Knock, knock, knock!
I raised up and Stellan was sitting on the chair, looking at me.
"Were you watching me sleep?" I asked, getting out of bed. It was creepy in one way, but nice that he was watching over me. In the short time I'd known him, I'd become closer to him than anyone else in my life... and I knew nothing about him.
He shrugged, giving me a sexy smile without trying. "Yes. Why? Does that bother you?"
Knock, knock, knock!
I shook my head, scoffing in disbelief, knowing that if I answered him, whoever was outside my door would have me committed for sure. When I opened the door, Renn was standing on the other side.
"Ready?" he asked, looking around the room.
Great. He heard me talking to Stellan again.
"Mom and Dad said they could talk before they left for the Club again." Renn rolled his eyes.
I nodded as I smoothed down my hair and closed the door behind me, not wanting to waste any time.
Renn looked down at me and shook his head. "You could have at least combed your hair."
"I was in a hurry." I walked beside him, feeling safe and secure. He was a head taller than Shay at least. "Renn? Thanks for doing this."
He nodded. "It's my pleasure." Then he placed a hand on my back and whispered over my head. "Just don't let anything like this ever happen again."
I scoffed, pushing him away. "I don't intend to."
When we walked into the drawing room, Mother and Father were both sitting on the sofa, waiting. Stellan stood in the doorway, leaning against the door frame.
"Mother, Father," I said, clasping my hands, still standing. "Thank you for taking the time to speak with me." I felt strange acting so formal with them, but it was the way that Shay had been raised.
"Not at all," Father said, getting to his feet. He kissed my cheek and then led me to a club chair. "What's wrong?"
Renn sat on the chair kitty corner from mine and waited.
I sighed, sliding to the edge of the chair. Even though they weren't my parents, this was still very difficult. "Well, I wanted you to hear this from me."
"Hear what, dear?" Mom asked, her eyes filled with concern as she leaned forward, clasping her hands on her crossed knees.
I looked over at Renn and he gave me a reassuring nod.
"Mom, Dad... I'm pregnant."
They both sat there looking at me in stunned disbelief but said nothing.
"And I want to keep it." I bit my upper lip and released it. "I know if I had an abortion, I would regret it for the rest of my life. I'm graduating this year and I can take care of my child. You won't have to."
Father let out a deep breath. "Who's the father?"
"Someone you don't know," I said, not wanting Shay's father to go after him.
"Well, I don't expect him to marry you, but he needs to accept responsibility for his child," Father said.
"Dad, he said that if I told anyone, he would deny it," I replied, letting out a deep breath. "In fact, he wanted me to have an abortion, but I didn't want to."
"But I've told her that I will help her in any way I can," Renn interjected, looking over at me. "In fact, I was thinking that we both graduate this year, and I could rent a two-bedroom apartment for us so I can help."
Mom shook her head. "You will do no such thing." She stood and closed the gap between us. "Renn, it's admirable that you want to help your sister, but getting an apartment for the two of you isn't necessary." She took my hands and I stood, tears filling my eyes. "It's not necessary because you can stay here, Shay. We want to help."
I burst out crying as her mother pulled me into her arms. "I'm so sorry, Mom."
She nodded. "I know. But it took a lot of courage to come to us about this instead of trying to hide it or have an abortion. And if you want to keep it, we're going to help." Then she looked over at her husband. "Right, dear?"
Father stood and pulled me into his arms as tears rolled down his cheeks, stroking my hair. "Shay, I can't say that I'm not disappointed, but I'm very proud of you for stepping up." When he pulled back, he ran his thumb under my eye, catching a tear. "Are you sure this is what you want? This road you've chosen isn't going to be easy."
I nodded, sniffing. "I'm sure."
"Then we/ll be here to help," Father said. "Your mother said she made a doctor's appointment for you tomorrow. Let's see what the doctor says, think about what you want to do, and we'll talk about it tomorrow night."
I nodded. "Thanks, Dad." Then I remembered that he didn't like to be called Dad, but it had just slipped out. "Sorry… Father."
"Don't be." He gave me a smile. "And don't worry. We'll get through this together...." He held his hand out to Renn and pulled him in for a hug, too. "As a family."
At that moment, I knew that Shay's life had just changed. But there was still more to do.
"Thanks, Renn," I said, pulling him in for a hug, too.
He gave me a crooked smile, wiping a tear from his eye, too, but said nothing.
"Well," Mom said, clasping her hands. "I would say let's go out and celebrate. But I'm not sure that's the right sentiment."
"Celebrate is as good a word as any." Dad smiled. "I'm going to be a grandfather!"
From what I knew about her father from Shay, this was completely unexpected.
"To new beginnings?" I asked.
Dad nodded. "To family."
Mom and Dad took us out to the Club for dinner and we had a wonderful time. I thought that if nothing else came of it, then at least Shay would be reunited with her family. Or at least, I hoped.