Page 31 of Redemption

– Age 18

Graduation day is finally here. A few hours after we walk across the stage to accept our diplomas, Beck and I will break the news to our family that we’re engaged and having a baby this November. I went to the doctor for an official diagnosis and due date a few weeks back. Thankfully, since I’m eighteen, he couldn’t say a word to my parents. As of today, I’ve hit the sixteen-week mark. In another month, we get to see our little one on ultrasound and find out the sex. Beck and I are really excited about that part.

Everything seems to be falling into place. Beck begins working full-time on the ranch tomorrow, and we’ve already found this cute little two-bedroom cottage to rent. We’d like to get married on July fifteenth, which will be here before we know it. Knowing my mom, she’ll insist on flittering about to make our ceremony as perfect as can be. Neither Beck nor I care what the ceremony is like, but we figured we’d let her have this to focus on since we’re dumping such a huge bomb on them tonight.

I rub the firm bump on my belly as another cramp hits me. Man, these growing pains have been really getting to me today. They never tell you ahead of time that while you may not have a period while pregnant, you’ll still get to enjoy the pain of one on occasion.

“Hey, beautiful.” I turn around to find Beck leaning against the doorframe to my bedroom, smiling.

I give him a hug. “Hi. Are you ready for tonight?”

He smirks. “Honey, if I had my way, they would’ve known on the day we found out.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I roll my eyes. “Are you guys about to leave?”

Beck’s dad insisted on driving him to the ceremony today. Something about having a man-to-man talk on the way over, whatever that entails. There’s no sense in wasting gas, so I’m going to ride over with my parents and meet him there.

He nods. “Yeah, he’s out front waiting for me. I just wanted to say goodbye before we head out.”

And by goodbye, he means kiss me until I’m breathless.

“Beck, your dad’s gettin’ anxious to leave,” my dad calls from the bottom of the stairs. “He said, hurry the hell up.”

“I’ll be right down,” Beck promises with a smirk. “I’ll see you there, okay?”

“’Kay.”

Right before he descends the stairs, he calls out to me. “Hey, Pres?”

I peek my head out of the doorway. “Yeah?”

“You look gorgeous—I didn’t tell you that before. And I love you.”

I smile. “I love you too, Beck. Now get on out there. I’ll see you in a bit.”

I finish curling my hair into soft ringlets and step into my kitten-heeled shoes. After one final glance in the mirror to make sure everything’s in place, I head down the staircase to find my mom smiling back at me.

“Oh, Presley, you look beautiful. I can’t believe my baby is graduating today.”

And your baby is having a baby.

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Your father’s just finishing washing the truck. He insisted on sprucing it up since today is a special day.”

“Annie!” he calls from outside. “Are you ladies ready to go?”

She props the screen door open. “We’ll be right there, Dan. Just hold your horses.”

My mom turns back to me and winks. “See what I did there?”

I can’t help but laugh. She has the corniest sense of humor, but I love it. Damn it, I have to pee again before we hit the road. This baby makes me feel like my bladder is as big as a grain of rice.

“Mom, go ahead. I’m just going to use the bathroom real quick, and I’ll be right out.”

“Okay, honey. I’ll be in the truck with your father.”

As I head down the hall, something strange happens. My panties are suddenly sopping wet. Crap, did I really just pee myself? I jog the rest of the way until I’m safely enclosed in the bathroom. I pull my underwear down as I’m takin’ a seat on the toilet, and I’m instantly frozen in shock. My panties are soaked, but it’s not urine. Bright red blood is pooling in the middle, threatening to spill over the sides. Oh my God, what is happening right now? I’m not a doctor, but I know bleeding while pregnant is not a good thing.

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