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Jack, for his part, looked shocked, and not a little horrified. Not as much as when he’d heard about the pregnancy, but still clearly taken aback. “Sh-she’s with V?” he spluttered. 

He knew about the young punk going back to the past, of course – Lady Doppler and Megamind were both friends of the family. He’d assumed it was because of his friendship with Ulric and Gail, but apparently there had been more to it than that. 

Oh shit. I know breaking up with Vycter was hard on her, but I didn’t think she’d still be on the rebound! Yes, that had to be it. Why else would his bright, capable daughter with a wonderful future ahead of her go for a law-breaking punk who hadn’t even finished college? Especially when she’d had such good taste in the past? 

That look on his dad’s face. That was definitely one he recognized. For once, though, at least it wasn’t directed toward him. “Uh, I think so?” There had been the once, but after that… Ulric was just as unwilling to think about it as Jack was, though for different reasons.

Better V than Vycter anyway in his mind.

Mira’s eyes opened wide when Katelynn’s brows shot up in surprise. Her pupils darted between the two of them, going back to Ulric’s father’s expression. Mira briefly covered her mouth then let it fall into her lap. “U-Uh? Was I not suppose to say…? Did I miss something?” she questioned. From all that Mira had seen, V seemed like a great guy. Got along real well with Gail and all. 

Then again, perhaps there was more to his story. She looked from Ulric back to Jack with a slightly confused look on her face.

Trusting her daughter to make the right decisions, Katelynn merely giggled and explained to Mira the V they had known in the past; the prankster who seemed to love getting in trouble. “But he’s matured from what I last saw of him. Boys go through stages and such. Ulric had his own during puberty, the little cutie.”

She sighed, remembering the trouble of explaining the birds and the bees to him as well as why he had a penis while girl’s didn’t. “I’m sure things will work out wonderfully with V. I recall him sneaking glances at Gail sometimes when they were younger.”

Jack remembered those days very well, too. As the other man in the house, he’d often been the one to do that explaining to his son, especially as Ulric grew older. He had taught him to shave, told him what the various changes in his body meant – watched him grow up. 

Now his son was having a child of his own. And, while Jack was secretly happy at the thought of having a grandchild, he couldn’t help feeling that time was slipping away from them both. 

He tried to focus on the news about Gail instead. “Well, maybe you should bring her and V over for a meeting, then. Good news all around, right?” Jack smiled, but it was forced. 

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The idea of Gail having kids brings a slight grimace to Ulric’s face, unable to picture it yet. “Yeah, uh… probably better to wait, right dad?” He laughs nervously, nudging Mira’s shoulder with his own lightly, wanting to see what her response to the idea would be.

Oh, Mira couldn’t stop smiling. There was still some nervousness, but nothing like when they first started talking to Jack and Katelynn. They were opening up and accepting the pregnancy. And Katelynn seemed so thrilled. Both of them were going to be such wonderful grandparents. Grandparents and mother and father-in-laws. 

How did Mira get this lucky? So lucky as to bump into Ulric one day walking down the sidewalk. Now they were getting married with a baby on the way…and she was looking forward to being a part of his loving family. A family. 

Snapping out of her thoughts when Ulric nudged her shoulder, Mira started to chuckle a little. “U-Uh…yeah, sounds like a good idea.” she shrugged some. “Her and V seem pretty happy right now, don’t you think?” Mira smiled to herself thinking back on Christmas evening. Sure was a good idea to suggest those two to kiss beneath the mistletoe.

“V?” Katelynn’s eyebrows shot up, remembering the young man who would come visit whenever Lady did. He always acted quite polite in front of them though he seemed to whisper to Ulric a lot as if plotting some prank. “I suppose I will have to plan on more grandchildren then?”

She giggled, turning to her husband to see his reaction.

Jack, for his part, looked shocked, and not a little horrified. Not as much as when he’d heard about the pregnancy, but still clearly taken aback. “Sh-she’s with V?” he spluttered. 

He knew about the young punk going back to the past, of course – Lady Doppler and Megamind were both friends of the family. He’d assumed it was because of his friendship with Ulric and Gail, but apparently there had been more to it than that. 

