[Being the mayor's daughter was something that Kayla despised. She felt as though everywhere she went and in everything she did she was being watched and critiqued. To make matters worse, her mother was completely hung up on what everyone thought and the things that were said about their family. It seemed like nothing Kayla could do was right in her mother's eyes, especially when it came to her love life. Kayla had dumped Elijah Torrance in order to date Alex Knightley. Valary had been angry about this as she felt that Eli was the better man for her daughter. Since she had started dating Alex, Valary had made sure that Kayla knew in no uncertain terms she disapproved. Because of this Kayla had been spending a lot of time at her brother Cash's apartment. The two were incredibly close despite the four and a half year age difference. In fact on this evening she was laying on Cash's couch flipping through channels. She had just gotten out of the shower and was dressed in her pajamas. Lately she had been feeling sick to her stomach in fact she had stayed home from school because she could barely make it out of bed. She was curled up nicely on the couch and was there at the apartment alone as her brother was at work. She suddenly heard a knock on the door. She got up off the couch and grabbed the blanket she had been covered up with, she wrapped it around her shoulders and walked to the door. She looked in the peephole and softly smiled to herself as she saw it was Alex. She undid the locks and opened the door. She leaned against the doorframe and exhaled.]

Kayla Harlow Knix:
Hey I thought you were hanging out with your family tonight and couldn't make it over.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
Change of plans. [He smiled as he stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her.] How are you feeling? I heard you were sick.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
[She leaned against him.] Yeah I woke up feeling really nauseated this morning. I'm feeling okay I guess, still pretty weak though.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
Maybe it's just a little food poisoning or the flu. [He brushed some of her hair out of her eyes.] At least you're feeling better.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
Yeah I should be in school tomorrow providing I don't get any worse. [She took a hold of his hand and led him over to the couch.] I'm glad you're here, I really missed you today.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
I missed you too. [He kissed her softly.] If you're sick tomorrow, I'll stay home with you, deal?

Kayla Harlow Knix:
[She smiled and nodded.] And just what would we do all day?

Alexander Charles Knightley:
Oh, I don't know... [He smiled at her.] Whatever you want to do.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
[She smiled back at him.] Actually I'm sure we could think of something. [She exhaled and sat back against the couch.] So how late can you stay tonight? Cash won't be home for a while...

Alexander Charles Knightley:
I can stay as late as you want me to. My parents know I'm here and how to reach me. I can just tell them I fell asleep if it gets too late.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
[She grinned and leaned against him.] So I've been kind of wondering what are we going to do after graduation?

Alexander Charles Knightley:
I don't know. I'm still waiting to hear from NYU. I should have heard by now... I don't think I got in... I could always take a year off though and apply again.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
How would your parents feel about that? [She looked at him.] I mean I'm thinking of doing the same thing to really decide what I want to do.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
They probably wouldn't like it too much but they'll deal with it. It's not like I'm just not going to go.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
You know I've been kind of thinking of something as it pretains to us.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
What is it? [He looked at her expectantly, waiting to hear what she had to say.]

Kayla Harlow Knix:
Maybe after graduation if you were interested.... [She looked down for a moment and then back up at him.] That we could move in together.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
I'd really like that but do you think we could afford to do that? I mean, I might be in school and rent and everything is expensive.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
As soon as I turn eighteen I am coming into my trust fund so I think we could pretty much afford anything.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
I guess... I don't want you paying for everything though, okay?

Kayla Harlow Knix:
Okay but I wouldn't be paying for everything. [She bit down on her lower lip.] I just really want us to take a new step in our relationship.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
Alright, then let's do it. [He grinned at her.] We can start looking for some places soon, get an idea of cost and where in the city we want to live.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
Seriously? [She looked at him and grinned as she leaned in, cupped his face with her hands and kissed him on the lips.] Okay you have made me the happiest I think I've ever been.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
I could say the same about you. [He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her.] Unless you just gave me the flu, then I might have to rethink that.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
Come on even if I gave you the flu you know you wouldn't want to rethink it.

[Alex smiled as he pulled her closer and kissed her deeply, just happy that she was happy. She returned the kiss as the two settled in for a night of watching movies and just spending time together.]

