Hungry Eyes... Part 5: Sweet Pea X Original Character
** Sweet Pea’s POV **
I was sat in the caferteria with Toni and a few other Southside serpents, still avoiding Fangs and I could tell that he was avoiding me too.
I had no interest in being at school to be truth but I just needed an excuse to see Rosie, things had been left sour and I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her, but to my suprise, Rosie was actually in school today after our little spat at her house.
She looked slightly better today than when I saw her yesterday, but her clothes were still hanging off her.
I’m positive that her Mother forced her in today and I knew that she had her appointment later on, she’d revealed it to me during our talk.
I’d stayed up all night thinking about what she said, how she carelessly told me that she was giving up my baby for adoption and there was no way I was letting her give my child away to strangers, and I know told her to get an abortion when she told me but honestly, I didn’t mean it and I regret even thinking it massively.
I wasn’t exactly thrilled about finding out I was going to be a Dad, who would be at my age?
Rosie had left a gnarly bruise on my cheekbone from the book she threw at me yesterday and I passed it off as a fight to the other serpents, lacking the energy to explain Rosie had lost her temper at me.
“Why don’t you just go over there instead of looking like a creep?” Toni asked me, kicking me from under the serpent table.
I was currently staring intently at the table Rosie, Fangs and Jodie sat at.
Rosie was looking down at the table, avoiding the gaze of everyone who was talking about us and our little accident.
“She hates me.” I mumbled, resting my chin back on my fist as I continued to look at her from afar.
“I can’t say I blame her, you’ve made her look a joke and honestly, if I was Rosie then I’d probably have given you a whack too.” Toni acknowledged, pointing to my face with a smirk and I instantly regretted only telling her about what had occured.
I ignored Toni and my eyes never left Rosie’s figure, my stomach turning uncomfortably with a mix of anxiety and sadness.
She looked up and caught my gaze, narrowing her eyes slightly and quickly turning to speak to Jodie who shot a quick look in my direction with a sigh.
I sat up alert when I saw her grab her bag from underneath the table and stand up, walking out of the caferteria promptly without another glance behind her.
I jumped up without another word to Toni, sprinting after Rosie who was halfway down the corridoor by the time I had managed to catch up with her and she turned around as she heard my footsteps.
She growled and tried to walk faster, but I effortlessly caught up with her, grabbing her elbow and spinning her around to face me.
“Get off me.” She said angrily, trying to back away from me.
“No, we need to finish talking!” I spat back and attempted to push her back into the wall, hoping to corner her so she wouldn’t be able to dodge me.
“You can either let me go or I’ll find something else to throw at you, I think you’ve figured that my aim is pretty good.“ She warned, a look in her eyes that I didn’t think she was able to to produce.
I immediately let her go believing her threat and Rosie started walking away again, knocking me as she barged past.
“Rosie, please. I just want to talk! I want to help you and support you, I don’t want it to be like this!” I confessed, my voice echoed between the thin walls like I’d just spoken into a megaphone and I inwardly cringed at how loud it was.
She froze in the middle of the empty hallway and she slowly turned around, my stomach fluttered again as her beauty enthralled me like it did that first night.
“I needed you from the start, Sweet Pea. Why are you so concerned about helping me now? I’ve told you I’ve made up my mind, I don’t want this kid.” She said quietly.
I walked towards her.
“A serpent doesn’t run from their mistakes, we face them head on.”
“That’s ironic because since I told you, all you’ve done is run away.” Rosie scoffed.
“I’m in, Rosie.” I confirmed and she groaned out loud, shuffling on the spot in her skinny jeans and oversized t-shirt.
“You were in the moment you got me pregnant.”
“We can do this together, Rosie! I promise you! You can’t get rid of it, please.” My voice cracked as I talked and I watched as her eyes filled with tears, her posture almost weak like her.
“You don’t get it! It won’t be ours, though will it? I don’t know what to do, I don’t know how much longer I can cope with all the whispering and talking behind my back.” She choked out, covering her eyes as she turned away from me.
I quickly pulled her to me and into a storage cupboard that was conveniently next to us, we always seem to end up in these and if it was appropriate then maybe I’d have laughed.
I shut the door and turned on the light, still holding Rosie close to me.
