Chapter 27: BREAKING NEWS

"I guess, it is always super nerve wracking and exciting, sharing the news of the first baby with parents- the soon to be grandma and grandpa. I hope they will not be angry with me," Audrey nervously thought.
"I'll only get one chance to break the news of their new status as Grandma and Grandpa, so I should make the best of it with a memorable reveal," murmured Audrey as she bought pink and blue balloons with grandma grandpa written on it.
"What are these for, Audrey?" asked Mrs. Lucy Blaydes as Audrey entered her home.
"Mom and Dad, read what is written on the balloons," Audrey said.
Mr. and Mrs. Blaydes were shocked and angry but at the spur of the moment, they reigned control on their emotions somehow.
For a minute, the couple just stared at each other before assimilating the news and starting a difficult conversation.
"Who is the father of your baby ?" Mr. Blaydes asked.
"It is Doctor Dmitri ! The one I told you about meeting him in university during a career counselling session last year," Audrey reminded.
"When she was growing up I hoped she would make those announcements with her husband," Mr. Blaydes expressed his displeasure to his wife, Mrs. Lucy Blaydes.
"I know you're really mad at me. I know this isn't what you wanted for me and I know this isn't what you expected but you need to be more understanding that it was an accident and not a planned pregnancy," Audrey replied.
"How could you let this happen ?" Mrs. Lucy Blaydes shrieked in disbelief.
"Don't you think it's too early in your life to get into all this," Mr. Blaydes asked, his world going topsy-turvy suddenly.
"I know, Mom. Even I had not thought I would get pregnant, but if I thought about it, it existed in the vague haze of my distant future," Audrey replied.
"You have ashamed and disappointed us," Mr. Blaydes thundered.
"I know I've disappointed you. I know you're upset. I'm really sorry for putting you through all this," Audrey dejectedly apologized.
"Only a couple of months back you graduated and you have killed your dreams in modeling before even fulfilling them !" Mrs. Lucy Blaydes did not hold back.
"These are all stereotypes, mom, which judge us no matter what. So why not, I just make the right decision for myself and for my child," Audrey replied.
"Do you understand that having a baby so young isn't only difficult but a blunder ? More than half of the women in the world are ruined by these unwanted, untimely pregnancies," said Mr Blaydes.
"Encouraging stuff, no ? Before these words and statistics permeate my brain and occupy my thoughts so much that they slowly settle in and become facts, I want to clear that I'm ready for motherhood and ready to pay whatever price I have to for this," Audrey resolutely declared.
"In case your doctor lover abandons you and your child then mind it that no one wants a girl with a baggage. You're damaged goods then," Mrs. Lucy Blaydes shot back.
"Please stop predicting my future. What if young moms heard a different chorus from their loved ones ?" an agitated Audrey defended herself.
"Like what ? A congratulatory handshake or a high five ?" Mrs. Lucy Blaydes sarcastically asked.
"No ! One that rallied for education and healthy relationships. One that advocated for growth, maturity, and making bold moves. A voice that acknowledged young mom dreams and showed up at every step to help us get there," Audrey answered. "One that showed us that it isn't a slamming door on all we had imagined for ourselves, but an alternate route. A steep and turbulent route, but a route nonetheless," she added.
"Are you sure you want to bring a child into this uncertain world, not rich enough to afford luxuries of life from his father's basic income ? You should think twice about bringing your baby into this world" Mrs. Lucy Blaydes admonished.
"Fielding rude questions and comments is practically inevitable when you're pregnant out of wedlock but I never expected that from my parents, my own parents who will be against my unborn baby," a teary eyed Audrey said. "I had hoped that you would recognize my progress— academic, emotional, parental— no matter how small. Most importantly, you'll not pity me; but celebrate with me. You'll refuse to coddle, and rather, challenge me. But I was wrong, Mom and Dad," the disheartened daughter of the Blaydes Family woefully said.