[The following morning when she woke up Alex was gone and she was still feeling lousy. Cash had made the authorative decision that she would stay home from school yet again but also that she would go see the family's doctor who also happened to be their aunt Vivienne Winslow. Kayla had not come to Julie's office on her own, her best friend Jessica Hendrix had accompanied her and was sitting in the examination room. Vivienne had been in and was checking on the results of the tests she had given Kayla. Kayla was sitting on the examining table as Jessica sat in an empty chair. The two were talking while they were waiting for Viv's return.]

Kayla Harlow Knix:
I wonder what could be taking Vivienne so long. [She sighed and was swinging her legs back and forth.] I mean how long can it take to diagnose me with the stomach flu.

Jessica Madison Hendrix:
[She looked at her friend skeptically.] Come on you can't seriously think that the stomach flu is what's wrong.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
Ummm yeah, I mean what else could it be?

Jessica Madison Hendrix:
[She shook her head.] Think about it Kaytie; two months ago at my party you and Alex hooked up, correct? [Kaya's raised her eyebrows and nodded.] And you didn't use protecion, correct?

[Kayla paled a bit as she came to the realization.] Do the math Sweetie, my guess is that you're pregnant.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
What?...[She shook her head.] No, I can't be....

Jessica Madison Hendrix:
Actually yes you can, I mean you weren't on birth control or anything at the time were you?

Kayla Harlow Knix:
No because I didn't think I needed to be. [She shut her eyes and held them closed for a little bit.] Oh God Jess....What am I going to do?

Jessica Madison Hendrix:
Well first off there's no need to get yourself all in a panic yet at least not until your aunt comes back and tells you what is going on. You know maybe you aren't and it is the stomach flu.

[Before Kayla could reply, Vivienne came walking in with a cream colored folder in her hand that held Kayla's results. Vivienne smiled at her niece who looked as though she could pass out at any time.]

Vivienne Alistair Winslow:
You okay there Kay? [Kayla nodded as Vivienne exhaled.] You and I need to talk Kiddo...

[As her aunt began to talk Kayla barely heard anything she said. The only thing she really heard was Vivienne telling her she was definitely pregnant and after that every part of her went numb.]

[After leaving Vivienne's office, Kayla knew she needed to go and see Alex immediately. She knew he would be at home as it was after school. She had dropped Jessica off back at the dorms and made her way to Alex's house. She parked her car in the driveway and stayed in the car for a few minutes before getting out. Despite finding out she was pregnant at the age of seventeen, Kayla was oddly calm and somewhat happy. She loved Alex so much and even though they had only been together for a few months she knew that together they would make wonderful parents. Slightly smiling to herself, she slid a hand under her shirt and placed it on her flat stomach that within a few months would be swelling with the growth of their child. She exhaled deeply and shook her head. She knew things were going to be hard but no matter what they would get through it together. She finally snapped out of her daydream in which she and Alex were raising their child together and got out of the car. She walked to the front door and knocked, awaiting an answer. Alex got up off the couch, turning off the TV as he walked to the door. He opened the door and smiled at Kayla, stepping to the side to let her in.]

Kayla Harlow Knix:
Hey I'm sorry for just stopping in but I had to drop off Jess at the dorms and was in the area. I thought I'd stop by, besides I need to talk to you about something.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
Yeah, sure. You know you can stop by any time. [He smiled at her.] What did you need to talk about?

Kayla Harlow Knix:
[She glanced around the house to see if she could notice his parents.] It's kind of important, could we maybe go up to your room?

Alexander Charles Knightley:
Yeah, sure. [He closed the front door behind her and led her upstairs to his room.]

[She smiled at him as the two of them walked upstairs to his bedroom. They shut the door behind them as Kayla looked around the room. She was nervous, truth be told but she was going to tell him, she had to.]

Kayla Harlow Knix:
So how was school today?

Alexander Charles Knightley:
It was good. Where were you? Were you sick again?

Kayla Harlow Knix:
Actually that's what I need to talk to you about. [She bit on her lower lip.] You may want to sit down.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
[He took a seat on the bed.] Is everything okay? [He looked extremely worried about what she had to say.] It's nothing serious, is it?

Kayla Harlow Knix:
[She stood up and started to pace the room.] Okay here's the thing I went to the doctor's today in order to find out what's been around with me. Well they found out.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
So.. what is it? It's not cancer, is it?

