Accidents Happen

Chapter Seven-Wasn't Alone At All

Michelle found it nearly impossible to look directly at Peter, so she settled for the photos of her blob, which now lay unfolded on the table. She chewed at the inside of her lip, trying to come up with something, anything, to say.

Peter was just as quiet as she was. He sat in his place, absently tapping his fingers on the table, his face empty. He followed her eyes to the photos and pulled them towards himself to get a better look.

She couldn't take the silence anymore. "It's due on April 7." Peter looked up and met her eyes, still not speaking. "I'm sorry for telling May, loser." She tried to use her natural sarcastic ability to shed a little light on the situation, but it was still pretty bland.

Peter let out a nervous laugh, "It's okay," He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "I get it. I've been doing some... reading, and I know this is... an emotional time for you." Michelle was struggling not to laugh, because this was definitely not the right time. This was serious. Stupid hormones.

Michelle sighed. "I've been thinking..."

He waited a moment for her to elaborate, but when she didn't he nodded. "Me too. And researching."

It's not that she didn't want to tell him, or that she felt he didn't get to know. She just didn't want to go over all the details, all of that... emotional stuff. It's just not what she does. She was tired, and more than anything, she wanted things to be normal again. But they can't be normal, so she just decided to say it.

"I want to keep the baby," she said quickly. It was said with an expression far from the nonchalance Michelle possessed when announcing to Peter that he would be a father. It was riddled with emotion and fear and anxiety. Those seemed to be her defining traits that day, rather than her usual attitude.

Peter seemed surprised by the announcement. He thought that Michelle wasn't really the motherly type. But she could have a heart when she wanted to. Peter knew that from a few past experiences. For some reason, she just chose to block herself off most of the time. "Really?" For a moment, she thought he was going to tell her that wasn't what he wanted. That he wanted her to get an abortion. Or to have it adopted. But instead, Peter said, "Me too."

"Peter," she groaned. "Please don't say that if that's not what you want. This isn't fair to you."

This time, Peter did move closer to her, though still not making an effort to actually touch, scooting his chair over just enough. "It's not fair to either of us, and I'm serious. I want to keep it," he said earnestly. "I've lost enough family for a lifetime. And I always wanted to be a dad. It's a little soon, but..." Peter shrugged, smiling a little. How is he handling this so well? He then looked down, despite that, michlle could still see the pain in his face, "Why didn't you tell May that it was mine?" he asked.

"I didn't want you to get in trouble," Michelle replied quietly.

"Oh," Peter sat back a little, looking back up at. "Thanks, I guess. But you didn't have to worry-"

"And I didn't know how she'd react to finding out that I fucked her nephew."

That response earned a surprised, if not a little embarrassed, snort from Peter. "That's one way to say it," his soft cheeks filled with color That was the Michelle he knew and loved. Not that he didn't love emotionally-connected Michelle. She was just... different.

The quiet that fell over them was less uncomfortable than before. Still awkward, but a smidge less, now that they had both decided to keep it. But that didn't relieve any stress. That just left a whole separate minefield of decisions for them to make. Of course, they didn't have to make them all that day, but it was still enough pressure to make a planet spontaneously combust.