Baby, We're Invincible

Kennedy's palms turned sticky with sweat and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as the unfamiliar feeling of fear crept up within him, bringing goosebumps to his skin and causing his stomach to do mini flip-flops.

He hadn't seen Amanda since that night.
And he wasn't sure if he was all too joyous too see her either, what with a huge bulge for a belly that was a result of that night. 

Kennedy tore his eyes away from her swollen stomach and stared down at his shoes rather nervously.

Amanda Reynolds cradles her belly gently and looked at her child's father with an awed buy determined gaze. She had tried to contact Kennedy ever since that night, in hopes of speaking with him, but she had no such luck. Now was her chance though, to get him to accept the consequences of his mistake just as she had.

Amanda admitted that it was her own fault as well, that she was pregnant, but at least she was owning up to her mistake. She couldn't abort the baby. She just couldn't. She would do all she can for her child. As for Kennedy, well... She wasn't going to let him get out of it that easy. 

"Hi Kennedy."

Madeline stood nearby the two people nervously, sensing the immense tension in the air, almost seeming to make the air heavy and sticky,

Kennedy Brock continued to look down at the floor and without even s glance, he replied in an almost inaudible whisper," Hi".

Madeline winced at his uninterest; this was clearly going to be all up to Amanda and that was a fact she wasn't happy to admit.

"I want to talk to you... About that night."
Amanda was nervous and afraid, even her baby could tell, kicking softly within her.

She received a faint nod from Kennedy," Ok."

Amanda sighed heavily and frowned at him," Listen, what happened that night... Shouldn't have happened. It was a mistake. Unplanned. I was stupid, okay? But so were you. I don't care whether you like me or not, but for the baby's sake... Please."

She pursed her lips, gave Madeline a hopeful glance, and waited for Kennedy's response.

Madeline smiled back encouragingly at her, but the silence from Kennedy didn't make her very hopeful. Hell, she was tempted to slap that boy if that's what it would take to make him speak. 

Finally a string of words erupted from Kennedy's lips, catching the two girls by surprise. 

"So? What do you want me to do about it?"

He didn't say it sarcastically or angrily; just in a plain voice. It wasn't the reply  Amanda quite wanted, but she was happy he spoke at all. That meant something good, right? Things might go pretty well after all. 

"I want you to help me in this whole process. You need to contribute too. With the baby clothes, diapers, bottles, you name it. I can't do this alone, Kenny."
When he didn't reply, she added angrily," Its your fault, after all."

That was all it took to make Kennedy spring into action; he bolted up and stood erect, his face flushed angrily and a distasteful grimace curling onto his lips.

"My fault? My fault?" Kennedy growled, his hazel eyes seeming almost black in his anger," Its your fault too, so don't put all the blame on me. You were the slut, just begging for attention, who fucking insisted we go up to that room. It's YOUR FAULT."

He exploded some more while Amanda gawked at him with teary eyes," You're a slut and that's why these things happen to you. I don't have to help you. I don't owe you anything!"

Kennedy gave Amanda one last angry glare and stormed outside, leaving with an ungrateful slam of the front door.

Madeline watched in horror as he did so, her eyes flying to Amanda just as she began to burst into tears. 

She rushed to her side and hugged her friend awkwardly, the bulge of the pregnant woman's stomach standing as a delicate barrier.

"He's a jerk, okay Amanda? Don't listen to him," she told her," A complete asshole! I can't believe he would do such a thing! I'll talk to him for you, okay? Please don't cry sweetie..."

-----------------//

Oh, Madeline wasn't just infuriated.
 
She was nearly boiling with the anger she held against Kennedy at the moment. She could strangle him, if it weren't for the fact that she'd probably be thrown into jail if she did. She honestly couldn't believe the nerve he had, the amount of idioticness he really had within that whimsical mind of his. Now, as a result, Madeline was left to comfort Amanda hopelessly as she cried her eyes out. 

Maybe Madeline would just have to give up on Kennedy. Just maybe.

Amanda knew he was right in a way. She had acted, for lack of a better word, like a tramp that night. She wished so bad though, that he would understand her feelings about the whole ordeal. 

That night, Amanda turned 21. She thought she was invincible. She was also naive, willing, and still far too young. The alcohol had her at hello. It was hardly an excuse. Amanda would admit that much. But that wouldn't change that fact that her baby would be living in broken home. Amanda didn't want that for her child...
Nobody would.

A baby that was to be neglected from the start. 
Kennedy wanted to change that the best he possibly could. 

He understood he made a mistake, he understood that he had an obligation to help Amanda, and he understood that he needed to man up and become a father, but he didn't want to admit it. He needed to step up though, just as Amanda said," For the sake of the baby."

