Setting
Default Location for Tragedy and Romance
Minimap
northwest |
north |
northeast |
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You are here. |
east |
southwest |
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San Francisco is a part of 
True Love and a Baby.
10 Characters Here
Eva Nordon [7] "I just want to do the best for my baby."
Matt Newell [7] "This was just one massive mistake from the start."
Damien Nordon [7] The Black Guy
Alicia Hansen [7] The 16 Year Old
JC Matthew [4] "Mum's says I'm going to hell."
Raymond Hale [4] "I've seen some pretty 'effed up households...but I'm sure I could give my kid a nice life."
Johannah Morgan [4] The Surrogate Mom
Trisha Haraldson [0] NPC
Arthur Rogers [0] "I can't wait for the twins! But, I'm not sure I want to 'grow up' yet..."
Samantha Marks [0] "I'm scared."
Start Character Here »
Johannah Morgan
Johannah sat on the bus between Raymond and JC, her palms sweaty and her heart racing. Her belly was barely showing, but the boys had already convinced her of going to these classes. "I think I'm going to be sick," She whispered to JC, going a bit paler than she already was. She took a long drink of her water bottle, taking a deep breath of air. Johannah was going to be a part of this baby's life, and she was excited that her son was going to have two dads and a mom. Her phone started going off, and she looked at it. "Ugh," She showed the name to JC. "My mom, again," Johannah's mother was furious that she was being a surrogate to two gay guys. As she ignored the vibrating of her phone, she looked out the window. "Are you sure this class is a good idea?" She asked both the guys, getting nervous again.
Damien Nordon
Damien watched the world go by from the window of the SUV. "Baby, you okay?" He asked his wife, looking over at her. She looked tired, and Damien felt bad for her. Of course, it was his fault she was pregnant in the first place. Damien and Eva hadn't been planing on having children until much later in their marriage, and he was scared she was angry. Even though she promised she wasn't, Damien was still worried. They didn't live far from the class, and were the first to arrive. Damien pulled into the parking spot, and turned off the car, sitting there for a moment. "Well, I suppose we should go in," He said with a sigh.
Alicia Hansen
Ali looked out the window of her mom's minivan, listening to her mother rant once again. You know the only reason we aren't pressing charges against him is that he agreed to stay in the baby's life? "Yes mom! I've heard this freaking fact a million times!" Alicia yelled, slamming the door of the minivan outside the class. Don't you slam that door, Alicia! "Matt will drive me home, mom!" She yelled back. Alicia and her mom had never gotten along, but this just made it work. If Matt and Ali decided to keep this baby, she would have to move out of her house. Ali did plan on keeping the kid, and not giving the baby up for adoption, but Matt didn't quite know that yet. She hadn't figured out how to tell him yet. When Ali went into the building, there was already a couple in there, an interracial couple. The man looked at her, and the woman kept her eyes on the pamphlet she was reading. "Well, let's just get this party started!" Ali smiled, but when no one else smiled, she sighed. "All right, tough crowd," She sat down, checking her phone. When Matt still hadn't texted her, she sent him a text. Hey, Matt, where are you? Class today! She sighed, running her hand through her hair.
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JC
JC was nearly bouncing up and down as they got onto the bus, and now that they were sitting he really was bouncing. At first he wasn't all too excited about raising a child, but as the idea became more real and it wasn't just a what if? anymore, well he became more excited to the point where he would have done anything to be able to raise a child. But then it dawned on him that neither Raymond or himself could have a child, and they would have to get a surrogate mother. That upset him, extremely, at first. He didn't want anyone else in his childs life, only him and Raymond. And he'd been bitter up to the point where he actually met Johannah, where he fell in love with the girl right on site. And as they sat in the bus now, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and leaned his head against hers.
"You'll be fine baby, everyone's gonna love you." A few minutes later he heard her phone begin to vibrate and when she pulled it out, he glanced at the screen before frowning. "I'm sorry about her. She should just be happy that you are happy." JC said, giving her a wet, loud kiss on the cheek before looking at her seriously. "You are happy, right?"
"You'll be fine baby, everyone's gonna love you." A few minutes later he heard her phone begin to vibrate and when she pulled it out, he glanced at the screen before frowning. "I'm sorry about her. She should just be happy that you are happy." JC said, giving her a wet, loud kiss on the cheek before looking at her seriously. "You are happy, right?"
Sam
"I hate this." Sam muttered to herself, struggling to pull on pants that fit her just fine the month before. Finally, she pulled the jeans off completely, way past the point of frustration as she left the room pantless, searching for her husband. Her shirt was long enough that it covered most of her, not that she cared at that point. "Arthur?" She called out, trying to keep her voice calm though she was on the verge of tears. Not just from her infinite pain and sadness, but the slight anger she'd built up over the last few weeks. Upon finding her husband, she stopped a few feet away from him and crossed her arms across her chest, sniffling quietly. "I don't want to go today." She didn't want to go any day. But she had a feeling he would make her go either way, especially since she was acting like such a child.
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Raymond Hale
Raymond slowly sat down on the bus across from JC and the surrogate. A low chuckle sounded in the back of his throat as he smiled, amused by JC's enthusiasm. His husband was absolutely adorable when he got worked up like this. The idea of having a kid excited Raymond. Who wouldn't be excited to have a kid? But, working for the DCFS had made him a bit paranoid. Would he be able to provide a suitable home for his child? Again, he laughed lightly but it was a sad laugh this time. Gee, wouldn't it be ironic if one of his coworkers ended up coming to take his kid away?
He came back to his senses when JC kissed the surrogate loudly on her cheek. His jaw clenched subtly but it was quickly replaced by a smile.
"You both excited?" he asked, looking between the two.
((I'll post as Arthur in a second...I have to go take a shower))
Eva Nordon
Eva bit down on her lip nervously as the SUV whizzed along the road towards the class.
