1.79 Babies

The weekend came too quickly. Matt and Hazel had arrived at his parents rather than go home so they could help out Tracy. 

Charlie was a few months old and had grown so much since Matt had last seen his little brother. The moment Charlie saw him he waved his hands in the air indicating that he wanted to be picked up.

Matt fed him but Hazel asked if she could put him to bed. Matt agreed and waited a few minutes before he entered his brother’s room to watch Hazel. 

He quietly opened the door and watched Hazel read Charlie a bedtime story, he saw how comfortable she was with Charlie and how her face lit up when they were together. When Charlie finally fell asleep Hazel noticed Matt in the door way and was surprised to see him. 

She walked out of the room closing the door behind her, suddenly she felt Matt pulling her towards his bedroom, “Matt, you don’t have to pull me.” 

He closed his door behind them and pulled Hazel onto the bed with him, “You looked so at ease in there tonight, I just wanted you to know that I noticed.” Hazel smiled at him and replied sweetly, “Thank you but you could have told me out there rather than drag me in here.”

“I thought you deserved some personal attention,” Hazel smiled as he kissed her then they heard crying. 

Matt rolled on to his back and said, “He’s been fed, changed and you read to him…what does he want?” Hazel giggled, “Maybe his big brother.” 

Matt sighed as he walked back to his brother’s room. “Right, little bro! This has got to stop, we all need our sleep and you can’t keep doing this to Mum and Dad.” 

He played with Charlie for the next hour or so before returning his room. 

When he came back, Hazel was fast asleep and he thought, ‘Great, thanks a lot bro now I won’t be having any fun tonight.” Matt undressed and got in beside Hazel and just cuddled up to her.

The following day Kay arrived at the house with Jake for lunch in the hope she could tell them about her pregnancy. “Kay, you haven’t touch your food, are you ok?” She looked at Tracy and said, “No I’m not… this is hard,” 

Jake held her hand and gave the look of reassurance so she would continue, “Dad, Tracy I’m pregnant.” She sat there waiting for the yelling to start and the, ‘How could you be so stupid, what were you thinking and what about university,’ but the response she got was different.

“Kay sweetie, congratulations,” as Spencer smiled

“But I thought you’d…”

“Be mad, angry and more?”

“Well yes…” Tracy looked at her and said, “You forget we were 16 years old when we had Mathew so we are no position to judge. Besides you and Jake have been together a while now and seem very happy so whether this was planned or not, if your happy then we are happy for you.”

Spencer looked at Jake and asked, “Have you told your parents?”

“Not yet because my Mum will start on planning everything for this baby but I guess I will have to tell them soon.”

“My advice Jake; sooner rather than later.” Jake looked at Kay then asked, “Could I invite them here to tell them now.” Spencer nodded and watch Jake phone his parents. 

Within 20 minutes Dan and Laura had arrived and the first words Laura said, “Jake is everything ok?” He hugged his Mum and whispered everything thing is fine.” 

Jake took Kay’s hand and said, “Mum, Dad we are having a baby and…” Kay squeezed his hand so he stopped. Jake turned to her and said, “It’s ok now they are both here we can tell them together.” They all looked at the couple and Spencer said, “There is more than you being pregnant?”

Kay looked at him and said, “We are engaged too.” Dan got in before Spencer could and replied, “You don’t have to be engaged because baby is on the way.”

Jake looked at both father’s and said, “I know but I love Kay and wanted to ask her a few months ago but with everything going on at the time I put it off…”

“Until now,” Spencer finished.

Laura was just too excited, “My baby is going to have a baby of his own.” She hugged Jake and asked, “Did you tell Kirsten?” Jake got suddenly nervous and said, “No because she and Andy have been trying since their wedding and…”

Laura looked at Dan and when he nodded Laura said, “I know they have been trying for 3 months but you need to talk to her after all you are close. Besides she phone me this morning and has been trying to get hold of you. She finally found out she is expecting, she is only 4 weeks,” She turned to Kay and asked, “How far you?”

“We haven’t had a scan to confirm it but we think maybe 6-8 weeks.” Laura had a big smile on her face and hugged Kay, “Two grandchildren only a few weeks apart. You need anything just let me know. Have you found a place yet?”

Kay smiled, “No and I don’t know what we can afford…” 

Laura interrupted her and said, “Jake can afford a nice place for you…”

“Mum, how can I?” Laura looked at him in shock, “You did become a partner with Kirsten in your Dad’s business or did you forget?” Jake looked taken aback as she continued, “Even though you signed the papers you haven’t touched your earnings.”

Jake looked at Dan and said, “But I thought I had…”

Dan laughed, “You thought you earned so much and took it but unlike you, you forgot to actually check so I’d like to think you were saving but you have $500,000 waiting to be collected.” 

