night?" Michonne asked. "We have room."
"No, I have to get home, but thank you for the offer." She hugged her. "Thank you for having me."
"You're more than welcome." She smiled. "You're family, stop by more often."
"I'll try. Kiss Andre good night for me." Michonne nodded, and she stepped back. "Bye."
"Bye."
She put her bag in the backseat and drove home. It was a long drive, but she didn't mind. There was nothing that reminded her of Shawn out here, and she felt good. She no longer felt like she was missing a torso. It'd been two months now, and she was feeling better about everything. She still missed him, but she was getting over him.
I can't get my head around it
I keep feeling smaller and smaller
She adjusted her bag on her shoulder, the moon her only light as she walked over to her apartment, and she saw a bouquet of flowers resting on the steps. They were violets and fresh too. They hadn't been trampled on, hadn't been left out to rot, so they were recently placed there. She didn't have to look at the card to know they were for her from Shawn. She liked violets, after all.
She picked them up and took them inside, setting them on the counter and tossing her bag into the bedroom. She grabbed a vase and filled it with water then removed the purple ribbon and set the flowers in the vase, smelling them briefly. Mmm. She tossed the unread card into the trash and tied the ribbon in a bow around the vase.
She smiled to herself. There. They were beautiful, and she knew exactly what to do with them, where to place them.
I need my girl
I need my girl
Shawn visited his mom, smiling at her and giving her a hug. "I brought you something."
"Don't keep us in suspense," Maggie teased.
Shawn set a book on his mom's lap, crouching down beside the bed. "Open it."
Annette smiled with delight as she opened the book and found pictures of her girls and Shawn filling its pages. She looked through it and saw them growing up in the pages, all the smiles both toothless and full of braces, all of the different styles and funny faces. It warmed her heart and brought a few tears to her eyes to see the last of picture of Carol and her grandson who was with God.
"This way you can have all of us with you at all times," Shawn told her. "Do you like it?"
She nodded. "It's beautiful. I love it."
"That's so sweet." Maggie pointed to the one of her from fifth grade. "Oh, my God, what the hell am I wearin'? God, that needs to be burned. It doesn't even match."
Shawn laughed. "I thought that was one from Spirit Week. It wasn't?"
"No."
"That's awesome. I have blackmail."
"Not if I burn your computer." She frowned at the other picture. "Please tell me that is a wig and not my hair."
"It's not." Annette laughed at it lightly.
"Why did I think that was cute?" She laughed at it. "Look at that. That's horrible. Why did Mom let me leave the house like that? Gosh."
"Maybe it was Halloween," Shawn offered.
"I hope so."
Remember when you lost your shit and drove the car into the garden
And you got out and said I'm sorry to the vines and no one saw it
He removed his jacket and set it on the chair he about to sit in. He noticed flowers on the table and saw they were violets. He swallowed hard. He bought that vase on their first anniversary and filled it with Hershey kisses and violets, leaving a small box buried underneath all of that with a necklace inside. She was now more than willing to give away items he'd given her. Damn it.
I need my girl
I need my girl
"So I told him, I may be short, but I can kick your ass."
Bob laughed, and she laughed a little herself. "What did he do?"
"He told me he couldn't hit a girl and left."
"Well, that's one way to do it."
They stopped out outside her apartment building, and she turned to faced him. They'd gone on two dates these past three days. She really enjoyed them, and Bob was great, but there was something missing. She wasn't sure what it was, but it made her not feel an attraction to him. It could be that her mother had set her up with Bob since it'd been three months since she'd been on a date. Sasha just didn't want to date. She found Bob friendly and smart, but that was about it.
"Good night." He didn't try to kiss her, just smiled and continued down to his car.
She smiled to herself and went inside.
I'm under the gun again
I know I was the forty-five percent of then
It was her day off, and of course it was pouring down rain. She didn't mind. She had a book she'd been dying to read, but she'd been too busy to read it. Now she had time. Probably plenty of it since it kept raining.
