Hey guys…I hope everyone liked the first four chapters. Here is the next one for you. Thanks for the reviews and keep them up. The more reviews I get the more I feel like updating the story!
Ally felt truly cheerful for the first time since everything had begun. She and Austin stayed cuddled in the quietness of the practice room for just a little while longer. Each was enjoying the simple presence of the other and before Ally could understand what was happening she felt the warmth of Austin's hand come to rest on her abdomen. She giggled a little when he leant down close to it and spoke like the baby could hear him or something.
"Hey…look I know your mommy and daddy are young but we love you very much and we will do everything we can to take the very best care of you." He said in a soft gentle tone.
He followed this declaration with soft humming as though he were trying to coerce a newborn to sleep. Ally smiled and ran her fingers through his hair thinking to herself that no matter what storm was on the horizon or what challenge was coming tomorrow this moment was blissfully perfect.
It didn't last though. That moment had to come to an end as all moments must and by that afternoon Ally had been thrust back into reality. She had only been sick twice all day, a record for her, but with her dad arriving home in the morning she had a lot on her mind. She knew that as soon as she saw him she was going to break down and have to explain why. Her nerves were shot and she had no will to put on a show left in her tiny bones.
Austin had offered to be there with her when she told him but because she knew her father would be very angry and upset she told him it was probably better if Trish was there instead. He understood and told her that he was willing to take responsibility for his actions.
"Ally, I can handle it. Your dad has every right to be furious with me. I got his little girl pregnant but I am going to make it right. I will take care of you and the baby and I want your dad to know that I made a mistake but I am doing everything I can to take my share of responsibility. "Austin argued to no avail.
Ally had made up her mind and even though she was putting on a brave face he knew she was far from alright. He was certain there would be many more crying sessions before all of this was over but he was okay with that. Ally was a good kid. She should never have had to go through any of this at 15.
He wanted to kick himself for putting her through so much pain and anguish. He was older…he was supposed to be responsible. Over and over he kept playing back in his mind the moment he realized the news she was going to tell him. He felt like someone dropped a house on him and all he could think of was that Kenny Chesney song There Goes My Life.
He'd never admit that to Ally though because as soon as he saw how broken she was he forgot all about his own worries and could only focus on her. Never before had he seen Ally like that, like all the air had been kicked out of her and just a shell of the happy vibrant girl remained. He knew that no matter how scared he was about being a dad at 16, Ally was more scared. She had a little creature growing inside of her, taking over her body. She would have to carry it around for months and go through labor. Just thinking about it made him shutter.
The next morning arrived all too soon for Ally and Austin both. Him because he hadn't slept at all thinking about what today meant and her because she knew today was the day she would change her father's world forever.
Trish had slept over at her house and the two girls had spent the hours of last night preparing a plan. Ally didn't want to choke like she had with Austin. It had been unfair to make Trish be the one to tell him and even though she hadn't actually had to say anything it was still a tough moment to have put her in. Ally couldn't allow that to happen again so she had been practicing what to say on Trish. There had been countless drafts and different ideas about approaching the subject but none was deemed the sure fire way to go about it.
At eight thirty sharp, the front door opened and Ally heard heavy footsteps and the rolling of her father's old suitcase across the marble floor in the foyer. She was already dressed for work and trying not to look guilty.
Trish was groggy but awake and dressed too and when the girls heard Mr. Dawson's voice call up to them they turned to each other. Ally wore a mask of guilt and was trying hard to swallow the lump in her throat. Her mouth went dry and though it opened multiple times, no words came out. Trish looked worried and felt a lump of her own forming but managed to squeak out that they would be down in a second.
"Ally? Come on…we have to go downstairs. Get a hold of yourself. You don't have to tell him right this second but you have to pull it together. "Trish coached putting her palms on Ally's face to sustain her attention.
There were no tears like there had been with Austin. Instead Ally looked numb and frozen in her spot. Trish took her hand and pulled her to the bathroom. After splashing some cold water on Ally's face Trish turned to her again.
"Hey!" Ally objected wiping to cold water from her eyes, "I just did my makeup…"
"Well you needed that." Trish claimed handing Ally a washcloth from the small basket on the counter, "You can't go all zombie on me. We have to go downstairs. I don't think you should drop the bomb on him right now if you think you can hold yourself together. Can you do that?"
"Yeah…" Ally sighed and attempted to correct the running of her eyeliner, "You are probably right anyway. That isn't the best way to greet someone after they have been gone for a week…surprise! I'm pregnant!" Her tone was laced with sarcasm and both girls laughed a little feeling a small amount of the tension leave the air.