"Baby, you okay?" Eva turned at the sound of her husband's voice. She though for a second, sighed, and nodded. But she wasn't alright. She was absolutely exhausted. She'd been awake most of the night worrying. She was so excited about this baby, but she kept wondering if it was a mistake? Twenty-nine was pretty young and they'd only been married a year when she'd conceived. Exactly a year, which was sort of the reason it happened - but that's a different story all together, Eva found herself thinking.
Before she'd had time to conclude her thoughts, Damien spoke again. "Well, I suppose we should go in."
Eva nodded again, undoing her seatbelt and opening the door. They were the first ones in the class. She took a seat, picking up a pamphlet and studying it. She told herself that she needed the information on there, but really, she was just avoiding having to meet Damien's eye. She'd felt almost as if, since she'd got pregnant, he'd been frightened of her, like a naughty child that had done something they knew they shouldn't have. He'd tip-toed around her like he was walking on eggshells. Spoken to her like she was made of glass. If this was what their relationship was going to become, she wasn't sure she could survive the rest of the pregnancy, let alone their son's entire childhood...
Out of the corner of her eye, Eva saw flash of blonde as a girl walked into the room. Oh my god. If Eva had thought she was young, this girl couldn't be more than 18, and even that was being generous. She quickly focussed her eyes back on the pamphlet, not wanting the girl to think she was staring.
"Baby, you okay?" Eva turned at the sound of her husband's voice. She though for a second, sighed, and nodded. But she wasn't alright. She was absolutely exhausted. She'd been awake most of the night worrying. She was so excited about this baby, but she kept wondering if it was a mistake? Twenty-nine was pretty young and they'd only been married a year when she'd conceived. Exactly a year, which was sort of the reason it happened - but that's a different story all together, Eva found herself thinking.
Before she'd had time to conclude her thoughts, Damien spoke again. "Well, I suppose we should go in."
Eva nodded again, undoing her seatbelt and opening the door. They were the first ones in the class. She took a seat, picking up a pamphlet and studying it. She told herself that she needed the information on there, but really, she was just avoiding having to meet Damien's eye. She'd felt almost as if, since she'd got pregnant, he'd been frightened of her, like a naughty child that had done something they knew they shouldn't have. He'd tip-toed around her like he was walking on eggshells. Spoken to her like she was made of glass. If this was what their relationship was going to become, she wasn't sure she could survive the rest of the pregnancy, let alone their son's entire childhood...
Out of the corner of her eye, Eva saw flash of blonde as a girl walked into the room. Oh my god. If Eva had thought she was young, this girl couldn't be more than 18, and even that was being generous. She quickly focussed her eyes back on the pamphlet, not wanting the girl to think she was staring.
Matt Newell
He was going to be late. That was the first thought that crossed Matt's mind when he woke up, head resting on the keyboard of his computer, monitor still lit up on the desk. Gradually, memories flooded back to him. He'd stayed up most of the night googling state law regarding his relationship with Alicia. He'd know in the back of his mind when he'd first got into the relationship that he shouldn't be doing it. But, she was gorgeous and really, what difference was a few years? It wasn't like anyone was going to find out anyway. But how wrong was he?
He quickly closed the tabs on Google Chrome, one a Wikipedia page about state law, another a news report on a man who'd been jailed for five years who was just a couple of months over eighteen when he'd has sex with his seventeen year old girlfriend, and the final one a page for a lawyer which he'd opened at five am when he'd been starting to get desperate. As the computer shut down, he dragged on some clean clothes and tried to make himself look presentable. Thankfully, he didn't live far from where the class was being held, but when a text came through from Alicia:
Hey, Matt, where are you? Class today!
he began to panic again.
"Matt? Where are you going?" his Mom called after him as he raced for the door, tripping over the mat as he tried to shove his feet into some worn trainers.
"Er... Just remembered I have an essay I have to hand in!" he lied, wrenching open the door.
"But it's a Saturday!" she protested.
"Well um... My teacher's one of those Jehovah's Witness things! ...He doesn't believe in weekends!" Matt shouted, a mixture of panic and exhaustion confusing him.
"Of course Jehovah's Witnesses have weekends! What are you talking-!" she was cut off as Matt slammed the door behind him. He hasn't quite managed to tell his mother tha Alicia was pregnant yet... His poor, sweet mother would freak when he told her. Which wasn't something he wasn't looking forward to... And so, avoiding.
Matt jumped into his pick-up truck. He managed to send Ali a text back as the engine started:
Sorry, overslept. Be there really soon babe x
He quickly closed the tabs on Google Chrome, one a Wikipedia page about state law, another a news report on a man who'd been jailed for five years who was just a couple of months over eighteen when he'd has sex with his seventeen year old girlfriend, and the final one a page for a lawyer which he'd opened at five am when he'd been starting to get desperate. As the computer shut down, he dragged on some clean clothes and tried to make himself look presentable. Thankfully, he didn't live far from where the class was being held, but when a text came through from Alicia:
Hey, Matt, where are you? Class today!
he began to panic again.
"Matt? Where are you going?" his Mom called after him as he raced for the door, tripping over the mat as he tried to shove his feet into some worn trainers.
"Er... Just remembered I have an essay I have to hand in!" he lied, wrenching open the door.
"But it's a Saturday!" she protested.
"Well um... My teacher's one of those Jehovah's Witness things! ...He doesn't believe in weekends!" Matt shouted, a mixture of panic and exhaustion confusing him.
"Of course Jehovah's Witnesses have weekends! What are you talking-!" she was cut off as Matt slammed the door behind him. He hasn't quite managed to tell his mother tha Alicia was pregnant yet... His poor, sweet mother would freak when he told her. Which wasn't something he wasn't looking forward to... And so, avoiding.
