A few weeks away from home have made Gray frustrated with Harley's decision not to come with him. It may have been an abrupt plan but it was the only way to keep her close. In a few month's time, their second album would be released which meant it would be impossible for Gray to come back home for a visit.

Gray ran both hands through his hair in an attempt to calm his pounding headache. The band was still rehearsing and they had been at it since this morning. He just wanted to go back to their apartment and call Harley. She hadn't been responding to his texts and answering his calls. He was worried sick that something might have happened to her.

"Yo, Gray! Stop moping around and come inside," Sinn called from the back entrance of the studio. The quick break he took didn't suppress the worry he felt. Standing up, he dusted off the dirt on his jeans and went inside with Sinn.

Sinn put his arm around Gray's shoulder and gently asked, "What's up with you lately?" He treaded lightly because he knew that Gray was going to go on defense mode.

"Nothing," he mumbled.

"You better leave your personal problems out this studio. Peter is going to have our heads if he catches us slacking off," he patted Gray on his back. A small gesture which meant that everything was going to be fine. Sinn walked ahead, leaving Gray to his own thoughts for a few more seconds. He definitely needed to focus.

After their rehearsals, the band quickly retired to their shared flat. It had been an exhausting day for them. Gray tried to dial Harley's number again but to no avail. The holidays were coming in three weeks. Unfortunately, Peter just got them a deal to perform at the biggest music festival in California for a winter special. There was no hope for him to visit her and his family.

  ♪ ♫ ♬  

Harley stared at the offending sheet of paper, unable to process the news. There were a bunch of numbers and words that only the doctor could relate to. But, one word stood out...

Positive (+)

"You are already 8 weeks into your pregnancy. So far, your hormone levels are all normal and the baby is doing well. I'll be prescribing you some prenatal vitamins for you take every day," he scribbled on a prescription paper, signing it off and handed it to Harley.

She didn't pay any attention to what the doctor said. All she could hear was static in her ears. A baby. There was a tiny speck of a living human inside of her. How was she supposed to support a child at this age? She was still only twenty years old. Her whole life ahead was still broad with opportunities. But, being a mother? There was no way she was going to make it alone. Getting Gray involved was simply out of the question. Harley needed a plan.

"Ms. Lowell?"

Then the static stopped. The deafening silence trying to pierce through her ears as the information settled in. Her hands trembled from the fear of all her doubts with herself. She felt useless and not worthy of being a mother in the next few months of her pregnancy.

"Ms. Lowell," the voice called her out, louder this time.

Harley looked up to see the doctor with a creased forehead. A worried expression on his features. Her eyes started to blur with the unshed tears that were about to spill. "Y-yes?" she replied meekly.

The doctor sighed, "I know the situation is a bit overwhelming for you right now. However, It's probably better if you don't stress yourself out too much. Perhaps we'll re-schedule an ultrasound, say, in about two weeks from now? Is that alright?"

"Okay."

Dr. Sawyer put his hands together and leaned a little forward. He smiled with a charm that made his patients warm up to him. "Everything is going to be fine."

The first tear fell and despite the doctor's comfort, it did little to appease her uncertainties. "Do you think that I could raise a baby and be a fit mother?" she sobbed in front of him. The heaviness was all too consuming and she needed to let it out.

He reached out and patted her shoulder, "Telling you as a friend, anyone can be a fit mother. There are no specific steps for as long as you give them the love that they deserve and nurture them to become a decent human being."

Harley sniffed and nodded gratefully. "T-thank you. I needed that."

  ♪ ♫ ♬  

Her heart pounded as she stared at the dark oak wood door. Raising her hand, she formed a fist and hesitated if she should knock. She didn't know where else to go after her visit to the doctor.

She knocked after mentally arguing with her thoughts as her other hand tightened the grip on the strap of her purse. The seconds ticked by as she waited for either her grandmother or grandfather to open the door. As the locks clicked from behind the door, she gulped in anticipation. Her grandma Beth opened it which she wasn't surprised to see her since she had been visiting more often. However, with Harley's sad eyes as she greeted her, she knew that there was something wrong that troubled her granddaughter.

