December 2... Friday...

I went home after my last day of class to find Eric had decorated the house a little and invited Vanessa over.

He'd hung a glittery banner that read 'CONGRATS ON YOUR G.E.D!' across the kitchen with some streamers and balloons.

"This is cute, but don't you think it's a little much?"

"Shut up! It's just enough!" Vanessa laughed, hugging me.

Eric joined the group hug and kissed my cheek. "Congrats though." He said.

"Thanks. It's really not a big deal still."

"But Jenny! Now you can apply to colleges!" V reminded me enthusiastically.

"Um, yeah. I know, I just want to take a break from having class first, then maybe."

"That is a wise idea." Eric agreed, obviously thinking of our unborn baby.

"I should probably get going, because Nate is alone with the littles, but congrats J!" Vanessa said, hugging me before going to the door.

Eric had ordered Chinese takeout for our little celebration, before we went to sleep, since I still had to work in the morning.

December 12... Monday... 3:12 pm...

"Your little bump is so damn cute." Eric told me, smiling like he couldn't be happier.

"It's not that cute."

"Yes it is."

"Whatever."

I was nearly 14 weeks pregnant, and it was already difficult. Being pregnant was making me exhausted and moody. Luckily, this time morning sickness wasn't an issue.

We were going to our parents' house because they had an important announcement to make.

Our whole family was there, even Cece.

"Ok, everyone! I think now that we're all here, it's time to make the announcement!" Lily said, full of enthusiasm.

"Let's hear it!" Dan cheered.

"Yeah!" Serena and Eric agreed in unison.

"So, this family has been getting a lot of new members in the past few years," Dad began. "And we will soon be welcoming another new addition to our family."

Before he could say more, Serena asked what we were all wondering: "Mom, are you pregnant?"

"What? No, I'm not pregnant. We're adopting!"

"That's great! But what's the story behind this?" Serena asked.

"Well, we're adopting a teenage mother and her little boy."

"How old are they?" I asked.

"The girl is 15, her name is Fiona, her little boy is just over a year old and his name is Jake." Dad informed us.

"How did she manage to have a baby at 14?"

"Jenny, I think we all know the answer to that." My father answered, sounding a little irritated.

"Well then sorry! How would I know this? When I was 14, I was a virgin!"

"Babe, calm down." Eric whispered to me, gently rubbing my sides.

"I'm not going to calm down! Don't tell me what to do!" I exclaimed, pulling away from him.

"Jenny, why are you so upset?" Lily asked me caringly.

"Because, I'm fucking pregnant!"

"Wait, what?" Dan asked, confused.

"Yeah, what?" Lily and Dad added.

"We made a little mistake!"

"You forgot protection?" Serena asked.

"No, we remembered it, but it must've broke!"

"Well, you knew from the start that sexual intimacy is a messy and difficult thing-" Dad started, but I cut him off.

"Let's not bring that up, ok? I'm very aware that sex is what makes babies, but I'm also aware that there's only a one percent chance a condom will break!"

"Darling, are you sure you're ready for another baby? To have three children to take care of?" Lily questioned me.

"No, I'm not sure, but we have to make it work."

"You know, there's always abortion-"

"No! There's no way in fucking hell I'm killing this baby. For one reason: this baby was made out of love, and two: we used a condom, and this baby was made anyway. It is that one percent, so it must be pretty goddamn special. Until you realize and accept that we're keeping the baby, don't say or suggest anything." I told them before running to the elevator, Eric following right behind.

"Even though I'm not proud of how pissed off you got, you did make a pretty kick-ass point in there." Eric praised me.

"That I did."

"When is your next checkup?"

"I'm not sure. I think it's next week. I wrote it on the calendar in the kitchen."

"Ok."

The next afternoon...

On the ride home from work at the atelier, I called Lily to apologize for getting out of hand. During the call, I learned that the girl they were adopting would arrive in the new year, from Rhode Island.

As I walked in the door to our apartment, everything was quiet.

I walked through the house. The girls were napping.

The bathroom door was open. I looked inside.

Eric was sitting on the floor, razor in hand, next to a bloody tissue.

"Oh my god..." I mumbled, rushing over to him and sitting down. I pulled him into a hug.

"Jen- I'm sorry-"

"No, baby you don't have to be sorry. But can you do something for me?"

"What?"

"Can you try harder to stop hurting yourself? I know it's hard, but think of our babies. They'll notice the marks, and start asking questions as soon as they learn to talk. Do you want to have to lie to them? Or tell them the truth, and that you've stopped?"

"Now that you put it like that, I think I can put in more effort to stop."

"I was hoping so. I love you."

"I love you too." Eric replied, kissing my hand, then my cheek, nose, forehead and lips.