The Children of Poseidon [#Wattys2016]

Chapter 8: Telling

~Brooke~

It has been a month since I found out, and today is the day I am telling Nico. I've been dreading this day since I found out I was going to be a mom, and if Nico leaves me, a single one. I took deep breaths as I prepared for dinner with Nico. We were eating in, like usual, and we were going to have stake and steamed broccoli. Once I was calm enough to not faint, I walked into the kitchen and sat in my chair across from Nico. He saw the nervous look on my face and concern became apparent on his face. 

"I have something to tell you." I said, fiddling with my hands in my lap. I looked down at them and started picking at my chipped nail polish.

"Brooke? What is it?" Nico asked, fear dancing in his eyes.

"Impregnant," I mumbled inaudibly.

"What?" He asked, lifting my chin so I was looking into his warm, brown eyes.

"I'm. Pregnant." I said, focusing hard so my voice wouldn't shake.

"Wha...? Ho...? Whe....?" He stumbled over his words.

"Well, you remember when we got drunk and 'passed out' in my room?" I asked, looking back at my hands. I glanced up to see him nod his head. "Well, it happened then." I said. he ran a hand through his messy black hair. He looked totally terrified. I let a tear escape my eye. I wiped it away quickly with the sleeve of my over-sized sweatshirt (that I had stolen from Nico). He's gonna leave me now. I'll have to raise this child all by myself. Percy will be ashamed of me. All of my friends will turn their back on their pregnant teenage friend. I swam in my thoughts. Nico had started pacing the floor, muttering in Italian. He looked at me and ran out of my apartment. I pushed my chair out and ran to my bedroom, tears streaming down my cheeks. I slammed my door shut and locked it. I leaned up against it and slid down the door. I pulled my knees to my chest and sobbed. Loud sobs. I heard my apartment door swing open, and multiple sets of footprints on the wood floors. There was a knock on my door.

"Brooke? Open up!" Percy said from the other side, concern in his voice. I continued to sob, my fears replaying in my head. Being alone, left by my family and friends because I got drunk and my boyfriend, the love of my life, got me pregnant. Another set of sobs escaped my shaking body. "Brooke! What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Percy asked urgently from the other side of the door.

"H-he l-l-left! H-he j-just ran out a-and l-left m-m-me!" I screamed in between sobs. I heard confused mumbles from the other side of the door as I continued to cry my pain away.

"Brooke! We don't know what you're talking about! Just please open the door!" Percy yelled desperately from the other side. I scooted to the wall next to the door and leaned up against it. I reached up and unlocked the door with a soft click. The door opened and Percy came in, engulfing me in a hug, and let me cry on his shoulder. He waved everyone else out and I heard the door click shut. Percy lifted me up, an arm securely wrapped around my back and one under my knees. I wrapped my arms around his neck and shook as I cried against his chest. He lowered me onto my bed and pulled the blanket over me. He scooted in next to me and let me curl up against his chest. I'm lucky to have a brother like this, I thought. I cried silently, still shaking slightly. Eventually, I cried myself to sleep.

~Percy~

I held my sister tight, wanting to save her from her pain. But I couldn't. She wouldn't tell me what happened. I stroked her hair as I let her saltwater tears soak my shirt. Her breathing slowed and I knew she had cried herself to sleep. I looked down at her and a tear fell from my own eyes as I saw her red, puffy eyes. I hoped that she was okay in the morning. I knew that everyone was waiting in the living room to know what was wrong with Brooke, but I couldn't bring myself to leave her. I hugged her tighter and eventually fell asleep myself.

~Very early the next morning~
~Percy~

I woke up and Brooke was still asleep, curled up against me. "Brooke," I whispered into her ear, hoping to wake her. "Come on, Brooke." I whispered again, shaking her shoulder slightly. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at me.

"I wanna stay here, forever. I will never move. My life is ruined, my heart is broken. There is no need for me to live." She said, avoiding eye contact. I put my hand under her chin, lifting her head so she was looking at me.

"What do you mean, Brooke?" I asked, worried. "Why would you say something like that?" A few fresh tears escaped her eyes and I wiped them away.

"He left me. He just ran out the door. I told him something very crucial to our relationship and he ran out the door, leaving me because of a stupid mistake that we were both a part of." She said, letting tears flow freely from her now shut eyes.

"What was the mistake? What was so crucial to your relationship?" I asked, realizing she was talking about Nico. I was angry but I was keeping it in check, for my sister. I would do anything for my sister.

"I'm pregnant," she mumbled, barely audible. My eyes widened in shock. She looked at me, waiting for a sign of emotion. 

"I'll be here with you. Through it all. Every doctor's appointment, every class, baby shopping, and raising this kid. I promise." I hugged her tight as she cried against my chest again. I stroked her hair, making quiet shushing noises to try and calm her down. It worked as she fell back asleep. I glanced at her alarm clock. It was midnight. I closed my eyes and fell asleep to the even breathing of my heart broken sister.

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Hey. Don't kill me. Please.

So, Merry Christmas! That was your present. Hope you enjoyed it and feel like crying!

Peace out!