Expecting- Sequel to The Unexpected are the Best

Chapter One

I gaze at the medium-sized diamond placed on my ring finger, nervously chewing my bottom lip. I stare down at the circles of amethyst evenly spfced out on the rest of the ring, squinting really hard as if I were trying to determine whether or not the jewels are imposters, though I already know for fact they're real. There's no way Ben would ever settle for anything less than perfect for me. Lately he's been over-compensating for everything though, he still feels absolutely terrible for doubting me when I'd honestly been raped. I'm not sure it's something he's going to be able to forgive himself for. Hell, it's even hard for me to forgive him. Every. Single. Freaking. Day.

It's still weird for me to think of myself as engaged to Ben, despite the fact that I had finally agreed to marry him about three weeks ago. Every time I glance down my eyes are automatically drawn to my ring. It feels kind-of weird to be engaged at such a young age, but I suppose it's my destiny. Fate must have had some type of ivolvement in all this. Maybe it was when Ben first kissed me. Or when I pursued after him.

Lightly, I shake my head. Now is not the time to ponder all this, I need to focus. Today is the day I tell my parents about my pregnancy. Of course they've heard the news of me being raped, but it didn't really faze them. They had come home for the court dates, though hadn't bothered to actually show up. The minutes everything was settled, they packed up and once again left, leaving no time for me to expain the details of my predicament. And that is why now, a little over an hour before my appointment with my counselor, I have to break the news to them before they make a run for it. Unluckily for me, they're still not home yet from their early dinner.

Not being able to just simply sit on my bed and wait for a moment longer, I push myself up until I'm standing the walk until I am directly facing the mirror sitting atop my dresser. I slightly turn to get a better view of my body and all it's curves. I have by now developed a round belly big enough to tell I'm pregnant, but still small enough to hide under large t-shirts or hoddies. Placing my hands on my bellly, I close my eyes and wait for something, anything, to happen. I squeeze my eye even tighter. Nothing. As usual.

Giving up, I wonder closer to my dresser- until my thighs are pressed up against it- and lean in closer. Last week Ben had managed to convince me to get a haircut that better showed my face. He apparently was not very fond of the lip-long bangs I had been sporting ever since the rape. But having this haircut only reminds me of all the reasons I'd grown my hair out in the first place. Nobody can seem to not stare at the pregnant teenager with a scar across half her face.

I stay staring at my reflection in the mirror until I hear my parents entering through the front door. Breathing in deeply, I close my eyes and attempt to calm my racing heart. Before I grow too fearful, I grab a nearby hoodie, quickly slip it on, then exit my room and head down the stairs.

"Mom? Dad?"

"We're in the kitchen, sweetie," mom responds with fake sweetness dripping from her voice.

Gulping, I slowly make my way there. I've forgotten how hostile she could be. Hopefully dad will back me up though. He wouldn't let things get too out of hand. I hope.

"Um, can I talk to you guys?"

"Of course, pumpkin! What's up?" I cringe at my dad's nickname for me and the lightness in his tone. There's no way he could have prepared for this, and I feel guilty for stealing his beliefs on having an innocent daughter. But then again, there wasn't much of an effect when he found out I was raped. Sighing, I brush some hair behind my ear.

"It's not like that, it's serious. Really serious." Dad finally looks up at me, as well as mom. Dad just seems taken aback while mom openly gasps and clutches a hand to her heart.

"What the hell happened to your face?" She sounds more pissed off than concerned. Thanks, mom

"Um, Shane did it."

"Is that the guy who..."

"Yes, dad, Shane is the guy who raped me." I can't help but let a little bitterness creep into my voice.

"Have you gone to a doctor yet? Can they get it removed?" Mom blatantly asks me, not even bothering to conceal the fact that my vanity is all she's concerned about.

"Of course I've visitied the doctor already, and no they can't just remove it. This scar isn't going away anytime soon, if at all."

"Don't talk to me in that manner!"

Deep breaths Eliza, deep breaths.

"Listen, this isn't what I wanted to talk to you guys about."

"Then what is it?" Mom snaps.

Breathe in, breath out. Breathe in, breathe out.

"I'm pregnant.'

And let the cricketts chirp... chirp.... chirp...

"How far along are you?" Dad's voice is hushed, more serious.

"A little over four months."

"Who's the father?"

"Ben."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Dad gives me a funny look but doesn't say anything, as if he knows I'm not really certain. A tear threatens to stream down my face, but I manage to keep it in place.

"Oh, honey," mom comes up to me and wraps me in a hug. The first hug she's given me since third grade. And she actually sounded sincere. Well, this must be right up her alley considereing she was once a teen mom herself.

We stay in the hugging position and I let the tears I've been holding in drizzle out. I remember the stories mom told me about when her own parentst had found out she was pregnant. They had given her an hour to pack then kicked her out of the house, in the rain. She ended up sleeping on a park bench that night and went to school the next day soaking wet and with her suitcase and a duffel bag. Thankfully, dad's parents invited her to live with them until the couple could afford their own place.

Maybe I'm too harsh on her. She did give up her enitre life to raise me, and she's been through a lot. I shouldn't blame her, I'm the one who came about and ruined everything. No, I didn't ruin anything. I should just cut mom some slack, I mean, it turns out she actually does have a heart after all. I cry even harder at all these thoughts.

"It's going to be alright, I promise."