She set her cup of coffee down on the window seat, reading her favorite James Patterson novel. She grabbed a few cream-filled cookies and sat down, dunking them in the coffee and reading as rain poured down outside.
She looked over at the bouquet of flowers on her counter. The beautifully arranged lilies and pink and white roses were in a white and blue stripped coffee mug-shaped vase, sent early yesterday morning from Bob. They had ran into each other at a bar, got a little too drunk and ended up at his place. She wasn't sure how she felt about it, but the flowers were lovely.
She read for an hour, completely lost in the words, and then the sky flashed with lightening, and she glanced outside. She started to turn back to her book when she saw someone across the street. She lowered the book and zeroed in on Shawn Greene standing across the street, soaking wet, looking at her. She could tell he was shivering from the icy rain so he'd been out there for quite some time, but she wasn't going to let him in because he's decided to let his inner dumbass out.
She rolled her eyes and pulled the curtains over the window, moving to the couch. She couldn't focus on her book now, so she waited half an hour before going back over to the window and pulling the curtain back, seeing Shawn still out there, shaking as the rain came down harder.
"You idiot," she muttered.
I know I was a lot of things
but I am good, I am grounded
She picked up her phone and called him, the number etched into her memory, and she saw him pull his phone out his pocket, answering it with a stammered hello. "Why has no one called the police on you?"
"Beca—because they k—know I'm harm—harmless."
She shook her head. "You're so stupid. And creepy."
He laughed. "Th—thanks. I—I tr—try."
She sat down, watching him. "Go home. You're going to get sick."
"N—not a ch—chance."
"I'm not letting you in, so unless you want to impress my neighbor, keep it up. He might be on vacation with his boyfriend." She paused. "I was supposed to water his plants. Well, shit."
"P—please le—let me in."
"No." She averted her eyes. "Go home or I'm calling Ty then the cops." She hung up and closed the curtain.
Davy says that I look taller
I can't get my head around it
I keep feeling smaller and smaller
"He's insane." Jacqui shook her head. "Sasha's as stubborn as they come."
"He's tryin'," Beth argued. "He loves her."
"She'll never admit that she still loves him, even though we can all see it."
"I feel so bad for them. It's been ten months, and as the housekeeper, I can tell you that Shawn's room is spotless from how much time he doesn't spend in there. It's depressin'."
Maggie saw Jacqui and Beth sharing an umbrella, and she saw they were watching Shawn watch Sasha. She crossed the street and stepped in front of them. "We said we wouldn't get involved. What the hell are you doin'?"
"We were just goin' for a walk," Beth protested.
"In the middle of a storm?" Maggie shook her head. "I'm only out 'cause I had to lock up the shop for Daddy. It's gettin' cold, and it's only gonna get colder. Get home, both of you creepers. I'll talk to Shawn."
"Fine." Beth handed Maggie her umbrella. "Your hood's drenched."
"I'll survive. Go."
"Here, take this to him." Jacqui held out a wrapped sandwich. "He's been here almost all day, and I came to bring him this."
"Okay." Maggie took it and walked over to Shawn. "Hey."
"Hi." He glanced at her. "Aw, my stal—stalkers are le—leaving."
"Shawn, you're a stalker right now."
"Yes, but I l—look harmless."
"You're freezin', so just go home and take a hot shower and come back tomorrow."
"No."
"Shawn, it's only gonna get worse out here! You need to come home before you get hurt. Physically hurt. Cars can easily slide off the road and hit you, dumbass! Do you really want Sasha to see you die?"
He met her eyes. "I need my girl."
She searched his eyes then groaned. "Fine, but I'm not givin' you this sandwich."
He smirked. "Thanks, s—sis."
"Dumbass." She held the sandwich out, but he shook his head, even when she persisted. She sighed. "Give it one more hour and come home, please."
"I—I'm not say—saying yes."
She groaned. "Fine. Be stupid and get sick." She turned on her heel and hurried back to her car.
Sasha peeked out the window once more when the sounds of the storm got louder and sounded angrier, and there he was. She could see the street was empty, and she felt bad. She hated that he made her feel like shit, especially since she should make him feel like shit. How else she was supposed to feel? He was out in the pouring rain like a dumbass while she was warm and dry.
