More than Expected

Part 17

February 16, 2013
After an hour of processing the news that they were about to become parents at 17 and 18 years old, Kate sent Rick home so she could prepare on how to tell her mom. They agreed that she would tell her mom, figure out an appointment, and then they would clue Martha and Jim in on their situation. Kate lays in her bed with the positive pregnancy tests in her lap. After Rick left last night, Kate went back to CVS and purchased three more different tests from different brands. All came back with the same result.
It's now or never. Kate thinks to herself. She opens her bedroom door, "Hey Mom. Could you come here please?" She calls out for her mother. She's suddenly very glad that her father had to go into the office early this morning. Johanna enters her daughter's bedroom and sits on her bed while Kate closes the door and sits facing her mother. She suddenly feels extremely sick and shaky. "Everything okay, Bug?" Johanna asks as she notices her daughter go pale. Kate takes a deep breath trying to suppress her nausea, "Mommy, please don't get upset." Kate begs her mother.
Johanna witnessed tears gather in her daughter's eyes, "Baby, what's going on?" Johanna asks, "I'm so sorry, Mom." Kate begins to sob. Johanna pulls her into her arms, "Katie, whatever it is, we'll fix it. You gotta tell me what's going on though." Johanna says, running a soothing hand through her daughter's hair. Kate nods and creates space between her mother. She takes another deep breath and Johanna nods, encouraging her daughter to share whatever has made her so upset. Kate bites her lip and swallows past the lump in her throat before taking one more deep breath, "I'm pregnant."
She watches her mother's facial expression fall. "Wha-what? Well, what? Um, okay, how?" Johanna stumbles, "I think we all know how, Mom." Kate says. Johanna nods as she stands, "Well, I had guessed you and Rick were being sexually active, but I thought you two would use protection. Kate, we had this talk years ago." Johanna tells her, "We did! We do! I really don't know how it happened, Mom." Kate defends herself and her boyfriend, "You used protection every time?" Johanna asks. Kate thinks back in her brain when she remembers: New Year's Eve. It all comes back.
"We forgot one night." Kate says, "When?" "New Year's Eve." She answers her mother. Johanna sighs, "Well, that would make sense. Katie, you were still on the antibiotics for strep. Antibiotics cancel out birth control." Johanna tells her. Kate feels her heart stammer, "Are you serious?" Kate asks and her mother nods. "I should've told you that and I would've, but I didn't know how to without making you uncomfortable." Johanna says as she sits back down. "Well, here we are now. Rick and I are keeping it, by the way. The baby, we want to raise it." Kate says.
"Are you sure, Katie? Think about this. The baby will be born around fall and Rick leaves in June for the Army. He's going to be gone all of summer. And then you still have senior year. How are you going to do senior year with a baby? What about college? What happens if you two break up?" Johanna starts spewing out questions, "We aren't going to break up." Kate says defensively, "Sweetie, you can't know that." Johanna tries to be ration, "Yes. I. Do." Kate says determinedly. "Are you asking me to get an abortion? Because that's something I don't think I could ever forgive you for." Kate tells her mother.
"No, I'm not asking you to get an abortion. I just want you to know that this is not going to be a walk in the park. Your father and I will be as supportive as we can, but you must finish high school. What you and Rick decide to do once you graduate and he joins the Army is up to you two, but I'm telling you right now, Katherine Houghton, finishing high school is nonnegotiable." Johanna says sternly. Kate begins to nod before they sit in silence.
After a very uncomfortable few minutes, Johanna breaks the awkwardness, "So, what is your guys' plan?" Johanna asks, "Well, right now all we had planned was telling you and scheduling an appointment and then we'll tell Dad and Martha." Kate tells her mother. "Okay, I'll make an appointment for you at the gynecologist. How are you feeling?" Johanna asks, "Exhausted and sick." Kate says, "Yep. Sounds about right. Why don't you lay down and get some sleep? You've got more than youself to think about now." Johanna says. Kate nods as she slips back into bed.
Before Johanna leaves her room, Kate calls out for her again. "Mom?" "Yes, Katie?" "Please don't tell Dad. I'm not ready to let him down yet." Kate pleads. Johanna sighs and walks back towards her daughter. She kisses Kate's forehead, "Baby, you aren't going to let him down." Johanna says, "I'm about to tell him I'm not a virgin and that I got knocked up by my high school boyfriend. How is that not going to disappoint him?" Kate asks, "He might be a little concerned about, but if there is one thing I know, it's that your father is fond of Rick."
"Really?" "Yes, we've never seen you happier, Honey. It might take him awhile to wrap his head around this idea, but it's going to be like that for all of us. Now, close your eyes and get some sleep." Johanna instructs. Kate nods and snuggles further down into her bed before closing her eyes and succumbing to the exhaustion.
Part 17! Next update will be Kate's first doctor's appointment! Let me know what you think in the comments!