Timeline 1

Sam looked down at the test in her hands. It took a few minutes for her brain to register what she was seeing. The little plus sign was smaller than the tip of her finger, and yet it was powerful enough to change her entire future. Just like that, her life was decided for her. Sam was in shock. All of the feelings she had been having up until this moment were gone. She didn't feel like crying, or screaming, and she definitely didn't feel like jumping for joy. She felt nothing, as she sat looking down at the test in her lap.

She had forgotten she wasn't alone, until she heard a soft voice, "Sam?" She looked up at Jen, who was standing across the room studying her as if she were an injured animal, and realized what she was asking. Jen already knew the test results, just based on Sam's reaction. She was asking if she was okay.

Sam nodded in reply to her friend, and confirmed what she already knew, "I'm pregnant, Jen." Her voice broke as she admitted the truth out loud for the first time. She wasn't crying, but the weight of what was happening was starting to sink in. She looked back down at the test.

Jen spoke again after a few minutes, keeping her voice low, and comforting, "You know…Sam, if you're not ready for something like this, there are other options…"

Sam's head snapped back up. "Jen, I'm having this baby." There was a hard determination in her voice. She didn't want other options. It surprised her that her decision was made so quickly and so firmly, but she knew it was right for her, and that it was honestly how she felt. She still wasn't sure how she really felt about the pregnancy as a whole, and she wasn't exactly sure how things were going to work out, but she knew she was going to take this new responsibility head on. She was a Forster, and a rancher's daughter. She knew all about coping with the challenges life threw at you.

Jen nodded slowly, "Ok." She didn't push Sam any further, just smiled softly at her, and pulled her up off the toilet seat into a hug.

Sam let Jen keep holding her as she spoke into her shoulder, "So, what now?"

She could hear the smile in Jen's voice, "Well, that's kinda up to you. How long were you planning on staying in this bathroom?"

Sam separated herself from Jen's embrace, looking around the room she had grown quite acquainted with over the past few hours. She was afraid to leave the safety of the four walls that surrounded her. She knew the fear that others would take one look at her and know was completely irrational, it was too early for that. What really scared her was the reality that waited for her on the other side of that door. Still, she knew she couldn't hide forever.

"I think I'm ready to head back to my dorm." She said finally. Jen nodded, and gathered up their things. Sam took one last look around the bathroom before linking arms with her friend, and walking out the door with her head held high.

Stepping out of the doorway, she noticed it was very dark outside, and was suddenly grateful for the lampposts the campus had lining the sidewalks. The two of them walked arm in arm as they took their time moseying back to Sam's dorm. She could hear the loud sounds coming from the grad party that was still in full swing, and was glad Jen hadn't asked her about going. People would still be celebrating late into the night if she decided to come down later, but honestly, Sam didn't see it as much of a milestone anymore. Besides, tomorrow was move out day, and she had a lot to figure out before then.

Her room was mostly packed. She had been planning on going to Colorado with Jen this summer, so any necessities would have come with her, while extra stuff would either be given away or loaded into Jake's truck for him to take home. Now, she wasn't so sure she was comfortable with that plan. She was feeling extremely overwhelmed, and the thought of going so far away from home right now seemed unbearable. So much of her life was changing, and all she really wanted was to surround herself with what felt familiar. Feeling like a coward, she glanced over at Jen, and wondered if she expected her to still stick to their original plan. Sam didn't want to ditch her, especially since she was supposed to be supporting her by going on this trip. She decided she would just have to cowgirl up.

The door to her room swung open, and Sam followed Jen inside. She stopped just inside the doorway and looked around at the soon to be vacated dorm room. It felt like a lifetime had passed since she left this morning, trying not to throw up as she made her way to Jen's to get ready for her graduation ceremony. Sam was almost glad that her family hadn't been able to attend. Ranch work stopped for no one, and they were busy getting ready for the cattle drive. That meant Jake's family also hadn't been able to attend. Sam sighed in relief. Today would have been even more of a disaster if she'd had to deal with their families. She loved them all, but they could be a lot to handle.

Sam flopped down on her bed, watching Jen clear boxes off her desk chair, when her eyes widened in realization. She was going to have to tell her family about the pregnancy. She looked over at Jen and suppressed a groan, if that wasn't a good incentive to go to Colorado, she didn't know what was. Not that she needed an incentive.

"Jen?" Sam saw her jump a little as she sat in the desk chair. Neither of them had said a word since they left the bathroom. She guessed they both had been lost in thought. She tried to keep her voice level as she continued, "I'm still going with you to Colorado."

"What?!" Jen practically jumped out of the chair, "Sam, you can't be serious. A big trip is the last thing you need right now." She paused, calming herself down before she went on, "I realized that even without the pregnancy, you've been extremely stressed lately. I should have seen it earlier, but I was all caught up in what was happening with Ryan, and I'm sorry for that. I should have been there for you like you were there for me. I realize now that you need to go home, Sam. You need that sense of normalcy, especially now."

"Jen, you have been nothing but supportive of me." Her cheeks were wet with tears, a feeling that had become all too familiar today. She really hoped all this crying wouldn't become a habit. "This summer in Colorado means so much for you, I can't let you give it up."

Jen smiled softly, and sat down on the bed next to her, "I'm not." Sam leaned into Jen as her arm came around her in a hug, and cried harder as Jen's words sunk in. They wouldn't be spending the summer together, not in Colorado or Nevada. Sam knew she was right, as she felt relief flood through her. She did need to go home, even if the thought of facing her family scared her. Jen held her close until her tears stopped, and then they sat in silence once more.

It was Jen, who now sat at the end of the bed, that broke the silence this time. She cleared her throat and glanced up apprehensively, her voice was quiet as she spoke, "Are you going to tell the father?" Sam looked at her, surprised. She hadn't thought the question needed asking, even if she wasn't sure how, she knew was going to tell him. Then again, she was the only one who knew, literally, how close to home her baby's father really was. Not telling him wasn't really an option. Jen mistook her reaction, and began back-pedaling, "I'm sorry, you don't need to answer that. It's none of my business and—"

Sam couldn't help the laugh that escaped her. "It's ok, you don't need to apologize. I am going to tell him." Jen nodded, and started to say something else, before clamping her mouth shut and pressing her lips together. Sam knew she wanted to ask who "he" was. She was surprised to find that she wanted to tell her. "You wanna know who the father is?"

Jen tried to hide her curiosity, "Look, you really don't have to tell me, it's none of my business." She knew Jen wasn't just fishing for information. Even if she was curious, she would respect her decision if she chose not to tell her.

Sam nodded, and decided to mess with her, "Yeah, you're right." She sat back against the headboard, pretending to end the conversation. She glanced back towards her friend, and laughed at the incredulous look on her face. Jen looked at her strangely, and she decided to put her at ease, "Jen, I want you to know."

She saw Jen relax as she let out a small laugh, "Ok, I was just making sure."

Sam reached over and squeezed her hand, "I'm sure." She let go and rested against the backboard again, "You know him, you know." Jen's eyes widened as she nodded, encouraging her to continue. She drew in a deep breath. Once the words were said, she wouldn't be able to take them back. Sam felt a smile take over her face as her next words formed on her lips, "It's Jake."

I just wanted to say a quick thank you to phantomstimeturner for being the first to comment. My sister (also known as my beta-reader) and I literally freaked out when we saw them. Also, love your fics btw. You were actually one of the writers that inspired me to write my own story. Thanks again, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter.