Grown ish: Zoey and Aaron's Story (BOOK 1)

Part 26: Parents?

Zoey narrates.

'Zoey! Do you want to tell me what the hell is going on?!' My dad shouts.

The girls and Vivek leave the room, probably out of fear of my dad.

'Honey, just calm down for a second...' My mom says to my dad, whilst holding me, her arm snaked around my waist, protectively.

My dad interrupts her.

'No, I will not calm down!' He says, arms crossed.

'You're pregnant?!' He exclaims.

'Dad, it's not what you think!' I say.

'So you're not pregnant?' He says sternly.

'Okay...then it's exactly what you think.' I reply, scared.

'Okay, Dre, how about you just calm down, and let me talk to Zoey for a minute, okay?' My mom says, as my dad shakes his head, before sitting on the couch.

Meanwhile, Aaron stands by the stairway, his hands in his pockets. awkwardly.

'Zoey, honey. You're pregnant?' My mom says to me, softly.

'Yeah, I am, mom. And...and I want to keep it.' I say quietly, looking down.

'You want to keep it?!' My dad shouts, but my mom gestures him to stop.

'Sweetie! That's great. I just hope you know that this is a very big decision. And it's not going to be easy.' She says, cautiously, holding me by the shoulders.

'Yeah, mom, I know. I was hoping you would support me.' I say, sadly.

'Of course! Of course we'll support you, Zoey!' She says, reassuringly.

'Yeah, you will...' I say, before looking at my dad.

He sighs, before getting up and taking my hands, leading me over to the couch to sit down.

'Zoey, I love you, baby. You're my world, my little girl. And you know I would do anything, absolutely anything for you. But this is a really big decision. I need to know that you understand.' He says, speaking softer now.

'I do. I really do. And I didn't just make this decision myself, Aaron's going to support me and be in the child's life too.' I say, trying to reassure him.

'Why you standing over there boy, come here.' My dad says, to Aaron, who awkwardly shuffles over.

He puts out a hand for my dad to shake it, but he glares at him instead.

My mom tries to diffuse the situation.

'Aaron, sweetie, its great to see you again.' She says, hugging him.

'Look I just want you to know that I will always be there for Zoey and will always, always support her. It's my child too.' He says, as my mom smiles.

'See, Dre? Even Aaron is feeling positive about it, and will be there to support Zoey.' She says.

'Well it is his fault.' My dad mutters.

'Zoey, honey, it's so great that you have such a caring boyfriend to support you.' My mom says, smiling at Aaron.

'Actually mom, Aaron and I aren't together anymore.' I say, before realising my mistake, but it's too late. I have angered the beast again.

My dad gets up angrily.

'What?!' He exclaims.

Oh god, this is going terrible.

'You're just going to leave my baby high and dry? You're the reason behind all this anyways!' He shouts.

I quickly get up, to try and calm him down.

'Dad, listen, it's not just Aaron's fault, okay. Please, please don't blame this on him.' I say, panicked.

My dad rolls his eyes, and brushes me off.

'Aaron and I are not together, but that doesn't mean that we're not still best friends, and that we don't still love each other...' I say, as I gasp slightly, realising what I just said.

I look at Aaron, who gazes back at me. I quickly look away.

'The point is, we'll do this together. It's going to be okay.' I say, wrapping my arms around my dad. He shuffles for a few seconds, but I don't let go, and he finally wraps his arms around me, emotional.

'I just love you so much Zo Zo, and I want to be there for you, every step of the way.' He says, his eyes watering.

'I love you too, dad.' I say, as my mom comes over and joins in on the hug, before gesturing Aaron to come over too.

_____

Later that evening, I say goodbye to my mom and dad.

'You know we'd love to have you back home, Zo.' My dad says, stroking my head.

'I know, and I'd love to come back. Just...not yet. Give me some time.' I reply.

My mom embraces me in a hug.

'I love you Zoey. Call me, everyday. I'll come and visit you again soon.' She says, kissing my forehead.

'Thanks. Dad, you don't have to cry.' I say.

'It just hurts so bad...' He says, through tears, as my mom leads him out the door, waving goodbye, and I laugh.

After they leave, I head to the kitchen to get myself a drink. I pull out a bottle of wine, and get a glass, before remembering, and placing a hand on my stomach.

'I can't drink this...' I say, sadly, before opting for some juice instead.

I hear a knock at the front door. I go to open it and to my surprise, it's Luca and Jillian.

'Hey, kid.' Luca says, with a smile.

I gesture them to come in and Jillian hugs me.

'Congratulations Zoey!' She says.

I smile faintly.

'Thanks...I hope this isn't weird?' I ask Luca.

'Nah, we're all good. I'm happy for you. And I've missed hanging out.' He says.

'Me too.' I say, smiling.

Just then, Aaron walks through the door, and stops in his tracks when he sees Luca.

Oh god.

_____