I need my girl
I need my girl
She picked up her phone and called him. "Get your ass up here." Since he was willing to stand in the rain and watch her like a serial killer, the least she could do was hear what he wanted and offer him some coffee.
She opened her door when he knocked, but held a bag out. "You'll have to strip."
"Ser—seriously?"
"Seriously, I don't want water dripped through my apartment."
"Fine." He removed his boots.
"Down to your boxers."
He tugged his jacket, shirt and undershirt up and over his head, dropping them into the bag, and he unbuttoned his jeans, his fingers slipping twice on the zipper. He could feel Sasha watching him, her eyes lingering, and he dropped his jeans into the bag. "May I come in now before my ass ends up all over the Internet?"
"Well, it is a nice ass." She stepped aside, closing the door behind him. "I'll toss these into the dryer in a minute. Uh, here." She handed him a blanket and poured him a cup of coffee. "Oh, um there's a pair of jeans and a shirt in my bedroom that should fit you."
"Thank you."
"I just need your boxers."
He went to her room and yanked the shirt on, tossing his boxers into the bag before he pulled on the jeans. She left and he wrapped himself in the blanket, his entire body shaking, even with the clothes on. He picked up the cup and sat down on the couch, taking a drink. It warmed his dry throat and his hands. Nothing had changed in her apartment, but she did have a vase of flowers on the counter. He was too damn nosy to not go and read the card.
He set the mug down on the coffee table and went over to them, reading the card that was resting on the counter outside the envelope. It was from Bob Stookey, his family's doctor since Charles Stookey retired a while ago. It was thanking Sasha for the evening. They went on a date. Bob took Sasha out on a date. He sincerely doubted Bob sent her his beautifully expensive-looking bouquet because she had a nice smile and a charming personality. Huh, he knew what to do the next time he saw Bob.
Sasha returned, closing the door and locking it. "They'll be done soon and when they are, you can leave."
"And until then?" He picked up his coffee cup and drank from it.
"I am sure you'll figure that out." She picked up her book and sat in the window seat, knees upraised.
They sat in silence, Sasha reading and Shawn drinking coffee, but neither of them could focus on anything but the fact that the other was right there. Sasha pretended to read, trying desperately to concentrate on the words and the crime of the novel, but she just wasn't able to, and she could tell Shawn was having the same issue, even if he didn't have anything to truly focus on.
"So—?" he said at the same time she asked, "Why—?"
"Oh, you first." He turned to face her.
"Why were you waiting outside my apartment in the middle of a storm?" She closed the book and peered over at him.
"Because I wanted to talk you. I wanted to tell you that I am so sorry, and that I love you ardently, and—" he stopped when she dropped her head and didn't look at him. He swallowed. "What?"
"Nothing." She set her feet on the floor. "You were saying?"
"I know you probably don't trust me and may never trust me again, but I can promise you that I will never cheat on you again, if you give me another. I swear to God, and I know that might not mean much, but when I swear to the man upstairs, I mean it." The ghost of a smile appeared on her lips. "Sasha, I miss you. I miss everything about you so damn much. I love you. I never stopped loving you...but I want you to be happy. If you don't want to hear me out or want me out of your life forever, tell me you don't love me, and I'm gone."
"I don't...know if I want you out of my life." She lifted her head. "What more can you possibly tell me to try and get me to change my mind? To get me to trust you?"
"I'll stop drinking entirely. I'll never visit any single female client in the middle of the night, married ones too—I'll do anything prove that I'm worth giving a second chance. Anything."
She shook her head. "No."
"Sasha, please."
She kept shaking her head, tears forming behind closed eyes. "No, Shawn." She felt his hands cover hers, and she pulled her hands free, opening her eyes to find him on his knees in front of her, his big blue eyes pleading. "I told you—"
"Please." His eyes were filling with tears. "I love you, and I will die proving myself to you."
"You said you would go, so go!"
"Tell me you don't love me, and I will."
