Pam graduated high school in June 1976, along with Danny and Joey. The guys had always planned to attend the same college and soon they began living in a dorm together on campus. Pam, however, had never wanted to go to college. She preferred to stay at home for a while, study hairdressing, and hopefully work in a salon.
August marked a significant turning point in Pam's life when she discovered she was unexpectedly pregnant. The weight of this news settled heavily in her stomach as Pam grappled with the possibility of becoming a mother at such a young age.
Pam quietly pushed open the door to Danny and Joey's dorm room. The atmosphere was filled with the scent of old books and a hint of pizza lingering in the air. The smell did not help her growing nausea one bit.
Settling herself on Danny's neatly made bed, she let her thoughts wander as she awaited his return. Her heart raced as she envisioned every possible outcome of the conversation she was about to have with him, rehearsing her words like a delicate script in her mind. A smile tugged at her lips as she glanced around the room
Joey's side was a stark contrast to Danny's. Brightly coloured clothes lay strewn across the floor, and pizza boxes precariously piled up under the bed, a testament to his carefree personality. In contrast, Danny's half of the room was a sanctuary of neatness; his bed was impeccably made, with blue sheets tucked tightly under the mattress. On his bedside table sat a framed picture of him and Pam, one that Joey had taken during senior ditch day, where they'd ended up at the beach.
The guys came back a while later, laughing and talking about the sorority they'd just visited. Danny looked up and realised Pam was sitting on his bed, his entire face brightened up at the sight of the girl he loved.
"Pam? What are you doing here?" he asked, his brow furrowing in a mix of confusion and excitement as he took in the sight of her. Leaning down, he pressed a gentle kiss on her lips, savouring the moment before sitting on the bed beside her. Their fingers entwined effortlessly, a silent testament to their closeness.
Meanwhile, Joey rolled his eyes from across the room, his patience wearing thin. He had endured a long day and was keen to avoid yet another scenario where he would be kicked out of the room to allow for more intimate moments between the couple. This had become a frequent occurrence ever since they relished their newfound freedom from the watchful eyes of parents and younger siblings.
Pam glanced between Danny and Joey, her heart racing with the weight of the life-changing news. It was crucial to ensure their conversation remained private, away from prying ears
"Can we go for a walk?" Pam asked, her voice trembling as she sought comfort in her boyfriend's presence
Danny noticed the tears in her eyes and instinctively nodded, sensing a deep unease.
Hand in hand, the couple strolled away from the campus, their linked fingers providing a sense of comfort. They wandered through the park, the fading daylight painting the horizon in hues of orange and pink. After a while, they found a wooden bench beneath an oak tree, and they sat quietly, watching the sun lower in the sky
Pam's heart raced as anticipation swirled around her stomach. The gentle breeze tousled her blonde curls, framing her face as she prepared to share her heavy secret. The air was thick with unspoken words, and she fumbled to find the right ones, her voice catching as she struggled to begin
Danny, sensing Pam's distress, instinctively moved closer, wrapping a strong yet gentle arm around her shoulders. The warmth of his embrace provided a small measure of comfort amidst the whirlwind of emotions she was experiencing. His tall stature made it easy for her to nestle against him, finding solace in his presence, while his sweatshirt, infused with the comforting scents of fresh detergent and a hint of his aftershave, made her feel safe and grounded
"I'm pregnant," Pam blurted out
Danny's heart raced in response, and he sat up straight, his eyes widening with shock. The colour drained from his face as the gravity of her words sank in. "Pregnant?" he repeated before abruptly standing up from the bench, his hands nervously running through his hair as he tried to process the overwhelming news
"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice laced with anxiety, his wide eyes reflecting both disbelief and concern as he began to pace back and forth, each step punctuated by his racing thoughts
Pam nodded, her eyes shimmering with a blend of excitement and fear. "Yes. The doctor said I'm 14 weeks along!' she exclaimed, a smile breaking through the tears that threatened to spill over.