The battle raging inside Kennedy's mind was enough to scare even the most trained phsychologist away. But Kennedy didn't need a phsychologist.
He could weigh his own wars, even if that was something he had never done before. That would change though, starting now. 

--------------------//

"I give up, Maddy."

Madeline looked sadly into the red-rimmed eyes of her best friend and couldn't help but to feel angry. 

Not the short-lived kind of angry when you stub your toe, or the calm kind of angry when you're dealing with toddlers, but just mildly, all over angry.  Angry that Kennedy wouldn't man up to his problems, angry that he was so hot-headed that he couldn't find it within himself to apologize for the least, angry that she was trying to help him and he just had to be so damn stubborn. 

And angry because Amanda was so ready to give up on the last chance for her baby to have a "real" father, not some coward who runs from any complication that may arise. 

"Amanda, don't say that. We can still convince him!" Madeline insisted, following at Amanda's heels as she made her way to the front door," I can talk to him if you want!"

Amanda stopped at the heavy wooden front door and looked over her shoulder to shoot Madeline one last sorry glance," I already tried, Maddy. Thanks for offering, but believe me when I say it won't make a difference."

"Lies. It'll make all the difference," Madeline tugged on the sleeve of Amanda's shirt gently," Please, at least let me tr-"

A loud knock on the door caught the both of them off guard and they both stared at the door until another knock sounded. 

It finally registered in Madeline's mind that someone was behind the door and she muttered," Uh, I'll get that," as Amanda side-stepped out of her way awkwardly. 

Madeline opened the door slowly, her eyes widening as well as Amanda's for every inch that the open door exposed of the outside world. 

There, with an unamused expression, stood Kennedy Brock. If it was just him at the door, Madeline would have been furious, but instead she felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude wash over her. 

In his hands, Kennedy held a huge box of baby diapers and wipes, along with gender-neutral baby clothes stacked on top.
Madeline looked beside her and saw the same shocked expression on Amanda's face. 

Kennedy Brock wasn't a total asshole after all.

"Pat is getting the rest from the trunk," was all he said, moving forward as the two women stepped aside. 

At the mention of The Maine's friendly drummer, Pat Kirch, Madeline frowned. Pat was always the kind one; she was sure that he could of easily convinced Kennedy to do all of this.

"Pat didn't put you up to all of this, did he?" Madeline couldn't help but to inquire warily, spying Pat unloading more infant necessities.

Kennedy frowned, disappointed that Madeline would accuse him like that. What, he wasn't allowed to do nice things? 

"No, I actually just called him so he could help me pick out the things since, you know," he set all the items down and stared at his shoes awkwardly," his sister is having a baby n' all..."

Madeline pursed her lips and nodded slowly, smiling lightly as Pat came in and greeted her politely. Kennedy could learn a thing or two from him.

Pat also greeted Amanda shyly, then turned to adress Kennedy as he set all the items down," I'll wait for you in the car."

He then left, closing the door behind him and leaving a blanket of silence in his place. 

Kennedy was the first to speak up.

"I realized something."

Amanda swallowed the thick knot constricting her throat and found the will to reply," And what may that be?"

Kennedy finally looked up, determination set in his hazel eyes. 

"That my- our baby, needs the most love and care it can possibly get, and that's tough to do with only one parent. I don't want the baby to be fatherless or think that his dad is a jerk... I want to help. I want to be a dad." 

Amanda nodded and shut her eyes, taking it all in. She never thought this day would come. Much less as a result of Kennedy's own free will. 

"So we're okay?"

Kennedy flinched noticeably," About that... Listen, I'm doing this for the baby, alright? I just really don't think you and I will be 'okay'. At least anytime soon. You understand that, right?"

Amanda thought for a moment and then nodded solemnly. She almost wished they could be "okay". In a way, they both hated each other and it's not like they could all of a sudden, spontaneously, make everything all fine and dandy. It just wasn't possible. 

"I understand," she replied grimly. 

Kennedy nodded at Amanda," Alright. I'm glad we're on the same page," he turned to glance at Madeline," I have to head to band practice now, but this won't be the last you'll see of me... I promise."

He proceeded to exit the house when Amanda's voice sounded, now strong and calm," Kennedy."

Upon hearing his name, he stopped and glanced over his shoulder," Yes?"

"...Thank you."

Madeline could sense the true gratitude and sincerity laced within those two words... It was unmistakeable. 

Kennedy smiled and nodded, finally leaving the house. 

Within seconds of his exit, Madeline received a text. It was from Kennedy and it read; 

Remember your deal? Tomorrow I get to ask you a question. Party @ johno's house 9pm, see you there.