Hayden and his parents were in the middle of one of their 'heart-to-heart' talks.
They had both wanted to appear supportive when Hayden broke the news, but they also couldn't help but meet some of this with skepticism.
"Yes, Dad," Hayden said. "She and I have discussed all of the arrangements."
"What are you going to do about work?" Alie asked Hayden.
"Tove's been buying me time with the producers but it looks like I will have to go back to L.A. by the beginning of next week since I'm signed on to it."
"When are you and Kristen leaving for Boston?" Hayden's father asked.
"We're leaving tomorrow morning," Hayden replied.
He stood up and looked at his parents with a warm smile. "You all raised me right, ok? I'm doing the right thing here and the truth is, I couldn't be happier about it."
Hayden's mother hugged him and his father smiled. "We know you have a good head on your shoulders....but we're still your parents. Even though you're all grown up, its our job to worry about your big life changes," Hayden's father said.
~~~~~~~
Early Wednesday morning, Hayden and Kristen had decided to make the drive to Boston to see her mother and break the news. After an essential trip to Second Cup for coffee, he and Kristen headed out of town.
"So, does she know that I'm coming?" Hayden asked as he pulled onto the Provincial Route 405.
"Yeah, I told her over the phone. I'm sure she's completely confused, but she didn't ask," Kristen said.
Hayden laughed lightly, "I'm sure she'll wonder what's up."
Kristen sighed, "she'll find out soon enough, I suppose."
Hayden glanced over at her, "are you nervous about telling her?"
"A little...I mean, I just know its going to be a shock to her..." Kristen replied.
Hayden nodded. "Yeah, but I'm sure she'll be happy about it too."
"I hope so."
8 and a half hours later, they were finally reaching the suburb of Boston in which Kristen had grown up.
Hayden began to recognize the neighborhood-- he had come home with Kristen numerous times over the past four years.
Hayden pulled up to the driveway, "we're here."
Kristen nodded and smiled.
"Are you ready?" Hayden looked at her.
Kristen took a deep breath, "yeah....I'm ready."
"You go ahead to the door, I'll get our bags," Hayden said, opening up the trunk.
Kristen nodded nervously and walked up the steps.
Apparently, her mother had noticed their arrival and had opened the front door.
"Krissy, sweetheart!" she called, running out to hug Kristen.
"Hi Mom!" Kristen said, hugging her.
Hayden was walking up the front sidewalk with their bags when Kristen's mother looked up at him.
"Hey Hayden!" she said, grinning and turned to give him a hug as well.
"Hi Louise, its nice to see you," he replied.
The three went into the house and sat down in the living room.
The three decided to go to a local restaurant for dinner to visit and catch up. They talked about the weather, life in Toronto, Hayden's career....everything except for what they actually came to discuss. They never offered an explanation for Hayden's presence on the trip and Louise had not pried about the situation.
"Are you going to tell her?" Hayden said in a low voice, when Louise had excused herself to the restroom after the meal.
"Yes, just please....give me some time," Kristen said.
Hayden nodded in silence.
~~~~~
The three went back to the house and Louise put on some music.
"C'mon Krissy, have a glass of wine with me," Louise smiled.
"No thanks, Mom," Kristen said, shifting in her chair.
"Hayden would you like a glass?" Louise asked.
"Um, no but thank you," Hayden replied, looking at Kristen.
"So, you've kept me in suspense here!" Louise settled back on to the couch next to Kristen and looked at Hayden who was sitting in the armchair. "...what's going on that brought the both of you here to visit?"
"Well, Mom....I had wanted to come home to talk to you about something," Kristen said looking at Hayden.
Hayden sat there, leaning in with his elbows resting on his knees, "um, well, Louise, I know I haven't been here for awhile, so I'm sure it was a shock to see me."
"A pleasant surprise," Louise smiled. "I have to ask, are the two of you back together?"
Kristen shook her head at the time that Hayden responded, "not exactly."
Louise looked from one to the other, "...then what's going on...you all are starting to scare me a little."
"Mom, don't be scared. I'm fine - everyone's fine."
Louise looked at Hayden, who just watched Kristen.
"Mom....I'm....I'm going to have a baby," Kristen said.
Louise looked at her for a moment, clearly surprised.
"--Hayden and me....we're going to have a baby."
Louise's look of surprised quickly turned to a look of joy. She pulled Kristen into a hug, "Congratulations baby!" She pulled away suddenly, "Are you okay though? I mean, healthwise and financially..."
"The doctor said everything looks great," Kristen said.
"I've already told her that I'm going to help with everything, including financial matters," Hayden spoke up, clearly relieved at Louise's joyful response.
"Well come here!" Louise hugged Hayden to her. "You're the father of my first grandchild...so you're family now."
Hayden smiled, it had been a response similar to what his own mother had said to Kristen.
Kristen and Hayden stayed up talking with Louise about their plans.
"Of course Hayden will have to do some traveling for work for the next few months," Kristen said. "...but Kaylen, Alie and Hejsa have been really supportive and said they can help with things when he's gone."
"...and I've cleared my work schedule after August...so I will spend the last couple of months of her pregnancy in Toronto," Hayden replied.
"Well, it looks like you two have really thought this through," Louise commented.
"Yeah, we have...we're determined," Hayden grinned.
It wasn't long when the group decided to retire to bed for the night- it had been a long and emotional day.
After changing into her pajamas, Kristen stepped out of the guest room to walk down to the guest bathroom. She could see Hayden was in there brushing his teeth. The door was cracked a little and Kristen couldn't help but notice Hayden's physique. He was standing at the sink, clad only in a pair of sweatpants, his abs still very well defined from all of the training he had done for one of his films.
Kristen was kind of lost in her thoughts when suddenly the bathroom door swung open.
"Kristen! What are you doing out here?" Hayden asked.
"Oh! Um...I was just coming to see if the bathroom was open, and now, it looks, um, like it is....so..." Kristen stumbled over her words, not wanting to admit that she'd been staring at him through an opening in the door.
Hayden looked down at her, "well its all your's."
"Thanks," Kristen said hurriedly.
Hayden watched her hurry in to the bathroom and smiled to himself as he walked down the hall to his bedroom.