She cried into my neck, wetting my hoodie with her tears.
I was so shocked that she was letting the walls she’d built around herself, crash down so quickly, and especially infront of me.
I rubbed her back, feeling so guilty that I was the reason for causing her so much pain.
“I’m so sorry, I mean it when I say it. When I came over yesterday, I spoke to you like a jerk and it wasn’t my intention, I just thought you wanted the abortion.” I whispered into her hair.
“You didn’t want me to get it?“ She squeaked, pulling away from me and wiping her eyes.
“I can’t say that it wasn’t one of my first thoughts but I’ve had some time to think it over, all of this.” I replied, motioning to her stomach.
She pulled her jacket around herself, hiding from my gaze and pushing back against the wall opposite me.
"I’m sorry for bruising you.” She murmered, suddenly reciding back behind her walls.
“I deserved it.” I teased.
"Yeah, you did.“
“See? We actually can have a conversation without arguing and without books flying through the air.” I grinned at her.
“Maybe if you weren’t always so confrontational then we wouldn’t have to fight all the time.” Rosie uttered, resting her hands on her hips which caused her t-shirt to fit her more formly and define her slim waist.
“I don’t think you can say I’m that confrontational, I did knock you up.”
“I’m pregnant because you cornered me and seduced me.”
“You didn’t take much convicing.” I murmered, looking away from her and it wasn’t long before I felt a rag hit my chest.
“I will knock you out, I swear.”
“What a shame, we almost made it without you having to test out your firing skils.” I beamed, reaching out for her to pull her over to me as I leant against the wall.
She played with the dog tags around my neck and I looked down at her, frowning at the confusing relationship we seemed to share.
“You said you have an appointment today, I want to be there.“ I declared, she made a little noise as she recoiled back.
"I don’t know if that’s a good idea, my Mom didn’t exactly react well about you showing up you coming over and upsetting me yesterday…” She trailed off, looking up at me sadly.
My face visibly dropped.
“Never mind, it was stupid to ask. Uh, I’ll see you soon, say sorry to your Mom for me.” I muttered, rubbing my neck and grabbing the door handle behind her.
Before I could turn the handle, a hand was placed over mine.
I looked down to see Rosie was now pushing back on my chest, preventing me from opening the door.
My brow furrowed as I waited for her to speak.
“You can come, Sweet Pea. Forget what my Mother thinks, you’re the Father and you deserve to be there.” She expressed, offering a weak smile.
“Really?” I gaped.
“Yeah, but will you come and pick me up later?” She asked, dropping her hands once she realised they were still resting on my upper body.
“Yeah, of course, what time?”
“Four? My appointment is at Four Thirty.”
“I’ll be there.“
“Hey, Sweet Pea? Thanks for being there, it means alot.” She said softly, playing with the ends of her hair shyly.
“This is my responsibilty too, you shouldn’t have to face it alone. How are you feeling today? Still sick?” I wondered, she peered at me flatly as she heaved her bag back over her shoulder.
“Always, just assume I feel ill unless I tell you otherwise.” She joked and smiled delicately, before turning the door handle, walking out without another word.
I rubbed my cheek that was throbbing, thinking our little talk over.
I guess I was finally getting somewhere with her and I just hoped nothing was going to ruin it.
Hoped being the main word here.
** Rosie’s POV **
My Mom and I were sat adjaecent to eachother at the kitchen table, our eyes locked and expressions the same.
The silence in the room was filled by the echoing of the clock ticking away, only making the atmosphere feel more suffocating.
"I’m not happy about this.” She spoke, shaking her head and breaking the excruciating silence.
“He’s going wether you like it or not, this involves him more than anyone.” I replied, standing my ground.
"You’re going to be around him after what happened yesterday? You were a mess, Rosie. I don’t want him upsetting you like that again, it’s the last thing you need right now.“
"He’s told me he wants to support me, Mom.” I sighed, glancing at the clock and wishing Sweet Pea was here already.
“I get that, Rosie. But, he’s not the kind of boy who will stick around to support a baby. He’s a serpent, that says it all.” Mom told me, flapping her handout infront of he.
