September 8, 1975

I tied my hair back into a ponytail as I walked out from the bathroom. I then walked down the hallway to KJ's bedroom, opening the door slowly so it wouldn't make a loud creak sound. I moved slowly and leaned down at the head of KJ's bed as he started to stir awake. He started to sit up a bit as he woke up and rubbed his eyes.

"Mornin', KJ," I said with a small smile and in a soft tone.

"Hi, Mama," KJ yawned.

"You ready for your first day of preschool?"

He perked up at that and nodded. "Yeah!"

Since KJ had just turned three, he was able to enroll in the preschool with Mariah. The fact that his birthday was right at the beginning of September, he was right on the birth date cutoff date. He would be in the same class and grade as Mariah since they were born during the same year, which of course made them both happy. That way, since they'd most likely be in the same schools as they grew up, they'd always have someone they knew.

KJ got out of bed and went over to the dresser in the corner of his room. I got up off the floor and over to the dresser with him. When we got there, I pulled out his socks, jeans, underwear, t-shirt undershirt, and a long sleeve shirt. I then helped KJ change out of his pajamas and into his clothes, then grabbed his sneakers and helped him out them on.

I'd taken the day off so I could be there for his first day of preschool. I'd already three shows the week before due to "sickness", so I figured my son's first day of preschool should be a more important reason to miss another show. The previous Friday, I didn't really feel as bad as I had been, but I still called in sick. I had used the day to go to the doctor to see how far along I was.

It would be the last day- for now, at least- that I take off. I'd be going back in for the next morning show.

Once I finished helping KJ get ready, I picked him up and walked to the kitchen. I placed him down gently in his seat and jumped when I heard Mrs. Mathews. "Good morning," she greeted with a chuckle.

I let out a breath as I took a small bowl from the cabinet along with a box of cereal. "Good morning," I chuckled, "And please don't make that such a habit for 'bout a year? That'd be great."

"Yeah, sorry," she shrugged, "I kinda forgot."

I gave a weird smile. "You forgot that I'm having another baby? That seems almost impossible for you."

She chuckled again. "It's still early, Rain. I'm not that young anymore, my brain isn't as functional in the morning as yours might be. Anyway, did you tell him yet?"

I placed the bowl of cereal in front of KJ on the table. "After we drop off KJ at preschool, we were planning on going to some new diner near the school or somethin', so I was gonna tell him then."

"Tell who, what?" we herd from behind us then turned around and saw it was Keith. He was in his jeans but still putting on his shirt.

"To tell Andy why I wasn't in the past couple a' days and such," I lied.

For the remainder of the morning before the three of us left the house, we were all kind of anxious. Mrs. Mathews had already left at that point, but not without making sure she told me to tell her when I told him. But when it was just me, Keith and KJ in the house, thoughts on possible scenarios of anything that could go wrong at the preschool our heads- except for KJ, of course.

The three of us left the house and got to the preschool around 8:30. Keith and I got out of the car and he went to the backseat and helped KJ out of his car seat. I took his small backpack- which held crayons, some pencils, safety scissors, glue and an extra pair of clothes- and his equally small lunch bag out from the car and we started toward the school. As we walked, I could see Darry and Marilyn with Mariah and DT at the entrance.

"Hey there," I said with a smile as we walked up to the four of them. I saw both KJ and Mariah smile when they saw each other.

"Hi," Marilyn smiled back, "I hoped I'd see you both here, considering you haven't been feeling good, Rain."

"Yeah, how are you feeling lately?" Darry asked in the same way as when we were all teenagers.

I shrugged a bit. "I'm doin' alright."

"You're also nervous for today, I know that," Keith whispered to me, making me start to chuckle.

As the four of us talked, one of the preschool teachers walked by. She greeted us, making sure to introduce herself to us and Mariah and KJ. She also told us that all the children had to be inside by 8:50. When we saw that it was 8:45, we decided to talk to KJ. "Ready for your first day, KJ?" I asked and helped him put on his backpack.

KJ smiled and nodded. "You're gonna come, Mama?" he asked, "And you too, Daddy?"

Keith and I exchanged unsure looks. "Well, we can't," I said gently and took his small hand in my own, "Me and Daddy aren't gonna go in with you."

