Once again, the weight of Maria's question hanging heavy in the air. The sun cast a warm glow on the playground equipment just outside the window, providing a stark contrast to the turmoil unfolding within the room. Duncan's gaze dropped to the floor, his eyes scanning over the faded linoleum as he wrestled with how to answer his mother's question.
Finally, he met her gaze and said, "What are we going to do about Courtney parents?" Maria's eyes widened in shock. "We...Duncan you and Courtney need to figure this out!" she exclaimed, a note of panic creeping into her voice.
Duncan shook his head. "But I dont know what to do and she scared to do it.." His gaze dropped to the floor once again, shame washing over him.
Luca sighed heavily, running a hand over his face. "Well, this is not going to be easy," he said, leaning against the countertop. "We need to tell them before she starts showing, how far along is she?"
"I think like 5 weeks maybe." Duncan said unsure.
"You think!" Maria yelled " What does that mean has she even been to the doctor yet for a ultrasound.!" Duncan voice started to Crack "She only took a pregnancy test that's it." Maria's expression turned grave, her eyes narrowing with concern. "Duncan, that's not enough information. We need to know how far along she is, if she's healthy, and if the baby is too," Maria said sternly. "You can't just assume everything is fine based on a single test."
Duncan looked at the ground, feeling the weight of his mistake settling on his shoulders. He knew he should have insisted on more information, but fear and uncertainty had clouded his judgment.
"We need to tell her parents as soon as possible.
There's no way around it." Luca's voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
Duncan looked up at his father, realizing the gravity of the situation. He knew that Courtney was scared to tell her parents, but he couldn't put it off any longer. He had to face the consequences of his actions.
"Okay, I'll tell her," Duncan said, taking a deep breath. "And if you need us to be there with you, we will be," she said softly.
Lucas spoke up" So you said she lives about 3 hours away. But where does she actually live at though." He asked looking at Duncan.
" I believe the town she's from is called Milton." Duncan said.
"Milton." Maria gasp. Milton was known to be a high society place with luxury cars. Designer shops everywhere and really big houses. Which was about the complete opposite in there? Middle class suburban household. She knew right then in the air. That if Courtney's parents were living in Milton they must have really big jobs.
Maria asked in surprise, "Courtney is from Milton? Are you sure?"
Duncan nodded. "Yeah, she mentioned it before. She lives out there with her parents."
Luca looked thoughtful. "Well, that explains where she got her smarts from then."
Maria nodded in agreement. "True, but it also means that we might be dealing with a tough crowd when it comes to telling them about the baby."
Duncan looked nervously at his parents.
"Yeah, I know what you mean, Mom. Her parents are pretty wealthy, and she's always talked about how strict they are when it comes to her life"
Luca nodded in understanding. "Yeah, well, that doesn't make things any easier. I think we should all go with Duncan to tell Courtney's parents about the baby," he suggested.
Maria hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. "I suppose you're right, Luca."
" Okay, let's say we drive to Milton. Then what are we going to do? Are we just gonna go to their house? You think they'll let us in, do we? Even have an address. Like, what should we do." Maria said , getting anxious about the situation that was taking shape.
Luca rubbed his temples. "I think we should try to find their house and then give them a call to let them know we are coming." "Yeah, that's a good idea. I can look up their address online and then give them a call."
Maria looked worried. "Do you think they're going to be mad at us for coming unannounced?"
Luca put his hand on her shoulder.
"I know you're worried, Maria, but we don't have a choice.
We need to tell them in person, and the sooner, the better."
Duncan looked up at his parents, feeling a pang of guilt for causing them such stress.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
Maria gave him a soft smile. "I know you didn't, Duncan. But now that it has, we need to figure things out together."
Luca nodded in agreement than spoke " Son, you need to tell Courtney that we will be coming. And you need to tell her that she can either tell her parents now that she's pregnant. Or we're gonna tell her parents that she's pregnant." Duncan's heart raced at the thought of delivering such life-altering news to Courtney. The weight of his parents' expectations and the uncertainty of Courtney's reaction loomed heavily over him like a dark cloud, suffocating him with fear and apprehension. He knew he had to face this head-on, for the sake of their future together.
As he dialed Courtney's number, each tone rang like a deafening bell in his ears, amplifying his nerves with every passing second.
The beeping tone on the other end of the line seemed to echo through Duncan's mind, each sound reverberating with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. The weight of the upcoming conversation hung heavy in the air, suffocating him with the uncertainty of Courtney's reaction. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she answered.
"Hello?" Courtney's voice was laced with a hint of curiosity, tinged with a touch of apprehension as she waited for Duncan to speak.
Duncan took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts as he prepared to share the news with Courtney. "Hey, Princess," he began, his voice trembling slightly.
Courtney's heart skipped a beat at Duncan's serious tone, her mind immediately going to the worst-case scenarios. "Duncan, what's wrong? You're scaring me," she said, her voice filled with a mix of concern and fear.
