3.17.2--Consequences Paid

Dasia wakes the next morning to an empty bed, to her relief.  However, all hopes of avoiding this conversation for a few more days is dashed when Dasia eventually finds Duncan outside.


They stare at each other for a moment, letting the awkward silence fester between them before Dasia finally speaks. "This is the part where I tell you we need to talk, right?"


"And this is the part where I steel myself against whatever you're going to say." Duncan frowns when Dasia doesn't answer straight away. "All right - out with it."

"I don't want to make this any more cliche than it already is, but what happened last night - it was just... I don't know."


"But you aren't looking for anything serious." Duncan offers. 

Dasia sighs, rubbing the back of her neck in frustration. "I should have stopped it - us."


"Why didn't you?"


"I - don't know." She says slowly. "I suppose it was just nice having someone there without the worry of commitment.  Relationships just aren't my thing, Duncan.  You know this."


Duncan grimaces.  She's right, of course.  He's known this - well, forever; but he still feels vulnerable and rejected despite his years of planning for this potential scenario.  "I think I should go.  I just... need to be somewhere else for a while."


"Duncan -"


He shakes his head gently to silence whatever protestation she's preparing.  "I need some time, okay?"


Dasia nods weakly. "Okay."

Without another word, or even a parting gesture, Duncan heads back inside and within minutes he's dressed and out the front door; leaving Dasia to stew in her guilt.


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With no call from Duncan the next day and her overwhelming need to avoid having to explain herself to Lizzie or her family, Dasia spends her time alone in the office writing - if only for the distraction.  In her novels, her characters find respite where she can't and are emotionally stable where she is not.  They are so unlike her that she can't familiarize with them and ends up scrapping and restarting every page she's written thus far. 


"I'm an aspiring novelist that can't write her way out of a paper bag - fucking awesome." She scoffs and pushes herself forcefully from the desk.  Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she feels her stomach lurch suddenly in protest.

And when her attempts of keeping the contents of her stomach where they should be fail miserably, she runs straight for the bathroom.  "Anxiety." She mutters, sitting next to the toilet.  "It's just anxiety.  It has to be."

Ellis gets an unexpected, but not unwelcome, visit from Fawn.  "Your sister spends a lot of time in the bathroom." She states bluntly.


Ellis shrugs. "She says she's just sick.  I don't believe her, but I also don't think fighting with her about it while she's hovering over the toilet is very appropriate."  Ellis watches as Fawn squirms uncomfortably in her seat. "What?"


"Nothing.  It's just - remember what we learned in science last semester?  You know, the signs of pregnancy."


Ellis blinked in surprise. "She has been throwing up and sleeping quite a lot.  And mom has mentioned that she had the same symptoms when she was carrying us..."


"Maybe it's nothing and she's telling the truth."


"Right." Ellis doubtfully agrees. "The stomach flu or something."

If Gideon has any suspicions about his sister, he doesn't concern himself with them.  Instead, he spends the brunt of his time avoiding getting caught for his behavior at school and conspiring with Kris.

"Our birthdays are coming up." Kris says, glancing over at Gideon.


"Yeah, and?" Gideon smirks.


"Humor me, Gid.  You know what I'm baiting you for."


"Nope.  I'm utterly clueless."

Kris untangles himself from Gideon in annoyance.  "I'm being serious here.  What does this mean for us?  You've never told me what your plans are after graduation."


"That's because I don't have any, Kris.  I want to play music - that's about as far as I've gotten."


Kris looks momentarily crestfallen.  "And nothing else factors into your future?"


Gideon smirks, grabbing Kris' hand in his.  "Of course there are other factors, I just thought they were obvious and didn't need to be said.  Kris, I'm not moving out of town and I'm not breaking up with you if that's what you're worried about."  Gideon scoots closer and squeezes Kris' hand reassuringly.  "Wherever you are is where I'll be, I promise."


Kris smiles, placing his head on Gideon's shoulder.  "Assuming you don't go to prison.  That's one place I'm not following you."


"Well I'm glad you have standards.  I'll keep that in mind."

Pacey has taken quite a liking to painting.  He often spends most of his time in the spare room alone perfecting his skills.  He hopes to one day be the next Simcasso award winner for Meadow Glen.

