Soulmates and Exceptions #Wattys2016

Back to School - Again

     Spencer looked over the top of his book and saw Brea lifting her sunglasses to wipe her eyes. "Jacks." He got his brother's attention and motioned towards Brea. Jackson nodded and climbed out of the pool. They both knew that there was only one thing that could possibly make her this upset.

     Both of the brothers walked towards Brea and each took a hand. "Brea, it wasn't your fault." Jackson reassured.

      Spencer rubbed the hand he held. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, Brea. I should have been able to..."

      "It wasn't your fault either." Jackson told his brother sternly. "It happened because they wouldn't leave you two alone...and everyone else let it happen."

      Brea's shoulders trembled as she cried. It had happened two years earlier, but there were times, like this, when the memory washed over her as if it had just happened.

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     After John, Rose, and Michael had calmed down and spoken with Jackson, Brea, and Spencer, it was decided that Brea would continue to go to school for as long as she could hide her pregnancy. Spencer would finish his schooling, while Jackson would focus his time on learning his trade and getting a job before the baby arrived. The parents told the three that they wanted them to continue living at home, so that they could save enough to go out on their own. They did have their rules – one being that Brea, Jackson, and Spencer were to sleep in their own rooms. For the duration of the pregnancy, they'd be a little more lenient on the 'being along together' rule, but it would go back into place once the baby arrived. Brea and Spencer had chosen to wait until after Spencer had finished school before even thinking about bonding with each other, so they were okay with that portion of the agreement. Jackson, however, had troubles. He tried to argue, unsuccessfully, that Brea would need him at night. John refused to back down from his stance, despite Rose and Michael attempting to form a compromise.

     After a couple of medical appointment-filled days after her pregnancy had been revealed, Brea returned to school. She was officially two months pregnant.

     "It'll be fine. I'll be right here with you." Spencer encouraged. "We've got this."

     "We've got this." She replied, repeating what was now the trio's mantra.

     He held his bare hand out for her to take. She eyed him worriedly. "What? We're matched."

     "Do you really want to set ourselves up for the torment?"

     He took her hands and removed the gloves. "They're going to do it anyway. This time, it won't matter. After all of this is over, the only things that will matter are you, me, Jackson, and..." He touched her abdomen and whispered, "I will be as much of an important part of this baby's life as my brother." Brea gasped softly. She hadn't spoken to either brother about what this pregnancy would mean for the both of them. "I know that loving you means that you also love Jacks. I can accept that. It's been us since we were ten. I think of loving you as a packaged deal." He smirked.

     "Spence you can be so sweet, and then you add that at the end, making it sound like it's something we'd get on special at the grocery store." She shook her head, giving him a small smile.

     "Now? Shall we?" He again offered her his hand. She accepted it, allowing him to lead her into the school. They could hear everyone around them whispering more than usual. A few cat-calls were made, but for the first time, neither Brea nor Spencer let the words of others anger them. They knew, and were perfectly happy with, the truth.

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     The weeks dragged on, leaving Brea more exhausted than she thought possible. She was nearing the end of her end of her first trimester and she couldn't wait for a reprieve from the exhaustion. Her mother had told her that the second trimester was a bit easier, but that it would be more difficult hiding her condition. She had managed to talk herself into a position of getting her assignments early. None of her teachers had asked her directly, but they did notice all of the trips to the restroom during class, her distinctive lack of gloves, and all of the attention one also-gloveless Spencer Thomas was paying her. They agreed to give her the work, but they knew that it was pointless – she would be gone from school fairly soon. All of the girls like her left.