She opened her eyes, tears falling. "I—don't."
He dropped his eyes, his hands falling slack to his side, and he nodded. "All right." He stood up, she exhaled shakily, and he started for the door.
"I wasn't done." She stood up. "I don't want to love you, but God, I can't help it." She glared through her tears. "How can I love you? After what you did... God, I'm so angry at you! I hate you so much, but I love you so much at the same time!"
He met her eyes silently.
"You went to that bitch and screwed her, even though you had me and you were engaged! Why? What about her made you want her more than me?"
"It wasn't about want! I never wanted her! What happened that night was a mixture of a strong ass drink and my idiocy. I'm a dumbass for ever accepting that drink and for not seeing what her real reason for calling me was."
"That's not good enough, Shawn! How can you expect me to take you back when all I see is her—everywhere—and I hate you for it!"
"H—"
"I have never been so insecure in my entire life," she interrupted him. "You want me to take you back, but for all I know, you're comparing me to her."
"Nobody compares to you," he shot back. "Least of all her!"
"How can I believe that?"
"You may not believe me, but from what I can remember that night, I know you were my one thought."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better? You're disgusting!"
"I'm bad with words! You know this! I shouldn't be able to talk, but somehow God allows it!"
She laughed. "You are such a dumbass."
"If I could go back to that night and undo it, I would. I would give anything to undo what I did, but I can't. All I can do now is try and prove to you that I love you and that you can trust me. I'm willing to deal with a short leash if that means we have a chance. Please, tell me we have a chance, because I can't live like this anymore. I see you all the time, and it's best-worst part of my day, because I know one of those times, there will be some other man beside you and then your children beside you. And I destroys me, because it's not me beside you, it's not our children."
She met his eyes.
"I not only want you, Sasha Alexandria Douglas, I need you. I'll be honest about it: I'm pathetic and unmotivated and a mess without you. I love you with all that I am, and I can find a way to live without you, but God, I just really don't want to. A life without you is no life at all."
"Do you think you can win me over with a few of your dulcet words?" She was smiling, but only just a little.
"You make me insane." He marched over to her and kissed her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back just as fiercely, opening her mouth to his. He could feel her entire body pressed against his, smell her scent all around him, and he knew he could spend his entire life with her like this and die happy. He pushed her against the wall, breaking the kiss to look into her deep brown eyes, and he smiled, kissing her gently. "God, I missed you.
"I can tell." He chuckled, and she gripped his strong shoulders. "I'm not sure this is a good idea."
"We don't have to," he assured her. "We can take this slow."
She nodded. "And we will take it slow." She grasped the hairs at the base of his neck. "Tomorrow."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
He closed his head eyes, resting his forehead on hers. "Just so you know, you're the best I've ever had."
She smirked. "I know."
He snickered.
There was a moment when they just looked at each other, and it was like their want hit them at all once, and those ten and a half months seemed to turn into years. He kissed her, lifting her up so that she could wrap her legs around his waist, keeping her pressed against the wall. He slipped his hands underneath her shirt. He'd forgotten how soft her skin was, how flawless it was, and he lifted her shirt up and off, leaving her in only a bra.
"The couch," she said between kisses, wanting him now.
He set her down on the couch gently, her hands went under his shirt, pushing it up his broad back, and he tossed it to the side, kissing her hungrily, cradling his head in his hand gently. He slid his hand up her torso, skimming his thumb over her nipple, softly, repeatedly, and she moaned against his lips, lifting her leg to wrap around his back.
Her hand shifted from his shoulder to the button on his jeans, undoing it and pulling the zipper down, and she lifted her hips to his, brushing against him, watching as his lips parted in a strangled groan. She kissed the corner of his mouth down to his chest, tasting him, and she lifted her lips from his chest, shifting, with some difficulty as they were on the couch, to be on top.
He grasped the band of her jeans and undid the button and zipper, slipping his hands inside her jeans, pushing them and her panties down and grasping her perfect ass, pulling her toward him. "You taking me—I wouldn't have it any other way."
