"Mike, the DNA came back."

Mike never doubted what the results would be. He had trusted that Anna was telling the truth.

"Mike, you there?"

"Yeah, just tell me."

"Positive match to Anna. I want to say I'm sorry but I think it would be worse if there wasn't a match."

"Yeah, our crazy town would be right."

"She wasn't the only contributor. They tested quite a few condoms and he was involved with another female."

"He told Anna he had a girlfriend."

"Well now, it's my job to make sure she's not a minor. I'm scheduled to meet with the DA tomorrow to go over the evidence. I wish it were today, but he's in court all day. I want to recommend that we try to get a plea. The evidence is strong and a court trial will tear this town apart."

"The town is already torn apart."

"Anna wouldn't have to testify either. I won't stop until he gets justice. I promise you. I look at my daughter and I don't want to let her out of the house."

"I know. It really sucks." Mike was at a loss for words. He wanted to say, you lucky bastard your daughter is still innocent. His jealousy and anger would get him nowhere so he let it go. Jake was a good friend, and he trusted him. "I'm traveling tomorrow, but I'll want an update. My shift starts at seven P. She's got an ultrasound today."

"Can you get them to fax me the official date of conception? I'll text you my fax number."

"Yeah sure. Thanks Jake, really."

"Just my job."

The line went dead.

The doctor's office was exactly like he expected. Alison had asked if she could join them so he left Mari her car and rode in the minivan to get Anna from school. He liked that she cared enough about Anna to want to go to the scan.

Mike tried to steel himself for the first glimpses of the life that his daughter was carrying. He could still remember the day that he saw her on the grainy black-and-white screen for the first time. It made every decision seem right - withdrawing his college acceptance, marrying Shelby, giving up music. Instead, he was working at the local Walmart and volunteering at the fire station. By the time Anna was born they had hired him full time while working at Walmart part time. He worked hard and got his EMT certification and made a life for himself. He had no regrets at least not until his daughter met that teacher.

The technology was slightly better, but the screen was still black and white. At first, he had trouble making out what he was seeing. The sonographer seemed to proceed as if everything looked good. Truthfully she didn't seem phase that Anna was so young. He reminded himself that she was a professional.

Mike spent as much time watching Anna as he did watching the screen. She looked completely bored and was looking the other direction most of the time. It was fascinating to watch how they measured the limbs and he could see the developing organs. Mike knew enough about anatomy to recognize more than he ever did with Anna.

She was adamant that she didn't want to know the sex of the baby. She had apparently discussed it with Dr. Deb and Anna felt the knowledge may affect her decision. He was secretly glad because he didn't want to think of it as anything more than an it. He couldn't become attached if the baby wouldn't be a part of their life. He didn't want to decide he wanted this baby or to sway Anna in her decision.

When they saw the doctor they were given the results of the scan. The baby was healthy and developing but on the small side.

"That's not unusual with our teen mothers." She assured them. "Nothing to worry about."

The rest of the appointment was quick and very routine with blood pressure, weight, and Anna peeing in a cup. While she was out of the room doing that, he asked the doctor to fax Jake what he needed to know. She seemed surprised that they had involved the police.

"The father is an adult."

Alison's face looked angry as if she wanted to say he was a lot worse than just an adult. Mike really loved her for the way she cared. The doctor just nodded and told him she'd have a release form for him to complete on the way out.

"Could it be done right away? The detective is meeting with the DA tomorrow."

She nodded, and that news surprised Alison. Mike shook her off because Anna had returned.

Mike needed to have a talk with Anna before he left, so he suggested a walk on the beach. It wasn't as windy as the day before and felt like the end of April should.

Anna was glad that the ultrasound was over. It was one more reminder that this baby was real. She could still hide it but fooling others differed from fooling herself. The doctor asked if she had felt movement. She hadn't, but that meant that she probably would soon. She wasn't sure she was ready for that reminder all the time. When she heard that the baby was small, she was glad. She didn't want to think about how that baby had to get out. The smaller the better as far as she was concerned.

They walked together onto the sand. There were others doing the same. Some waved but most she didn't recognize.

"What did you think of the scan?"

"I dunno."

"Me either. It makes it real."

"Yup."

They walked in silence for a while.

"Hey baby girl."

"Yeah dad?"

"Jake called. The DNA came back. They have proof that he's lying."

"I knew he was."

"He wasn't lying about someone else. There was other female DNA too."

"So he wasn't lying. He did have a girlfriend. That means he never loved me. I was really stupid."

"No baby, he fooled you."

She let her father pull her into his arms. She felt safe as if things would be okay. After a daddy squeeze, he let her go and they continued walking silently holding hands like when she was little. He always insisted on holding her hand in parking lots and public places.

He was always concerned with safety and she defied him. Even when he worried about her driving the real risk was where she was going. If he knew she was visiting her teacher, he would have made her stay home.

As they reached the end of the beach Anna saw Cole and Cassie together. They looked like they were having a deep discussion and just looking their way she felt like she was intruding.

If she trusted Cole, would he trust her? Her gut told her not to like Cassie, and she decided it was because she was kissing the senior.

Needing to avoid thoughts of Cole, she asked, "What happens now with the DNA?"

"Jake's meeting with the district attorney tomorrow. They can charge him with sexual battery and statutory rape if they can prove you had sex before your birthday."

"The baby?" Her father nodded. Her baby was proof. She wasn't sure how she felt. Knowing that he had been cheating on her hurt. Maybe he deserved what he got. Did Cole know that Cassie was cheating on him? She needed to find out.

They returned to Alison's and Cole was still out. Sam was in his room doing homework. She knocked, and he looked up.

"How was your doctor's visit?"

"Okay." She was debating what to say.

"Are you all right?" He was always concerned for her.

"Yeah." She shut his door. "What are they saying about me?"

Their fathers didn't know that Sam kept her up to date with the gossip from Turner.

"You know the same old things."

"That I'm a liar and a whore."

"Yup."

"Well, soon I'll only be a whore because the DNA proves he is the liar."

Sam smiled. "That's good, right?"

"Yeah, but I also proved he was screwing someone else."

"Oh! That sucks."

She took a deep breath. "Sam, does Cole know his girlfriend was kissing a senior?"

"Cole doesn't have a girlfriend."

"Then what's the deal with Cassie? I saw them together on the beach."

Sam sighed and under his breath said, "Shit."

"Sam?"

"Don't worry, I'll talk to him."

"Why the secrets?"

"It's not really a secret but she... It's Cole's story. We used to all be friends. Rory and Cassie but they aren't close anymore. Let's go see if dinner's ready."