The forgotten Lynch

Count on me

Today Maddie is telling Ryland about her pregnancy and she wants me there with her. I asked her to wait until after work and happily agreed. She said she'll have more time to figure out what she's going to say.
So now I'm at work sitting at my desk eating my breakfast waiting for my students to come in. I decided to dress a little more comfy so I put on a white tank top with a black skirt, a grey cardigan, and some studded black combat boots.
When the bell rings my small class walks in. They sit in their seats and chill back while I get my things settled for today. I've barely been here for two weeks and my desk is already a little mess with music sheets.
"Ok guys so how many of you like dancing?" I ask walking to the white board
Some students raise their hands while others stay still.
"Ok well my music teacher when I came here choreographed dances for our group. She said during summer she had a chorus club and they would travel to amusement parks and compete and the kids would get student service hours so I'm admitting all of you into that. She left and I really liked the idea so now I'm taking on the challenge" I say handing out music sheets
"We're going to sing this?" Stefan snorted
"Yes and you will be learning a dance to it as well" I say "I sang this song and did the same dance my senior year, while being pregnant so I'm sure you guys can handle it. Especially if you want the credit"
Stefan goes pale as Caroline cheers.
"I love this song!" She squeals
I smile at her enthusiasm and motion for the class to follow me. I take them to the auditorium and walk the on the stage. I move each one into a spot and I frown when we come up one short. I guess I'll just have to fill the spot.
"Ok so I'll be helping since we only have 11 people and this needs 12" I state
I start showing the group the dance steps while letting the song with the lyrics play. Once I'm certain they know the steps we go through it a few times before adding the lyrics. The song is pretty well known so they should all know the lyrics. When we have just about ten minutes left of the day the whole group and I go through the entire thing with no lyrics.
"Caroline and Stefan will take the leads" I state
Stefan has a nice voice and thinks I haven't been listening, but I have.
Once the song is over I smile and clap for them. The bell rings and the students start scattering. I notice Stefan is the first one out.
"Good job everyone!" I yell as they leave
I walk back to my classroom and pack my things up. I procrastinate by walking around the familiar halls of this place. I stop at my old locker and smile at all the memories. This is where Adrianna and I would have endlessly conversations, many many talks about Travis, and talks about Shawn.
I walk down a little further and stop at Travis' old locker. We would constantly talk, laugh, make out. This school in general brings back so many memories. Good and Bad. I honestly don't regret anything from my past other than not telling Travis about Rosie.
I sigh and turn to go to the office. I punch out and make my way to my car when one of my students come up to me.
"Ms Lynch?" She asks
"Yes?" I ask
"Can I talk to you about something?" She asks
"Of course Taylor what's up?" I ask
"You said that you had a baby at a young age right?" She asks
"Yes...Are you going through the same situation?" I ask
"No I'm not. But my sister Quinn is" She says "She's going to be a freshman after summer and she just told my family about it. My parents are really disappointed so she's looking to me for support but I just don't know how to give it to her"
"How old is she?" I ask
"She's fifteen. She won't even tell us who the father is. She said she wants to give the baby up for adoption" Taylor says looking down
"She's doing such a brave thing you know" I say "Giving up your child is so hard to do. When I first got pregnant I wanted to give my child up for adoption but I got attached. Any mother is going to get attached to their baby. She's going to hurt a lot,you just have to tell her everything will be fine"
"But I don't want her to have a baby at all" Taylor says "I think she should get an abortion. I'm scared that when she comes to me I'm going to tell her to end the pregnancy and she'll hate me"
"It's not your body Taylor. Just look at it this way...She's going to give a couple the opportunity to have a child to love and care for. She's providing for the baby the best she sees fit. She'll be a mother but not a mom" I say "I have to go pick up my daughter I'll see you Monday"
Taylor nods and walks off to her friends. I get in my car and start the engine. I drive to Ryland's house and walk in. Maddie told me that Travis and Jade got into an argument a few days ago and they've been acting weird ever since so when I see Jade and Travis sucking each other's face off, I'm mortified.
I cover my eyes and clear my throat to get their attention. Once I know they're pulled apart I walk into the living room. Rosie runs up to me and hugs me.
"Where's Uncle Ryland and Aunt Maddie ?" I ask bending down
"Outside" She giggles before running off towards that way
I chuckle and follow her out back. Maddie told Ryland she wanted to have a cookout today so our closest family and friends are here. I shrug off my cardigan and sit it on one of the kitchen chairs on my way out. As I step out on the patio music fills my ears. I sit down on a lawn chair and take off my combat boots and socks.
"Can this kid pop out already?" Rydel groans
"Is it that bad?" Maddie asks
"She's just agitated and can't get comfortable" I say before Rydel speaks up and scares the poor girl
"Cindy don't put that in your mouth!" Rydel yells.
Mackenzie comes out of the pool and wraps a towel around her body the same time Travis and Jade emerge from the house. I notice Travis glance at me before Jade sits on the chair next me.
"Hey Jade" I smile
"Hey" She says
"So how's the weather? It's not as hot as LA but still hot enough to tan" I say
"You've been to LA?" She asks glancing at Travis for a split second
I notice my mistake and quickly come up with a lie.
"No but The boys have obviously and they tell me about how hot it is compared to here" I say
"Oh" Jade says "Well Travis do you want to swim?"
"Sure" He says before following her to the pool
"What's up with them?" Mackenzie asks
I shrug and wave Maddie to go inside. I get up with Maddie in tow and go into the kitchen.
"You ready?" I ask
"No" She groans
"Too bad where's the box?" I ask
"In the closet" She says getting it out
I wish her good luck and push her outside with me following behind her. Everyone watches with curious eyes as Maddie reaches Ryland.
"Can everyone come over here?" Maddie calls
Everyone walks over and Ryland looks at Maddie looking confused as hell. Mads sits the box down on the table in front of him and smiles nervously at him.
"I got you a present and I want everyone to see" She says
She crosses her arms as we all watch Ryland carefully open the wrapped box. As soon as he takes off the lid he takes out some pink and blue tissue paper. He looks inside and pulls out one pink shoe and one blue shoe that's a baby size. Next, he pulls out Maddie's sonogram picture.
"Are you...?" He asks
"We're having a baby" Maddie says
Everyone behind Maddie including me cheers for them while Ryland looks between the sonogram picture and Maddie's stomach. Reality sets in and he smiles. Ryland drops the picture and shoes in the box before lifting Maddie off the ground and spins her in the air.
"We're having a baby" Ryland smiles putting his hand on her stomach
"We're having a baby" Maddie confirms
Rosie comes out from between my legs and looks at the picture. She looks confused and points at the small blob.
"Dats not a baby" She giggles "Dats a gwape"
Everyone laughs at her baby talk and knowledge.
"Rosie it is a baby. It just hasn't grown all the way" I explain "You were that size too when you were in my tummy"
"Oh" She giggles
"You're going to have another cousin. Uncle Ryland is going to be a daddy and Aunt Maddie is going to be a mommy"
"Uncle Ryland can't be daddy. I don't have daddy" She states
Well.....Oops
You can count on me having to clear this one up.