FROM NOW UNTIL ETERNITY
Chapter Eleven

It had been two months since Mae’s death. Leanne and Rose had made up, and it was like they had never fought. They were both standing in Rose’s room, staring at the pregnancy test Rose had bought a couple of days ago. It had been two months since her last period, and she knew without a doubt what that meant. The test was just to confirm her suspicions.

"Well, it’s been ten minutes." Leanne got to her feet and walked to the dresser to see the results. "We should know by now."

"Well?" Rose asked, wringing her hands, hoping that her suspicions were wrong. "What does it say?"

"Plus sign. You’re going to be a mama."

Rose sank back down on the bed, her face pale and her eyes wide. This was horrible news. What was she going to do? What was she going to tell her mother…or Jack? He had promised to stand by her side and be with her, but a baby changed everything. All their hopes and dreams were going to have to be put on hold.

"So, when are you going to tell him?"

Rose swallowed. "We have a date tonight. I’ll tell him then. Leanne, what am I going to do? We’re only sixteen years old!"

"You can always give it up for adoption. Or the other thing."

"No. I could never kill my baby. This is a part of both Jack and me. Hurting it would be like hurting us. We’ll think of something."

"Well, your mother’s going to kill you. Just for the record." Leanne shook her head.

"Leanne…if you don’t mind…I kind of want to be alone right now. I have a lot to think about." Rose sighed, looking around at the contents of her room. Stuff that had seemed so important to her just two months ago now seemed frivolous and childish.

"Sure. I’ll call you tomorrow and see how things went with Jack." She hugged Rose, wanting to comfort her friend. "Hey, don’t worry. He’s a great guy. I’m sure he’ll stand by you, no matter what decision you make."

Rose just forced a smile and watched her friend leave. Picking up a recent picture of herself and Jack, Rose felt tears leave her eyes. They were so young. How could they ever support a baby? Would Jack hate her for this? She closed her eyes, wanting the world and the situation to just disappear. She felt so stupid for her actions, not using birth control, and now they were both going to pay for it. "I’m sorry, Jack. Don’t hate me."

*****

Jack pulled up in front of Rose’s apartment building, his temper raging. Once again, he had had another argument with Chloe, and this time it had been about Rose. Chloe felt that Jack was seeing too much of one girl. That he should go out and play the field. He was too young to settle down. Insulted, Jack had told his sister to mind her own business. That Rose was the best thing that had ever happened to him, and he had dated other girls and none of them could compare. Then he had pointed out that Chloe had been his age when she had found and run away with Carter. In fact, she had been younger! At least he hadn’t run away, and then he had stormed out, hoping to calm down before Rose got out. He didn’t want her to know about the argument just yet.

*****

Rose smiled as she came out, but her eyes were a bit somber and nervous. Jack frowned. He wondered what had happened. Well, he’d find out sooner or later.

"Hey." He smiled as she slid into the passenger seat.

"Hi." She leaned in and kissed him tenderly. That was one thing she loved about Jack. His sweet, tender kisses that tasted like drops of sunshine. At that thought, her nervousness began to fade. This was Jack. She could tell him anything.

"So…where do you want to go?"

"How about the wharf? I just want to sit with you where it’s peaceful and lovely." Rose sighed, looking away from his intense gaze.

"Is everything all right?" Jack asked, concerned. She wasn’t as talkative as she usually was. Something was up. Did she want to end it? Did she feel the same way as Chloe?

"Oh, everything’s fine." She quickly nodded. "Can we go, please?"

"Sure." Jack shrugged, pulling onto the road. He looked at Rose, who was nervously gnawing on her lip. Yep. Something was up. Something serious, by the look in her eyes.

Ten minutes later, they were walking along the docks, looking out at the shimmering blue lake. Rose stared out, thinking about how the water was the color of Jack’s eyes. She couldn’t help but wonder if the baby would have the same color eyes.

"Rose…you’re awfully quiet. What’s going on?" Jack took her hand in his, concerned about her silence. "You can tell me."

Rose sighed, leading Jack to a bench, where they sat down. Rose was looking out at the lake, while Jack looked at her, wondering just how serious all this was. "Jack…there’s something I have to tell you…something that could change both of our lives…well, it’ll definitely change mine, anyway…"

"Rose, what’s going on?"

Rose took in a deep breath and held her head up, meeting Jack’s gaze straight on. It was the moment of truth. Now she would see if Jack really meant what he had said so long ago. "I’m…I’m pregnant, Jack. Two months along."

Jack stared at her in shock, not knowing how to respond. Pregnant. She was going to have a baby…no, they both were going to have a baby. But they were so young. Sure, he knew he wanted to be a father someday, but now?

"Jack…say something. Please." Rose bit her lip after five minutes of silence had passed. Was he angry with her? Did he blame her for getting pregnant?

"What do you want me to say? I mean, this is quite a shock, Rose."

"I know. I was shocked, as well."

"Are you sure that you’re pregnant? Maybe your cycle is off or something…"

"I took the test three times, Jack. The results were all the same. I’m sorry…I didn’t mean for this to happen…it just did." Tears streamed from her eyes. She had never been so scared in her life. She was afraid she’d lose Jack and her mother would throw her out, leaving her with nowhere to go and no one to go to. "I’m sorry."

His heart breaking at the sight of her tears, Jack pulled her into a warm embrace, trying his best to comfort her. He wanted her to know that she wasn’t alone. That he was with her and would never leave her. No matter what. They’d get through this together. "Shh, Rose. Don’t be sorry. This isn’t even your fault. That night was something we both wanted, and now we have a baby to think of. It’s not like we’re the only teen parents in the world. Kids our age have babies all the time. We’ll be okay."

"What are we going to tell my mother and your sister?" Rose pulled out of his embrace, wiping away her tears. "What if they separate us? What then?"

Jack held her hands tightly in his and stared intently into her eyes. "I will not allow that to happen. No one can force us to do anything we don’t want to do. We’re in this together, and that’s how it’s going to stay."

Rose smiled, leaning back into Jack’s arms. "What have I done to deserve such a wonderful boyfriend?"

"Just lucky, I guess." Jack grinned. "I love you, Rose. From now until eternity."

"I love you, too, Jack. I know everything’s okay as long as you’re with me." Rose sighed, burying her face in his shirt, unaware of the hard times ahead.

Chapter Twelve
Stories