XCII. Ocean Air

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Eli looked at his girlfriend for a few seconds, but those seconds seemed to drag on forever as she waited for him to reply.

"You're what?" he finally said.

"I'm pregnant," she repeated.

"R-really?"

"Yes, I took two tests."

He noticed how her composure crumbled as she showed him the two tests, she began to tremble and again – he caught her just before she fell to the floor. He always saved her just in time.

"You're okay," he reassured her. "Everything will be fine."

"It won't be," she admitted through sobs. "What the fuck is going to happen to me?"

"Princess, what do you mean?"

"There's no way my dad will forgive me for this."

"You're really worried about what he thinks?" Eli asked.

"Of course I am. You remember how he reacted to us having sex? Let alone an actual child to take care of. He's not going to like this—" Lainey took a breath.

"How about what you want?" Eli asked as held her close. "Do you want this baby?"

Her body tensed. "I-I don't know. Do you?"

"I want whatever you want," Eli stated.

Lainey nodded as the tears spilled from her eyes. Eli sat with her on the floor of the Diaz apartment until she stopped crying. Truth be told, they didn't know how long they were there for. But during this time, Eli had pulled her to her feet and convinced her to go outside. They walked to her car and Eli insisted he drive her car. So he did – he took them both to the beach.

"I figured the sea air might help you," he explained as he pulled the key from the ignition and got out of the car. In the silent parking lot as the moon shone down, he walked to the passenger side and opened the door, helping his girlfriend out of the car as he took her hand in his.

"Are you okay?" he asked with a sympathetic smile as he observed her tear stained cheeks.

"I don't know," she admitted.

"Let's take this one step at a time?" Eli suggested.

Lainey nodded, as she looked down at her stomach. "I'm just so scared. I can barely look after myself, let alone a child."

"That's what I'm here for. I'm going to take care of you and the baby."

Lainey smiled. "I just don't want to be a fuck up."

"You won't, princess."

"What if I'm a bad mom?"

"I promise you never could be. You're the most selfless person I know."

Lainey closed her eyes. "Sam knows."

"I kinda figured."

"You're not mad are you?"

"Why would I be mad?" he asked with a frown.

"Because she knew before you."

"You're sisters, that's what you do." Eli took her hand. "I believe everything happens for a reason."

"You're getting all sappy on me now, Moskowitz?" Lainey giggled. "You're not scared?"

Eli shrugged. "I mean yeah, it's a super overwhelming thing to hear that at the age of seventeen I'm gonna be a father."

"It's our own fault."

"We were safe, these things happen." Eli shrugged.

"I don't think you wrapped it one time," she whispered as they approached the shoreline, watching as the waves crashed to the sand.

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