"He only needs to support me through the pregnancy, then he can do as he pleases.“
"What about after? It’s hard raising a baby by yourself, Rosie! You’ll need help! What about money? Huh?” Mom scoffed, counting off on her fingers as she listed all the reasons I needed him.
“I’m not raising it, Mom.” I stated, watching her face drop and her body tense up.
“What?”
“I’m not keeping this baby, I’m giving it up for adoption.”
“Excuse me? And what does he have to say about that? Is he making you do it?“ She snarled, leaning towards me angrily.
“No, Mom! It’s my decision, he’s just as against it as you are.” I informed her, shifting in my seat uncomfortably.
“It’s a ridiculous idea, Rosie! If I was angry and you had no other option, then fine, you could think about it! But, now? I’m here offering you my support, obviously Sweet Pea is too and you still want to go down the route of adoption?” She chided, pushing some strands of her hair behind her ears.
“It’s for the best.” I said firmly, peering at my phone in the hopes Sweet Pea had text me to tell me he was here, but I wasn’t in luck.
“If you insist on me not coming with you today, then I want to meet that boy when he brings you home, no excuses.” She demanded, I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as I didn’t feel like facing her wrath, deciding I was already nervous for my appointment due to not knowing what to expect.
Before Mom could lecture me anymore, a car horn blared outside and I hastily hopped from my chair, grabbing my bag and denim jacket.
I bolted to the door with Mom on my tail, trying to catch up with me to sneak a peek at Sweet Pea.
“Remember what I said, Rosie!” She called as I sprinted to his jeep, he looked alarmed as I jumped into the vehicle, slamming the door behind me.
“Drive!” I instructed, clicking in my seatbelt as I panted.
Sweet Pea turned away and started the car, speeding away from the curb and I sighed in relief as I saw my Mom’s figure fade into the distance in the side mirror.
For once I was actually thankful for Sweet Pea’s arrival.
“What was that all about?” He asked, glancing from the road to me very briefly.
“I just told Mom about the whole adoption thing, she wasn’t impressed, put it that way.” I informed him, noticing how his hands tightened on the steering wheel, making his knuckles turn white.
"What did she say?” He asked, turning a corner and approaching a red light.
“Basically told me I was being stupid.“
“Maybe she’ll talk some sense into you.” He muttered under his breath.
“What did you say?” I asked, gritting my teeth and glaring at him as the enviroment between us became hostile again.
“Nothing.” He mumbled, driving through the now green light and following the directions to the clinic that was located on the Northside.
I stared out of the window as he drove, his Jeep was filled with silence and only the dull sound of the radio could be heard.
I turned in the seat, my back pressed against the leather and fingers gripping the edge of the seat.
“By the way, my Mom wants me to bring you inside later.” I told him sheepishly, wringing my hands together.
“If she’s anything like you then god help me.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing at all.” He replied, my eyes narrowed at him.
“She’ll probably make things awkward, interrogate you and stuff.” I warned, he shrugged and swallowed.
“I’ve never met the parents before, will your Dad be there?” Sweet Pea questioned, following some road signs.
“No, it’s an interesting situation, I’ll tell you some other time.” I cringed, attempting to shy away the topic of my Dad.
There was a short stretch of road that lead upto Riverdale clinic, it was an elegant looking building and also quite sizeable.
Sweet Pea pulled his Jeep into the parking lot, pulling into a marked space.
He scrunched his nose up at his surroundings, still hung up on his Northside hatred bullshit.
“Can you not take off that jacket?” I asked him as he locked up his car, both of us heading towards the clinic.
“Do you want me to take off my tattoo too?” He shot back, causing me to grumble under my breath and trail behind him.
Nervous butterflies were kicking up a storm, that and a hint of morning sickness.
I instinctively grabbed onto Sweet Pea as we walked into the entrance of the building, heading to the maternity section that was separate.
I took a second to observe my surroundings, noticing the few eyes that scanned over Sweet Pea as we walked, he seemed unfazed and I can only assume he was used to it.
There were different people in there, some women looked like they were about to pop and others weren’t even showing.
I felt like I was being judged for my actions as soon as we walked up to the receptionists desk, and even she looked suprised at my age.
“I have an appointment at Four Thirty.” I said quietly, still clinging onto Sweet Pea’s side like a timid child.
