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"So," Mister DiBenedetto asked as he joined his wife, daughters, and that boyfriend of his Valary Renee at the dinner table, "What's the cause of this meeting we're having?" He looked at Matt suspiciously, almost as if he knew Matt had a role in whatever they were talking about. But as nervous as he was, Val was sweating with fear and tapping her fingers with anxiety. Matt reached under the table and held his girlfriend's hand, trying to be her steady, unwavering rock of support. Michelle did the same, grabbing her twin sister's hand to calm her down.
"Do you want me to say it?" Michelle offered. Valary shook her head.
"I'll do it," she whispered, not daring to look her parents in the eye, "Mom...Dad...there's something I have to tell you. That Matt and I have to tell you. And before you judge him and before you hear about it and get mad at him, know something: I....I love him. He is truly my other half. I love this man with all my heart, and if you punish me by separating us, it will sure as hell not work." Her parents nodded, cringing at the thought of what could have happened.
"Alright, we'll try to keep an open mind. You can tell us what happened now." Val bit down on her lip and squeezed her eyes closed, causing tears to fall out.
"You know when you guys asked me if we did it...?" Good lord. Her voice was cracking and wailing already, and she hadn't hit the worst part yet. Valary felt like a fool for being so weak already. She cupped her face in her hands, hiding the ugly face she made when she cried. Matt put his arm around her shaking shoulders. Seeing her parents nod, he whispered in her ear for her to go on.
"Well...we....we did," the tears came out harder, "And I got pregnant." Mister DiBenedetto stood up in rage. Missus DiBenedetto just covered her mouth in horror.
"WHAT?! You LIED to me and now you're PREGNANT?! Michelle, did you know about this?!" When she nodded, he made a big, angry sigh, "Unbelievable, Valary!"
"Mister D, please let her continue. She's not done yet." Matt said, standing up for his girlfriend before he got a tongue lashing himself. He did so, his fists curled tight in rage.
"I got pregnant," Val continued, "But...Michelle and Brian took me to the doctor and...I....I....I got...." she began bawling even harder, dreading to say the word 'abortion.' She never wanted to say or hear that word in her life ever again.
"Do you want me to say it, hon?" Matt asked softly. She nodded. Matt cleared his throat.
"She got an abortion. I didn't know she was gonna do that, and I found out after she-" Missus DiBenedetto got up, gently pushed aside Matt, and embraced her weeping daughter, she herself almost crying. Mister DiBenedetto sat there fuming. Michelle casted a glare at her father.
"The only person to be angry at here is yourself, Dad," she told icily, "Hearing all this should make you feel...sad, I guess. Yes, she lied. Yes, she got pregnant and terminated it. But you know what? The both of us are eighteen, and we can make decisions for ourselves. You have every right to be disappointed, but anger is unnecessary. Your daughter is falling apart - do you think she wanted to get pregnant? Do you think she wanted to abort the baby? You're the one that's unbelievable, Dad. You really are. You make me sick," Michelle got up and took Valary's hand, "Come on, Val; let's go to Brian's and discuss merch." Val nodded, wiping her eyes and letting go of her mom. Matt followed the girls' lead, and when they were just out the door, he whispered in her ear.
"You really were brave tonight. I love you with everything I have." Their father was about to yell at them, but when he saw the subtle affection between them, he just sat down and held his breath, not sure what to think or say anymore.