Matt jumped into his pick-up truck. He managed to send Ali a text back as the engine started:
Sorry, overslept. Be there really soon babe x
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Arthur Rogers
From the halls of Sam and Arthur's home, piano music resonated softly. In their living room, Arthur sat at his keyboard, pounding away at some random piece of music. As Sam entered, he held up a finger to silence her and continued playing with one hand, humming along to it softly. As he drew the song to a close, he slowly turned around, smirking.
"Original composition by yours truly!" he cried, smirking slightly. He sighed and slowly got up, walking toward Sam. "Honey, I'm pretty sure they don't let you go to Lamaze classes without pants..." Slowly, he took one of her hands and squeezed it comfortingly. "Why don't you want to go, sweetheart? It's just an hour or so...not that long."
Johannah Morgan
Johannah looked at JC. âOf course Iâm happy. What kind of silly question is that!?â She kissed him on cheek also, looking at Raymond. âAnd yes, sir, Iâm extremely excited. Oh! Donât forget, you need to take next Saturday off. Weâre looking at apartments in the same building so I can stay close to him and both of you,â She gave Raymond a fake glare, one that looked like she was thinking Iâm watching you . âOh thank God!â She smiled as the bus came to a stop. âOne more second on this bus and my dress was going to be ruined!â Johannah got up out of her seat and headed to the exit of the bus. âJust a half a block to walk, and weâll be at this dreaded class!â She joked, nudging Raymond in the side. âLighten up, Mr. Government Worker. Iâm not gonna break if you touch my tummy like JC does. And heâs not going to break through my stomach just because he feels daddy!â Johannah laughed, rolling her eyes.
Damien Nordon
Damien looked at the girl. He then turned his attention to his wife. Leaning his forehead against Evaâs cheek, Damien whispered. âSheâs gotta be 16, 17 at the mostâŠGod I feel bad for her,â He kissed her cheek while he was there, and laid a hand on her knee. Damien and Eva had only been married a year, but they had known each other long before they were married. This was the first time since she told him she was pregnant that Damien had been brave enough to be slightly intimate. He was afraid that Eva was mad, and that she hated him for getting her pregnant. He knew that was silly, but he couldnât help himself.
Alicia Hansen
Ali sighed, shaking her head. Late? Really baby? Donât forget, we r telling ur mom tonight! Sheâd have to know at some point, anyway. Ali wasnât one for lying, either. She had told her mom, dad, and Matt in the same day. In a way, Ali was really excited about being a momâŠbut she also knew that her mother and fatherâŠand even MattâŠwere all really pushing her toward adoption. âSoâŠhow far along are you?â Ali asked the young white girl who was sitting with the black man. She couldnât be much further along than Ali, unless she was just hiding it really well. Ali straightened her clothes, waiting for the question that would surely be asked very soonâŠhow old she was.
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Raymond Hale
Raymond grimaced slightly and sighed.
"Saturday?" he asked, frowning subtly. Lightly, he rubbed the back of his neck. "...er...maybe we could go on Sunday instead? I had plans for Saturday already...they need me at the office." He glanced at JC and gave a weak smile. "Sorry, babe..." As they stood up, Johannah nudged him and he jumped slightly in surprise, rolling his eyes.
âLighten up, Mr. Government Worker. Iâm not gonna break if you touch my tummy like JC does. And heâs not going to break through my stomach just because he feels daddy!â she said, causing him to sigh again, a bit more dramatically this time as he stared at the ceiling of the bus.
"I'm good, really," he said monotonously, using his "work voice" as his parents liked to call it. Basically, it was just a strict sounding, no-nonsense tone. "I'll have enough time to touch the baby once it's born." Even though he was fond of Johannah, it seemed a bit odd to touch the stomach of a woman he hardly knew.
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JC
"I just wanted to make suuuuuure." JC playfully rolled his eyes before fake swooning over her kiss, holding his hand to his cheek as he batted his eyelashes. She mentioned apartment hunting and he grinned, excited for it. Of course he had originally offered to just let Johannah stay with them, but the other two agreed it wouldn't be a good idea. It sort of upset him a little, for two reasons. The first being that he liked his little Johannah, and had been looking forward to her staying with him. And the second being that sometimes he felt like they treated him a tad bit like a child. Though he always brushed it off, JC couldn't stay, or even get mad at either of them.
As the bus came to a halt, he allowed Johannah to get up first, following after her. Outside though, he waited for Raymond to exit before going to stand next to him. He looked up at him, brown eyes twinkling mischievously as he stood on his toes to place a quick kiss on his lips. "I love youuu." JC whispered as they began to walk towards the class.
As the bus came to a halt, he allowed Johannah to get up first, following after her. Outside though, he waited for Raymond to exit before going to stand next to him. He looked up at him, brown eyes twinkling mischievously as he stood on his toes to place a quick kiss on his lips. "I love youuu." JC whispered as they began to walk towards the class.
Sam
As Arthur approached her she sighed, dropping her arms to her side and sniffling again. Am I getting sick? That wouldn't be good, Sam was rarely ever sick and when she was it was terrible. Her dark eyes found his before glancing down as he mentioned not being allowed to go to class without pants. "I don't care. If I don't want to wear pants then I won't wear pants." She acted as if she wanted to fight with him, though it was fairly obvious that she was just upset and was taking it out on him.
"Why would I want to go?" She countered, though her voice was noticeably softer now. "It's just going to be a bunch of mean pregnant women with tired-looking husbands who don't really want to be there but have to be because they accidently got their wives pregnant and are having to own up to it!" Her breath caught in her throat, choking on a sob as she took her hand from his and put it over her mouth. After a few minutes she looked away. "I'll go put pants on I guess."
"Why would I want to go?" She countered, though her voice was noticeably softer now. "It's just going to be a bunch of mean pregnant women with tired-looking husbands who don't really want to be there but have to be because they accidently got their wives pregnant and are having to own up to it!" Her breath caught in her throat, choking on a sob as she took her hand from his and put it over her mouth. After a few minutes she looked away. "I'll go put pants on I guess."