It was back the next moment though when Mr. Dawson appeared in the doorway of the bathroom. There was an oblivious smile on his face which Ally took as a sign that he hadn't heard what she just said. Regardless, she was immediately on high alert and she could feel her nausea returning.
"Hey girls! How was your week? Anything exciting happen while I was gone?" he pried innocently in a way of conversation rather than interrogation.
"Uh…no pretty quiet around here Mr. Dawson. We were just finishing up and getting ready to head to the mall." Trish returned knowing that Ally was going to need a moment to mentally catch up with the conversation.
"Yeah. We had a pretty good time this week but um…nothing special…just work and hanging out." Ally lied trying her best to maintain a smile. He bought it thankfully and pulled her into a bear hug.
"Good. I'm glad you had a good week Ally-cat. Let me shower and change real quick and then I'll drive you two over to the mall...okay?" he offered. Ally wasn't sure what to say but thankfully Trish stepped in again.
"That's okay Mr. Dawson. It is really pretty out today. We can walk. You don't have to be in till this afternoon and you should rest from your trip." Trish assured nudging Ally. "Right Ally?"
"Uh yeah…its fine. You are probably kind of tired and like Trish said it's a nice day out." Ally added nervously.
She was glad that Trish was quick on her feet because truthfully she wasn't sure she could spend much time around her father without breaking down and telling him the truth. It was all she could do to maintain this façade for a few minutes.
Lester looked a bit confused but shrugged his shoulders and turned to leave.
"Okay…if you are sure. I'll see you two later this afternoon then. I am going to go take a little nap I guess. Are you sure everything is okay though? I mean you both are acting a little strange." he noted looking back.
Ally felt her cheeks go red and her stomach fall to the floor. He was onto them. He knew…she shouted in her head.
"Yeah…we just stayed up too late last night." Trish offered in explanation.
Much to Ally's relief he turned and continued his route to the master bedroom. As soon as his feet had crossed the threshold from the hallway to the bedroom, Ally let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding in. Clearly both girls were a little shaken but Trish patted Ally on the back and told her she was proud of her for maintaining her cool so well. Ally thanked her and both girls bounded down the steps, grabbed their bags and ran out the front door glad to be free of the proximity to Ally's father.
When they arrived at Sonic Boom, Austin was waiting for them. Dez was with him and Ally could tell from the way Dez avoided her gaze that he now knew what was going on. Ally didn't mind. She hadn't told Austin he couldn't tell anybody and if her own feelings were anything like his he probably needed a friend through all of this as well. "So?..." Austin pried, "did you tell him?" Ally shook her head and made her way behind the counter. She dropped her bag on the floor beneath the cash register and put on her name tag before propping her elbows up on the countertop. Her face fell to her hands and she mumbled, "I just can't figure out what to say. I mean how do I tell my dad that…?" Her words were somewhat rhetorical but she would have gladly welcomed any advice from the three solemn faces staring back at her.
"Tell me what?", Lester said stepping up to the group. He had seemingly come out of nowhere and all four children jumped. Dez and Trish began rambling about whatever they could think of in an attempt to explain the comment from Ally but to no avail.
Lester's eyes were focused solely on Ally and when she looked up she felt as though he was staring directly into her soul. When she didn't speak he asked again more slowly.
"Tell me….what?" he demanded in a serious tone.
Finally Ally managed to find some words. "Dad?! What are you doing here?" she questioned.
"I realized I had to fax some files to our suppliers before noon…clearly you weren't expecting me and there is something you need to tell me so come on…out with it…", he patiently explained still waiting for her answer to his question.
Ally was panicking and her ears felt as though they were on fire. She was sure her face was reddened and she could tell her fingers were shaking. "I-I….uh…I…" she fumbled trying to form a complete sentence.
Austin, who had been standing in silence up until now, moved next to her, wrapped his arm around her waist and spoke in a calm, confident voice.
"Mr. Dawson, Ally is pregnant. I know you are disappointed but we will do everything we can to take responsibility for our actions. I am so sorry. I shouldn't have put her in this position. " he offered surprising everyone.
Mr. Dawson just stared in shock as a tear crept to his eye. Ally half expected him to yell or scream or lunge at Austin but what he did surprised her even more. He simply turned and left Sonic Boom leaving the shaken group alone in the store. That wasn't at all how Ally had pictured the conversation going. She wanted to chase after him but she knew it was best to leave him be until he was ready to talk to her. She just hoped he would come around and be able to forgive them for this. As the four friends stared at one another Ally let herself cry at the realization of what had just happened and Austin cried too wrapping her in his arms. He only hoped that telling his own parents would be easier emotionally.