She raised up so he could pull her jeans down the rest of the way and so that he could lift his hips to pull his jeans down. She sank down on top of him, watching as his head titled back and eyes closed, a restrained groan escaping his lips. She grasped his hands, lacing her fingers through his, moving oh-so slowly, reveling in his fullness, in her claiming him as hers—only hers. She was going to make sure he knew it was her scent on him, it was only her who made him feel this way, and she was going to make him tremble...moan...and ache. And when he finally couldn't take it anymore, she was going do it all over again.
"Sasha," he moaned in his throat.
––
Waking up with such a ravenous hunger, they decided to order some takeout because all she had in her fridge were bottle of orange juice and flavored water. Sasha could only find the menu for a Chinese place. She called and ordered as he got dressed to pick up some wine and the food. She set the phone down on the nightstand beside her as he tied his shoes.
"I should go shopping tomorrow." She shook her head.
"I'll do it. I have to pick up some...memory cards anyway." He grabbed the umbrella from underneath the dresser. "Or I can go with you."
"Okay."
He kissed her slowly, savoring the taste of her mouth, the feel of it. "I'll be back."
"Drive safely. You know where my keys are."
He left, and she got out of bed, grabbing a shirt and panties, pulling them on. She grabbed her phone and called her mom, sitting on the arm of the couch. She'd missed their dinner plans."Hey, Mom."
"What happened? We were supposed to have dinner together. That was four hours ago."
"I know. Something came up."
"What could've possibly come up that you prevented you from calling?"
She bit her bottom lip. "Umm, well—Shawn."
"Did you kill him?"
"No, we talked. We...talked for a long time, and I lost track of the hour. I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you. I'll make you dinner."
"You just talked?"
"Uh-huh."
"For all four hours?"
"Sure."
"Is he still alive?"
"Yes, he's alive. He went out to get some food. Anyway, I just wanted to call and let you know that I'm okay. I know you worry."
"Well, thank you for calling." She paused. "And for ensuring I'll get grandchildren before I'm dead."
"Yeah, I'm hanging up now. Good night."
"Good night."
"I love you."
"I love you too. Bye."
"Bye." She hung up, tossing the phone onto the couch and going over to the window, peering out. It was pitch-black, and the rain had only lightened. She listened the rain until Shawn came back, and she opened the door for him. He handed her the bag with the wine bottles and hung his coat up over the shower rod to drip into the tub below.
"I'll open the wine. You can make the plates." She dug through the junk drawer, trying to find the corkscrew, and his hands gripped her hips, his lips brushing against her cheek. "I don't know about you, but I like that my kitchen is the one place we haven't had sex in my apartment."
He chuckled. "That's not what I'm after." He hugged her tightly. "I just wanted to hold you." He kissed her neck. "I love you, Sasha."
"I love you too."
He released her. "So, egg rolls first?"
"Yes, I'm starving."
"Here they are." He set the bag on the counter after sticking on in his mouth, eating one as he reached up behind her and pulled down plates. He divvied up the food, she filled two glasses with wine and grabbed spoons.
"Here, try this." She pulled the rest of the egg roll out of his mouth and held out a spoon. "You haven't had it before."
He ate it. "That's freaking awesome, and you took all of it."
She laughed. "I'm sharing, aren't I?"
"Good. Can I have my egg roll back?"
"Nope." She ate the rest of it.
"I'll remember that." He took a drink of wine and carried his plate over to the couch, sitting down, and she followed. He began to tell her about the newborn calf as they ate, and it was all so natural, as if these past ten months hadn't happened, as if that horrid night never happened, but God did he miss her laugh. He could hear that sound every day and never be annoyed by it.
– – –
Sasha held Shawn's hand as Lilly showed him what Sasha had been shown by some older woman at her last appointment. Carol was behind him, smiling, and really excited for him, and Lilly's face began to shift with confusion. Carol felt worried spike in the pit of her stomach.
Shawn noticed it too. "What is it? Is something wrong with the baby?"
"Hold on." She studied the screen, moving lower on Sasha's belly, and she let out a small scoff. "We need to have Glinda get her eyes checked." She turned to them. "I have news. You're not have a baby."
