"....Kristen is having a baby," Hayden announced.
Kaylen dropped her fork on her plate and a loud clanging sound was all that was heard in the room.
All eyes were on Hayden, in silence.
Hayden tried to smile, looking from Kaylen to Tove to Kristen....
Hayden's father cleared his throat, "uh....well, that's certainly a surprise to hear....congratulations!" he directed his smile to Kristen.
Kristen smiled meekly.
Tove sat there, mouth agape. He had known something was up - he just didn't realize it was this big.
The other family members followed suit in congratulating Hayden and Kristen but it was easy to see, the majority of them were in a shocked daze.
Hayden's mother, ever the optimist, smiled and turned to Kristen, "...when is the baby due?"
"I'm due on the first of November," Kristen answered.
"She has her second prenatal visit on Monday," Hayden said. "I'm taking her."
Hayden's mother nodded. She was silent and then when she looked at him again, he could see she had tears in her eyes.
"Ma," he spoke up.
She stood up from her seat and walked to him, wrapping her arms around him in a hug.
Hayden smiled and hugged her back.
"My baby boy is going to be a father," she said, hugging him tighter.
Then, she stepped over and reached for Kristen's arm. Kristen stood up and Alie enveloped her into a hug as well.
"You're a part of our family now," Alie said.
Kristen could feel her eyes welling up with tears as she hugged her tighter.
Tove sat there, witnessing the emotional scene.
"Can I speak to you for a minute?" Tove asked Hayden. "In private."
Hayden nodded and followed Tove out on to the patio.
"Listen...have you really thought this through? I mean, do you know for sure that this is your responsiblity to deal with?" Tove asked.
"Yes, this is my baby. I know that," Hayden replied.
"Okay, how do you know that?"
Hayden looked at Tove, "look...she and I have already discussed all of this, alright? She was very forthcoming with the information and I never even questioned her about it....can't you just be happy for me?" Hayden asked.
"Happy? Hayden, this scares the hell out of me!" Tove exclaimed. "I don't know if you're ready for this at all!" His protective streak was out in full force.
"Tove, I know you're worried....but trust me, I can handle it."
"You say that now, but have you even begun to grasp the severity of what all of this means once the shock wears off?" Tove asked. "I mean, this is the rest of your life we're talking about here....nothing will ever be the same again."
"What would you have me do, Tove?" Hayden asked, getting defensive. "...of course I didn't ask for this, but its been dealt to me, alright? I have to take responsiblity for what's happened."
"I'm just saying, be careful," Tove said.
"I will....but I need your support here," Hayden said, standing firm. "I need to know that you're going to be here for me. This isn't going to be easy, I know that....but I can do this...I have to do this. I have to be there for her."
That final statement said, Hayden walked back into the house where Hejsa and Kaylen were waiting to hug him and offer their personal congratulations.
The family had always proven that they would hold strong and stick together no matter what happened. Tove just knew that there would be some rough storms to weather ahead.