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Love in Motion: LysanderMolly

Cliché Day: teen pregnancy

Count Your Buttons: "Can we talk? In private?"

Molly bites the inside of her cheek until she can taste the faint tang of blood. She can do this. She has to do this.

Her stomach feels like it's been twisted into knots as she approaches Lysander. It's just Ly; it's just her best friend, her boyfriend.

"Hey, Lorcan," she says, nodding to his brother. "Lysander, can we talk? In private?"

The twins exchange a glance. After a moment, Lysander nods and climbs to his feet, his dark curls bouncing from the impact. "What's up?"

"In private," she repeats, offering Lorcan an apologetic smile.

Lysander wraps an arm around her, and they begin to stroll. Molly is grateful for the brief delay; though she's practiced what she'll say multiple times, she is still terrified. At least she has a few more moments with Lysander's gentle touch. It doesn't calm her mind, but it still makes her feel a bit better.

"You're tense," he notes.

Molly tries to offer him a smile, praying it doesn't look as forced as it feels. "Tense? What makes you say that?"

Her boyfriend comes to a stop suddenly, and he gently pulls her to face him. His fingers stroke her copper hair, tucking the strands behind her ear. "I know you, Molly," he says. "I've loved you since we were six years old. Do you really think I can't tell when you're upset?"

Molly relaxes at that. Love. Of course he loves her. This shouldn't make that love go away.

So why is she so afraid?

"Molly?"

"Nothing will ever change that, right? You'll love me no matter what?"

"No matter what," he echoes, offering her that gentle smile she loves so much.

Molly nods, finally relaxing. She takes his hand, guiding it to her stomach. "We're going to have a baby."

It takes a moment for him to react. For several seconds, he's frozen in place, eyes wide. Then, his lips stretch into a smile, and a soft laugh spills from his lips. "We are?"

"We are."

He pulls her closer, pressing his lips to hers in a deep a kiss. In that moment, all her fears fade away. It doesn't matter that they're only seventeen and still trying to figure life out. She has Lysander and the child growing inside her, and that is enough.