Ch. 12: Oh Brother

Chapter Twelve: Oh Brother

After two months of unpacking, Jack and I are finally settled into our new home and we absolutely love this little place. So much has happened in these short two months. A few days after we moved in we both decided we'd like to expand our little "family". No, not with a baby, but with a cat. 

We adopted Pip and he has become an adorable addition to our new home. In other extremely exciting news, I am working with a publisher and my editor to develop my piece from Parent's Magazine into a novel! I cannot believe it! My dream of becoming an author is slowly in the making. Besides the book and the cat we've also been spending a lot of time with Avery, Lydia, and my family. It's great to be back in Sunset Valley and so close to my Mom, Dad, and Nate again. 

"Working on your book?" Jack touches my shoulder and smiles at me when I look up from my notebook. 

"No, just some journaling. I should go spend some time on that though." 

"Well, you've got all day. Lucky duck! I want a day off." He kisses me on the cheek before heading towards the door. He pauses as he passes the stairs and bends down to pet Pip who is lying in his little pet bed that we had put in last week.

 "Ok, you two have fun today!" He gives one last wave before closing the door. 

"Alright Pip, wanna join me in the den while I write?" He flips his tail at me and lays his head down on his paws. "Yeah, didn't think so."

I sit down at my computer and pull up my email, scrolling through to see if there's any new messages. Then I pull up Facebook - procrastination at it's finest. 

Finally, I pull up my saved document containing the thousands of words regarding my mother's incredible journey through life - also known as my novel. I'm about to look through the last chapter I wrote for inspiration when there's a knock on the door. 

"Coming!" I call. 

I pull the door open with a smile on my face and see my brother looking extremely distraught. "Nate?" 

He walks past me and into the living room and begins pacing back and fourth. 

"Nate, what's wrong? Why aren't you in school?"

"Oh God, Addie. I just... I didn't know what to do. Or who to go to."

"Nathan! What. Is. Wrong?"

"Addie, you better sit down."

My heart begins to race as I imagine all of the terrible things my brother may be about to tell me. I slowly sit down on the love seat and look up at him. "Tell me, Nate."

He lets out a long breath, runs his hand nervously through his hair and looks down at his scuffed sneakers as he says, "Josie is pregnant."

My mind tries to comprehend this. Josie. Little Josie White. As in Jenesis and Eric's daughter.

Nathan and Josie have been dating for a year now. They're too young for this. 

"Addie, did you hear what I said?" He whispers and sits down next to me. 

I nod my head and then speak up. "Alright, don't freak out okay? Maybe she's not. And if that's the case stress isn't going to help either of you in this situation. 

"No Ad, she definitely is." He says sounding defeated. "She's taken three tests now, they've all been positive." He sighs. "What are we going to do? We're only 17 Addie! Juniors in high school! we can't have a baby!" He stands up in frustration and rubs tears from his eyes.

"Oh Nate," I stand up and throw my arms around him. "There are so many options. No matter what happens, you're going to make it through it. And just know that I'm going to be here for you every step of the way."

He holds on to me a little tighter.

"But Nate, you know we need to tell Mom and Dad. And of course Jen and Eric too." 

He stiffens and begins to back away shaking his head. "Addie, no. Not yet." 

I grab his hand. "Nate, you have to. Text Josie and tell her to meet us here after school. We can go over to Mom and Dad's together."

He looks like he's going to pass out but he nods his head and pulls out his phone. I grab my phone as well and walk into the den, preparing to call Mom and Dad to let them know I have some news for them and that I'll be over when they're off work. 

------

Mom, Dad, Josie, Nathan, and I are all sitting in the living room at Mom and Dad's. By this point they know that something is up and mom is nervously bouncing her legs as she sits in the chair. 

"So," Dad starts. "What's up? You needed to tell us something, Addie?"

"Um, actually..." I glance from him to Josie and Nate and give them a little nod. 

"Actually," Nate speaks up. "Josie and I have some news." Josie hangs her head and Nate grabs her hand. "Mom. Dad. Josie is pregnant."

"WHAT?!" Dad booms.

I notice Josie start to cry. Mom notices too and she quickly moves from her chair to sit next to Josie. Putting an arm around her shoulder and shooting my dad a slight glare she reassures her that it is okay. "Shh, sweetheart. I know this is all probably terrifying but it's going to be alright." 