"Sugarplum, what's wrong?"

It was like the dam that was holding her tears had broken. She lunged at grandma Beth and gave her a tight embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.

"There there child. We should come inside and talk." She gently pushed her back and smiled sadly. Guiding her into the kitchen, grandma Beth let her sit then turned the kettle on for some chamomile tea. As the water in the kettle boiled, she prepared a platter of her favorite cookies. Placing everything on the table, grandma Beth sat down. She now had her full attention.

"You want to talk about it?" she cooed softly.

The tears had stopped flowing but the ache she felt was unbearable. Harley sniffed as grandma Beth offered her some tissues. She couldn't look into her eyes yet and tell the truth.

"Grandma," she croaked, pausing as the next words were hard to blurt out.

Grandma Beth reached out and held her shaky hands, "Whatever it is, I can take it."

Reaching inside her purse, Harley took out the paper that held her results. She was having a hard time saying it in words. Might as well show her what it was. Grandma Beth gave her a puzzled look as she took the folded paper. Adjusting her glasses, she opened it and read its content. She gasped in surprise, finding out what exactly was in there, "Harley... is it..."

Harley was about to cry again, yet, she nodded to confirm it.

"Oh, sugarplum," grandma Beth hugged her. "It's going to be okay."

The tea had gone cold when Harley had drained all her energy from crying. Grandma Beth tried to be understanding with her current situation but she needed to know that her granddaughter was being taken care of. She had confirmed from Harley that it was indeed Gray's.

"Did you tell your father?" she questioned.

Harley panicked, "N-no, I can't go home grandma. I don't plan on telling Gray and his family, ever. He can't know. It will ruin his career."

"You know that isn't true. He deserves to know."

"I know but it is still too soon. His band has a new album out and they will be touring in the next few months. I can't just drag him out there," she pleaded.

"Okay, tell them when you're ready. But, you must tell your father," she pointed with a finger and gave her a look.

Groaning, she nodded then rested her head on the table, "I have to move out and find a job that will hire a pregnant woman."

"You're welcome to stay here for the time being. It will save you paying for rent," grandma Beth offered.

Accepting her faith was only the first step. The rest she would eventually have to figure it out. Things would eventually look up if Harley would keep having a positive outlook for their baby's bright future ahead. She then decided that she was going to keep the baby and protect it no matter what.

♪ ♫ ♬

The shrill ringtone blared through Harley's room, indicating a call from Gray. It had been a few days since she kept ignoring his calls. She had surrendered herself into the comfort of her thick blanket after an emotional rollercoaster at her grandparents'. She couldn't sleep yet. The need to hear his voice might bring her the strength she desired to keep life moving. Reaching for her phone, shepressed the green button to answer the call.

"Hello?" she greeted weakly.

Gray felt the relief when he finally heard her voice over the phone, "Harley! Are you okay?! I've been so worried..."

"Stop," she tried to force a chuckle. "I'm sorry. I've been sick for the past few days, didn't want to make you worry."

"Not answering my calls or even a text from you makes me more worried. Jeez." He tried to be calm but the anger he felt of not knowing was beyond it. "I'm sorry. I just... I miss you, okay?"

She couldn't help but smile a little, "Me too, Gray."

"Answer my calls next time. Promise me."

Her lips quivered, faintly replying, "I promise." 

    ♡ ♡ ♡

hello!

it's been a while. i know, sue me. lol. but as some of you may know... i quit my job. i'll be working from home from now on and i can finally get back to writing. let's just hope i update regularly ;)

let me know if you're still reading this story. i've been telling you that this would be ending but 6 chapters later, it's still ongoing haha! i didn't want to rush it, ya know? so i hope you guys are still with me. thanks for reading my stories!

x jovi