He could sense how uncomfortable I was and wrapped an arm around my waist, shoving his car keys in his pocket and rubbing small circles into my side.
“Name?” The lady asked, glancing up at him with a look of disgust as she scanned out the tattoo on his neck and the emblem on his jacket.
She was also checking out the black eye I gave him, probably assuming he’d gotten into a fight during serpent business.
I saw him roll his eyes at her actions and I kicked him discretely.
“Rosie Mitchell.” I replied, ignoring Sweet Pea huffing next to me.
She typed away on her computer, chewing her gum loudly.
"Okay, just take a seat.” I nodded and quickly scuttled away with Sweet Pea.
We took a seat at the back of the intimidating room, away from all the eyes.
My heart was beating irratically, and I rubbed my stomach as I felt a rush of nausea run through my body.
“Are you okay?” Sweet Pea asked me, pressing a hand to my back and rubbing gentle circles.
“Just abit nervous.” I answered.
I tried to find a way to distract myself, discovering that irritating Sweet Pea was the way to do that and atleast make myself laugh in the process.
He was slumped back in the chair, his legs spread out infront of him as his arm rested behind me still.
I set my sights on his free hand and poked at his thumb, looking at the tattooed lines on his skin before reaching around him and doing the same to his neck.
He sighed and turned to me in annoyance, I innocently grinned back.
“What do you want?” He huffed, narrowing his eyes at me as he sat next to me in the blue, plastic chair.
“Did you just ask to have your tattoos in the most noticable and thug like places?” I wondered, he raised an eyebrow at my unusual question.
He licked his lips before answered, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees as he smirked at me sideways.
“No, I just asked the guy to put them wherever it’d piss you off the most.” He sarcastically replied with an eye roll, causing me to hit him in the side.
He let out a laugh, a mischevious smile appearing on his lips and I couldn’t resist but give him one back as I shoved him again.
“Stop.” He playfully whispered, still grinning like a fool.
I complied and sat back in my seat, my knee now bouncing rapidly and this annoyed him, because he placed his palm over it to stop me from moving it.
But he soon moved his hand much to my dissapointment and before I could mentally moan, he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
“Stop worrying, I’m here to help you, I’ve already said.” He whispered into my hair, kissing my forehead.
I felt peace and tranquility spread through me at his gesture, unaware that he had an affectionate side.
We sat there for another few minutes before I was called in.
“Rosie Mitchell?” A middle aged, blonde nurse called out, glancing down at the clipboard in her hands.
Sweet Pea and I stood up, and she smiled at us like there wasn’t currently two teenagers in front of her, one of them being a gang member.
I understood that she must see alot of things and we didn’t even phase her, we were one of the normal cases.
"I’m Doctor Winters, I’ll be seeing you today.” She smiled warmly, as she lead us to her room.
She ushered us inside her room and I glanced at the white walls, they hurt my head.
All Three of us took a seat, she clasped her hands in her lap and faced us.
“So, what’s happening?” She wondered.
Sweet Pea glanced at her stupidly and I had to resist the strong urge to laugh
“Erm, I took a pregnancy test and it was positive.” I informed her.
She nodded.
“Is it okay if you do a urine sample for me, just so we can make sure? I know they’re pretty accurate, but it can happen.“ She asked.
I nodded as she handed me a small, plastic bottle.
"Bathroom is to the right.” She directed, and I hurried out of the room to do what needed to be done.
When I was finished, I slowly made my way back to Doctor Winters room, holding the bottle of urine under my sleeve and out of Sweet Pea’s view.
He really didn’t need to see that.
I handed it to her and watched as she tested it with a paper strip, she stood for a minute as she waited for it to develop.
I couldn’t help but wonder if all of this was just a horrible dream, maybe I’d imagined seeing those words on the pregnancy test… I definitely hadn’t imagined the sickness though.
“Yeah, you’re definately pregnant.” She told us, emptying away the urine, cleaning the sink and washing her hands thoroughly.
“Really?” Sweet Pea gasped sarcastically and I nudged him with my knee, shooting him a death glare as the nurse found herself laughing at him.
“Have you had any symptoms other than a missed period?” She wondered, trotting over to the bed on the other side of the room, covering it in sterile paper.
“Just really bad sickness, I can’t seem to keep anything down.” I told her, and she hummed in response.