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Raymond Hale
Again, his jaw clenched as JC made a big deal over Johannah's kiss. He wasn't usually this jealous...but he was still pretty damn protective. His frown broadened into a smile as JC leaned up on his tippy-toes to kiss him. Returning the kiss, Ray rolled his eyes playfully.
"I loooove you, too," he teased, poking his nose affectionately before shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. Since he had absolutely no idea where to go, he allowed JC to lead...though he pulled a hand out of his pocket to hold one of JC's smaller hands.
Arthur Rogers
Arthur laughed and then grinned, kissing her cheek.
"I'm pretty sure it's also illegal...although don't quote me on it," he said. He could sense the tension in her voice and, usually, it would have upset him and caused him to yell. Yet, he knew she was just tired and upset...besides, she was carrying two kids inside of her. That must be pretty damn tiring. As she pulled her hand out of his grip, his smile fell and he frowned, biting his lip. Gently, he reached up and placed a hand on her cheek. "Please don't be upset with me..." he whispered. "I just...I want us to be prepared for when the babies come." He leaned forward, aiming to kiss her lightly. "I promise I'll do the laundry for two weeks-no, two months-if you go to these classes." He gave her a look that seemed to say I promise. "And you know I hate doing laundry."
Eva Nordon
Eva took a deep breath at the contact. He was actually touching her. The private look they'd shared when he'd whispered to her reminded her of the relationship they used to have, they one she thought they'd lost.
Eva nodded slightly. "Yeah... And there doesn't appear to be a boyfriend..." Eva speculated. "I really hope she's not another one of those teen mothers, abandoned by the guy responsible for the whole mess in the first place..."
âSoâŠhow far along are you?â
Eva jumped slightly at the sound of a girl's voice. She looked up to see the young girl, praying that she didn't know Damien and her had been whispering about her.
Eva gave her a bright smile. "I'll be five and a half months on Tuesday. What about you, sweetie?"
Shit. She hadn't meant to call her that. It just sort of slipped out. It was a name she when she was doing a portrait for a doting mother of her precious child and Eva was trying to persuade the child to sit still. And now the poor girl probably just thought Eva saw her as a child. Eva bit down on her lip again. There was nothing she could do now, she'd said it. She just had to sit and wait for the answer.
Eva nodded slightly. "Yeah... And there doesn't appear to be a boyfriend..." Eva speculated. "I really hope she's not another one of those teen mothers, abandoned by the guy responsible for the whole mess in the first place..."
âSoâŠhow far along are you?â
Eva jumped slightly at the sound of a girl's voice. She looked up to see the young girl, praying that she didn't know Damien and her had been whispering about her.
Eva gave her a bright smile. "I'll be five and a half months on Tuesday. What about you, sweetie?"
Shit. She hadn't meant to call her that. It just sort of slipped out. It was a name she when she was doing a portrait for a doting mother of her precious child and Eva was trying to persuade the child to sit still. And now the poor girl probably just thought Eva saw her as a child. Eva bit down on her lip again. There was nothing she could do now, she'd said it. She just had to sit and wait for the answer.
Matt Newell
Another text came through from Ali as he set off along the road:
Late? Really baby? Donât forget, we r telling ur mom tonight!
Oh... Something else Matt had forgotten about. Or maybe purposely forgotten about. Either sounded better than actually having to tell her. He was sure she'd shout. And then she'd cry. And then she'd shout again. Never mind Ali and her complaining about morning sickness, the thought of telling his mother made Matt feel sick to the stomach.
He was about to pick up his phone to reply but caught himself and stopped. Usually, he would have no issues texting while driving. But... Now he was going to be a dad. And even though Ali wasn't keeping the baby, she still needed his support through the pregnancy and if he got in a car crash he'd be no use to anyone. Besides, he didn't need another criminal conviction for texting while driving to add to his impending statuary rape conviction. So he left the phone and kept his eyes on the road, hoping to be there quickly.
Late? Really baby? Donât forget, we r telling ur mom tonight!
Oh... Something else Matt had forgotten about. Or maybe purposely forgotten about. Either sounded better than actually having to tell her. He was sure she'd shout. And then she'd cry. And then she'd shout again. Never mind Ali and her complaining about morning sickness, the thought of telling his mother made Matt feel sick to the stomach.
He was about to pick up his phone to reply but caught himself and stopped. Usually, he would have no issues texting while driving. But... Now he was going to be a dad. And even though Ali wasn't keeping the baby, she still needed his support through the pregnancy and if he got in a car crash he'd be no use to anyone. Besides, he didn't need another criminal conviction for texting while driving to add to his impending statuary rape conviction. So he left the phone and kept his eyes on the road, hoping to be there quickly.
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JC
JC grinned, dropping down from his tiptoes and rocking back and forth on the soles of his feet for a moment. "Who doesn't love me?" He teased, playfully rolling his eyes as he intertwined his fingers with Raymond's. As he rested his head on the taller males shoulder, he sighed happily. "Hey..does anyone actually know where this place is?" That was sort of awkward, he thought. Someone ought to have thought to look up the directions to this place, but it seemed neither he or Raymond had. Looking over at Johannah, he silently pleaded that she knew where they were going. He didn't really feel like going on an adventure today.
Sam
His hand touched her cheek, and she allowed herself to lean onto him, a slightly pouting look on her face. "I know baby..." Sam paused, reluctant to say the next part but knowing she had to. But before she could, he leaned down and kissed her, and a small smile pulled at her lips. Stepping closer, she wrapped her arms around him and placed her head on his chest. Tilting her head upwards to look at him, she pursed her lips. "I'm sorry Arthur, I'm just so, ugh." Pulling away, she put one one hand on her big belly. "Arthur...I'm so fat." It was like she'd just realized it, looking up at her husband, lip quivering slightly. "W-why didn't you tell me how fat I was?"
