broken home - j.f✔️

seventyfive.

"I won't show any bump until at least midsummer." Elizabeth spoke from inside the bath tub. Justin had become a lot more protective of her, making sure she was comfortable at all times. Sofia noticed this, and thought it was so wholesome, but couldn't share anything with Victor as they hadn't told him yet. Justin hadn't left her side every day of school. As finals were done, every class was filled with tips for college and introducing the students into college life. So whenever Justin had the chance to be with Elizabeth, he was. Only Zach and Clay knew, they didn't want to say anything until at least graduation.

On this particular night, Elizabeth was still feeling nauseous. She was now one month along. No scans were needed until at she was at least two months along. Justin had drew her a bath, added bubbles and candles, let the waterproof speaker play a quiet playlist. And Justin sat beside her the whole time, talking with her and relaxing her.

"I can avoid the third slut rumour." She joked, Justin giving her a playful glare. She giggled at him and sighed. "We really need to think about telling my dad." Justin hummed in response. The dim lighting and the mellow music was so relaxing, he almost fell asleep himself.

"I'm surprised we've hidden it for so long, thanks to Sofia." He laughed. "Graduation is next week, can you believe it?" She shook her head and slowly sat up, Justin's hands helping her up slowly. At this point, it was sweet how hard he was trying. He wrapped her in a towel and walked with her to the bedroom. Where the bed was nicely made and her loungewear were neatly folded against the pillow.

"Bold idea," she said aloud. "What if we told him tonight?" Justin's relaxed demeanour had disappeared, his muscles tensing.

"I'm not ready to be homeless." He replied quickly.

"You won't be. I'm sure my dad won't be angry." She reassured him, placing her hands on his shoulders. She was now comfortable and spent the afternoon concocting a plan on how to tell her dad. Would Justin say it? Would she just show him the pregnancy stick like she did with everyone else? Would they write a script and say it simultaneously? Would they tell Sofia to say it whilst they lock themselves in the car?

Finally, they'd gone down for dinner and Justin hadn't let go of her hand. He squeezed it tightly under the table as his leg bounced, she had to let go of his hand and place it firmly on his knee to calm him down. Her dad seemed in a good mood, Sofia could tell what the couple were doing the second they sat down, and she gave a sly thumbs up as she reached for her glass.

"Dad," she spoke quickly. He dug his fork into his food and looked up at Elizabeth with a smile. "We have some news." Justin leg was bouncing again and she grabbed his hands, smoothing her thumb over his knuckles.

"What is it, mija?" He asked, shoving another bite of food into his mouth. It was like she had become mute. There was no right way to say it. Their forty minutes of planning and calming down had left the house.

"I'm pregnant."

There it was. Now all she had to do was wait for a reaction. The table was silent. Justin's eyes were darting from Victor, to Elizabeth. Her dad was shocked, his mouth slightly open and his fork had been politely placed onto his plate. "You mean I'm gonna be an abuelo?" He asked.

Elizabeth nodded slowly, seeing him stand up and walk around the table to embrace his daughter, and Justin. She didn't know what she was expecting but it definitely wasn't that. Sofia was cheering and sending hugs around the table, the four enjoying their dinner. Justin had gone for a shower, Sofia was clearing the table, and Elizabeth had been invited to the garage by her dad.

"Why are we in here?" She asked. He dug around for a box, that was kept up high and the word 'fragile' written in large letters. He had retrieved it and placed it on the hood of the car, ripping the flaps open to reveal a box of items. He slowly lifted a few things out, baby grows, a picture album, and other baby items.

"Your mom kept these, it didn't matter how old you got." He smiled at the memory. "She said she wanted these to be kept safe for you and your family." Elizabeth wrapped an arm around her dad, not realising that the memory of her mom had hit her so deeply once again.

"Why are you so okay with this?" She questioned, not that she was complaining. She'd rather this than a violent father. He leant against his car and looked at his daughter, who had grown up far too fast. "I thought you'd freak out at your 18 year old daughter having a child."

"Don't worry, I'm freaked out." He laughed. "But where there's a death, there's new life. And this is it." He spoke, referencing to her stomach. "I would tell you if I didn't think you were capable of being a mother, but I know you are. I know how much you care for Justin, and your friends, and me."

"Thank you, dad." She smiled at him, taking the box up to her room with her. Inside was a picture album, and as she opened it, she saw every picture of her mom and her. And her pregnancy. And her father and her.