Mom tells Nate and Josie the same thing I said earlier; they have options and she'll support them no matter what. Dad agrees and apologizes for his initial reaction. He hugs Nate as mom continues to comfort Josie. 

"You know, honey, I got pregnant at a young age too. No, I wasn't in high school, but I sure didn't have the family and the support the two of you have. I just had Kyler and your parents." I notice how easily Mom talks about her pregnancy with Charlie. She's always so strong from everyone else. "I know it's scary, and your parents may be upset at first, but just know that they love you no matter what. And we love the both of you very much as well!"

"Yeah, I'm so afraid to tell them. I don't want to disappoint them." Josie speaks up for the first time.

"Would you like Addie, Kyler, and I to join you when you tell them?" 

Josie glances at Nate and he shrugs. "It's up to you." He says. 

She nods and turns towards Mom. "Yeah, could you?"

"Of course, sweetie. But you know, I think it's probably best that we go do it right away. I'll call your mom and let her know we're coming over."

------

We walk into Jenesis and Eric's home and at first it's nothing but smiles and hugs. It's been a while since we've all seen each other. Then Jen notices my mom's faltering smile and pulls us all into the living room asking us what's wrong. 

We all sit quietly, unsure of who should speak first. Josie looks like she's going to cry again as she squeaks out, "Mom, Dad. Please don't hate me." Then the tears begin to fall. 

There's immediate concern in her parents' eyes. "Baby, we could never hate you." Jen says. "What happened?"

She takes a shaky breath through her tears and her voice wobbles when she tells them. "I'm pregnant." 

Eric furrows his brows and looks confused. He tilts his head and stares at his daughter. Jenesis slowly stands up and starts pacing across the living room. "Well, um, okay. It could be worse. You could be dying. But you're not. So in that regard things aren't too bad. Right Eric?" She says stopping and looking at him. She's surprisingly clam but her rapid speech gives away her nervousness. 

Eric looks at his wife with even more confusion and then turns towards Nate. He narrows his eyes and I'm pretty sure we're all expecting him to go off on him. Instead he just shakes his head and says, "Nate, you are one of the most responsible kids I know. How could you let this happen?"

Before Nate can respond Josie pipes in, "Dad, please, don't be mad at him. It's just as much my fault as it is his."

"I don't think I'm mad. Which is odd because I really should be. Instead I'm just worried. I'm worried for your guys's future."

"It's alright to be worried." My mom says, "I'm worried too. But like you said, these two are very responsible."

"Clearly not that responsible seeing as their pregnant." Eric mutters. 

"Yes, Eric. But mistakes happen, alright? It's not ideal that they're only seventeen, but life isn't a perfectly paved path to happiness and success. There are always going to be bumps in the road but you have to figure out the best way to get past those and keep moving forward. Right now we're at one of those bumps and the best thing we can do is let our kids know their options and let them know that we are going to love them and support their decisions no matter what."

Jenesis nods, "Of course we love you, Josie. You have to know that we will always  love you. There's nothing you could do that would make us stop."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Eric says. "I do love you kiddo." He says to Josie. "But you both have to know that if you do decide to keep the baby, while we will be here to support you and help you as much as we can, we won't raise the baby for you. That is the responsibility of the two of you, alright?"

"We never expected you to do that for us, Dad. And we are."

"You are what?" Eric questions.

"We're keeping it." 

Nate's eyes get a little bigger and he whispers to Josie, "Are you sure this is what you want?" She nods her head and he hugs her. "I love you." For the first time that night I see a smile form on Josie's lips. 

Eventually, after talking things through a bit more, Mom, Dad, Jen, and Eric go sit outside on the deck - most likely still processing the fact that their babies are having a baby. Josie and Nate sit on the couch with Ethan who came home late after soccer practice. 

They're quietly filling him on on what's going on, and from the looks of it he's doing a really good job not killing my brother. I don't want to bother anyone so I slip outside unnoticed and get in my car. 

On the quiet drive home I contemplate life, and how quickly things can change. How small actions always seem to have such large consequences and repercussions. I know my brother and Josie will be fine, but their life is going to be way more difficult now. Hopefully they will find a balance and not have to miss out on being young while having to be so grown up.