Oh shit. I know breaking up with Vycter was hard on her, but I didn’t think she’d still be on the rebound! Yes, that had to be it. Why else would his bright, capable daughter with a wonderful future ahead of her go for a law-breaking punk who hadn’t even finished college? Especially when she’d had such good taste in the past? 

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Jack wasn’t blind to the exchange either. He knew that kind of look very well; like Katelynn, he knew it was the kind of loving look the two of them had often shared. He squeezed his wife’s hand softly, and chewed his lip for a moment as he tried to find words. 

“I do remember. And …” He turned back to the screen. “I still don’t think this is a good idea. But, if the two of you are really serious about this … then I’ll support you, however I can. I promise.” 

I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, Ulric. At least you’re talking to us this time. Maybe we really can find a way to make this work. 

Giving Mira’s hand a light squeeze, trying to reassure her and enjoying that she was still wearing the ring he’d given her, Ulric tries to maintain the grin on his face even if it slips slightly.

“We are.” Nudging Mira lightly and looking toward her, Ulric glances down toward their joined hands questioningly.

Her eyes darted between her future mother and father-in law as a shaky smile grew across her lips. She sniffled a little and looked down, trying to hide any tears that could escape the corners of her eyes. This had to be hard for them, but Mira was relieved they’d come to some sort of an understanding. Jack was starting to accept it all and Katelynn was definitely helping.

Of course, he still didn’t like the idea of the two having a baby which Mira could understand. But she knew, she knew that things were going to be okay. It was like what she’d told Gail. Throughout all the fear and worry of having a baby, being a mother, and time travel, there was this feeling there, deep inside her. This knowing feeling that things would turn out for the best. 

Mira dabbed at her eyes with the side of her palm and looked back up with another little sniffle. “Very serious.” she answered with a small nod and a smile, trying to lift their hands up enough so Jack and Katelynn could see the engagement rings.

“Then it’s settled, right?” Unable to help it, she bounced in her seat a bit. “My babies are coming home? Love, imagine how wonderful it will be to have little ones in the house again! Ulric’s first and eventually Gail when she marries someone.”

Though she knew it was also work, all she concentrated on were the good times she had with her own children when it came to raising them – the lullabies, games, helping them stop their tears or fix ‘owies’. She was ready to do it all over again with her grandchildren. She was already excited to fawn over Joey the way no grandmother ever would.

“Hey now, one thing at a time!” He raised his hands defensively at the mention of Gail having children. “Let’s just concentrate on the children we know are coming." 

Jack smiled at his wife. He remembered the days of raising kids a bit less rosily than Katelynn did; the crying, the messes, the tantrums, the money for clothes and toys and saving for school … and yet, he’d loved those days just as much as she had. 

He and Katelynn had often talked about having more children after Ulric was born. They’d never gotten around to it, but they’d both liked the idea. And the two of them were only in their fifties – they still had plenty of energy. Yes, they could do this. 

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“Wasn’t int-” It took Jack a moment to realize what Ulric was getting at. When he did, however, his eyes widened sharply. 

Oh. 

Ohhhh. 

He supposed it shouldn’t be such a surprise. Gail had been pursuing Vycter since she was a little girl, but Ulric had always kept his romantic interests to himself. In high school, he’d dated at least one girl that Jack knew of, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have been interested in boys too. Even so, the blue man mentally kicked himself for being blind to such a big part of his son’s life. 

“Ulric, why didn’t you tell us?” His voice was much softer now. He instinctively reached out to the screen, wanting to comfort the young man. “We could have helped.” 

How, he wasn’t sure. But it was all he could think of to say. 

It was out and he couldn’t take it back now. With Mira here, though… Ulric knew he’d at least have that support. Judging by his parents faces, he had theirs too, now that they knew.

He just shrugs, biting his lip. “I don’t know why. But…” He smiles, looking at Katelynn now. “I’m fine, Mom.”

Mira smiled faintly, proud of him that he’d finally told his parents. She gently nuzzled the side of her cheek against his shoulder before sitting up slow and reaching down to take hold of his hand, fingers entwining as her engagement ring bumped with his. That was a very brave thing her fiancé did and she wanted him to know that by giving his hand a gently squeeze.

