"Can we please stop by a dollar store first?" Melly said. "I need something."
I nodded my head as I changed directions to her designated location. Without telling me, I know what she wanted. To buy something presentable to show our parents the sonogram with. While I do believe she has every right to spend her money to store our baby's pictures in a nice place whether it's a photo album or a picture frame, I don't want her to make a mistake in wasting her money on something that may or may not end well.
I parked in a parking spot near the dollar store's entrance, however I didn't unlock the door. I wanted to talk some senses into her before she does something that she may regret.
"Melly, I need you to think rationally before go off spending your money." I said. I watched her as she just stares out her window. "Do you really think this is a good idea? They're going to be upset with us no matter what."
"I know." She said, without turning her head away from the window. "But still like to make it nice, You know? Give them something to remember."
"Oh, they'll remember it alright." I mumbled.
"Oh, you know what I mean." Melina said, finally looking at me.
I sighed, knowing that she's not going to change her mind. She can be stubborn like that sometimes. It's one of her flaws, but I still love it anyway. I love her and every inch of her.
"Okay, Mel. You want me to go with you?" I asked.
"If you want." She said, looking up at me with her big, brown eyes with an adorable smile to go with it.
I smiled as I unlocked the door. We stepped outside and walked towards the dollar store. I ran after her to hold her hand. She looked up at me and smiled as we entered the cheap, but very useful store.
"Ah, where to go? Baby or craft aisle?" Melly asked,
"Why don't we go to the craft aisle, first? If we don't find anything, we can go to the baby aisle." I said.
Geez, an ultrasound, we're telling our parents about the kid, and we're probably going to the baby aisle in one day. I need a soda.
I walked behind her as she examined the items on the shelves. She picked up a small, yellow picture frame. Something that can fit the ultrasound very well.
"What do you think?" She asked, looking at me from the corner of her eyes and looking back at the picture frame examining very carefully.
"I like it. I think it's just small and simple. I don't think we need anything else than that." I said. Although I meant what I said, I honestly just wanted to get out of here.
"Are you sure?" She asked, to be certain that this picture frame is okay.
I nodded my head. "Yes, yes, Mel. I believe that this picture frame is good for the sonogram. Wanna get a metallic sharpie? So you can write in the due date on the back of the frame."
"That's not a bad idea, actually." She said, turning to go down the aisle for the permanent marker brand.
She got the ones that she liked and we headed to the cash register
"We're not going to the baby aisle?" I asked.
"Not yet." Melly said. I nodded my head as I got a Sprite from the store's fridge. We went up to African American man behind the counter.
"Oh, will you look at that? A young couple. You two look cute together!" The man said.
"Thank you." We said at the same time. It's nice to get compliments on our relationship.
"You're welcome. Is that all, you two?" He asked.
We both nodded my head as Melly gave him a five dollar bill. The man in the green apron registered the money in and gave back Melly her change.
"Thank you. You two have a good day." The man said.
"No, thank you." Melly said, grabbing out bag.
We walked out of the store and straight to my car. Knowing what Melly wants to do, I'm kind of not looking forward to going home. However, I knew this was necessary. I knew we had to tell them sooner or later. I knew this would always be a nerve wrecking experience for the both of us, but it was just the matter of when we're going to tell them and how we're going to tell them.
I turned on my car and left the dollar store's parking lot. During our way home, Melly and I discussed on how we should present the news to our parents, so it can be easy for all of us. We kept reassuring other that everything will be fine, although I'm not sure if we will be. I'm sure it's just my nerves talking.
"Ready?" I asked, Melly once I've parked in the driveway.
Melly nodded her head. I can tell how nervous she is, by the way she was fidgety with her hands and legs. She was constantly biting her lips and I can tell she was try to think of anything, but the situation, she failed to do so. Being around her for so long, I can pick up these kind of thoughts from her. It's not hard, you've just gotta look carefully.
"How does it look?" Melly asked, giving me the picture frame with the sonogram in it.
"Great." I said.
She nodded her head as she exited the car. I sighed as I did the same thing. I met her up at my door and searched deep in my pocket for my keys. After finding it, I opened the door and let us both inside.
"Hold on." Melly whispered, before going somewhere I don't know.
I found my mother sitting on the couch, calmly reading a book. Let's see how long this state will last.
"Hey mom." I said, sitting down besides her.
"Hey, Derek. How was Melly's trip to the doctor? Is she alright?" Mom said, putting her book down.
You see, although I kept the pregnancy a secret for who knows how long, I figured I shouldn't lie to her too much. I don't want to get into even more trouble once the news come out. I still tell her about my whereabouts and I filled her in a few information such as the fact that Melly has been sick lately. Little things like that, but not enough for the bigger information to leak.
"She's fine. She's actually here, but she told me she had to use the restroom." I said.
She nodded her, looking back towards her book. "That's good."
"Is Liam here?" I said. I don't call my step-father, 'dad'. I know I should as a sign of respect, but the fact that he's not my real dad, makes me not want to say it.
"He should be in the garage fixing his car. Why?" Mom asked.
"Melly and I have something important to say." I said.
What will they exactly react to the news that Melly and I are teenage parents? Would they kick me out? Would they start yelling at Melly and call her bad names? So many unanswered questions are fulfilling in my head that made me doubt if telling them right now was the best idea. I glanced down at Melly's flat stomach and I remember the conversation that we had in my car. I nodded my head as I reminded myself that this really is a good time to tell them. It really would be worst if they find out by the sudden change in Melly's appearance.
I looked over at the hallway as I heard Melly's footsteps approaching. She has a medium size, green and blue gift bag in her hand. I smiled as made room for her to sit next to me.
