Chapter 20 - Questions and Confessions

Sam and Astrid made their way downstairs already discussing what they were going to say. Edilio sat in the sitting room looking calm but they both knew he was beside himself with anger. They sat down on the opposite sofa Astrid sitting close to Sam her hands fidgeting within her lap. Sam looked over at her and chuckled before grabbing her hands and giving them a reassuring squeeze; he leaned forward and whispered in her ear.
"Calm down everything will be fine" she smiled back at him before they both turned back to Edilio.

"Okay first of all I'm not angry I just wanna know what's going on. You guys have been acting weird since that night in the Caretakers Quarters, I'm not trying to be nosy I just want to know what's going on." Edilio explained.
Sam realised just how many secrets he had been keeping from Edilio, he felt guilty and didn't want this to continue.

"Fine, fine we'll tell you. But just remember whatever we discuss doesn't leave this room, alright?"Edilio nodded so Sam continued."Ok first things first you were right something did happen that night in the Caretakers Quarters. That night after the anniversary party me and Astrid. . ."
"Astrid and I" Astrid gently corrected
"Yes, Astrid and I. . . We. . ." Sam felt his cheeks flush as he remembered that night "we made love"

They sat in silence for an immeasurable amount of time, the tension between them growing thick. Edilio's face remained blank as he sat staring at the teens. Sam began to grow worried this was the first time they were telling anybody what was happening and they hadn't even got to the important part. A few more minutes passed and decided to just move the conversation on swiftly.

"That night Astrid fell pregnant," At this point Edilio gave a huge groan and buried his head in his hands "We only found out a few weeks ago and we literally came to terms with it last night." Sam quickly spoke trying to justify their secrecy. Slowly Edilio looked up at the couple his eyes hard and his fists clenched at his sides.

"Are you serious? You guys can't be serious. How could you do that? Were you even thinking when you, when you . . ." Edilio waved his hand vaguely gesturing between them to signify what he meant.

"Made love" Astrid supplied with a gentle smile.

"Well at least you enjoyed yourselves but did you even think about this baby?" Edilio said with a harsh, sarcastic tone.

"Edilio-" Sam cut in

"No Sam I can't believe this of you two Astrid I thought you were supposed to be responsible! Have you even thought about little Pete? How are you both gonna cope we barely have enough resources as it is and now you want to add a baby?"

"Edilio enough" Sam warned but Edilio continued regardless.

"And how are you expecting to keep this a secret? Hide Astrid as soon as she starts showing? You think people won't notice"

"Edilio. Stop." Sam was getting angry they'd already been through all this plus Edilio was beginning to upset Astrid.

"And what are you going to do when the child is born being a teen parent isn't easy! But most importantly what will you do when the wall goes up?" A sniffle sounded from beside Sam and he looked over to see tears threatening to fall from Astrid's eyes. Edilio gasped in realisation as if a big idea had just dawned on him.

"Astrid, think what your parents will feel about this. You were so different when you came into the FAYZ and now look your just a typical Teen Mom case." At that moment Astrid gave a sob before jumping up and running from the room. Sam watched her leave before turning an angry glare at Edilio.

"What is wrong with you?"He shouted as soon as Astrid was upstairs. "Why would you say something like that!"?

"I can't believe you are asking me this! Those are the questions you should be asking yourselves!"

"That's not what I meant." Sam sat down heavily acknowledging that this conversation wouldn't be going anywhere with them both shouting at each other the way they were. In front of him Edilio did the same thing.

"Look Sam, I didn't come here to shout at you - guess I'm just a little shocked is all" His voice soft as he apologised.

"Edilio there's something I need to tell you" he paused to take a deep breath before continuing "On the night of the anniversary party Astrid was told that her father had died in a accident while trying to get into the FAYZ" Sam could see the shock and regret on Edilio's face before he groaned and buried his head in his hands.