"What?" Shawn was confused.
"I beg to differ," Sasha added.
"You're having babies; twins."
"Twins?" Sasha repeated. "Twins?!"
"Yeah. See this? It's your second baby." She smiled. "She's healthy too."
"She?" Shawn paled.
"Uh-huh." She gestured to the other baby. "And this one is a boy."
"Aw, you're growing a penis," Carol told Sasha. "How does it feel?"
"Amazing." She turned to Lilly. "Twins? How in the hell was I not informed of this? Do you know how likely it is that Shawn will pass out?"
Lilly looked at him. "He's not blinking."
"Shawn?" Carol shook him. "Shawn?"
"I—I—I um, need air." He stood up. "I'll be—Air." He walked out.
"This is why I'm here." Carol took his seat. "Continue."
"Should I check on him?" Lilly asked.
"He'll be fine."
"Yes, he'll be fine. Meanwhile I'm carrying a litter, and my husband has abandoned me. It's very comforting." Sasha shook her head. "I'll have to glue his shoes to the delivery room floor."
Carol laughed. "I'll help."
She smiled. "I'll buy the glue, and you make sure it sticks."
"I'm sure Shawn will be..." Lilly dropped off. "May I suggest gorilla glue?"
After the appointment, they went to the Greene Leaf to tell Jacqui the news and have a cup of tea before going to lunch since it was too late for breakfast while Shawn tried to figure out which one of them was responsible for putting twins on the table.
"Shawn," Carol stopped him, "it's your fault. Twins run in our family."
"Son of a bitch." He sighed. "I'll get the tea."
"Just for Sasha, please. I have plans that I'm late for. I'll see you later." Carol watched Sasha and Shawn tell Jacqui the news, and she smiled. She might be seeing something like that soon herself. She checked her watch and cursed. Daryl was going to be pissed, if he even remembered.
She hurried to her car that she'd left here before they went to the doctor's, and she drove home. She texted Daryl from Maggie's phone to meet her there. She hoped he was over his jealousy, or he wasn't going to find out at all. She would keep Sophia away from him and call it a day. She was already keeping Sophia from one possible father.
– – –
"I'm dying," Carol groaned from the bathroom at Karen's house that her boyfriend's father had bought for Karen and him to live in while in college. It still had some touching up to do, so she was staying in the dorm for now. Carol thought it was great from the two seconds she saw of it. She'd gotten so sick off of last night's dinner, and it hit her just as they walked in.
"Well, you have no fever." Karen stood outside the bathroom door. "Are you sure you got sick off of dinner last night? We both had chicken, and I feel fine."
"I had baked, you had grilled." She lifted her head from the floor. "I think my insides came out. I swear, I saw my kidney."
"I am not fishing it out for you."
She groaned.
"Have you considered that...maybe...you're expecting."
"Pregnant?" Carol sat up. "No! No, I am not pregnant!" She felt her stomach wake with the raising of her voice, and she hurried to lean over as she heaved.
"Oof. That's disgusting." She dropped beside Carol, rubbing the small of her back. "Just breathe."
She coughed, reaching up with a shaky hand and flushing. "Oh, God." She inhaled deeply, taking a calming breath. "I think I'm done."
"C'mon, brush your teeth." She helped her to her feet. "Use one of the new ones in the drawer. I'll be in the kitchen." She let Carol be.
Scrubbing her teeth, Carol began to think back. She hadn't gotten her period yet, but it was just late. It was either coming tomorrow or the day after. It was that pricy chicken, she knew it was. It tasted funky anyhow. She wasn't pregnant. After all since she'd been here, she hadn't been with... Oh, God.
She walked out to the kitchen. "Today's the twenty-fifth, isn't it?"
"Twenty-sixth." Karen filled a glass with orange juice.
"Oh, no." She wiped her mouth on her sleeve. "Oh, my God. I'm beyond late, Karen."
"There's a drug store twenty minutes away. I'll be right back." She grabbed her keys. "Breathe."
"I'm trying."