Pam had been utterly consumed by the whirlwind of graduation preparations and the excitement of senior trips, leaving her little time to pay attention to what was happening with her body. After weeks of battling persistent nausea and an overwhelming sense of fatigue, she finally went to see the doctor that morning. She had initially attributed her symptoms to the busy social calendar packed with graduation celebrations over the past couple of months, convinced she had caught some sort of virus from the crowded gatherings filled with friends and family
Danny's mind spun chaotically, a flurry of questions whirred around his brain "How did this happen?" he stammered, struggling to make sense of the thoughts swirling in his head
"How do you think it happened, huh!" Pam retorted playfully, a smirk dancing on her lips, her signature sarcasm shining through even during such a life-altering moment
Danny paused, taking a deep breath, before he sat down again, only to leap back up, overwhelmed. It wasn't until Pam, with a gentle yet firm tug on his arm, pulled him back onto the bench that he finally sat still
Although both of them had considered the idea of becoming parents one day, they had never anticipated that it would happen so soon—at just 18 years old, right after graduating from high school and while still facing the challenges of newfound adulthood
Pam gently grasped Danny's hand, guiding it to rest on her stomach, a warm smile lighting up her face. "Say hi to Daddy!" she chimed sweetly to their growing baby, her voice rising to a playful tone 'Say hi, Daddy – the baby fluttered in response, almost like it could hear them talking
Danny's eyes widened in surprise, a whisper escaping his lips 'There's a baby in there!" He couldn't help but smile, a mixture of wonder and disbelief washing over him. His anxiety melted away as he felt his unborn child move around
Pam chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, that's where I put it, huh!"
The couple leaned in, sharing a deep, meaningful kiss that seemed to seal their bond tighter than ever before
As the couple strolled back to campus, fingers intertwined and smiles brightening their faces, a warm golden light bathed the path ahead, reflecting the joy of their newfound happiness. Yet, amid this picturesque scene, Danny felt a weight on his mind
"If we're having a baby, shouldn't we get married?" he asked, his brow furrowed with a mixture of uncertainty and hope.
Pam paused for a moment, her heart racing. She gazed into Danny's eyes, knowing deep down that he was the love of her life—the only one she wanted to share her world with. But the thought of announcing their pregnancy to their parents loomed over her like a dark cloud; she feared they could overshadow the happiness of this momentous occasion.
Added to that was their financial situation. Danny worked as a camera operator at a small local news station, juggling a few shifts each week mainly focused on sports reports and the weather. They were also about to navigate a year living apart. Joey and Danny wouldn't be living in a student apartment until their sophomore year, which was a whole year away.
"How about we get married and keep it a secret from our families until afterwards?" Pam suggested, the excitement bubbling beneath her careful demeanour.
"Are you saying we should elope?" Danny's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of thrill lighting up his face.
Pam nodded vigorously, her cheeks flushed.
Danny was never one to act on impulse; he was methodical, often planning everything down to the last detail. But as he mulled over Pam's words, he realized that becoming a dad hadn't been part of any plan either, so why should their wedding follow a script?
"Let's do it!" Danny exclaimed, a soft smile breaking across his face, his excitement palpable.
Pam crossed her arms playfully, a teasing smile spreading across her lips. "If I'm giving up my dream of a big, white wedding because you got me pregnant on prom night, I at least deserve a proper proposal, huh!'
Danny chuckled before taking a step back to create a moment of anticipation. As dusk settled around them, the warm glow of the orange street lamps illuminated their surroundings, adding a romantic touch to this pivotal moment in their young lives.
He took Pam's hand, feeling the soft pulse of excitement in her grasp, and slowly lowered himself onto one knee, awkwardly contorting his long limbs into a position that looked anything but comfortable. But as he focused on Pam's blue eyes, which glistened with tears of joy, all his nerves seemed to disappear
"Pamela Irene Katstopolis," he began, his voice steady despite the racing of his heart, "Will you marry me?"
"Yes!" Pam replied breathlessly, her delight shining bright through the veil of happiness that enveloped them both