Chapter 5

A couple of weeks went by and Carol began to feel sick and wasn't sure what was happening to her. Suddenly she then realised she was sick nearly every morning and it dawned on her she might be pregnant as her David were young and hadn't really been that careful. Carol knew everything would blow up if she was pregnant and she was so scared for herself and David's future in a way she had never been before. Carol went to the chemist before school to buy a pregnancy test desperately hoping no one would see her. She wanted to tell David but she wanted to be sure as for the first time she wasn't sure how he would react. Carol took the test in the school toilet and after several nerve racking minutes she realised she was definitely pregnant. She was only 14 and so scared; she needed David to hold her and tell her everything was going to be ok. The day at school went so slowly which was agonising for Carol as she desperately needed to talk to David. At lunch time she found David and dragged him out of school.

"Carol I thought you didn't like bunking off." David said confused.

"I don't but we need to talk" carol responded which worried David.

She dragged him down the canal as there was usually few people there at that time of day. David was very confused and was concerned when he noticed Carol was shaking. Reluctantly after moments of silence he said

"What's wrong Carol? You can tell me"

"I don't know how to say it" she responded nervously

"Are you finishing with me" David Boldly asked

"NO, I'm pregnant" she said in desperation knowing there was no good way to tell him.

David remained silent for several moments not knowing what to say and Carol instantly wished she hadn't told him. David was shocked as he never thought this would happen as being so young it was never really something that crossed his mind. One moment he was having a quick fumble with Carol and the next, bang, he was faced with the prospect of being a dad and that terrified him as he knew he was too selfish and unreliable to be a dad.

"David I'm scared" Carol said shaking with nerves

"It's okay. I'll be here for you" he said as he cuddled her

This was exactly what she needed to hear from him as she was absolutely terrified as any 14 year old girl would be if pregnant at that age. David was so freaked out and had no idea what to do or who to tell. They barely saw each other for the next week as they were both so confused and knew they were going to have to tell their parents. Carol went first and confessed to her mum and dad she was pregnant.

"What?" Carol's dad Jim said with anger and disbelief.

"I'm pregnant." Carol repeated

"You can't be" said Jim raging

"You stupid little girl so what are you going to do? And WHO is the father? Not David Wicks" Jim shouted with such anger

Reenie held Carol's hand and looked concerned for her "Don't shout at her Jim can't you see she's terrified".

"It's ok Carol we'll sort it all out don't be scared" Reenie said comfortingly.

"What's going on?" Derek said with aggression as he barged in the kitchen.

"Carol's up the duff" Jim said enraged

"I'll kill him, you're 14 and my beautiful baby sister; he's ruined your life" Derek said angrily

"It's not his fault" Carol pleaded

"Shut up Carol of course it is I'm going to kill him and you're having an abortion" demanded Derek

"What" Carol said upset as she was developing an attachment and could never imagine herself getting rid of her and David's baby?

"You're not keeping it." Insisted Derek and Jim

"That's my choice. You can't make me have an abortion". Carol responded with strength as she was determined to make her own decision.

"Wait till I get my hands on David Wicks" Derek growled determined to make him pay for getting Carol pregnant.

Carol never meant for Derek to find out she was pregnant so was desperate to see David and make sure she protected him from being hurt by her psychotic brother. She was also eager to know what he thought they should do even though she knew on the face of it he'd want her to have an abortion. However she wanted to get past David's fears and make him realise it's their baby and they'll love it like they love each other.

It was now David's turn to talk and he asked his mum if he could talk to her. David was surprised when she sat down and gave him time, but the mother and son moment as soon spoilt when David said

"Mum Carol's pregnant"

"Oh you have got to be joking. I warned you'd get yourself in trouble. Were you not at least being careful" Pat said with anger but concern.

"Sort of... I thought we were but maybe not all the time" responded a confused David.

"What do I do mum?" Said David looking scared

"You stand by Carol whatever decision she makes" said Pat encouraging him to do the right thing unlike she had her whole life.

David and Carol went somewhere quiet the next day at school and David confessed to Carol that he was scared and just wasn't ready to be a dad and thought she should have an abortion. Carol was reluctant as deep down she wanted the baby. They held hands tightly as they were both so scared but knew they loved each other.

"Derek knows and he's determined to get you" said Carol worried for David

"Brilliant that's all I need. Don't worry Carol I'll be careful" David said to reassure her knowing she was worried for his safety.

"Carol you should have an abortion as we don't want to be parents yet do we? Maybe in the future but we're too young it'll destroy us, we'll resent each other and the baby for tying us down when we should be having a laugh and enjoying our lives" said David

"That's what got us in this mess in the first place, maybe your right." Carol answered unsure

"Carol you cannot have this baby. I've got the money here £100. I'll go with you to the clinic and we'll get it sorted" insisted David trying to show some compassion

"No I can't have an abortion. I'm carrying our baby and I just can't have it flushed down a hospital toilet" Carol answered getting angry at David.

"Here is the money, at least think about it. I really do think it's for the best. I want better for you Carol. You've got such a bright future." He said stroking her hair.