"Twenty minutes."
"Hurry, please." She wasn't breathing. She was freaking out. She might be pregnant. What the hell was she going to do if she was pregnant? Swaddle the kid while taking notes? Yeah, her professors will love that. God, and the father... "Oh, shit."
Who was the father? Who the hell was the father? She'd only been with Ed once, and that was the second week here, so... No, but Daryl. She slept with Daryl before that. Had she been so determined to let it end peacefully that she didn't think about protection? No. They used condoms. She knew they had. They had to have, not that it mattered since they used one for Ethan too.
She whimpered and went to the bathroom to rinse her mouth out. She only started to feel really crummy a couple days after she had sex with Ed. Oh, God. She was pregnant by Ed. How did this happen? That whole night was just a blur in her mind right now. She remembered him taking her back to his place, and they were talking and then he kissed her. It was sweet and gentle, and they ended it in his bedroom. Was there protection involved? She hadn't taken any birth control with her when she left Georgia, so if they didn't use a condom, Ed was the father.
She shook her head. She didn't know if she was pregnant. She didn't know. It could be a late period. She's had one of those before. It was nothing, just nothing. She wasn't pregnant. She couldn't be.
Karen returned to find Carol in a ball on the floor of the bathroom with wide eyes. "I'm back."
"I'm panicked."
"Hey, it's all right, Carol. It's all right. If you're pregnant, I'm here. I'll help take care of the baby, okay? I mean, how hard can it be...? I'll ask Milton, and as he can't say no to me, he'll help. We'll get through this, okay? If Ed doesn't want anything to do with the baby, I'm here. We'll figure this out."
"I can't ask you do that."
"Well, you're not blinking, and it's scaring me."
"I have to pee, so go."
She handed her the bag. "I'll make breakfast." She pulled the door closed and went to the kitchen.
Carol opened the bag, pulling out the box, and she pushed herself up. She almost didn't want to pee on the stick to see if her life was going to change. What if this baby didn't make it as well? What if she lost this baby sooner than she lost Ethan? She couldn't handle that. She wouldn't be able to live knowing any life she created died inside of her. It would be too cruel.
"God, please," Carol prayed before opening the box, "if I am pregnant, please let my baby be alive. Let him or her be healthy and alive. Please, Lord. Please."
With shaky hands, she opened the box and pulled out the pregnancy test, swallowing tears at how this one little stick could tell her her life was going to change with one little yes.
––
Karen watched Carol scoot the eggs around on her plate around with her fork, the bacon and toast untouched along with the mint tea. Karen had cooked while Carol peed, and she was eating and Carol waited for the results. It'd been ten minutes, but she hadn't moved an inch.
Karen set her fork down and went over to the other end of the counter. "It's now or never."
Carol dropped her fork and nodded.
She read the test and sighed softly. "You are... not pregnant."
Carol looked at her. "I'm not pregnant?"
"Nope."
Carol didn't feel as relieved as she thought she would. She wanted a child, even if the timing wasn't perfect. She wasn't pregnant, just sick as usual. Where was the relief?
"Carol?"
"It's nothing. Ugh. Why am I so upset over something I didn't even have?" She shook her head. "It's negative..."
"No."
"What?" She walked over to her and looked at the test. "Oh." She ran a hand over her mouth, her hand shaking, and the shake began to spread throughout her entire body. She set her hand on her stomach and let out a small laugh, sniffing. "I'm pregnant."
"Yep. I'll call my doctor and schedule an appointment, see how far along you are."
"You're too good to me."
"Well, I expect you to do all of my homework."
Carol laughed. "Okay, deal."
Karen bit her bottom lip. "What are you going to tell Ed?"
She swallowed. That he might be the father?
"You've been sick since that night at his place, so if you were pregnant, I can understand the pillow thing."
"What do I tell Ed? We had sex once my second week at school, and I haven't seen much of him since. He's busy with classes, but he still finds time to see me every now and then. How do I tell him I'm possibly five weeks pregnant with his child?"
"Slowly."
She buried her face in her hands. "God help me."