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Arthur Hale
Arthur sighed and gave a weak smile. He'd been fearing for this day, the day she started complaining about the weight gain. Honestly, it didn't really bug him. But, it bugged him to know it bugged her this much. Gently, he placed a hand on her stomach also, forcing his smile to look more genuine.
"It's not fat, it's a baby bump," he countered. "You can't control it." Arty's smile finally became genuine. "Besides, I think a few curves are pretty damn sexy. Now, go put on some pants and let's go to this class, okay?"
Johannah Morgan
Johannah looked at Raymond. âAll rightâŠIâll call our real estate agent and see if she can move theâŠI think itâs 4 viewings?...to Sunday. If not, weâll have to do it another week. I mean, I can only take so much time off if I want to have time off after heâs born,â Johannah stopped looking at the street signs. âUhâŠanyone remember what street this place is on?â She sighed, looking through her phone. âI knew I should have saved that e-mail,â she murmured, putting her blackberry back in her purse. She looked at the signs again. âI think its West Rose, but they are both Rose, one is East and one is WestâŠâ She groaned. âI hope he gets a better sense of direction than I have!â Johannah joked, laughing softly.
Damien Nordon
Damien left his hand on her knee, watching the girl as she initiated contact. âYou look pretty young to be here, darling,â He told the girl, looking over her. âYou canât be older thanâŠwhat? 17, and thatâs even pushing it,â She looked shocked, dropping her head. âHey, no offense meant, little lady, but I just watch out for people, itâs just my personality,â He gave Evaâs knee a light squeeze, he knew she was ticklish there, and he needed to see her smile or hear her laugh if he was going to get through this class without totally pissing off this kid.
Alicia Hansen
âIâm 16 years old, Iâll be 17 when the baby is born. And Iâm only 3 and a half months, so I donât even know what Iâm having yet,â Ali paused, chewing her lip. âHonestly? I donât think I want to know. I want it to be a surprise for me and Matt,â Ali smiled, saying his name. âWhich, he is so dead if he isnât here soon,â Just as she spoke, the door opened, only it wasnât Matt. It was a young, pretty girl in an orange dress and two guys. The girl was smiling triumphantly, and the guys were holding hands. Ali had lived in San Francisco all her life, and never once had she seen two men with a pregnant woman. Ali frowned, something she did often now, and looked back at her phone. âWonder where the teacher is,â she mused to no one in particular.
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Eva Nordon
Eva looked down uncomfortably. Did Damien always have to be so blunt? Of course, he was only saying what everyone else was thinking. But didn't he realise there was a reason no one was saying it...?
Eva felt her slight irritation at Damien dispel as she felt his hand on her knee. She squirmed and tried not to giggle. She turned and flashed him a look, but she couldn't keep a straight face and felt her mouth curl into a smile. Eva dropped her own hand to where Damien's was on her knee. She slapped it gently, jokingly. Then she held onto it tightly to stop him from tickling her. Others may have seen the contact as a simple affectionate touch, but the thought that both her and Damien were in on the private joke made her feel connected to him, for the first time in a while.
Eva smiled at the girl. "Damien and I are having a boy," she told her, glad to change the subject from the perviously uncomfortable topic of girl's age.
Eva looked up as she saw a girl enter the room. She had a small bump, smaller than Eva's. But more interestingly, she was with two men, who were holding hands. She thought Damien and her's pregnancy had been unconventional, but seeing others in this class made her feel practically ordinary.
Eva felt her slight irritation at Damien dispel as she felt his hand on her knee. She squirmed and tried not to giggle. She turned and flashed him a look, but she couldn't keep a straight face and felt her mouth curl into a smile. Eva dropped her own hand to where Damien's was on her knee. She slapped it gently, jokingly. Then she held onto it tightly to stop him from tickling her. Others may have seen the contact as a simple affectionate touch, but the thought that both her and Damien were in on the private joke made her feel connected to him, for the first time in a while.
Eva smiled at the girl. "Damien and I are having a boy," she told her, glad to change the subject from the perviously uncomfortable topic of girl's age.
Eva looked up as she saw a girl enter the room. She had a small bump, smaller than Eva's. But more interestingly, she was with two men, who were holding hands. She thought Damien and her's pregnancy had been unconventional, but seeing others in this class made her feel practically ordinary.
Matt Newell
"Move out of the way!" Matt shouted, even though he couldn't be heard, at a delivery truck in front of him who was doing a three-point turn in the middle of the road.
Matt looked down at his lap as he felt a buzzing sensation emulating from his cell. He was about to reject the call, until he saw the caller ID:
Mrs Hansen
Shit. Alicia's mother. He pressed he answer button and turned it onto speaker phone so he could keep his hands on the wheel while he spoke.
"Mrs Hansen, nice to hear from you," Matt lied, trying to sound friendly. "Can I help you?" he asked politely.
"I'm just ringing to check you've actually bothered to turn up to the class with my daughter," she sounded disdainful, as if she was trying to catch him out.
"Um..." Matt said. Well no, he wasn't there yet. But if he told her that she'd just think he didn't care about Alicia, which he did. He didn't want to be just another one of those deadbeat dads who promised their pregnant girlfriends they would be there for them and then never bothered. And he had to stay on the good side of Alicia's mother. Piss her off and she'd probably report him to the police... "Yep! We're just practising breathing exercises right now, aren't we, Ali?" Matt said. He took exaggerated deep breaths, trying his very best to sound like one of the people he'd seen on those pregnancy shows.
"No your not. I've just driven past your truck on the way back from dropping Alicia off," Mrs Hansen said briskly.
"Er..." Matt said, desperately searching for an excuse as he saw the Hanson's silver minivan sped past him on the other side.
"Just as I though..." she said rudely, hanging up.