“I need to examine you, Rosie. Is that alright?”
I was suprised when she told me this, I didn’t realise she needed to be that close and I kind of regretted not having my Mom here.
“I guess so.” I looked at Sweet Pea who shrugged at me, obviously feeling a little awkward himself as he twisted the ring on his finger.
“Would you like him to leave?” She asked, noticing I was hesitant.
I thought about the situation for a minute, before shaking my head softly.
I needed someone to hold my hand, even if it meant seeking comfort from the asshole who knocked me up.
Although, I secretly didn’t mind.
“Alright, sweetheart. I’ll just step outside to let you change into the gown on the bed, remove everything, once you’ve done that, just lay down and put your feet in the stirrups.” She explained, pointing to everything before she left the room, shutting the door quietly behind her.
I turned to Sweet Pea who was stood behind me.
“Will you turn around or something please?” I asked quietly, feeling the blush rise to my cheeks.
“Oh, uh, yeah.” He scratched his neck before turning around to focus on a poster of a diagram of the womb on the plain wall.
I pulled my hoodie off, throwing it on the chair.
I then kicked my shoes off, pulling my skinny jeans off and then lifting my t-shirt over my head, pulling my underwear down and also dumping them on the chair.
“You know, I’ve actually seen it all before.” Sweet Pea remarked as he read some other posters on the wall.
“I don’t think so, you didn’t see a thing.” I scoffed as I handled the gown, trying to find the correct way to put it on.
The room was chilly so I hurried to pull on the flimsy, blue gown but was then that I was faced with another dilemma.
“Sweet Pea“
“Yeah?” He asked, turning his neck to glance back at the mention of his name.
“Will you tie this for me, please?”
He swallowed and nodded, stepping closer to me and turning my back to him.
I felt his fingers brush against the skin of my back and I suddenly remembered how it felt when he touched me for the fist time those few months ago.
I pulled away from him when I heard a knock on the door.
“Is it okay to come in?” Doctor Winters asked through the door.
“Yeah.” I called back, lifting myself onto the hard bed, awkwardly placing my legs up.
Sweet Pea came and stood by my head, much to my pleasure.
“This will feel slightly uncomfortable, but it will be over in no time.” She assured me, snapping on some latex gloves.
She lifted the gown up higher and I felt the coolness of air down below.
I heard the sound of metal tools being moved on a tray, and I clamped my eyes shut as I felt her touch me.
I grabbed a fistful of Sweet Pea’s t-shirt, making him jump as I’d startled him.
He pried my hand away, but held it in his own, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
I tried thinking of nice things in my head while she was up close and personal downstairs but nothing could distract me from the awkwardness.
“There, everything looks normal.” I heard the Doctor say, and she pulled my gown back down.
I breathed a sigh of relied and sat up.
"Don’t move just yet, Rosie. Can I perform an ulstrasound, please? So we can give you an estimated conception and due date?”
“Yep.” I nodded.
“How far along do you think you are?” She questioned, pausing her movements.
“About eight weeks, maybe.” I replied, counting back.
“You’ll be happy to know it’ll be an external scan then, you can put your underwear back on” She smiled and I mentally cheered.
He grabbed them for me and I blushed, snatching them from him as he smirked.
Of course, this wasn’t the first time he’d seen my panties.
I hastily pulled them back on, happy to be feeling all secure again and hoping another internal examination wouldn’t be near in the horizon.
“Lay down please.” Doctor Winters directed, rolling over a large ultrasound machine.
I lay back down and she lifted the gown up over my tummy, tucking some more paper into the waistband over my panties.
I looked up at Sweet Pea who was stood at my side again and his eyes were staring intently between my hips, like he was searching for any other sign that I was pregnant.
I shifted uncomfortably and he snapped out of his trance, resting his hand near my head.
“I’m going to put some gel on your tummy now, and it’s going to be very cold.” She warned me and she was right, it was freezing and I jumped.
I watched as she switched the machine on, and grabbed the wand.
“Ready?” We both nodded and I felt him reach for my hand as I resituated myself, resting my arm behind my head to prop it up.
She touched the wand to my stomach and the machine flickered to life, showing white and grey lines.
