Sheltered heart

Part 20

Alice- "of course you can stay Cheryl, I'll go talk to Hal but I'm sure we have the room"

Betty- (softly) "there's one more thing mom"

Cheryl looked at Betty, terrified that it would effect Alice's answer

Betty- "it'll be okay, I promise"

Alice- "what is it Cheryl?"

Cheryl- (cries) "I-I'm having a b-baby"

Alice's expression became shocked but quickly turned into an understanding one

Alice- "that's okay, have you decided what you want to do? It won't change anything no matter what"

Cheryl- (sniffs) "I think- no I-I know I want to keep it"

Betty- "oh Cheryl, why didn't you tell me?"

Cheryl- "I-I was scared you'd go back to Veronica"

Alice- "did Veronica do something?"

Betty- "she's been picking on Cheryl, but I think Polly and I can handle that part"

Alice- "your sister knows about this?"

Betty- "not all of it and we told her not to tell you because Cheryl wasn't ready, hell we didn't know she was pregnant until yesterday"

Cheryl- "thank you Alice, this really means a lot to me"

Alice- "of Course Cheryl, your mother is pure evil"

She got up to leave and patted the girl on the shoulder before stopping in the doorway

Alice- "thank you for telling us Cheryl, I know it's not easy"

She nodded and hugged her from side causing Cheryl's face to squish into a small smiled

Alice left the room and went downstairs as Polly carefully snuck in the room and closed the door

Polly- "I heard most of it, I'm glad you're getting out of that house"

Cheryl- "m-me too but what if my mom-"

Betty- "then we'll deal with her, but we're not going to let her hurt you"

Polly- "yeah, I'll knock her out myself if I have to"

Cheryl- (softly giggles) "thanks Polly"

Polly- "so you're actually going to have a baby?"

Betty gave Polly a death glare told her to cut it out silently but she didn't listen

Polly- "that's crazy to think about Cheryl"

Cheryl- "I-I know, I still can't believe it myself"

She looked down for a second before looking at both the girls and knew this is where she wanted to be

She looked back over at Betty and took her hand as Polly sat down and rubbed her shoulder

Betty- "hey and after a little while we can invite Toni over, I know how much you'll need her over the next couple of months"

Cheryl- "I-I might go see her again later, is that okay?"

Betty- "of course, would you want me to walk with you"

She moved a piece of hair behind the girl's ear and held her carefully but tightly

Cheryl- (nods) "yes please Be, thank you guys so much for helping me"

Polly- "of course Cheryl, you're family and we care about you. Now tell me everything about this Toni, she cute?"

Cheryl- (softly laughs) "the cutest, I care about her so much and she cares about me"

Betty- (smiles) "I know, she's amazing"

Polly- "well I can't wait to meet her, in the mean time I'm gonna go make sure mom and dad don't rip each other's heads off"

Cheryl looked up at her, she looked terrified but Polly immediately took back her words

Polly- "oh my gosh, no Cheryl not about you just about other stuff"

Cheryl looked at Betty who nodded at her. Polly left the room as Betty let go of her

Betty- "so you're okay?"

Cheryl- "right now? Yeah I guess so but ask me again when my mom finds out about this"

Betty- "it'll be fine. my mom won't let anything happen to you, and neither will I"

Cheryl smiled and wrapped her arms around her cousin which surprised Betty but she gladly accepted it

After they stayed like that for awhile before they grabbed Betty's laptop and watched some tv. They were cuddled up in Betty's bed when Alice came and knocked on the door

Betty- "hey mom, what's up"

Alice- "I just wanted to let you guys know that everything's good, we're so happy to have you Cheryl and that we are so sorry about what happened"

Cheryl- "thank you Alice, I really appreciate what you and your family are doing for me"

She looked at Betty who smiled at her and took her hand

Betty- "we care about you Cheryl, and we want to make sure that you know it"

Alice smiled before leaving the girls alone again

Betty- "we're going to have so much together Cheryl! I know that the situation isn't the best but I hope we can make the best of it"

Cheryl- "I'm having a baby Betty. and I hope to god he or she will have red hair and no matter what I know it'll be hard, but I also know that I'm not alone"

Betty- "I'm glad you know that"

Betty pulled Cheryl closer to her as Cheryl loosened up

Betty- (softly) "you can relax, nothing is going to happen to you"

Cheryl- "the only time I've felt relaxed in the past two weeks was when I was with Toni"

Betty- "I know, and I want you two to be together as much as possible. You're meant to be"

Cheryl- (smiles) "I like to think so"

They stayed in bed for the rest of the day because Cheryl started to feel nauseous later in the afternoon but Betty was always there to try to make her feel better

Betty- (softly) "do you maybe just want to try and sleep?"

Cheryl laid in her arms on the bathroom floor with her eyes half shut. She slowly nodded her head as Betty helped her up and supported her until they got to Betty's bed

Betty- (softly) "do you want me to stay?"

Cheryl shook her head as Betty kissed her forehead

Betty- (softly) "okay, call if you need anything"

She tucked her in and turned off the light before heading downstairs

Alice- "hey sweetie, how is she?"

Betty- "she's asleep, but she really wasn't feeling well"

Alice- "well that's to be expected while having a baby"

Betty- "you're sure you're okay with this?"

Hal- "of course we are Betty, Cheryl's family and Penelope is a terrible mother"

Betty- "I'm sorry I just don't want there to be a crying baby in nine months and you decide that you can't have her stay here anymore"

Polly- "we'd never do that Betty, you know that"

Betty- (sigh) "yeah, I do. I'm just worried about her and how much everything's going to change"