Chapter Text
Penny Lamb has had a long week.
Monday morning, she noticed her period was late. “This isn’t the first time, I’ll probably get it by the end of the week.” she thought, brushing off her initial concern.
Her day continued as per usual: she kissed Ricky goodbye before taking the bus to work and then again to get home, where they had dinner, watched a couple hours of TV and went to bed.
Until Thursday, everything kept running smoothly, or so it seemed. The thought of her missing period plagued her more and more each day, almost as if her brain refused to let her avoid it no matter how hard she tried. It was also painfully clear that Ricky had noticed the change in her behavior. She was nervously playing with her hands or tapping her foot every time he tried to hold her or kiss her or even talk to her. He decided to bring it up at dinner, but to no avail.
“ Doll, is something wrong? You’ve been acting strange. ” he signed to her when she looked up from picking at her food.
“Nuh-uh.” she replied, mumbling like an upset toddler and going back to her plate.
It’s not that she didn't trust him, anything but that, but she was in denial. In denial she could be pregnant, in denial of the fact there could be something she and Ricky created inside her and they would most likely have to care for it.
Friday morning, she knew she’d had enough, so she called in sick for work and instead took the bus to a town over, making sure her boyfriend would be gone by the time she was back. This was one of the few times she regretted coming back to Uranium with the rest of the choir. Everyone was up your business and an unwed twenty-two year old buying a pregnancy test would spread like wildfire.
Once home, she spent a good half hour on the floor of the bathroom contemplating taking the three tests she bought. When she finally mustered up the courage to take them, she left them next to the sink face-down, once again trying to avoid their results. She flipped all three, not looking down until she was finished and at last, her gaze fell on the three pink plus-signs. Her green eyes became waterfalls and the little voice in her head became pessimistic and cruel.
“You’re going to fuck this all up like your parents.” it told her. She didn't dare asking herself "How did this happen", she knew damn well and she was mad at herself for it.
She took a few breaths, told the voice to shut up and sat down to think about her options. The truth was, she wanted this baby and she knew they had the money and the space, she knew Ricky would be extatic when he heard the words “I’m pregnant” and the thought of aborting or putting it up for adoption made her cringe. She knew what foster care was like, she had already let her brother down like that, she couldn’t do it to her baby- her own baby-.
That’s what she was afraid of really, screwing her child over like her parents did to her, like she did to her brother. She was terrified that one day, the little thing inside her would one day grow up to resent her for doing something wrong.
~~~~~
Ricky walked into the apartment, he saw his girlfriend finishing up dinner and tapped on his AAC.
“ Hey Doll! Why are you home so early? ”
“Oh hi! I came back early, I wasn’t feeling too well.” which was only a half-lie, she’d been feeling terribly nauseous since she found out the news.
“ Oh I’m sorry, Penny! I hope you feel better .” the concern in his eyes was clear.
“I’m fine now, I promise.”
The couple had their meal and Penny happily heard all about Ricky’s day, while her secret was eating her up inside. While having their nightly TV-watching session she decided she couldn’t keep it in anymore.
“Ricky…”she sheepishly whispered, laying on his chest, hoping he might’ve not heard. He replied with a quiet “Mhm”.
“I have to tell you something.” He was looking down at her, all ears.
She paused before mumbling “I’m pregnant.” and prying away from him.
His eyes lit up, he kissed her cheek and gave her a big hug. Her heart filled with relief.
Ricky freed his hands. “ Wait, Doll, are you happy? ” he motioned to her.
“Yes, just…scared.” she replied, smiling.
“ It’s ok, we’ll do this together. ” He kissed her lips.
~~~~~
They spent their weekend booking an OB appointment and talking about their plans for their family. Penny was finally happy about the fact she’s going to be a mom. It still hadn't fully set into them yet that they’re going to be parents. It was all pure bliss.
So yes, Penny Lamb has had one hell of a week.