She moved it around for a few seconds, before focusing on one spot and pressing another button.
The room was instantly filled with the sound of a rythmatic heartbeat.
Thump, thump, thump.
She turned the monitor to us, my jaw dropped and I felt Sweet Pea take a deep breath.
“That’s your baby, guys.” She smiled widely but I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen.
A small shape that resembled a broad bean was nestled in a black area, and you could see the fluttering of their tiny heartbeat.
It was an unbelievable sight and I couldn’t believe that was growing inside me, I was unable to process the fact that all of this had started with a drunken fumble between Sweet Pea and myself.
I couldn’t help the overwhelming feelings of guilt wash over me as I stared at the screen because adoption was still on my mind.
Sweet Pea squeezed my hand and I peered up at him, he smiled gently and moved down to a press another kiss to my forehead.
“You look about Nine weeks and that should put the date of delivery around early October.” She informed us, still smiling.
You could tell that her job made her very happy.
If I was already Nine weeks pregnant and the baby was due in October, that was less than seven months away and it was already March.
Time was already flying by, this pregnancy was progressing right before my eyes and I couldn’t keep up with it.
"Would you like a few pictures?”
“Yes, please.” Sweet Pea replied before I could.
“Very well.” She replied, shutting the machine off and helping me clean the goo off my tummy.
“You can get changed now, Rosie. I’ll be back shortly with a folder for you and some pictures.”
She left the room again and I pulled my clothes on, making Sweet Pea return to his position of staring at the wall.
We sat there in silence again, just glancing around the room, observing the posters on the wall.
“Here we go, lovebirds.” The Doctor announced, coming back into the room.
I inwardly cringed at the name and I felt Sweet Pea tense next to me.
She handed him some scan pictures, and gave me a folder with some information in.
"So, have you both thought about your options? I know that you’re both very young, and may not be able to support a baby right now.” I sighed at her words, hearing Sweet Pea grit his teeth.
Here we go.
“We’ve decided on adoption, we can’t support a baby, not as teenagers, we aren’t even a couple.” I told her and she nodded in understanding.
“No, you decided on adoption. Do I still not get a say in this?” Sweet Pea asked humourlessly, adjusting the chain around his neck as he cluctched the pictures tightly.
“Don’t even start, we’ll talk privately.” I interjected and he rolled his eyes like a child.
“There’s some flyers and pamphlets in your folder, Rosie. I’ll phone you with an appointment for your next scan and you’ll probably have to get blood taken. You’re both free to leave, if you have any problems, don’t hesitate to phone. Remember to take it easy, hopefully the morning sickness will start to fade out in the next month or so.” She said, coughing at the tension in the room.
"Thank you.” I politely said, waving as we walked out the room.
The minute we left the building the fun started, Sweet Pea didn’t hesiatte to let out his bottled emotions.
“You can’t still tell me you want to give it up for adoption now, not after that.” He spoke and I ran my fingers through my hair, tugging on the ends.
“I can’t keep having this argument with you.” I revealed to him, not able to find the energy to deal with his persistance,
Sweet Pea didn’t reply, he didn’t even make a sound. He only backed up to his Jeep, leaning against the hood.
In that moment I watched him weaken, I watched as his face filled with love as he stared down at the photographic paper, running his fingers around the outline of our baby.
I observed him intently, the way his forehead creased and how his plump lips pursed together, his body rigid.
I moved closer to him and I placed my hand on his arm, my fingers gripping onto the leather of jacket.
“You okay?” I asked him softly, he peered up at me with eyes that mirrored sadness but also held a glimmer of hope.
“Yeah, I’m good.” He replied, his voice gravelly as he pulled me into him. His long arms wrapped around me, his hand never loosened from the scan picture.
“You know this is for the best, right?” I questioned him, offering him a sympathetic smile.
He sighed and his grip on me loosened, I couldn’t help but see that the sadness in his eyes had changed to heartbreak.
“It still doesn’t make it any easier, seeing it today only made it so much more difficult. That kid is ours, Rosie. Surely, you don’t still want to go down the route of adoption?”
“Sweet Pea…” I groaned, my head tipping back as he once again questioned my decision.