Kay stayed glue to the sofa and said, “We can get a house and everything for the baby?”

Jake knelt in front of her and replied softly, “It looks like we can.”

1.78 Being there

The long drive to campus was hard for Kay, she had rung Mathew several times but could never bring herself to tell him on the phone that she was pregnant so decided to tell him in person. The moment she pulled up to the dormitory it had started to rain, she quickly ran inside to take cover and thought, ‘Someone somewhere is trying to tell me something.

Kay sat in the living area after texting Mathew that she had arrived and waited. When she saw Matt, she burst into tears and he hugged her. “Please tell me you and Jake are still together?” As she stayed in his arms she nodded a yes. 

Suddenly Mathew heard some mumbling but couldn’t understand her so he sat her down and calmly asked, “Sis, what is it?”

“Promise me you won’t tell Dad or Tracy yet?” Matt was shocked but agreed.

“I’m pregnant and Jake asked me to marry him.” Matt was silent, trying to take all the information in then finally asked, “Do you want this baby?”

“I was shocked at first and said some horrible things to Jake but I love him and I really do want this baby.” Matt again was silent. He then replied, “Then I’m happy for you and Jake. He does know right?”

“He does…we are engaged too.” Matt firmly said, “Engaged, baby…you have to tell Dad…”

“I know but other than Jake I wanted you to know first. Charlie is still up all hours.”

“Mum has asked me to come home this weekend so she can get some sleep. Dad is working this weekend but then he has the next few weekends off.” Kay suddenly thought about Hazel and asked, “Will Hazel be ok with me having a baby, I mean I know she really wants to be a Mum.”

“Haz will be fine just please tell her.” Kay noticed Matt was looking uncomfortable and asked, “You and Hazel are ok, right?”

“We are…it’s just her Mum is coming to visit and Kirsten even said she is a bitch. It a flying visit, I hope.”

“She’ll love you…”

“According to Hazel unless I have a Zimmer frame and I’m about to die then apparently she hates me.” Kay laughed slightly and finally said, “You will get through this, I know you.”

Kay found Hazel reading. She sat by her and said, “Can we talk?” Hazel looked up and smiled as she asked, “Sure, what’s up?”

“I wanted to tell you myself but I have just told Matt, I’m expecting a baby in 8 months.” Hazel just stared at her but said, “I’m pleased for you…”

“You’re not upset?

“Is that what you thought…I do want a baby but we have agreed to wait!” 

Kay hugged her and whispered, “Thanks, Haz.”

When Kay left Hazel burst into tears, she couldn’t stop. Hazel loved being at university but deep down all she wanted to be was a stay at home Mum. When Matt walked in she tried to cover up her tears but he knew what it was about, “Haz, it will be your turn soon enough.”

Through the tears she replied, “I know this is stupid but I’m so broody. I keep expecting a call any day now from Kirsten saying she is expecting. This sounds daft but I was hoping Kirsten and I would be pregnant together so we could be there for each other and have play dates for our kids.”

“You are not stupid or daft Hazel.” 

Matt wiped away her tears away and said, “Now about your Mum coming. I am not letting her bully us into separating.”

“She will try to convince me that…” Matt put his finger on her lips and softly said, “Hazel, do you still want to marry me?”

“Yes of course I do.”

“If your Mum sees that expression and those words then she will have to get used to it. What are your plans next summer?” Hazel looked at Matt weirdly and said with caution, “Do what most girls do in the summer I guess, lay on the beach and get a sun tan and be lying next to you why?” Matt smiled and asked, “How would you about being on the beach but not getting a sun tan but getting married instead?” Hazel looked blank for a moment or two then asked in almost a whisper, “You really mean it?”

Matt smiled at her, “I thought before we start our final year here it would be nice to get married. Besides I told Dad and Uncle Estevan we would get married when we were ready.” 

Hazel started kissing him and with excitement in her voice, “OMG, I have to tell Kirsten and there is a lot to prepare…” 

Suddenly he heard a scream as Hazel was on the phone to Kirsten and all he could hear was both girls. He heard Kirsten shout, “Andy, Hazel is getting married next year. They finally set a date.”

When the call finished Hazel hugged him hard and said, “You are sure right?” Matt tilted his head a little and said, “No I’ve changed my mind,” The look on Hazel was horror until Matt added, “Babe, you so easy to whind up, of course I’m marrying you…” 

He pulled her close as he continued, “and if you want to wear that bikini that you wore on our first date then I won’t mind because you have no idea how far I wanted to go that day until we were rudely interrupted.”

“Typical male, well for your information I’ll be wearing a wedding dress.” 

