Trigger Warning

Chapter Four

Emmett came and picked me up right after he got off work. We drove to his house together, so he could change quickly before we went out to eat. I was nervous, and so was he. He was just a little better at hiding it.

He got back in the car just moments after he got out. He returned now in a blue polo, instead of his red one he wore to work.

"It looks like you exchanged Target for Walmart," I said jokingly. He furrowed his brow.

"Should I change?" he asked. Emmett was always so worried about his appearance.

"No, you look good," I leaned over and kissed his nose. "Cute, even."

Emmett smiled, and pulled out of his driveway and started on our way to the restaurant. When we pulled in we could already see Beth's Honda Accord in the parking lot.

Toney's wasn't a very popular place, but it was popular enough with my dad and his golfing buddies.

We sat in the car for a minute with the engine off. "Are you ready?" Emmett asked. I felt the tears well up in my eyes again, and Emmett pulled me in close to him. "You aren't alone in this, Anastasia. I will be here for you, step by step. Let's get this over with, princess." Emmett kissed the top of my head, and I wiped my tears.

"Oh Ana you look so beautiful!" Beth called. She was wearing a right red sundress, along with some obnoxious red jewelry. Her hair was in tight ringlets that fell down her back. My dad stood up moments later, and pulled me into a hug. My dad was a broad man, and had a head full of hair that was his pride and joy. My dad was handsome, and I felt so bad because Percy and I looked more like my mother than my father.

My dad shook Emmett's hand and then we all sat down.

"Hey Percy," I said almost too cheerfully as I scooted into the booth next to him. He gave me a smug smile and a small wave, and I just nodded in response.

"So sweetie, what've you been up to?" Beth asked me. I just shrugged, and though oh nothing, just getting pregnant at a party hosted by Percy and Calvin. At your house. Oh, and I'm pregnant by Calvin himself.

"Nothing really," I replied. "You?"

"Well I've just been loaded down with work! Janice here is finishing up her potty training and at the station we have a ton of new stuff to work on and there's just...." Beth's nasally annoying voice trailed on for minutes, and I watched as she dramatically motioned. My dad examined his menu, and Percy distracted himself with his phone. I looked over at Janice, who was sitting in a child's seat at the end of the table.

"But enough about me," Beth finished, "Emmett, have you been up to anything?"

Emmett went on about how he had SATs this upcoming weekend, and this interested both my dad and Percy. Percy took SATs the past three years, and all three years scored higher than a thirty. He was a genius.

"Emmett have you taken the SAT before?" My dad asked.

"Yes sir, once. It was very difficult, hopefully this time I'll score a bit higher," Emmett replied.

"What did you make, son?" My dad asked, taking a drink of his water.

"A twenty four," Emmett replied sheepishly. My dad shrugged, and nodded. That conversation was over.

We ordered our food, and halfway through the meal Emmett nudged my foot under the table. I looked over at him, and he nodded towards my stomach. I shrugged, and looked around the table.

At the end there was Janice. Going counterclockwise, after Janice there was Beth, my dad, Percy, me, and then Emmett. Somehow we all managed to look like we belonged together, but in all reality we didn't.

"Okay, so we have some news," Emmett began. He was obviously going to try to start us off, and let me finish strong.

My dad put his fork down, and observed us. Percy looked at me sideways, one eyebrow arched.

"Well, go on," Beth urged us. I swallowed a piece of shrimp, and nodded.

"Emmett and I are," I stopped, the word trapped in my throat. It was a moment before my father asked,

"Pregnant?"

"Actually," Emmett said, smiling, "yes."

My dad slammed his fist down. "Dammit, Stasia," he began. I just sat there, waiting.

"James," Beth cooed, "calm down. Babies are good,"

Beth looked up at me and Emmett and smiled, "babies are good!" she repeated, louder. I nodded, and I felt Emmett reach over and squeeze my hand.

My father nodded and smiled, a tight stressful smile.

"I guess it's good you're with this guy," my dad said pointing to Emmett. "He's so shoved up your ass he won't ever leave," it was almost a compliment. Almost.

The next few minutes were quiet, with the exception of Beth piping up with questions.

"When did you find out?" about two weeks ago.

"Who was the first to know?" myself. Then Clarissa.

"Do you want a boy or a girl?" a miscarriage.

I didn't really answer like that. My answers were all appropriate, and not sarcasm.

"I have to go to the bathroom," I admitted. Beth just smiled and said,

"There will be plenty of that!" as if I didn't know.

The bathroom was white with little sailor accents. I peed, and stayed an additional two minutes just to calm myself down from the antics that was Beth and my father.

As I was walking out, I saw the one last person I wanted to see, ever, talking to my family.

Calvin.