"I'll think about it." Carol said reluctantly.

"I'll see you tomorrow at school and we'll talk more about it." He said as he kissed her good night.

On the way home David couldn't help but think about Carol and the baby. He was beginning to think like Carol that it may not be such a bad thing and that he could be a good dad and boyfriend and maybe even husband to Carol; after all he would have to grow up one day so why not now with someone he really loves. Suddenly David was just arriving home as he was ambushed by Derek and 5 other big lads. They confronted him about Carol's pregnancy.

"I'm going to kill you for knocking up my sister. She's 14. It's sick and your scum. You are going to pay for it. Come and lads lets teach him a lesson" roared Derek into David's face

The boys kicked and punched David for several minutes with him on the floor in agony. He was scared for his life but all he could do was think about Carol and the baby. He was bleeding all over and covered in nasty bruises and his whole body had gone numb. Pat heard the lads outside and saw what they had done to David. She attempted to stop them and warn them on. Derek turned to pat and held her up by the throat against the wall and said

"Pat Wicks you are a slapper and I'm warning you to leave Walford with your family and take your scumbag of a son with you or I'll kill him and make sure you all pay."

Pat was terrified and shaking to her core as she knew Derek was psychotic and would follow through with his threat. She knelt to the pavement where David's almost lifeless body laid. Pat nervously called an ambulance as she cradled her son in her arms praying for him to be okay and dedicating herself to making sure she protected from now on. The evening had changed Pat's view as a parent as she realised David needed her now more than he had ever needed her before.

As David was rushed into intensive care Pat, Simon and Brian anxiously waited to see if David was going to be okay as he had a punctured lung and numerous broken ribs. Meanwhile Derek arrived home at the Branning's house mentioning nothing what had just gone on and how he had nearly killed David. Carol held the £100 in her hand trying to make the agonising choice of whether she should have the baby or not.

"I'll go with you for abortion tomorrow Carol" mentioned Derek

"Shut up Derek I'm going to keep my baby" Carol said as she left the room

"Disappointing Carol, very disappointing" Derek shouted.

Carol once again was having terrible morning sickness as she got ready for school. She was determined to go though as she was desperate to see David and tell him she had decided to have the baby with or without his support. She was disappointed to see that David had not come to school believing him to have reverted to his cowardly ways as opposed to facing her and the decision which she had made. As soon as the school day had ended Carol went to her first hospital appointment which was the first scan of her baby which she really wanted David to be at. As she walked towards the hospital entrance passed A&E she saw Pat standing outside. Carol immediately asked

"Pat what are you doing here? Where is David?"

"David has just come out of intensive care with a punctured lung and four broken ribs as your brother knocked seven bells out of him last night as he came home" said Pat with a worried look on her face

"Oh my god I'll go and see him after I've had my scan" Said Carol

"Now you listen here girl if you've got any sense you'll stay well away from David and get yourself an abortion as soon as possible. Your brother Derek is a psycho." Pat fiercely advised Carol

"I'll never forgive Derek for this, I promise I'll make sure he leaves David alone" Carol responded with empathy

"It's too late I've moved the family away from Walford and taken David out of school. I'm sorry but I have to protect my son; he's not safe here." Pat said walking away from a distressed Carol.

"Where are moving to?" Carol shouted to Pat who ignored her as she strutted away.

Carol was now more scared than ever but furious at Derek for hurting David. Carol went for a scan and discovered she was carrying a healthy baby girl and was already 15 weeks she was both thrilled and surprised. She could see her baby move which pulled at her heartstrings as that was herself and David's treasure and she was never going to let it go. Carol left the room holding the picture of the baby as she headed for the A&E department and asked to see David Wicks. A kind nurse who could see the fear in Carol's eyes led her to the room where David was recuperating. She was shocked by what Derek had done to David and was determined he was going to have nothing to do with her baby girl. She held David's hand and he was so pleased to see her feeling instantly comforted by her presence. After moments of silence Carol said

"I'm keeping our baby David".

"Are you sure Carol?" David said fearfully.

"Yes, look this is our baby girl; she's 15 weeks old and apparently a very healthy baby" Said Carol smiling at David as she could feel him growing attached.

David looked at the picture for ages before he said anything just holding Carol's hand as tight as he could. He knew it wasn't going to be easy but was determined the do the right thing for Carol and their daughter.

"She's beautiful." He said softly smiling into Carol's eyes despite his face being covered in bruises.

"Mum's moving us away for a while to stop Derek killing me but I'll keep in touch and wait for the right time to tell everyone we are still together and having our baby." David said with sincerity as he gently kissed her despite the pain it caused him.

Carol was so pleased by his commitment to her and their baby and although she knew they had a tough time ahead she was comforted by the thought of them being a family just herself David and their baby girl. That kept Carol going even though her and David couldn't see each other as much she still felt close and connected with him as she carried their growing baby girl and he had vowed his loyalty and commitment to her which was always going to be the hardest thing for a jack the lad bad boy like David Wicks.