"Sure. I'll call him over here." Mom said, getting her cellphone and calling my stepdad.
We sat silently as I heard the back door open.
"Okay, Derek. What is this about?" Liam said.
I exchanged a look with Melly as she handed me the bag.
"Here's an early Memorial Day gift." I said. Melly lightly slapped my arm as I said that.
Oh, this is definitely OUR Memorial Day alright.
My mom looked at me with uncertainty before she took the bag from my hands. She looked at me again, before digging inside. She pulled the picture frame from the bag and looked over at it.
"I-I-I don't understand...Derek, what is this?" Mom said, looking at me.
"Turn to the back." Melly responded.
Mom did as she was told. "Coming soon on December twenty-first."
I heard mom gasped and looked at me in shocked.
"Derek. Is this true?" Mom asked.
I nodded my head as I moved a little closer to my girlfriend to be safe. She held my arm as she felt I got too close to her.
"Melly?" She asked, not wanting to believe that her son is about to be a teen dad.
"Yes, Mrs. Parker. I'm pregnant." Melly confirmed, twiddling her thumb.
"Oh my...well, congratulations you two." My mom said, slowing, trying to process the information in her head.
"How did this happen?" Liam stared. "Oh, well, I know how it happened. But when, where, and why?"
"March 16th after the school dance. We went somewhere private and we did it there. Because this was so unexpected, we've just did it without protection." I said.
"Derek Michael Parker, how could you be so irresponsible?" Mom yelled. Don't judge my middle name.
I rolled my eyes. I knew they would react like this.
"I'm sorry, but we've made a deal when we were twelve that we would never have sex until marriage. We always had everything under control, so we honestly didn't think all of this wouldn't happen. It just happened out of the blue." I tried to defend us.
"Oh, Derek. You two have known each other forever. You two are teenagers who happens to be very, very close to each other. Did you honestly think you two would keep that kind of promise forever?" Mom said, trying to put logic in my head.
I knew it was really stupid on both of our parts to have sex without protection. That is a total given. But it happened. What am I supposed to do, but be there for Melly and the baby?
"Are you mad at us?" Melly asked, timidly.
"No, we're not mad. We're actually disappointed in you two. We always thought that you had it under control. But now, I don't even know what to think anymore." My mom said.
I can see the tears starting to form in my Melly's eyes. She is desperately trying to fight it from stroll down her face but the glassy look in her eyes did not leave her. I knew what she was thinking of. The people that she grew up with, the people who were never really disappointed in her, were finally disappointed in her. I squeezed her hand for comfort. She looked at me with a smile on her face but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Hey. Please don't cry. I know they may be disappointed in us now but it will all go away. I promise. Just please don't cry. Please." I whispered to her, trying desperately to comfort my girlfriend from crying.
She took a shaky breath and nodded her head.
"Thanks." She said as I watch her absorbed back the tears in her eye.
I smiled back as my way of saying "you're welcome". I always knew the right thing to say. We turned our attention back to the adults.
"Melly, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put any distress on you. But you've got to understand that this was the least to be expected." My mother apologized.
My girlfriend nodded her head in understanding and said, "It's okay."
"We will help you guys out. If you need anyone to look over the baby, we would be more than happy to help. Just as long as you don't put the responsibility of raising them on us." Liam said.
I smiled at his offer.
"Mr. Walker, if I really wanted someone else to raise my baby, I might as well put him or her up for adoption. But I won't do that. I will promise you that I won't do such a thing to my lovely angel." Melly said, firmly to my parents.
My smile grew at the attitude in Melly's voice. That's my Melly .
"Haha. I like your attitude, kid." My step-dad said as they fist-bumped each other.
"Mom?" I asked, looking up at the dark brown eyes that strongly resemble mine. I waited for her answer.
She sighs and said, "I'm with your father. As long as you take care of them and you put your parts as parents then I guess it won't be all that bad. I've always wanted grandchildren anyway."
I hugged her and said, "Thanks mom."
She hugged me back and whispered, "You are still in big trouble, mister."
"I know." I said as I rolled my eyes. I pulled back and had a huge smile on my face.
"Do your parents know about this Melly?" My mom asked.
She shook her head, "Not at all. But I will once we're finished here."
"Well, just so you know if anything happens, you are more than welcome to stay with us." My mom said, with a smile to Melly.
"Thank you, Mrs. Parker." Michi said in appreciation.
"Please, call me mom. We're in-laws now." My mom said.
"And you can call me, dad." Liam added.
"Okay...mom...dad." Melly said, unsurely.
"So you're ten weeks along, you said?" Liam asked.
"Correct, Mr...I mean dad." Melly said as she shifted uncomfortably at the names. Yeah, this will take some time to get used to.
"Aww. Well, congratulations on the little darling, sweetheart." My mom said as she hugged her.
"Thank you, Mrs...I mean mom." She said as she hugged back.
"Mom, if you would excuse me. I need to be there for my girlfriend for when she tells her parents." I said as I stood up with Melly's hand still in mine. I squeezed it in reassurance as I heard her gulp.
"Of course, sweetie. Tell me how it goes." My mom said.
"Will do." I said with a nod as we I head out the door.
I walked by when I saw John in the kitchen, smiling as he eats a piece of an apple.
"John," I started, "How long have you been standing there?"
"Not long. But I'm really proud of you for having the balls to tell our parents." John praised.
"Thanks." I said, "That means a lot for me."
"Anyway, good luck with her parents." He said, heading out the kitchen and upstairs to our room.
"Thanks." I said, exiting my house with Melly.