Matt looked down at his lap as he felt a buzzing sensation emulating from his cell. He was about to reject the call, until he saw the caller ID:
Mrs Hansen
Shit. Alicia's mother. He pressed he answer button and turned it onto speaker phone so he could keep his hands on the wheel while he spoke.
"Mrs Hansen, nice to hear from you," Matt lied, trying to sound friendly. "Can I help you?" he asked politely.
"I'm just ringing to check you've actually bothered to turn up to the class with my daughter," she sounded disdainful, as if she was trying to catch him out.
"Um..." Matt said. Well no, he wasn't there yet. But if he told her that she'd just think he didn't care about Alicia, which he did. He didn't want to be just another one of those deadbeat dads who promised their pregnant girlfriends they would be there for them and then never bothered. And he had to stay on the good side of Alicia's mother. Piss her off and she'd probably report him to the police... "Yep! We're just practising breathing exercises right now, aren't we, Ali?" Matt said. He took exaggerated deep breaths, trying his very best to sound like one of the people he'd seen on those pregnancy shows.
"No your not. I've just driven past your truck on the way back from dropping Alicia off," Mrs Hansen said briskly.
"Er..." Matt said, desperately searching for an excuse as he saw the Hanson's silver minivan sped past him on the other side.
"Just as I though..." she said rudely, hanging up.
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JC
"If you can't get off maybe just Johannah and I could go? Since like, she needs to have time after..and you never have time anymore..and..yeah." JC got quiet at the end, ducking his head and sort of pretending he hadn't said anything. He stayed quiet while Johannah tried to find the directions to the class, actually he stayed quiet until they got there. Though as they walked into the room, he became the usual JC. Standing on his toes, he gave Raymond a repeat of the kiss he'd given Johannah earlier before letting go of him and skipping ahead. "We're here!" The boy sang, a huge grin on his face as he looked around at everyone. "What's with all the depressedness in this room? You are all so beautiful!" Moving back to Raymond's side he grabbed his husbands hand, batting his eyelashes and giving him an innocent smile.
Sam
She could have controlled it. She could have gotten an abortion like she had wanted to, or she just could have not gotten pregnant at all. But no, it just couldn't be that simple, could it? It had freaked her out the day her husband said he actually wanted to have this baby. She had been counting on him being upset or angry and then she would be able to do what she wanted. And instead he surprised her by looking almost happy.
"Okay." She finally said, reluctantly, after a moments pause. Turning, she began to head back towards their room. "Oh, and by the way, you're doing laundry until these things are out of me." Sam yelled over her shoulder, though the smile on her face was evident in her voice. Arthur hated doing laundry just as much as she did, which meant after his two weeks were up she would help him.
About five minutes later she came out wearing a pair of sweatpants. "Ready?"
"Okay." She finally said, reluctantly, after a moments pause. Turning, she began to head back towards their room. "Oh, and by the way, you're doing laundry until these things are out of me." Sam yelled over her shoulder, though the smile on her face was evident in her voice. Arthur hated doing laundry just as much as she did, which meant after his two weeks were up she would help him.
About five minutes later she came out wearing a pair of sweatpants. "Ready?"
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Raymond Hale
Ray smiled subtly at his husband's enthusiasm, trying to ignore the fact that his husband seemed so...happy around Johannah. Was that jealousy, again? He sighed softly, making sure JC wouldn't hear it. Why the hell did he suddenly feel this intense jealously? His husband never was attracted to women, why would he start now? As JC ran back to hold his hand, he smiled again and leaned down to place a soft kiss on the top of his head.
"Yeah, but I better still be the most beautiful one here," he teased, squeezing the smaller man's hand lightly. "Why don't you go socialize, baby? You look like a Chihuahua in a dog park- excited to go meet everyone." Playfully, he nudged JC and laughed. "Go on, boy." Although he didn't really want to be away from his husband, he didn't want to force JC to stay with him either.
Arthur Rogers
Arthur smiled as she walked off toward the room.
"...you're doing the laundry until these things are out of me!" His smile fell and he tipped his head back, groaning dramatically.
"Ugh, you're worse than my mother," he whined, shoving his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket. Besides his bass, that jacket was his most prized possession. "Don't come crying to me if the laundry isn't done correctly, though!" He paced around the room slowly, waiting for her to come out. Arthur quickly looked her over. The sweatpants weren't exactly flattering (when were sweatpants flattering?), but they would have to work of course. "I'm always ready," he replied, walking toward the door. He grabbed his keys off of a side table and spun them on his forefinger, looking back at her. "I assume I'll be driving?"
Johannah Morgan
Johannah laughed, looking at Raymond. JC had gone to socialize, and she leaned over. âHe thinks of me as a sister, Mr. Jealous, and we can wait until you get a day off for the apartment hunting. I donât want to make any decisions without both of you. This is our family, all 3 of us, and thatâs what matters. Making decisions as a family,â She smiled up at him, pushing her hair out of her face. âPlus, this kid is technically ours, and not JCâs. So if we make a decision he doesnât like, screw it!â Johannah laughed out loud and her own joke, shaking her head and smiling.
Damien Nordon
Damien put his arm around his wife, looking at the girl. âOh, so the boy is staying in the kidâs life?â He asked, realizing he was kind of interrogating this girl. He figured sheâd been asked these questions a million times, but still, he asked them. Damien was always good with being blunt, one of his fatal flaws, as Eva called it. He smiled at the two men and a woman, thinking suddenly that that would make a hilarious title for a television series. Damien chuckled to himself, shaking his head. He was thinking of how the first episode would play out, and Damien was making himself laugh.
