September 30...

Eric was out for a walk alone, as suggested by his new therapist whom we'd met yesterday, and I was sitting on our bed with Tianna while Kalika napped in her bedroom.

I'd felt weird all day. I'd went to bed early last night, since I'd been tired, and I woke up, still tired. Something was off, but I didn't know what. I'd have to wait to find out.

I was clearing out my phone, deleting the apps I never used when I realized it. When I saw my period tracking app, I remembered I hadn't had a period since my last one before we conceived Kalika. My cycle had never continued after she was born. It was just two months ago, so it wasn't a big problem. My body was probably just getting itself back to normal again. Nothing to worry about.

October 3... Monday...

I was hard at work in the atelier, sewing some pieces together when Eleanor walked over to me.

"Jenny, may I speak to you in private?"

"Of course. Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing. Come along." She took me in her office and gestured to the couch. "Have a seat." She instructed me, and I listened. "To calm you worries, this is not about any trouble. It's actually about some things that will be good for you."

"What?"

"You've been working with me as an employee for a year, and you've done a damn great job of it, but I'm tired of seeing you do the same old thing every day. It bothers me even more to know you have all the potential you do and you aren't using it to your advantage."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you're working here, for me, when I personally think you should be designing your own lines, and improving your skills."

"Well, I'm not really educated enough to design my own line."

"Who said you can't go to school and learn it? You certainly have enough money, and enough people around here to help you if you need it. There's many places near here you could apply to."

"But I don't have a high school diploma. Or time to go to classes. I have two baby daughters and my job here. Plus, I have to attend appointments with Eric."

"You could get a G.E.D. Also, that's why childcare is a thing. You can schedule appointments around classes. I can put you on less hours if you choose to take classes, and I can even write you a letter of recommendation."

"Wouldn't that be complicated?"

"It doesn't have to be. The only thing making it complicated is the excuses you're making."

"You're totally right. I'll give it some serious thought."

"I was hoping you would."

"May I continue working now?"

"Yes, go on."

I did.

Later that day, I checked out and went outside to find Eric with Tianna in the stroller and Kalika strapped to him in the baby carrier.

"How was work?" He asked me.

"It was the same as always, except Eleanor told me I should go to college."

"I know."

"What- how do you know?"

"She called me before she told you."

"Why?"

"To ask how to convince you it's a good idea."

"Wow."

"But really, you should do it. I agree with Eleanor. You have a lot of potential and you aren't even using it."

"I know. I really think I should now. It sounds like there can be some success in my future."

"Good thinking."

"Yeah, but now will you help me find a place to get my G.E.D?"

"Of course." Eric agreed, then kissed me sweetly.

When we got home, we did a bunch of searching around, until we found a class I could start taking the next Wednesday.

The next day at work, I discussed it with Eleanor and we adjusted my hours. I still worked five weekdays, just from seven in the morning until noon. My class was from one in the afternoon until five. I chose to work on Saturdays because I wanted to pay for myself to go to college. Saturdays I worked the whole day, seven to six. I'd had to beg Eleanor to let me do that, but I got her to agree.

Until then, I worked my normal hours.

October 12... Wednesday...

The class was so strange. It wasn't anything like school. We sat in one room for four hours, with a five minute break in the middle.

I was one of the youngest people in there. The other person near my age was a 17 year old girl named Sienna. She'd been a teenage mother too, except she'd been 14 and had a baby boy.

After class, we picked up a pizza and went to my house with Eric to watch a movie.

"So, if you don't mind me asking, what is your story? Like- your teen mom story?" Sienna asked me once the movie was over.

"Well, I was a 16 year old virgin and my life had basically just fallen apart, so I was really vulnerable, and Chuck was there for me. We wound up sleeping together, and we accidentally made twins. While I was pregnant, Eric and I realized we're in love. When I gave birth, Tianna was born, then Laurent was stillborn and had stopped developing about halfway through the pregnancy. Then later, Eric and I got married and had Kalika a couple months ago."

"And Chuck stayed in your life and helped with the baby?"

"Yeah."

"You're so lucky. I don't even know my little boy Austen's father. I was only 13 when I was raped, and my baby was born shortly after I turned 14. I love him though."

"Sorry, I really don't know what to say to that." I told Sienna apologetically.

"It's fine. Most people don't. I should probably get going, but this was fun."

"Yeah, it definitely was. I'll see you in class tomorrow."

"See ya!" She said as she closed the door behind her.

"I see you have a new friend." Eric stated.

"I guess I do."