“I-I’m…” Mira stuttered, quickly looking at the screen wondering if it was alright for her to talk. She’d been fairly quiet since the whole skype call had started. And she was very hesitant to start speaking up after admitting she was pregnant. “I-I know he’s the reason behind why you left but…if you hadn’t traveled back, I don’t know what I would’ve done.” He had to know that. He had to know he meant the world to her.

Slowly, Mira took a small glance to the screen, biting her lip as her eyes shifted between Jack and Katelynn.

Watching the exchange between everyone, Katelynn blinked her eyes at the familiar expressions from Mira. It softened her up even more to the young woman, face melting into a smile as she took her husband’s hand between both of her own. Trying to get his attention she tugged on his hand and made motions with her eyes toward the joined hands of her son and his girlfriend.

“Love, look at them..they’re as in love as we were when we were young..you remember those times, don’t you..? Maybe it’ll all be okay…we can work through it like a family…like we always have..”

Since he had become as such for her from the moment they met.

Jack wasn’t blind to the exchange either. He knew that kind of look very well; like Katelynn, he knew it was the kind of loving look the two of them had often shared. He squeezed his wife’s hand softly, and chewed his lip for a moment as he tried to find words. 

“I do remember. And …” He turned back to the screen. “I still don’t think this is a good idea. But, if the two of you are really serious about this … then I’ll support you, however I can. I promise." 

I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, Ulric. At least you’re talking to us this time. Maybe we really can find a way to make this work. 

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“Your friend from high school?” Jack nodded. “Yes, I remember him.” He remembered, too, that Ulric had only started getting into punk and goth fashion after he started hanging out with the other boy. It wasn’t the clothes (or piercings) he minded, but changing your appearance for someone wasn’t usually a good sign. Had Jesse gotten him in trouble … ?

“He’s the reason I wanted out of town.” Ulric has to take his chance to breathe, make sure he was still able to continue.

He’s looking Jack in the eyes for the next part despite the screen. “He wasn’t interested. Wanted to get closer to Gail.”

‘Asshole!’ Mira thought to herself, brows furrowed as she glanced away from the screen, looking off to another direction. If she ever met this guy in the future, she’d gladly track him down with her motorcycle. The same way Ulric had thrown Mason in the trash. Then again, maybe she was just thinking too darkly over this. But she’d let no one, no one, ever hurt her family. She’d been hurt too many times in the past to ever let something like that happen to one of her loved ones.

Mira took a quick glance up at Ulric to make sure he was okay before tightening her hold on him, giving him a little squeeze for some comfort. He needed this right now.

Katelynn had continued listening in, rubbing her husband’s back soothingly as best she could to calm his ire down. She wanted to learn the story and get all the details before passing judgment, trying to assess the situation as best she could.

When he began mentioning the story, her eyes grew quite large, feeling a stab of annoyance hit her. “Horrid young man…If I had known that I wouldn’t have let him into our home. Oh my poor baby„” Her heart went out to her son, knowing her daughter would have just kicked the man if she knew. But she was so devoted to Vycter at the time that she doubted anything happened between them.

Plus Gail was very devoted to her brother.

“Wasn’t int-” It took Jack a moment to realize what Ulric was getting at. When he did, however, his eyes widened sharply. 

Oh. 

Ohhhh. 

He supposed it shouldn’t be such a surprise. Gail had been pursuing Vycter since she was a little girl, but Ulric had always kept his romantic interests to himself. In high school, he’d dated at least one girl that Jack knew of, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have been interested in boys too. Even so, the blue man mentally kicked himself for being blind to such a big part of his son’s life. 

“Ulric, why didn’t you tell us?” His voice was much softer now. He instinctively reached out to the screen, wanting to comfort the young man. “We could have helped." 

How, he wasn’t sure. But it was all he could think of to say. 

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In spite of his anger, Jack did notice how his son was standing up for himself. He wasn’t acting like a child who’d been caught doing wrong – he was keeping his calm, and speaking levelly, in a way the older man had rarely seen. When he saw that determined look in Ulric’s brown eyes, he was strongly reminded of Katelynn. 

“… Ulric, what did happen last year?” He remembered those quiet weeks, when the boy had barely spoken to his parents and spent so much time out of the house. Jack had known something was wrong, but, “I tried to talk to you, but you wouldn’t tell me. What was so terrible that you couldn’t share it with your mother and me?” All those old fears rose in his mind now – drugs, crime threats, and worse. 

