FAITH

"WHAT?!" Amanda blurted, dropping her bag in shock.

"Who told you that?" Mason asked.

"How...how did you find out?" I asked, slowly.

"Imagine my shock when I get an unexpected call from Faith's parents. I didn't even know it was them at first. They told me how they were ready to support their daughter in every way throughout her pregnancy. I was shocked! Oh, and they're taking the nearest available flight here. Of course, I acted like I knew about this and invited them here. I'm so disappointed. You know I would've supported you, my son. Why did you hide this from me?" Hailey asked, slightly weeping.

"Ma, we weren't hiding anything. We were going to tell you today. We were both very tired yesterday and saw it appropriate to tell you today. Besides, this is also fairly new to us, as well. Don't be upset, ma." Mason lied.

There was a long silence but it was soon cut off by Amanda, "Let me check your temperature, darling. I hope this doesn't affect the baby."

For a second, I worried about my baby. Then, I remembered it was non-existent. I feel so awful lying to these nice people.

"101.1 degrees. Alright, your temperature is going down. What'd you do?" Amanda asked.

"I didn't do anything. Mason made me lay down in bed for a few minutes. That's it. I don't know if that's something..?" I explained, a little confused. I never felt sick from the beginning, anyway.

"Ma, I gotta leave. Sorry, I won't be able to stay for breakfast. And, Mason, bring Faith in for an ultrasound and check-up. Take care of yourself and the baby, Faith! Bye, everyone!" Amanda left, waving goodbye to us all.

"I expect the two of you downstairs in 10 minutes." Hailey informed us, closing the door behind her as she left.

"Mason! What are we going to do?! We can't make a baby! I'm not even ready to be a mom! Besides, we aren't married! No, no. We have to end this, now." I panicked, getting up to tell the truth to Hailey.

Mason gently grabbed my arm, "Calm down, Faith. We're not getting married. Neither are we making a baby. Just pretend to be pregnant. Like, random cravings and stuff. I don't know.  Do whatever they do, you know? Then, we'll pretend a miscarriage."

"Yeah, I totally know what a pregnant woman goes through because I pop out babies every God damn year! Mason, I can't ever experience the emotions a pregnant woman goes through during their pregnancy without actually becoming pregnant, which will not happen. So, why are we doing this? Besides, I'm a terrible actress. I'll give us away, immediately." I complained.

"Mom's waiting for us. You should change." 

Ugh!!!! This idiot just ignored my whole speech! 

I groaned loudly and grabbed an outfit from my bag. In the bathroom, I brushed my teeth, washed my face, moisturized, fixed my hair and wore my clothes. I hurriedly left the bathroom and walked by Mason.

Together, we speed-walked downstairs with Mason.

"Good morning." I greeted.

"Faith, I don't want you to misunderstand me. I'm delighted by the news. I was just upset that you two hid it from me. I know now that you two didn't mean to hide it and you were going to tell me today. So, don't feel uncomfortable. I don't hate you or anything." Hailey explained.

I felt so relieved, "Hearing this from you makes me feel so much better, Hailey! Thanks."

"Mom. You're carrying my grandchild. Call me 'mom.'" Hailey requested. 

"Okay, mom." I smiled.

"So, when are Faith's parents coming?" Mason asked.

"Somewhere around noon, I think. Oh, it's actually almost noon! But, besides that, I need you two to tell me a bit more about your relationship so I don't look stupid in front of Faith's parents, you know?" Hailey chuckled. I caught a slight smirk resembling Mason's.

I smiled.

So, that's where he inherited his smirk.

"There isn't much to know. We didn't tell them a lot, anyway. We started liking each other, rushed into things - didn't use protection. Then, we found out Faith was pregnant but we both had to go to New Jersey. There, Faith's parents tried getting Faith engaged with some asshole. So, I had to reveal it to them. Then, we came here. And... well, you know the rest." Mason explained, very bluntly.

"So, it was rushed?" Hailey asked, her one eyebrow went up.

Okay, that's cool. 

But, she's not buying it!!!

"A bit, yeah. But our love is the same as it was the first day our eyes landed on each other. If anything, it's more." I acted lovey-dovey.

Ew. Cringe. Don't say that, again, please. Thank you.

Mason and Hailey smiled at me.

"Oh my God! This will be my second grandchild! I'm so excited! I'm going to go shopping right away! Of course, Faith, you're welcome to join me. It is your child, after all."

"Ma, please, don't get carried away like you did with Gabriel." Mason begged.

"Don't worry about the shopping yet, mom. We don't even know the gender." I tried persuading her. We were giving her false hope! I didn't want her to spend her money on a non-existent child.

"Oh, who cares?! We'll buy for both girl and boy. Maybe, they'll be twins!" She exclaimed.

"Ma, I'm going to bring Faith for a check-up, today. And, I'm sure she would want to accompany you on this shopping trip. So, how about rescheduling it? Perhaps with Faith's mother, as well..?" Mason spoke, formally.

"Ew. Why are you talking like that to your family?" I thought out loud.

"I don't know. I'm just so used to it." Mason answered.

Oh my God! He heard me!!!! Stupid, Fei. Learn to control your fucking mouth!!

"I'm sorry, babe. I didn't mean it like that. I get what you mean." I acted innocent.

"It's okay, sweetheart. I know you didn't mean it like that." Mason smiled at me.

Ugh, cringe. Save me, God Almighty!

Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong!

Jesus is out there! God has heard my prayers!  

"Ah! That must be Faith's family!" Hailey got up and rushed to the door.

"Mason, I can't do this. This is wrong---"

"Babe! Look, it's your mom." Mason exclaimed.

"Mom..." I smiled faintly. I hadn't forgiven them, yet.

"Faith, baby. I'm so sorry. Jocelyn and Hope told us everything - fighting with the thief who harassed you, staying at a random woman's house, walking alone in alleys late at night. I'm so sorry. I was just so angry. I didn't think it through, baby. I'm so sorry. What would I have done if something had happened to you?! Or the baby..?!" my mom cried. 

See, I just can't not forgive her. She's sorry and I believe it's genuine. I don't want her to suffer.

"It's okay, mom. Don't worry about it. I'm safe. My baby is safe. We're happy. I forgive you, mom." I smiled genuinely at her this time.

"Your dad is still a bit mad. He can't believe your pregnant. Please don't yell at him or anything. It'll just make it worse. He'll get over it soon. Just give him time. He just can't accept his little girl growing up."

"Dad is mad at me? Mom, it's always about me growing up. I'm pregnant! I'm getting married! I'm in love! Why can't he understand this?!" I yelled, my eyes tearing up.

I ran upstairs to our room. I sat on the loveseat and looked out at the sky. 

"Why doesn't my dad ever support me?" I cried.