Hayden and Tove were back to work in Los Angeles and had been optioning several screenplays for Forest Park. The company had ultimately decided on a script by an unknown writer and were working on casting. So far, Evan Rachel Wood had been cast as the female lead and they were seeking out the male lead and supporting roles.
This was Hayden's time to step behind the camera - he had wanted to be strictly a producer on this film.
After a ten day rigorous shooting schedule, the Christensen brothers decided to make a trip home to visit.
"It's good to be back!" Tove exclaimed when he walked into the Christensen home. The guys hugged their Mom, Dad and sister.
"We're having a cook out tonight to celebrate your coming home," their mother smiled.
Hayden grinned, "sounds good to me!"
~~~~~
Kaylen and Hayden were sitting out on the patio catching each other up on what had happened in the past couple of months.
"So you gave him the ol' heave -ho?" Hayden asked.
Kaylen rolled her eyes, "Jon...he was just too immature and about stuff. It got to the point we couldn't even talk about things. He would get this spoiled brat attitude if things didn't go his way and that's just ridiculous at his age."
Hayden smirked, "yeah, some people don't know how to grow up, I guess."
Kaylen's smile faded a little. "Kristen dropped out of school."
Hayden looked over at her, "why would she do something like that?? School was always so important to her."
"I don't really know....I actually found out through Linda. Things kind of went downhill...after...ya know."
Hayden sighed. Yeah, he knew.
"Did he stay with her?" Hayden couldn't help asking.
"Uh, no," Kaylen replied. "...but surprisingly, it was her decision not his. He had wanted to stay with her and work things out...but she broke it off with him, said she needed to be alone."
Hayden nodded slowly.
"I guess I messed things up pretty good, huh?" he asked.
Kaylen shrugged, "we're all adults here...everyone has choices ya know? You had a part in it, but she did too....so you can't really be blamed for 'messing things up' for her..."
Hayden nodded.
"I did talk to her a couple of days ago and she was asking when you were coming home," Kaylen stated.
Hayden looked at her, confused. "She didn't really seem like she wanted to keep in touch with me....that's kind of odd."
"She said there was something she wanted to talk to you about..." Kaylen said.
"What is it?" Hayden asked.
Kaylen shrugged, "I don't know...she wouldn't tell me...and believe me, I tried to get it out of her!"
Hayden laughed, "..yeah I'll bet -you can't stand the thought of not knowing something.."
"Maybe you should call her and find out what's going on," Kaylen said.
Hayden was a bit curious himself. He got up and went inside to the living room to make his phone call in private.
~~~~~
Hayden walked up the steps to Kristen's apartment. Vague and hazy memories of the last time he was here flooded his mind.
Kristen opened the door and smiled.
"Hi, thanks for coming over," she said, opening the door for him to come inside.
"No problem..." Hayden said walking into the living room.
He sat down on the couch and she sat across from him in an armchair.
"Can I get you anything?" she asked.
"Uh, no, thanks," Hayden said.
"So how are things?" she asked lightly.
"Work is going well -- staying pretty busy in L.A.," Hayden replied.
"I can imagine-- I guess Forest Park is doing really well," Kristen said.
"Yeah, it is," Hayden said.
What is going on here? he thought to himself. I know she didn't want me to come over to make small talk....
"So, Kaylen mentioned that you wanted to talk to me about something," Hayden said hoping to start the conversation.
Kristen nodded. "Yeah, I had mentioned that to her a few days ago...."
"So...what's going on?" he asked.
"Well, I'm sure she told you that I dropped out of school," Kristen answered.
"Yeah, I have to admit that surprised me...you've always been so school-oriented," Hayden replied.
"It's temporary-- I hope...I mean, I want to go back to school eventually..." Kristen trailed off.
Hayden shook his head, completely confused. "Are you okay Kristen? Is everything alright?"
Kristen took a deep breath, "yes, Hayden...everything is fine...."
Hayden looked at her, waiting.
"...the reason I asked you to come over today is because I needed to tell you something..." Kristen took a deep breath and exhaled.
"Kristen, what? What do you need to tell me?" Hayden asked, growing a little impatient.
"Hayden...I'm pregnant."