APRIL

THE PARENTS

I took a deep breath as I laid in bed staring up at my ceiling.

I was telling mine and his parents today.

That we were having a kid.

This is probably going to be the most outrageous and unexpected thing ever and I'm really not sure what is going to happen.

I think my parents will be mad. I mean, I'm their baby girl that's perfect and does nothing wrong. But that's wrong.

I sighed as I got dressed and got ready so Forrest could pick me up. We were telling his parents first. I feel like they'd be more accepting since they had Forrest at a young age as well.

I really just wanted to lay on the floor and cry, but I'll have to do it later. It's time to step up and man up.

I told my parents that I'd be back in a little and that I was going to eat breakfast with his family before coming back over here later.

I see Forrest's truck pull up and I immediately run to his car. It was exceptionally cold this Christmas morning, I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't snow soon.

He gets out of the car and comes up to me and gives me a hug, "hi baby girl, are you ready to do this?"

I swallow before nodding my head, "no but we need to do it."

"I agree, come get in the truck, it's warm." We both climb in his car and he turns to me and gives me a kiss, "I love you Emma. Just remember that."

I smile at him, "I love you too Forrest."

We drive to his house and we arrive too fast. I wasn't prepared.

We climb out of the truck and he walks me to the front door and we're greeted by his parents, "Merry Christmas, Emma!"

"Merry Christmas to you too," I greet them back with a hug before we walk inside.

We walk inside and I'm greeted by the smell of French toast and hot chocolate. "Emma would you like anything to eat?"

I nod, "that would be great, thank you."

We sit down and Forrest sits closely next to me trying to comfort me. I was hoping he would tell them...not me. My parents are already gonna be mad enough...

We finish breakfast and we go over to the couch so we could open presents. That's where we were going to tell them. His sister begins to open presents of her own from Santa as I played with the strings of my jacket and made small talk.

Eventually, his sister leaves the room to go try out the new watercolor paints she had gotten so it was officially time.

Forrest clears his throat, "mom, dad, we have something to tell you," he paused as they look between us curiously, "this is really unexpected and we just found out, but-."

I cut him off and blurt, "I'm pregnant."

His mother gasps while his father's eyes widen. "Oh," she says. She jumps a little before getting up and walking over, "oh my!"

"Are you serious?" His father asks rubbing his chin ferociously.

Forrest nods, "I know we are both young and everything it just happened so unexpectedly."

His mother smiles softly, "you know, I was about a year older when we found out we were pregnant with you. I know this is so sudden, but it will be okay. I just wish you guys would have waited a little while before having sexual relations but I understand how teenagers are these days."

I smile awkwardly before handing an envelope to her. She curiously looks at it before I say, "this is the most recent ultrasound."

She opens the envelope to reveal the pictures. "Is it a girl?" She asks looking closely at the picture.

Forrest nods, "yes. I was hoping for a boy."

His father laughs before looking at the picture. "I was glad you were a boy. May have left your mother if it was a girl."

His mom rolls his eyes, "oh shut it."

"When is she due?"

"Late April," I tell her.

His mom nods, "I can't believe you guys waited this long, why did you?"

Forrest clears his throat, "well, we really didn't know what to do. We honestly just kept putting it off."

His mom nodded, "well at least I can start planning for my grand baby! I know this is gonna suck, baby, but we are here for you. We know how it feels."

He smiles, "thank you mom."

His dad speaks up, "but seriously Forrest, next time, be careful."

We finished breakfast and presents and it feels like half of the weight was lifted off my shoulders. It gave me hope as if my parents would accept it too.

But I feel it's different for a girl than it is a boy.

We bid our good byes to his parents and I took a deep breath after stepping outside.

"That wasn't too bad was it?" Forrest asks.

I shake my head, "I'm glad they accept it. It's my parents that are gonna have a cow that their baby daughter is having a baby."

"If they kick you out, my parents said you could live here," he jokes.

I give him a stern look, "you're really joking right now? Sure they may not like that I'm pregnant but they wouldn't kick me out. I'm under 18."

We drive over to my house and my gut drops again. I wasn't ready for this whole fiasco.

We park the car in the driveway and I slowly walk to the front door.

"It'll be okay, Em. I'm right here if you need me," Forrest reassures me.

I turn the doorknob and open the door slowly. My mom notices us and walks over, "Hey, mom," I greet her.

"Hello! Merry Christmas, Forrest!" She brings him into a hug.

"Merry Christmas to you as well."

She smiles, "well everyone is in the living room if you want to go and join."

I nod and took another deep breath before walking deeper into the house.