Matt kissed her and slyly replied, “Pity.” 

1.77 Shocking News

A few months later

Kay was now two months into her third year of medical school and was now spending weeks apart from Jake. He often complained he saw more of his work mates than he did of his girlfriend and in truth she couldn't blame him. When they did spend quality time together there was nothing better. 

"Kay, the result is in." Sue said.

"I can't look, what does it say?" Then there was an announcement over the tannoy, "Can all personnel make their way to A&E."

"Kay you’re pregnant." Just then her phone rang, "

Kirsten slow down." Kay dropped her phone and turned to Sue, "The emergency that just came in. One of them is Jake."

"Then why are you still here? Go." 

Kay ran down the hallway and asked at reception which room he was in. When she entered the room Kirsten and Andrew were already there. "What happened?" 

Kirsten looked at her and said, "Jake was rescuing someone from a fire and tripped. They got the person out but idiot here took off his mask and now has smoke inhalation and a fracture on his foot."

"I am still here you know. It's not as bad as my sister is making out." Andrew saw the worry on Kay's face and suggested to Kirsten that they left them alone. 

Once they had left Kay started hitting Jake. 

He grabbed her arms, "Kay, stop it, I'm fine." Finally she burst into tears and Jake held her, "I thought I'd lost you. The emergency call was announced then seconds later Kirsten rings me to say you are here. I started to think the worst."

"You can't get rid of me that easily," as he smiled at Kay. 

"This isn't funny Jake." she tried to get up off the bed but Jake grabbed her arm, "Babe sit down and talk to me. I haven't seen you in 2 weeks and something else is bothering you."

Kay sat down and turned away from him and said, "Just as your sister rang I'd done a pregnancy test and the result is positive. It suddenly dawned on me that I could be a single parent and it's made me realise I'm not ready so I think I should terminate the pregnancy."

Jake took a deep breath and asked, "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"I think so, I mean I have a year left in medical school and we don't have our own place yet. It's for the best." 

Jake looked at her and said, "I love you." She cuddled into him and said, "I love you too. I'll come and see you later." Jake kissed her and watched her leave.

When the door closed he lay back on the bed and started to sob uncontrollably and thought, 'This is stupid I'm not a Dad, yet the woman I love is having our baby and I'm letting her do this without telling her how I feel. Maybe she is right but we could do this, I know it.' Suddenly there was a knock at the door, Jake wiped the tears away and said, "Come in." 
His Dad entered, "How are you doing?"

"Where's Mum?"

"Kirsten wanted to talk to your Mum so rather than listen to them gossip I thought I'd come straight in. You look upset, are you ok?" Jake shrugged his shoulders and Dan said, "Well that means you're not ok. Talk to me, Jake."

"Kay came in all worried but something else was on her mind. Dad she is pregnant and has decided she is having an abortion." Dan looked at his son with concern and asked, "By your reaction I take it you feel differently?"

"Dad I love her and I think, no I know I want this baby. I know we aren't married or have a place of our own. She is in the last year of medical school then she has to do her last year training at the hospital in the field so to speak...." 

Dan said, "Slow down and breath. First of all marriage these days, you don't have to be married to have a baby. A place you can sort that out over the next few months. You have built in babysitters all round you and don't be afraid to use them. Jake you really need to tell Kay all this and soon before she terminates the pregnancy. If you need money or baby stuff, your Mum and I will help. Although knowing your Mum she'll beg you to let her help."

"Dad, please don't say anything to Mum not yet anyway."

"I won't until you have sorted things out with Kay.”

Jake smiled as Kay walked back into the room a few hours later, “How are you?” Jake just stared as he said, “I’m hurting.”

“Do you want me to get the doctor for you?” He couldn’t believe she didn’t know what he meant by he was hurting so Jake yelled at her as she got to the door, “Your hurting me.” 

Kay stopped and asked, “It’s about the pregnancy, right?” 

Kay finally turned around and saw the hurt in his eyes as she listened to Jake. He lowered his voice so it was calm, “I know you were frightened that I could have been really hurt but as you can see I’m fine. We have been through so much and I know you don’t believe it but I know we can be really good parents. I know we don’t have a place of our own but we will get one. Do you really want a termination?”

Kay looked at him and quietly said, “No I just said it because I was scared of losing you. What about medical school?” 

Jake hobbled over to her, holding her and said, “I love you Kay, you can still study as I’ll help you. The ring you saw many months ago, my feeling haven’t changed for you so will you marry me?”

Kay looked at Jake in the eye and replied, “I am really sorry for hurting you with what I said, I do want our baby. Can’t believe you finally asked me but yes I will marry you. Wow, are we really going to do this have a baby?

Jake kissed her softly, “It looks like we are.”