Spike drove her car through the hospital parking lot, pulling up by the curb.
"You just give me a call when you're ready." She said as Emma and Toby got out of the car.
"We will, thanks mom." Emma said, closing the car door. The two entered the hospital, already Emma felt nervous, discomfort creeping through her.
"Thanks for coming with me, lately hospitals really freak me out." Emma said somewhat tensely.
"No problem, surprised though I was the one you asked." Toby stated.
"Well Sean is working late, Manny doesn't like hospitals, Liberty is still mad at me which is also why I couldn't ask JT and Paige is with Ellie tonight, besides I've really missed you and hanging out." Emma said.
She pulled him in for a hug, because of their height difference his head was against her chest. It was impossible for him not to enjoy, Emma had clearly developed since the last time he was in this position in addition to the way the pregnancy had changed her body. Eventually she ended the hug with Toby.
"I missed you as well." Toby said softly.
"Just really didn't want to do this alone. I already know there's going to be people there seeing a pregnant teenager and either think I have no self control or think I'm a charity case." Emma said somewhat nervous
"What can I do to help here?" Toby asked, wanting to help Emma as best he could
"Just stick close, the first class is literally just watching a film strip about what to expect so you don't have to worry about any actual lessons."
"Sounds simple enough." Toby said simply.
They made their way to the room for the birthing class, among the other couples most ranged from 20s to 30s but they noticed a few other teenage women, one of which walked by them, they couldn't ignore how beautiful she was as she smiled seductively at Toby. He felt himself being pulled in the opposite direction before he realized Emma had pulled him by his hand towards her.
"You showed up with me, as far as she knows this is yours!" She said annoyed, motioning towards her stomach. "What is wrong with her, flirting with a possibly taken man?"
Toby felt annoyed and ashamed by this, it had been awhile since a girl showed any interest but he did come with Emma for support.
As the class began the couples all took seats on the floor. The teacher stood at the front, she went on talking to the class, Toby kept zoning in and out before she finally started the film which got his attention with the loud introduction music, the lady did not have the charisma to keep people interested, if Toby had looked around while she was talking, he would have seen other people looking bored as well.
Ten minutes into the film he looked over and saw the pretty pregnant girl still smiling at him. He was tempted to smile back but then he looked over at Emma, it was obvious the film had her stressed, he reached his hand over trying to comfort her by holding her hand, he felt her squeeze his hand back.
After the class the two of them walked through the halls, Emma hadn't said a word since it ended. As they exited the building Emma sat down on one of the benches, she still said nothing. Toby could tell she was upset as he sat down next to her.
"What's wrong, was the class not helpful?" Toby asked, concerned.
"I don't really know to be honest.." Emma said sadly.
"You want to talk about it?" He said secretly hoping she'd say no, he didn't know what to do to help her
"These classes are supposed to help prepare parents, instead I feel even more stressed and I keep picturing him whispering in my ear I deserve this." Emma said almost in tears.
It took Toby a moment before he realized what she meant by 'him' before he was hit with a wave of guilt. He had actually defended that guy and despite everything that he did with Terri before, he at one point actually thought of him as a friend. Now he felt guilt and shame with the various permanent reminders around him.
"You okay hun?" A voice asked.
Emma whipped her head up, hearing the word 'hun' she expected to see Paige instead she saw a girl about her age, possibly younger, she had a child, possibly 2 years old with her. She tried composing herself.
"Um yeah...just came from my first birthing class." Emma said, trying to compose herself.
"Oh yeah I know about that." She said looking down at the child. "It's really stressful now but trust me in a few months you're going to be glad you took it." The girl said.
"What was it like for you, being pregnant?" Emma asked gently
"I was 13 when my boyfriend talked me into it, the moment I told him she was coming he ran. It was just me and her ever since then."
"I can't imagine what that must have been like." Emma said, surprised at the father leaving
"It was a rough situation but it all worked out fairly ok." The girl said
"You'd never know you had a kid, you look great." Emma said, looking over the girl.
"Thanks! It wasn't always easy but I eventually got there. But hey, if you need to discuss anything from one teen mom to another I'll give you my number." The girl said cheerfully.
Emma handed her phone to this girl as she entered her number.
"By the way I'm Emma and this is Toby." Emma gestured at herself and Toby
"I'm Mia and this is Isabella." Mia told the duo.
"Hi Isabella." She said waving at the girl. Isabella shyly waved back
"My friends forgot about me and no guys wanted to date a girl with a kid, I hope it hasn't been as hard for you." Mia said somewhat sadly.
"My friends have been amazing about this, I couldn't have done this without them, still I wouldn't mind another friend." Emma said happily.
They heard a car honk from in the parking lot.
"That's my mom I gotta go but give me a call when you can." Mia said as she picked up Isabella and started to head to the car.
"I will, thanks for making it not so scary." Emma said, feeling comforted
They waved goodbye and watched as Mia walked away to the car and the three drove away.
As they waited for Spike, Toby noticed Emma was in a much better mood than before.
"Thanks for coming with me today, I really appreciate it." She said as she gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Yeah, no worries." Toby said still feeling conflicted inside with the events of the past few months.
Later that night after getting home, she had called Sean to tell him about the class.
"I mean yeah, he came with you, she shouldn't be flirting with him." Sean said flatly.
"I know right!" Emma tittered.
"Besides that, how was it? Did you learn alot?" Sean asked, curious about the actual class.
"Scary, like everytime I think I know what to expect ,something comes along and shows me how unprepared I am, but then I met this girl called Mia there. She was like our age and had a kid called Isabella who she had when she was only 13 and she did it alone with just her mom." Emma said, somewhat playfully
"Sounds like someone has a girl crush." Sean teased.
"Shut up I do not." She joked back.
"I mean, you know your mom and gram both did the teen mom thing, right?" Sean asked
"Yeah but she's a teen mom in this day and age. It's different than in those times..." Emma said, remembering their past
"Either way you can't have too many people supporting you in these times or in life." Sean said
She couldn't hide how impressed she was by her new friend, or how reassuring she was.
With all the people she had helping her she reminded herself she would find a way to make it work.
Authors note:Hoping everyone had a good holiday but back to business. Thank you to everyone still reading and commenting always interested to read your thoughts and opinions.