“Seriously, Rosie! You’ve just seen your baby, our baby, on that screen and you still don’t want it? What will change your mind? Another scan? Finding out what it is?” He was frustrated at me, it was clear.
“It’s for the best, Sweet Pea!” I snapped back, still unwilling to find the energy to fight back.
“We’ll see, Rosie. We’ll see when it comes to you feeling it move or when you give birth and they hand you that baby. It’s gonna destroy you to hand over that kid to a family it doesn’t belong with, but not before it destroys me.” He hissed, dropping his arms and shoving the scan picture into his pocket.
I gaped at him as he got into the Jeep, slamming his door shut as he waited for me to get in to take me home.
I hadn’t thought about what would happen when this pregnancy progressed, I’d been too busy living in the moment and still processing the fact that I actually was pregnant.
I ignored him as I climbed in and slamming the door just to piss him off further, I hated how he spoke to me, it was like he thought he knew better than me.
"Don’t ignore me when you know I’m right, Rosie.” He said while starting the car, reversing out of his space.
“When are you going to grow up and realise we’re not stable enough to raise a child?” I snapped, finally letting all my patience go.
“It’s not natural.”
“What isn’t?”
“Giving up a baby to a couple of strangers! If they can’t have kids, then thats their problem! There’s no way I’m allowing you to give my kid away to people we don’t know.” He yelled as he reversed out of the parking space.
“Oh yeah? Watch me! This is my body and I’ve told you that I’ve made my mind up! We’re just kids ourselves, Sweet Pea! Last time I checked, your part was pretty easy. I’m the One who has to carry this mistake around inside of me for the next Seven months! I’m the one who has to deal with all the rude comments about how I should have kept my legs closed! Not you!” I shouted back at him, clenching my hands in fists.
“Fucking hell.” He mumbled.
“What happened to supporting me?!”
“Stop shouting, it’s not good for the baby.” He muttered, ignoring my comments.
I groaned in annoyance, leaning back into the leather seat and resting a hand on my forehead,
These next few months are going to be torture, especially with that jackass protesting against my every decision.
Kill me, kill me now.
We drove in silence for a good Ten minutes before I remembered what my Mom said, she needed to meet Sweet Pea and he wasn’t going to make a good impression if he was still in a vile mood.
“Sweet Pea, can you please chill out before we get to mine?” I begged, finding myself feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
He chewed his lip, his eyes flickered to mine and he let out a noise of defeat.
“I’m just annoyed, Rosie. You seem to think this is an easy choice, like choosing a muffin flavour.” He muttered, resting his arm against the window as he drove with one hand on the wheel.
“Have you ever tried to decide between chocolate and blueberry when you want both?” I joked and I watched as a small smile graced his lips, rolling his eyes.
“Aren’t you the comic?” He voiced.
“It’s a curse really.” I pronounced, watching as he pulled into my street.
We both made no effort to move as we sat in my driveway, Sweet Pea was chewing his thumb nervously and I decided to buck up my courage, deciding I was more nervous for Sweet Pea.
“You literally couldn’t have dressed more serpent like if you tried, she’s gonna love that.” I observed, his combat boots, slim black jeans, dark t-shirt and serpent jacket made him look devilishly handsome but it was literally rubbing my Mom’s face in it.
“Chill, Rosie.” He told me, helping me out of his Jeep.
“You look like a shit Danny Zuko.” I uttered, walking infront of him up my path.
“I heard that.”
“Well, I said it loud enough.” I snickered, putting my key in the door and barely pushing it open before I turned to face the shifty serpent.
“I’m on my best behaviour, I promise.” He swore, holding his hands up.
I inhaled and pushed it open fully, stepping inside and beckoning Sweet Pea to join me.
“I’m back!” I called out, removing my grey, zip up hoodie and hanging it on the rack.
I heard the footsteps of my Mom’s slippers against the hardwood floor and I winced as I removed my converse, noticing that her footsteps had stopped just by the stairs.
“So, you’re the snake that got my little girl pregnant.” She tutted and Sweet Pea didn’t respond, it was the only time he didn’t have a comeback.
“Mom, this is Sweet Pea.” I introduced, pushing him forward as he stiffly held out his hand for her to shake.
She eyed him up and down, her eyes narrowed at his jacket but she reached out to shake his hand none the less.