"Why not?" KJ frowned.

"Well," Keith started, "Preschool isn't for adults like Mama and me. It's for little boys and girls like you and Mariah. We won't be with you, but she'll still be here with you, too."

"And we're gonna come back for you in a little while." I pushed back a few strands of KJ's dirty blonde hair- which was definitely not from me- from in front of his face.

"So you're gonna go away, but come back soon?" KJ asked in a hopeful tone. When we both nodded, he smiled.

After a few more minutes of telling KJ how we'd be back soon to get him, the teachers told everyone all the kids had to go inside. The whole time through, I started to believe that the preschool was a bit more sophisticated than I'd been led to believe, and I knew that Keith had the same thought running through his head. But in all honesty, as long as KJ didn't come home a little Shakespeare at three years old, I think the school would be alright.

Keith and I went to a diner after we dropped off KJ like we had agreed we would. It was some new place that had just opened by the high school. It wasn't crowded there, probably because it was still pretty early in the morning or most people were already at work, but I liked it just fine the way it was.

After we both ordered something to eat, I decided to tell him. "I meant to tell you," I started, "I went to the doctor on Friday to see what was wrong."

"You did?" Keith asked curiously.

"Yeah, last Friday after you left for the garage."

"Oh, alright. So, what'd the doctor say was wrong with you?"

"Nothin'."

He gave a confused look. "What?"

"Technically, there's nothing wrong with me."

"I… I don't get what you're sayin' here, Rain."

"What was so called wrong with me, it was morning sickness."

"Now he really looked worried. "Morning sickness? Morning sickness from what?"

I let out a chuckle. "Ok, I know it's still early, but you're so oblivious sometimes," I laughed, "I'm pregnant. We're having another baby."

"You're… you're," he stuttered slightly "You're pregnant?" When I nodded, a smile formed on his face.

"This week is five weeks," I smiled, then bit down on the edge of my lip.

We left the diner a little after that. Keith had gone back to the garage that he now co-owned with Sodapop and Steve, while I decided to spend the rest of the morning with Mrs. Mathews. When he drove me back to her house, I made sure to tell him not to tell anyone yet how I was pregnant. I wanted to wait until everything calmed down with Candy and Soda.

"So you told him?" Mrs. Mathews asked eagerly.

I chuckled. "Yes, I told him," I smiled, "But we're not gonna tell anyone else yet."

"Why not?"

"Well, Candy's due soon so we're gonna wait till everything calms down with her and Soda."

"Makes sense," she said with a shrug.

I stayed with her until Keith came back to the house so we could go back to the preschool to pick up KJ. When we got there, a car pulled up right next to ours. I laughed when I saw that the people who got out of the car was Darry and Marilyn with DT. The four of us all walked to the door together and waited for KJ and Mariah.

When KJ walked out of the building behind the teacher- with Mariah, as well, of course- he smiled brightly and ran over to us. When he reached us, I bent down and he jumped onto me, nearly knocking me down. Keith gave me questioning look, silently asking me if I was ok and I nodded, putting him at ease. He then leaned down next to me with KJ.

"How was your first day of preschool, sweetheart?" I asked KJ with a smile.

"It was fun!" he answered with a smile, "Can I come back tomorrow, Mama?"

I honestly love those little parts with KJ. I wasn't fully disappointed with this chapter so yay.

So I think I mentioned about Alice's Teacup for my best friend's birthday last time I updated, we ended up taking a rain check- literally. But then that Friday (January ) we went to NYC for my mom's birthday- we went up to all nine floors of the Macy's in Herald Square!

Anyway, I'll be starting another new story soon, so five at once- wish me luck. It's gonna be for The Expendables trilogy (so far, a trilogy, there's rumors about a fourth one coming up). So yeah.

Also- Rest in Peace, David Bowie. I've heard your music nearly all my life and it's hard to believe you're gone. I remember imitating the word Fame in "Fame" with my mom ever since I was three or four years old, years before I would become a fan of yours. And always love seeing the quote at the beginning of The Breakfast Club from "Changes". You are missed by many different age groups, and have affected us all.

Alright- peace from all the hippies of the world. =^-^=