He also wants to grow up to be a dinosaur - ya' know, keeping his options open and whatnot.

Pregnancy confirmed.


Dasia looks at her belly apprehensively.  "Great - as if my life isn't already complicated enough."  She sighs deeply, letting her anxiety release with her breath and then places her hand gently where a baby bump will soon be forming.  "Well, little - um, whatever you are ... looks like it's time to spill the news." 

Telling her parents is remarkably easy, albeit uncomfortable when her mother starts asking questions about who the father is.  Cedric has enough sense to let the conversation remain between them two.  If there's anything he's bad at it's knowing what to say in these situations.


"It's Duncan." Harper says, as if the answer is obvious.  "I know it."


Dasia furrows her brows anxiously, but nods in confirmation.  "Yes."


"I haven't seen him around.  You haven't told him, have you?"


"Well -" Dasia starts, coming up short of a worthy excuse. "No." She says, deflated. "I haven't."


"And I take you aren't in a relationship with him either?"


"Will you be disappointed if I say no?"

Harper frowns. "Only if you love him.  If so, don't make the same mistake I did and waste away the time you have together because of doubts."


"I love Duncan, but not like that.  We just - well - I mean, the night we came back from celebrating -"


"I don't need to know the details, dear." Harper interrupts. "I just want you to be happy, but you do need to tell him - sooner, rather than later."


Dasia rubs her ever expanding belly absentmindedly, avoiding telling her mom that the sheer thought of breaking the news to Duncan makes her feel like she's developing a stress hernia of epic proportions.  Harper places her hand over Dasia's and follows the movements across her belly.  "Sweetheart; you have to be responsible now whether you want to or not.  And the responsible thing to do is to tell the father of your child the truth."


"You're right, mom.  I'll tell him soon, I promise."

Dasia attempts to make good on that promise the following night, only to hang up as soon as she hears his voice.  "He knows it's you, you idiot." She mutters. "Caller ID is the worst invention on the planet."

Dasia gives up and decides to call him the next day - only to be beaten to the punch.


"Duncan?" She asks nervously.


"Are you okay?  You've called me at least a dozen times."


Dasia pauses, trying to come up with a tactful way to start the conversation and then opts for the blunt approach. "I'm pregnant." She blurts.


"Oh.  And you're sure?"


"Unless I'm only getting fat in one region of my body, then yes - I'm 100 percent sure I'm pregnant."


"I'm off work at 2. Is it okay if I come over around 3?"


"You don't have to do that, Duncan.  I mean, if you don't want to do this - I can take care of him or her myself."


Duncan sighs, clearly frustrated. "I want to be there for my child and I'm a little offended that you think I wouldn't.  Listen - I have to get back to the station, but I'll be by later today."

And true to his word, Duncan shows up promptly at 3.  "Wow." He blinks in surprise.  "You really are pregnant."


Dasia laughs. "Thanks."


Duncan moves forward hesitantly.  "May I?" He asks, motioning toward her stomach.

Dasia nods and places his hand where she usually feels the most activity.  Sure enough, their child kicks and Duncan grins at the sudden movement.  "I want to be there for our child." He says, determined.


"Then you will be."  She guides his hand to another active spot and waits for the next movement. "Duncan, I miss you."  She states, simply.  "I know things are strained right now, but I just want you to know that I miss my best friend."


He looks up and smiles. "I miss you too.  Although things are quite a bit more interesting between us now, aren't they?"


"That's one way of putting it."

Her belly grows -

- and then explodes just a couple of days later.

When Dasia returns home later that night with Lachlan, it's then that she realizes the gravity of her situation.  She's a mother now and there's no turning back.


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Gideon & Kris <3 I love writing them; I'm going to be sad when Gideon leaves.  (Cece - don't you dare spoil anything! :P)


So Skyrim has been taking up a good chunk of my time (trying to get my Nord hitched and such), but I'll try to keep updates fairly regular from here on out.  I'm excited to get Generation 4 in the works and introduce the Generation 5 bb's.  They turned out so well; I'm practically bursting with happiness.  


Ellis is still the heiress, I promise.  Dasia's story arch is just sucking up most of the dramz for the time being.  Ellis' turn is soon. *rubs hands together mischievously*