Chapter 12 - Telling the Parents/My Future?

/In which Aria contemplates her future. \or/ Spencer and Toby go on a suicide mission./

.::Aria's Point of View::.

As I opened the door to Ezra's apartment, I took in the scene before me. There was Ezra, lying on the couch, asleep. The TV was on, playing some commercial. I smiled. Ezra had gotten out of the hospital just yesterday, and I was happy. He had a scar that would be there for the rest of his life, but I'm glad all of that is over. It reminds me why, in the heat of the moment, that I pushed Shana off that ledge. She hurt Ezra, she hurt me, she hurt all of us.

I don't regret what I did. It brings me guilt, but it was worth it. I could now have a normal life, without A. Spencer and Toby can have their baby in peace. Emily and Paige can work things out. Ali can make amends with everyone she hurt - which was just about 99% of the people she's met. I just hope everyone can find it in their hearts to forgive her.

I go to the kitchen, and pull out a box of Cheerios from one of the cabinets, then go to the fridge and get out a quarter-full gallon of milk. I pour both into a bowl, grab a spoon, then sit down at one of the bar stools by the counter.

My mom was at work, for Mrs DiLaurentis, and Mike was sleeping in. Summer only had two more weeks left, before I had to go back to school to start my senior year.

I'm excited that I'm almost finished with school. I just don't know what I'll do next. Will I go to college? What will my career be? What will I major in? My parents tell me not to worry, but I really should start thinking about my future.

After I finish my cereal, I put the bowl and spoon in the sink, then sit down on the couch next to Ezra. I shake his shoulder lightly, before deciding that he needs his rest. Luckily, he isn't a very light sleeper. I lie down next to him, just me and my thoughts, and I slowly but surely begin to fall asleep.

.::Spencer's Point of View::.

(3rd)

Spencer Hastings was at a crossroads. She had morning sickness like no other, and her parents kept telling her to go to the doctor. I don't need to, she'd tell them. They'd just shake their heads and tell her to get back to bed. Toby had stopped staying over the day her parents got back, but called her everyday to make sure that she was okay, and came over as often as he could, without becoming suspicious.

She knew she should tell her parents, but it felt like a suicide mission. Her parents would hate her, no doubt, tell her never to see Toby again, maybe even tell her to abort the baby. She wouldn't have it. Her body, her baby; she was keeping this child.

Spencer kept insisting that it was just a stomach bug, but now it had gone on for weeks on end. Her parents were getting suspicious, her mother worrisome. Was it influenza? Something dangerous? No, and no. Just a baby.

But now, even Toby was telling her that they needed to tell her family. It was time; she was starting to show, and would need new clothes soon. So, together, they set up a date. A date that was rapidly arriving, like a train arriving at a train station; fast, and she so wasn't ready.

(1st POV)

But then, the day came. I was sitting on the couch, biting the skin by my fingernails, anxiously waiting for Toby to arrive. I had told my parents I needed to tell them something, and were sitting with me on the couch. I felt like I was going to vomit, and I probably would.

So when the doorbell rang, I wanted to curl up in a ball and die, but I knew I had to do this.

"Who's that?" My dad asked.

"Toby," I said. I stood up, and slowly walked towards the door, dreading the next few minutes. I opened the door, and immediately drew my boyfriend in a hug.

"You can do this, Spence," he whispered, gently rubbing my back. I nodded into his chest, then pulled back, and lead him into the living room. I can do this.

We sat down on the couch across from my parents, and I breathed deeply. I can't I can't I can't.

Then he was rubbing my back again and it was okay. I can. I can. Oh who am I kidding, I don't want to!

So, I started off easy. "So, we wanted to tell you something.." I said. They nodded, and I inwardly whimpered. Here goes. "I'm pregnant.." I winced. My parents were silent. I looked up, and it wasn't the best sight to behold. Mom was sitting there, wide-eyed, mouth agape, and dad had his head in his hands. I would expect nothing less. Disappointment. I could tell; I made my parents disappointed. Mom was most likely in shock. At least Melissa wasn't home.

Spoke too soon.

My lovely sister comes into the room, haphazardly throwing her jacket to the floor. She then notices us.

"What happened?" She asks. She rolls her eyes. "Is Spencer pregnant?" She jokes, laughing. She stops when she really looks at the scene. "..Oh. Um.. I'll.. Leave you to it.." Melissa then awkwardly slides into the kitchen, wincing. A few seconds later, I hear a sigh come from my dad.

"Spencer, what were you thinking?"

"Were you even thinking?" My mom adds. I narrow my eyes. Yes, actually. I was. Toby squeezes my hand. She notices my look. "Spencer, you are seventeen years old! How are you supposed to take care of a child? You are a child!"

"Nonetheless, you are a Hastings! You should not be getting pregnant until you are married! Like we did!" My dad adds in. Oh, of course. Can't forget the reputation! My mom sighs.

"Spencer, can I talk to you alone for a minute?" She asks. I look over at Toby, before nodding my head and following my mother out to the front porch. What about Toby? Leaving him with my father, him knowing that he got me pregnant, it would either be one, awkward, or two, uncomfortable. For Toby, because my father would be glaring at him like he had murdered someone. Kind of as he previously thought about a year and a half ago. This can't end well.

Once we got outside, my mom closed the door and sat down on the steps of the porch, patting the spot beside her. I hesitantly sit down. She looks over to me, and I have to admit, this is the hardest thing I have ever done; and I had to deal with A for years.

"Spencer, do you love him?" She suddenly asked me. I was taken aback by the question.

"What do you mean?"

"The question really only has one meaning. Do you love Toby?" She repeats.

"Of course I do. You know that, Mom," I tell her. She shakes her head.

"I just don't know where I went wrong. I know you're a teenager, and you have, well, hormones.. But I thought I taught you to always wait?" She asks me. I almost feel bad for her. She thinks she's.. Done me wrong?

"No, Mom. You did teach me that, and I was going to wait," I explained. She waited for me to continue. I didn't.

"Then what happened Spencer? Did he.." She faltered, but I knew where that sentence was going, and my eyes widened.

"No! Of course not!" I exclaimed. I sighed. "I just.. I felt ready. And when I was, I just didn't know why I waited."

"So was this a result of your first time?" I contemplated telling her the truth, before I shook my head. No. "Then why didn't you tell me? We could have talked about this together! I didn't know you weren't a virgin anymore! I wanted to know, Spencer!"

"Mom, I didn't think it would have been the perfect time to call you up when I told Toby I was ready," I tell her. She sighs again.

"I know.. I just wish you would have told me," she says, "But I support whatever you want to do with this baby." I smile, and she pulls me into a hug. She pulls away after a few moments. "Now, let's go inside before your father murders Toby."

Author's Note:

Okay, how was that? I figure that Spencer's mom would be a lot more laid back about the pregnancy, I don't know. Tell me how that was! I didn't do much of Ezria in this chapter, because I wanted it to revolve around Spoby, but I don't know. :) I'm personally proud of it myself! :DD

Until the next chapter -

Haley