"Oh no" he kept his head down eyes shut tight." What have I done?" At this point he raised his head. "Sam could you please tell Astrid I'm sorry I didn't know" seeing how stressed Edilio was becoming Sam decided to intervene

"Look man it's alright she knows that you didn't know it just upset her on top of all those other things you said as well as her pregnancy hormones."

"Oh gosh tell her I'm sorry for all those other things I said as well."

"Look man its fine I was kinda expecting someone to have a go at us and trust me you probably won't be the only one." Sam got up and started to leave.

"Oh - I almost forgot what I came here to tell you." A sense of urgency laced in his voice

"What is it?"

" Today's the day we've gotta be at Coates Academy we're supposed to be there at 12"

"Oh what's the time?" Edilio looked at his wristwatch"

"10 past 12"

Diana stood next to the bed just adding finishing touches to the room Astrid and Sam would be staying in later today. She looked out the window again and wondered when they would be arriving.

"They're late." Diana turned around to see Caine standing in the doorway with a look on his face that could only be described as a puppy who'd just been kicked. His bottom lip even stuck out slightly. She chuckled at the sight.

"Don't worry they are probably just running late." Diana said while she finished dusting the final parts of the room.

"Yeah you're right." He then paused to walk into the room and look around."Mind you I still don't understand why you are making all this effort" Caine said his face turning into a sneer. Diana huffed then turned to face him.

"If you must know we are trying to make a good impression, you know changed for the better, wanna get along-"

"Yeah yaddah yaddah yaddah. I get it, you didn't have to give me a lecture" Caine said playfully.

"If you didn't want a stupid answer don't ask stupid questions" Diana said before leaving the room Caine closed the door then followed her down the stairs.

"Besides you try to make a good impression while the person you're trying to impress is staying in a smelly, untidy and unsanitary room."She stopped to put the cleaning supplies in a cupboard before heading to her room,

"Alright I get it anyway if it was me I would already be impressed with the sexy brunette who lived down the hall" he said at the same time walking up to Diana who now stood in the middle of her room.

"Nice try slick" she dodged his outstretched hands" but you're gonna have to try harder than that." She winked before disappearing down the stairs to go and discuss with Louisa and Chelsea what the lunch and dinner arrangements would be.

As soon as the words had left Edilio's mouth Sam'd run upstairs and immediately started packing. Grabbing only the essentials and stuffing them into a worn out backpack. He stopped suddenly when he heard whimpering from his left. He froze when he remembered Astrid he cursed silently 'how could he forget Astrid?' she was lying on the bed turned facing the wall. He walked towards her then sat down next to her.

"Astrid?" She looked up at him "Are you okay?" She sniffed before nodding

"I'm fine it's these hormones" she gave him a small smile before sighing and sitting up. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands then looked around the room. She turned back to Sam with a confused expression on her face.

"Umm Sam what are you doing?" He gave a nervous chuckle while rubbing the back of his neck. He explained to her the current situation and how he suddenly needed to be at Coates Academy.

"No" Astrid said crossing her arms over her chest in defence.

"What?" Sam asked confused.

"No, I will not let you go alone" Astrid remained decisive.

"I won't be alone Edilio's gonna be there too" Sam tried.

"I can't allow you to go there on your own Sam that's why I'm coming too"

"No" Sam in an imitation to Astrid's earlier comment

"What? Why?"

"Why? What do you mean why? Your 3 months pregnant that's why!" Sam said getting up to stand in front of her in
an attempt to gain some control of the situation.

"That's not a valid reason" she said standing too.

"Yes it is besides it's too dangerous for you to go" Sam tried reasoning with her.

"Sam you can't stop me from coming 'cus I'm sure not staying here on my own while you are doing who knows what out there"

"Astrid you don't understand" he grabbed her upper arms and pulled her into a hug "I wouldn't be able to live myself knowing something happened to you or the baby because I wasn't able to convince you to stay behind" Sam could feel Astrid smile against his chest as she pulled him closer.