Alicia Hansen
âLook, itâs my life. You donât have to approve of it, and you donât have to live it!â Alicia was getting irritated, and mad, and upsetâŠshe knew she wouldnât be able to control her bad temper much longer. Matt better get here soon, she thought to herself as her phone started to ring. It was her mother, and she groaned. Answering the phone she got even more irritated. âHelloâŠno, mom, heâs not here yetâŠno I donât know when heâll get hereâŠNO! Mom! Stop! Mom!â She slammed her phone shut, tears threatening her eyes. âStupid bitch,â Alicia muttered to herself, wiping furiously at her eyes to make sure the tears never fell. One did fall, though, and she stood. âExcuse me,â She murmured, going into the bathroom. Aliciaâs eyes were red, and she looked in the mirror. Get a hold of yourself, Ali! she mentally yelled at herself. When she was in control of her emotions again, she went back out to the main room.
Mrs. Trisha Haraldson
Trisha walked into the room. Most of her students were there, but one of the girls was without the father of her child, and one couple was running very late. âGood afternoon,â She said in her soft, sugary voice. She sounded like an old woman when she spoke, but Trisha was a young woman of about 45, and she was also pregnant. âI said, good afternoon!â She yelled, getting everyoneâs attention. They were silenced, and Trisha cleared her throat. âWhen I say good afternoon, I expect a good afternoon back,â She was being completely serious, and Alicia snickered. âSomething funny, my dear?â She asked, her eyes narrowed at the girl. Ali covered her mouth and shook her head, looking down. âI thought not. Now, everyone please, enjoy some refreshments while we wait for our late comers, and then we will begin,â Trisha turned her back. âOh, and I am Trisha Haraldson, you ccan call me Miss Trish,â She nodded her head, going to sit in a comfortable looking arm chair. Her stomach was huge, and she had a hard time sitting. By the looks of it, one would think she was near her due date, but in reality she was having triplets, and she was only 5 months pregnant.
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Sam
"It'll be your shirts turning pink, not mine." She watched Arthur look her over and she frowned. "Don't even comment on the pants, if you were a thousand pounds you'd be wearing sweats too." Though she was completely serious, her voice came out nicer than before. Mood swings, they're a bitch. He began to walk towards the door and she followed him, grabbing her hard black and red wallet on the way out. It was pretty much the only thing she carried with her, since her phone went in her back pocket and she didn't like carrying around purses. "Um, yeah. Unless you have a death wish." Sam was possibly the worst driver in the world. Probably because she was too impatient, and she wasn't able to pay attention to the road.
When they arrived, she immediately regretted her small fit this morning. It looked like they were almost the last ones to come in. Trying not to look at anyone, so she wouldn't be accused of staring or anything silly like that, she moved towards a seat near the door. Sitting down, she left a few seats between her and the end of the row, so Arthur could sit without having to be directly on the end, or whatever. Her leg began shaking as she lightly tapped her foot against the ground, barely making any noise. Another bad habit of hers, when she got nervous she couldn't stop moving.
JC
JC wasn't going to go socialize at first, he wanted to stay by Raymond's side. But as he overheard Johannah's comment he stiffened, jaw clenching as he bit back tears. Every time the subject of..that was brought up JC hated it. Enough to make him want to leave and tell the two to just get married themselves. He felt pathetic, and he'd already been made to feel that way before, he didn't want to again. Especially not around someone who supposedly "looooved" him. Pulling his hand away from Raymond's, rather roughly actually, he looked around for something, anything else he could occupy himself with. The last thing he wanted right now was to be angry at them, which meant he couldn't stick around. The door opened and his eyes widened a bit as he tilted his head to the side, watching as the red headed girl walked in with what he assumed to be her boyfriend or husband. He knew her, from somewhere.
Getting up, he made his way over to where she'd just sat down. "Samantha?" Sam looked up at him, startled at first but slowly she remembered the boy. "Johnny?" A smile lit up her face when he nodded, and she looked back to Arthur. "Arty, this is Johnny, I wrote about him once." He was one of the funniest boys she'd ever met. They'd meant to keep in touch after the interviews but, being the forgetful person she was, she never got a way to contact him. JC held his hand out to Arthur, wanting to make a good first impression on the people in the class. "JC actually, no one has called me Johnny in forever." His brother had stuck him with the name JC, and he sort of just forgot about Johnny.
Eva Nordon
"Just leave her alone, Damien," said Eva angrily. She turned to the young girl. "I'm sorry," she said softly, embarrassed as she apologised for her husband's tactless interrogation.
She pushed Damien's hand off her leg and shrugged his arm off her shoulder.
The young girl took a phone call, becoming angry and tearful before leaving the room.
"I don't know why you always have to be so tactless!" she told Damien. "That poor girl must have enough problems as it is without you berating her!"
But before Eva could get any further into her hormone-fuelled rant, a woman in her mid-forties swept into the room with the disposition of a bossy school teacher. Eva instantly disliked her, which only added to her increasing bad mood.
She turned to Damien, about to make a sarcastic comment about the irritating teacher. But then she remembered she was meant to be mad at him and stopped. Instead, she stood up and walked over to the table of refreshments to pick up some water, leaving Damien sat alone.
She pushed Damien's hand off her leg and shrugged his arm off her shoulder.
The young girl took a phone call, becoming angry and tearful before leaving the room.
"I don't know why you always have to be so tactless!" she told Damien. "That poor girl must have enough problems as it is without you berating her!"
But before Eva could get any further into her hormone-fuelled rant, a woman in her mid-forties swept into the room with the disposition of a bossy school teacher. Eva instantly disliked her, which only added to her increasing bad mood.
She turned to Damien, about to make a sarcastic comment about the irritating teacher. But then she remembered she was meant to be mad at him and stopped. Instead, she stood up and walked over to the table of refreshments to pick up some water, leaving Damien sat alone.
Matt Newell
Matt pulled up in the parking lot outside the class, praying he was at the right place. He parked the car and got out quickly, running into the building.
"Alicia?" Matt said, getting her attention as he saw her across the room. He hurried over, kissing her on the lips before pulling her into a hug. Thankfully, they didn't seem to have started. But he was still pretty late.
