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RORY WAS GETTING HER LIFE BACK ON TRACK. While the Louisiana State University freshman orientation was mostly filled with the typical, just-barely-out-of-high-school-graduates, there was also a handful of older adults that made Rory feel not-so-out-of-place with her nearly 9-month baby bump when there were plenty of people starting college from different places in their lives. A woman in her group who was a decade older than her had even approached Rory, sharing how she had been a teen mom as well. No one seemed to care she was pregnant, aside from a few wide-eyed stares. This was college, not high-school, everyone minded their business.
The whole process had been overall encouraging, especially since she had gotten into LSU on her own accord, not due to some political favor, all thanks to her mom sending all her old college essays and high school transcript. Alright, maybe she had a little help from Klaus to expedite the process, but she got in of her own merit. Her mother was beyond supportive of Rory's decision to attend college; she had done the same nearly twenty years ago. Besides, Rory was only taking two classes for the fall semester, both on the same day of the week. She could do this.
Her orientation group dispersed by the late afternoon. She did have to sneak off to the bathroom what felt like every fifteen minutes, but she was only a little overwhelmed by the end. Rory adjusted her sun dress, running her hand over her baby bump where her little girl was still kicking up a storm. She smiled, musing at the thought of meeting her soon. Sure, having a baby at 18 wasn't in her plans, let alone a supernatural one, but that was the best thing about life. The most beautiful things can happen amidst the chaos.
As she was walking through the crowded campus square, making a beeline for some shade, Klaus texted her; he had insisted on both dropping her off and picking her up. He probably would've tagged along too if Rory had let him.
Klaus Just got here, love. Where are you?
Rory I'll meet you. Coming from the square.
With the baby shower that night, she had to admit she was excited, despite her and Klaus' initial reluctance. It would be a good thing for their family, a memory to put into a scrapbook. She couldn't say for sure what their family's future held, but having some documentation it wasn't all bloody conflict after bloody conflict would be nice.
Rory was still squinting at her phone, the bright Louisiana sunlight blaring down, when suddenly a force slammed into her side.
"Woah!"
"Shit!"
Panic filled her as she hurtled sideways toward the concrete—she instinctively protected her stomach, trying to make her knees break the fall instead of her belly, but just as soon as she started falling one way, a pair of strong hands yanked her upright.
"Are you okay?" A very tall boy with curly brown hair and a British accent asked her, gripping her by both of her elbows. He had a lacrosse-player's build, complete with an purple LSU jersey, number 14, and a varsity letterman's jacket with Greek letters stitched over the left side. His blue eyes ran down her body, widening with realization. "Oh, shit, you're super pregnant. Are you in labor? Am I supposed to call an ambulance or something?"