"Well, then whatever you decide, it needs to be what you want, not what someone else wants you to do. That's especially true if you think most of the child-raising 'can' fall on you. It's a big job," Mr. Blaydes said as a concluding argument. "But I believe you can do this," he added. He couldn"t afford to anger the heiress of his empire.
"Thank you, dad, for being so considerate !" Audrey squealed and mostly relieved. "Mom and Dad, Dmitri would like to have a conversation with you regarding our baby and our wedding," she further informed.
"Then tell him to call your dad today itself," Mrs. Lucy Blaydes asserted.
"Today ?" Audrey asked in disbelief. "But how ?" She questioned.
"Let him talk to us on call," her mother replied.
However, before Audrey could reply, her Dad intervened.
"This conversation with the doctor is too important to have it over the phone, Lucy. Let Audrey invite him here, at our home this weekend," Mr. Blaydes decided.
"That is what I meant. You can ask him questions and see for yourself how genuine and intelligent he is ," Audrey said with a smile. The very thought of Dmitri calmed her.
"Your daughter"s boyfriend has asked you for her hand in marriage. What questions would you ask him before giving your blessing ?" Mrs. Lucy Blaydes joked.
"What would I ask? Well, it"s not like fathers or mothers are handed a set of questions in the maternity ward to ask a future son-in-law," Mr. Blaydes replied in a lighter vein, making Audrey giggle. "I believe I will go with the flow and see how well the doctor is prepared for marriage and parenthood," he answered his wife"s question.
"As they say- Parenthood... it"s about guiding the next generation and forgiving the last," Mrs. Lucy Blaydes remarked, making her husband grin. "Now let us quickly get you ready for your Board Meeting," she quickly said after a quick glance at the clock.
In the meantime, Audrey called Dmitri to update him on the happenings at her home.
"So how will you deal with a whole slew of invasive questions that my dad will ask ? I'm scared that he might cross the line of social mannerisms while interrogating you, or rather grilling you" Audrey worriedly relayed her fears after inviting Dmitri over the weekend to her home.
"It's fine ! They're your parents and they've every right to ask me whatever they want to know about me, after all you're about to share your life with me," Dmitri replied.
"I'm warning you ! It's going to be challenging," Audrey warned.
"Since childhood, I have faced struggles and challenges at every step of the way but I don"t just cry about them. In this case, we will both figure out how to deal with your parents," Dmitri comforted.
"I just want you to be prepared for invasive inquiries, he's going to make," Audrey cautioned.
"These invasive inquiries are going to be uncomfortable but we must understand that he's your father and he might be trying to determine things about his future son in law in a deliberately offensive or annoyingly ignorant manner to test my capabilities or to know me better," Dmitri replied.
"So you mean to say, we need to give him the benefit of doubt," Audrey said in humour.
"Yes, we have to and we should ! In life, we'll be in situations, where we'll be judged and asked inappropriate questions by even strangers out of curiosity regarding our economic difference and baby, then what will you do ?" Dmitri asked.
"Even if someone is just curious and their questions are totally inappropriate then I'll snap back with a witty retort, or school them about their insensitivity !" retorted Audrey with an oomph in the end. "In any case, I view such intriguing questions and situations as an opportunity to empower myself and all the other young moms-to-be, by having a frank conversation about an issue that's often talked about in hushed tones," she added.
"Oh ! I can see you're quite armed with your list of reasons and you're quite vocal about it," Dmitri mused.
"I'll make a special point to be very open. I believe if you act like it's a top secret, you're sending a message that it should be shameful," Audrey said.
"I couldn't agree more on this, love," Dmitri coaxed.
"I feel that it's going to be really important down the road for our child that I be comfortable with the circumstances of his or her conception," Audrey said.
"Audrey, you don't need an etiquette expert to guide you through this issue, simply respond to prying questions in a way that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and proud of your mommy status," Dmitri smoother her feathers before they concluded the phone call.
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