Kayla Harlow Knix:
No nothing like that. [She walked over and took a seat on the bed with him.] All right here goes... There really isn't any easy way to say it so I'm just going to. [She looked him in the face with a small smile.] I'm pregnant Alex.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
[He stared at her for a moment, expressionless.] No... We were careful. You can't be pregnant.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
It must've been that night Jess' party where we first got together. We didn't use anything. [She grabbed ahold of his hand.]

Alexander Charles Knightley:
[He shook his head as he pulled his hand away.] You can't be pregnant.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
But I am, Vivienne confirmed it. I'm about two months along which coinsides with the first time we got together.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
[He got up off the bed and started to pace the room, trying to figure out what to do.] You're not going to keep it, right? I mean, you're going to... you know... have it taken care of?

Kayla Harlow Knix:
[The smile she had had on her face slowly started to disappear.] You mean as in an abortion? [She stood up at well.] You can't be serious.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
We can't have a kid. We're way too young and we're not ready. We've only been dating for a couple months. I mean, are you sure it's even mine? [He mentally kicked himself once he realized what he said.]

Kayla Harlow Knix:
[Her eyes widened as she looked at him, the hurt apparent in her eyes.] But you're the only guy I've ever been with. How can you even ask me something like that?

Alexander Charles Knightley:
I'm sorry... I didn't... Look, Kay, I don't want to have a kid right now. You've got to understand where I'm coming from. We don't even know if we're still going to be together five or ten years from now.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
Believe me I do understand where you're coming from because I'm in the same place right now but there is no way that I would ever consider an abortion. [She shook her head.] I couldn't do it Alex.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
Well, it's kind of our only option because we are not having this kid.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
Maybe for you it's an option but not for me.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
I don't see what the problem is. You go to the doctor's and get it taken care of. You wouldn't even be there a whole day.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
But it's murdering my baby, how can you even ask me to do something like that or think that I would? [She shook her head, starting to be disgusted.] This baby is apart of you and me and I all ready love it.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
Kayla, I am not doing this.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
What exactly are you saying Alex? [She asked as she put her hands on her hips.]

Alexander Charles Knightley:
I'm saying that I can't do this. I can't have a kid.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
So you're just not going to be there? You're going to deny this baby?

Alexander Charles Knightley:
I didn't want it in the first place!

Kayla Harlow Knix:
Well ready or not, here it comes.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
I can't do this. I am not doing this. Kayla, you are on your own. You want to keep it, you deal with it.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
[She paled a bit and stared at him.] But I can't do it alone. [Tears welled in her eyes.] You told me that no matter what you would always be there for me.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
I also thought I would have a say in what happens. I don't want this kid. I don't want to be a father, but you don't care about that.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
Of course I care about that but you're asking me to murder our baby; a baby we made out of love.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
We were being stupid! We shouldn't have had sex that night without some protection.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
[Tears started to stream her face.] Then where does this leave us Alex?

Alexander Charles Knightley:
[He looked at her, not knowing what to say.] I don't know...

Kayla Harlow Knix:
Can't you at least try to be a father? I mean maybe this is what's supposed to happen.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
This isn't what's supposed to happen. I am not going to give up the rest of my life because you got knocked up.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
[He might as well of slapped her because at least then it wouldn't have left the emotional wound that his comment did.] And who was it that knocked me up?

Alexander Charles Knightley:
Kayla, I can't handle this right now. Just... just go.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
[She was crying fully now as she went to grab her bag.] My mother was right.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
Believe whatever you want.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
You never loved me....[She swallowed hard.] If you did you wouldn't be making me go through this all alone.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
I do love you, but you're not giving me much of a choice here. I can't be a father and that's the end of it.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
No because when you love someone you do what you have to do. [She shook her head.] But no not you, you'd rather take the easy way out rather than man up.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
Yeah, well I could easily say the same thing about you and all your little lies you told, omissions of the truth.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
[And for that comment she brought her hand back and smacked him across the face.] You're an asshole Alex and you know what I don't think I want you in this baby's life now. My baby deserves better than you.

Alexander Charles Knightley:
[He glared at her, barely concealing his outrage.] Get out. Get out of my house.

Kayla Harlow Knix:
Fine I'll go. [She swallowed back her tears.] Look on the bright side though, maybe you'll get lucky and I'll be involved in an accident on the way home.

[He was stricken by her words but turned away from her before she could see his reaction. He said nothing as he waited for her to leave. Kayla did just that as she couldn't stand to even be in the same room as him. Upon leaving his house she knew she had to keep it together for not only her sake but also for the sake of her baby.]