She was a few inches shorter than me and it looked like Sweet Pea dwarfed her, his body loomed over hers.
“Why don’t you come through? I’ll make you both a drink and we can have a little chat.” She suggested, spinning on her heels and walking back towards our kitchen.
I swear I heard Sweet Pea gulp, but we both followed her cautiously.
“How did it go, did you have a scan?” Mom asked me as we all took a seat, she placed some water and juice infront of us.
“She examined me and then scanned me, we got some pictures.” I replied, looking at Sweet Pea who pulled a spare picture from his pocket and slid it over the table to my Mom.
She stared at it in the same way Sweet Pea did, also running her fingers over the smooth paper.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier, about wanting to give it up…” She spoke, looking over the top of her glasses at me.
“It’s a dumbass idea.” Sweet Pea spoke out loud and my eyes shut for a second at his outburst, before I turned to him in disbelief.
“Will you shut up?” I burst.
“He’s right, Rosie.” Mom agreed, my face of incredulity now aimed at her.
“So, you’re taking his side now?”
“I’m not taking sides, I just think that you’ll come to regret it.”
I noticed Sweet Pea had a look of triumph on his face, but it soon dissappeared once my Mom spoke up again.
“You can wipe that smug look off your face, boy. You should be castrated, we wouldn’t be having this conversation if it weren’t for you.”
This time I had the triumphant grin on my face as I watched him sink into his seat, afraid to look at her.
“Rosie, I am begging you here. If you don’t want this baby then please, let me take it. I’ll look after him or her until you feel ready to, if you even want to have them that is. But please, don’t give that baby up.” She begged, reaching out to clasp my hand in hers and I heard her sniffle.
My heart broke for her and the last time I saw her so upset was when my Dad left, I can remember it vividly even at such a young age.
Watching her cry was the worst thing in the world and I remembered how I felt when he left, he left me behind like I was nothing, like I didn’t mean a thing to him.
I didn’t want my child to think the same of me, because in reality, I didn’t want to have to go through with adoption. But, I was so scared of turning out to be a shitty parent and having a child that resented me, much like I resented my Father.
I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to provide fully for my little family, that I’d let them down.
But I came to realise that with the help of Sweet Pea and my Mom, I could do this and just needed to believe in myself.
I swallowed the lump in my throat, looking between them both.
“Okay, no adoption.” I finalised and I swear Sweet Pea’s whole face lit up as he heard me let the idea of adoption go.
My Mom covered her mouth, tears finally falling.
Sweet Pea wrapped his arms around me tightly, pulling me into his chest.
“You won’t regret this, Rosie. We can do this, we can do this together.” He whispered in my ear, kissing my cheek as he pulled away.
We sat at the kitchen table for some time, Mom got to know Sweet Pea a little more and even invited him to call her by her first name; Claire.
She hugged him goodbye as he prepared to leave, patting his arm as she started to prepare dinner.
“There’s a bonfire tomorrow, a serpent thing but you should come. I know that Fangs will probably ask Jodie, she might tell you about it later.” He told me, bracing his weight against the frame of the front door.
I shuffled my feet against the wooden floor, my socks effortlessly sliding across it as I thought over his proposal.
“Won’t I be out of place?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Nah, loads of girlfriends go.” He shrugged, my eyebrows raised at the slip of his tongue.
“I’m your girlfriend now?” I chuckled, he looked away embarrassed.
“You know what I mean, you’re hardly my friend, not unless friends have eachothers babies.”
I laughed as he rambled, shoving him playfully.
“Relax, Sweets. I’m just messing with you, I’d like to go.” I spoke, his eyebrows now raised at the use of a nickname.
“I’ll see you later, Rosie. I’ll text you or call you, something like that.” He replied, leaning down to press a lingering kiss to my lips and I pulled away in a daze as I watched him saunter down the drive and out to his car.
I closed the front door and leant back against it, biting my lip.
“You need to decide what you’re doing with that boy, are you together or not?” Mom questioned, standing in the doorway of the lounge.
“I don’t know, it’s complicated.” I groaned, rubbing my eyes.
“I hate to tell you this, Rosie. But, it’s only going to get worse once that baby makes an appearance.” She tutted, shaking her head and removing herself from the door way.
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