Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 23
Edward got hot chocolate for them both from the kitchen as they sat down to lay their cards on the table. Much needed to be done, and in order to carry them out, they would have to devise a game plan.
They sat silently for a while, both fidgeting, unsure about how to start.
"Carmen, listen-"
"Edward. I'm-"
The both spoke at the same time.
"Lady's first," Edward conceded.
Carmen exhaled deeply, as if to gather her thoughts.
"We'll need a bigger place. My lease is ending in two months, so if you were serious about us looking for an apartment or something..." Carmen began.
"I was serious. Do you know where you want to move? My grandfather left me some money outside of my college fund. I can use that. Just find something you like; I'll help you move. I can give you a check for the rent and other utilities. If you need help around the place, I'll come by a few times a week or-" Edward stopped as he noticed Carmen flinching at his suggestion.
"What, did I say something wrong?" he asked.
She shook her head but didn't volunteer anything immediately.
"What then?" Edward tried again.
"I can't have a baby outside of wedlock." She lowered her head, as if in shame. "My family is Catholic. My dad's running for mayor in Edison. He'll disown me if I had a baby before... before marriage."
Edward sat dumbfounded. Admittedly, he knew very little about Carmen's family. He suspected she was Catholic given her Hispanic heritage, but had very little clue about the degree of her conviction in the faith. Also, she seemed so completely reticent to the idea of marriage when he first sprang it.
"I thought you didn't want us to get married." Confusion was evident in his voice.
"I didn't, I don't... and I know you don't either. Not really. But if I am to do this, if you want me to do this, I can't... I don't want it at the expense of losing my family."
Carmen fixed Edward with a silent stare, conveying to him her inner struggle. The idea of a shotgun wedding might not be appealing to her, but her decision to carry the baby to term was conditional to it.
Edward understood.
He reached over and took Carmen's hand in his. He smiled and hoped it conveyed to her that he would not let her down, that she could trust him.
"I guess we're getting married then."
Thank you Lulabelle98, HeidiJoVT, and Dinx.