"I'm so sorry, Ali," he said, pulling away. Only then did he get a proper look at her face. Her eyes were slightly red and bloodshot and he face looked a bit blotchy, as if she'd been crying. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked gently, cupping her cheeks in his hands.
"Alicia?" Matt said, getting her attention as he saw her across the room. He hurried over, kissing her on the lips before pulling her into a hug. Thankfully, they didn't seem to have started. But he was still pretty late.
"I'm so sorry, Ali," he said, pulling away. Only then did he get a proper look at her face. Her eyes were slightly red and bloodshot and he face looked a bit blotchy, as if she'd been crying. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked gently, cupping her cheeks in his hands.
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Arthur Rogers
Arthur shrugged, smirking subtly at Samâs comment.
âReal men wear pink,â he countered playfully. âAnd I didnât say âbooâ about your pants. Theyâre gorgeous.â Glancing over his shoulder, he defensively held up his hands in surrender. âFine, fine. Iâll drive us there.â He made his way outside to the driveway where his burgundy Hummer was parked. He opened Samâs door for her and then walked over the the driverâs side and climbed in. The car roared to life as he shoved his key into the ignition and loud, alternative-rock music blared through the speakers of the car, nearly deafening them.
âSorry!â he yelled over the radio, turning the volume dial down quickly. Arty smiled weakly. âI forgot to turn off the radio yesterdayâŠheh.â They drove toward the class without a single slip-up from Arthur. Heâd memorized the route earlier that morning. As they pulled into the parking lot, he bit his lip and made a mental note of the cars there. ââŠare we late?â he murmured, getting out. He hurried inside, his black leather Converse tapping lightly against the tile floors as he slowly pushed the door open and slid into the room. He wasnât the most coordinated person and, in turn, ended up tripping over his own feet, causing a few people to look up at him.
Clearing his throat and giving a weak smile, he waved at the others and waited for Sam, whistling softly. After she entered, he took the seat next to her, placing a hand over her smaller one. âCalm down, sweetheartâŠâ Eventually, a young man walked over toward them, beginning to talk to his wife.
âArty, this is Johnny, I wrote about him once,â said Sam, causing Arthur to raise an eyebrow slightly. She wrote about him, huh? Wondering why exactly his wife would have written about this man, he slowly held his free hand out and smiled.
âArthur Rogers,â he said. âPleasure to meet you, er, JC. Are you here with your wife?â Now, Arthur wasnât anti-gay by any means. Actually, the drummer of his band was in an intimate relationship with the guitarist, both of them male. He just assumed that, well, if you were at a Lamaze class; you had to know someone who was pregnant. Thinking logically, he knew men couldnât get pregnant but, of course, the idea of a surrogate hadnât crossed his mind.
Raymond Hale
As JC roughly pulled away from him, Raymond frowned and bit his lip, opening his mouth to call after him before closing it. Hearing Johannahâs comment, Ray blushed subtly and rubbed the back of his neck, staring at his feet. Heh, sister my ass, he thought.
âIâm not jealous,â he muttered, rolling his eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest. He shrugged subtly and sighed. âNoâŠyou two can go look for apartments. I have no idea when Iâll get time off anyway. Besides, JC seemed eager enough to go search for apartments with just you.â As Johannah brought up the fact that, technically, JC wasnât related to the unborn child, he frowned. His husband always got upset over that. Not that he could blame him, of course. They had been wanting to have a kid, just the two of them, for ages and then some woman came along and now it was suddenly her kid and Rayâs kidâŠstill, he couldnât help but laugh softly along with her.
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JC
He heard Raymond laugh and he grimaced, choking on air for a moment before being pulled back to reality. Shaking Arthur's hand quickly, he retracted his hand and buried it in between his knees with the other. Sam, having apparently seen his momentary breakdown, began to talk about him. "JC allowed me to write an article about his earlier life. It was one of the things that actually got me into the whole writing thing." In all honesty she owed JC everything. It was the article she wrote on him that got her where she saw today. Well, not that she was even very far today, but she worked on her novel whenever she could, and if it hadn't have been for him she would have never even tried to pursue her dreams as a writer.
JC smiled at the mention of their article. It had mostly been about his childhood abuse, some parts dipping into the severity of it, even the sexual abuse he had suffered from his older brother and his friends. Though it was a sad thing to think about, he hoped that somewhere it helped someone. Let someone know that they weren't alone. Or at least it allowed someone to see that, hey, being attracted to the same gender isn't a sin. Even though his parents tried to get the article removed, even called and screamed at him for it, he still felt proud of it. And it pleased him even more to know that Sam had liked it too, or even remembered it.
Though soon his attention was pulled back to the conversation. ..your wife? JC nearly laughed, but contained himself and just shook his head. "You could pretty much say I'm here alone. My husband, the real father, is with the surrogate." The way he said 'real father' sounded slightly bitter, and he tried to brush it off. Though it also upset him a bit that he'd called Johannah the surrogate. JC loved that girl, but if the pair continued to bring that up JC was done. It may have been something irrational to leave about, but it was something that upset him very much and both of them knew that. But since his husband obviously didn't even care enough to come see if he was okay, then he probably wouldn't have that hard of a time raising a child with its real mother.
Sam tilted her head to the side slightly, watching JC curiously. He was obviously upset about something, but she didn't want to ask about it while her husband was here. Not that she minded her husband being there, Sam was actually really excited that JC got to meet him, but she didn't want the boy to feel compelled to tell the whole room his business. Shifting back, she leaned her head against Arthur's shoulder, though she was tilted in a way that still allowed her a clear view of JC. "Just in case you didn't get that, JC is a flaming homosexual. Too gay too function." One thing that she and JC had done together was watch Mean Girls, and it was always his favorite part of the movie. As she saw his face light up she felt accomplished.
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