Duncan took a moment to compose himself, his heart racing with the weight of the conversation ahead. "Courtney, we need to talk," he began, his voice tinged with a mix of trepidation and determination.
Courtney's brow furrowed in confusion, her mind racing with a million possibilities of what Duncan could possibly have to discuss. "Talk about what, Duncan? You're scaring me," she repeated, her voice betraying the fear that gripped her heart.
Duncan's throat felt dry as he tried to find the right words to tell Courtney about their impending visit to her parents. The weight of the conversation pressed down on him, making it hard to breathe. "Princess, listen... my parents and I are coming to talk to your parents. They need to know," Duncan finally managed to say, his voice heavy with a mix of anxiety and determination.
Courtney's breath caught in her throat at Duncan's words, her mind reeling with the implications of what he was saying. The weight of his revelation settled on her like a heavy stone, crushing her with a mix of fear and uncertainty. "You're... you're telling them?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled to process the news.
Duncan could sense the weight of Courtney's silence on the other end of the line, her emotions swirling like a tempestuous sea. He held his breath, waiting for her response, the tension in the air palpable as it hung heavy between them.
Courtney's mind raced with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, each one crashing against the walls of her composure like a relentless storm.
Each possible outcome of Duncan's impending visit with Courtney's parents played out in her mind like a chaotic symphony, each note striking a chord of uncertainty and fear within her. The weight of the situation hung heavy in the air, suffocating her with its intensity.
" They're gonna hate me Duncan, You don't understand they're gonna be so mad at me finding out i'm pregnant." Courtney said sobbing on the phone Duncan's heart ached as he listened to Courtney's sobs on the phone, each tearful breath she took felt like a dagger to his own heart. His mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions, guilt clawing at him as he tried to find the right words to comfort her. "Courtney, hey, listen to me," Duncan's voice was filled with desperation, his own emotions tangled in a web of worry and regret. "They won't hate you, okay?
Courtney's sobs reverberated through the phone, each tearful gasp tugging at Duncan's heartstrings. He could feel her pain seeping through the cracks in his own resolve. " We need to think of something of why I'm there something that you can tell your parents like i'm visiting the area and wanted to meet up or something like that" Duncan suggested.
Courtney's sobs slowly subsided, replaced by a heavy silence that hung between her and Duncan like a thick fog of uncertainty. She sniffled softly, trying to regain control of her emotions as she processed Duncan's suggestion.
"I... I don't know, Duncan," Courtney whispered, her voice laced with doubt and fear. "What if they see right through it?
" It's just a risk we're gonna have to take right now, Princess. Listen I know you're scared but telling my parents has helped me so much. I think it's gonna help you too." Courtney's breathing steadied as she considered Duncan's words, the weight of their situation bearing down on her like a heavy burden. The idea of facing her parents with such life-altering news filled her with a mix of dread and anxiety, the uncertainty of their reaction looming like a dark cloud over her thoughts.
"I guess you're right, Duncan. We have to do this together," she finally replied, her voice laced with a thread of determination.
"Okay I'll let you know more details. When I figure it out. All I need you to do is just let your parents know. We're coming and agree for them to meet us okay Princess.
Courtney took a shaky breath, her mind reeling with the weight of Duncan's words. She could feel the emotions swirling within her like a tumultuous storm, each wave crashing against the walls of her composure. "Ok Duncan," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled to contain the flood of fear and uncertainty threatening to consume her.
Duncan felt a knot tighten in his stomach as he heard Courtney's hesitant agreement on the phone. Her whispered response echoed in his ears, carrying with it a heavy weight of uncertainty and fear that mirrored his own inner turmoil. He knew that the road ahead would be filled with challenges, but he also felt a flicker of hope knowing that they were facing them together.
" Okay. Well, I'll talk to you later. Then okay I'll call you back tonight. I love you" he said soflty.
"Duncan," Courtney whispered, her voice filled with a blend of love and fear.
She clutched the phone tightly, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to steady her racing thoughts and emotions.
"Thank you for staying. I love you too.
The soft click of the phone disconnecting echoed in Duncan's ears, leaving a hollow ache in his chest. The weight of their conversation hung heavy in the air, swirling with a mix of emotions as he stared at his reflection in the dimly lit room. His heart felt like it was caught in a vice, each beat thudding against his ribs with a mix of fear and determination.
Maria watched her son from across the room, her gaze filled with a mother's worry and love.
Duncan's mother, Maria, approached him slowly, her footsteps echoing softly in the dimly lit room. "Duncan," she began, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and understanding. "I know this is a lot to take in, but we're here for you. We'll figure this out together."
Duncan turned to face her, the weight of his emotions etched on his face like a map of turmoil.
"I know," Duncan muttered, the turmoil in his heart reflected in his eyes as he met his mother's gaze. Maria could see the storm of emotions raging within her son, each wave crashing against the walls he had built around himself. She reached out a hand and placed it gently on his shoulder, a silent gesture of comfort and support.
Duncan felt the warmth of his mother's touch seep into his skin, a flicker of reassurance amidst the chaos swirling within him.