"You don't have to worry because I'll be right by your side the whole time"

"Yeah that's the part that worries me" Sam sighed with defeat "fine you can come along"

"Yay!" Astrid yelled jumping up and down in a child-like manner. Sam stared at wide eyed at her for a few seconds then came to the conclusion 'mood swings'. Astrid then quickly started running around the room grabbing things to wear and things to pack all while muttering to herself in a fast but quiet voice.
Sam watched astonished but just as she was about to run to the bathroom to grab the toiletries he stepped in front of the door with his arms outstretched either side of him.

"Hold on before you do anything else let's set some ground rules, alright?" Astrid gave him a weird look as if she was considering the authenticity of what he'd asked before slowly nodding.

"Alright then Rule number one: No strenuous activity, okay?"

"It depends, what do you classify as strenuous activity?"

"Well you know the usual no lifting your arms no carrying heavy objects etcetera"She nodded "Sam, I'm pregnant I havent broken both my arms"nevertheless he continued.

"Rule number two No hiding how your feeling okay if you're feeling unwell just tell me got it? Like if you're feeling nauseous or dizzy." They continued like this until they had 8 simple rules (LOL refernce to TV show) but by this time Edilio was ready to drag them out the house by their ears. He stood at the bottom of the stairs shouting at them at regular intervals telling them to hurry up. But despite this the group only managed to leave the house at 12:40.

After lunch Diana had gone back upstairs while Caine had stayed downstairs to continue looking out for Sam and Astrid and whoever else they might be bringing along with them. She started to doubt they were even coming until she heard the front door open and voices talking. She put down the book she was reading and walked over to the mirror to make sure she looked alright. Her hair was now shoulder length with much more colour than it used to have. Her skin wasn't nearly as pale and tight as it had been a few months before. She didn't look like she used to but it was better than looking on border edge starving.

Diana turned and made her way downstairs and outside into the courtyard where the voices could be heard coming from. She walked in to see Caine and Sam shaking hands and chatting amicably while Astrid and Edilio stood behind Sam smiling politely and laughing at a joke Caine had just told. She walked over and put her best smile on genuinely trying to make an effort with the visitors. Caine noticed her arrival and turned to smile at her and snake his arm around her waist. To anyone else it would look as if Caine was just greeting Diana but in reality he was so nervous he felt the need to cling onto her. Diana immediately read this and wound her arm around his back to silently offer her support.

"Hello Diana you're looking nice today." Sam said while giving her a quick smile.

"Thanks Sam I was just about to say the same to you" She returned his smile then turned to Astrid.

"Diana" Astrid said in a soft but cold chose to ignore her and gave a nod to Edilio before Caine announced that they should all go inside. Sam and Caine going first already discussing plans followed closely by Edilio. Astrid was just about to continue after them when Diana called out to her.

"Astrid!" Astrid stopped and turned towards Diana her face hard with suspicion and annoyance. "Look,I know that due to past actions you probably don't trust me but I just want to say that despite everything that's happened I would like to get the chance to know you and maybe even become friends." Astrid seemed startled by what she said before smiling and extending her hand.

"I guess that would make sense I mean you are dating my boyfriends long-lost-recently-found-fraternal-twin-brother." Diana smiled "How about we try this again? Hi my name's Astrid"

"And my names Diana." She reached for the extended hand but as soon as their skin touched Diana felt a strong electric shock making her shriek then suddenly it died down leaving the weirdest sound Diana had ever heard. Besides Astrid's fast frantic heart there was a quieter one coming from within her. It was fast. Diana stood for numerous seconds staring at Astrid while listening to the second heartbeat that was becoming more and more obvious with every second that past. After about half a minute Astrid pulled her hand back and stared at her as if she'd grown a second head.

"Astrid are you pregnant?"

Oooooo Cliffie!

OMD you have no idea how guilty I felt for semi-abandoning this story but I had my GCSE's to do and work kept piling up but now I'm on half term I'll try my best to get another chapter up soon.

Until Then

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Hunnybunny