Ulric’s arm is immediately around Mira’s waist, wanting the contact right now and hoping she did as well.

Here goes, then. Mira already knew, at least. So did Gail. “… You remember Jesse, right?”

Jesse… Mira’s teeth gritted at the name, remembering what Ulric had told her about him. Remembering what he’d told her about the reason for traveling back to the past. The hurt that this guy caused her fiancé infuriated her and only caused her to move closer as her head settled against his shoulder for some comfort. Mira and Ulric had both come to Metro City heartbroken. But somehow they found each other.

Mira was sure to keep herself quiet for the moment, knowing Ulric was talking and confessing directly to his father. Right now, she could only stay close and give him as much comfort as he needed. 

“Your friend from high school?” Jack nodded. “Yes, I remember him.” He remembered, too, that Ulric had only started getting into punk and goth fashion after he started hanging out with the other boy. It wasn’t the clothes (or piercings) he minded, but changing your appearance for someone wasn’t usually a good sign. Had Jesse gotten him in trouble … ?

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Jack felt a sharp pang of guilt as he watched Mira carry the baby out into the other room. She’d tried to hide her tears, but he knew well enough what that gesture meant. Damn it, it wasn’t her fault the poor girl had gotten involved with a boy from the future. And he heard Ulric’s words – that they were all going to come home, permanently, by the year’s end. 

But he’d already said his words. He couldn’t back down in front of his own child. He’d already been much too lenient with Gail and Ulric when they were growing up, and he knew it. There was no choice but to stand his ground. 

“And what happens in the meantime? That’s almost a year from now, Ulric. Look how much you’ve already messed up the past! Who knows what else you could do in that time!” Jack groaned, rubbing his temples, his eyes tightly closed. “I’m not saying you should abandon Mira. You did this, you have to take responsibility for it. But … Ulric, you can’t do this. You’re going to destroy your future. In more ways than one.” 

He knew in his heart that it wouldn’t really be that terrible. If they did bring the baby back to the present, he and Katelynn would help take care of it, just like they’d been planning to help with Joey. But that wasn’t what he felt Ulric needed to hear. 

Watching Mira as she gets up and walks out of the room, Ulric turns back to face Jack again slowly, a look of determination on his face. “It can’t be any worse than how badly I’ve messed up before leaving.”

It was long past time to bring this up and he knew it. “And yes, I can.” And he was going to. Both of them were willing to. “It’s… I know it’s not going to be easy. Still easier than staying at home was last year.”

“But wanna be out there…” Joey started whining as Mira set him down on the floor next to a few toys. A rocket ship and a bouncy ball. Minion joined his little master’s side and looked up at Mira with even more confusion than Joey had. His fins flickered around in the water slightly but his eyes had been glued on Mira’s face along with Joey. 

Mira on the other hand had a pained expression on her face, but tried her hardest to smile down at her little boy. She kneeled next to both of them, unable to fight a small tear trickling down the side of her left cheek. “Daddy and I are having an important talk, okay? I want you to play in here with Minion until we’re done, alright?” she kept her voice soft. Joey did manage to catch sight of that little tear, though. So he stood up and patted her face gently. ”Don’t cry, mama…”

That actually got Mira’s eyes to widen, heart skipping a beat until she sniffled and pat Joey’s scalp, leaning in to give the top of his head a small kiss. “I won’t, honey. Be good, okay?” 

With that, Mira slowly got up, crossed her arms to hug herself, and left for the ling room again. She was nervous to even sit back down, but she did. She’d wiped the rest of her tears away just before appearing back on screen.

In spite of his anger, Jack did notice how his son was standing up for himself. He wasn’t acting like a child who’d been caught doing wrong – he was keeping his calm, and speaking levelly, in a way the older man had rarely seen. When he saw that determined look in Ulric’s brown eyes, he was strongly reminded of Katelynn. 

“… Ulric, what did happen last year?” He remembered those quiet weeks, when the boy had barely spoken to his parents and spent so much time out of the house. Jack had known something was wrong, but, “I tried to talk to you, but you wouldn’t tell me. What was so terrible that you couldn’t share it with your mother and me?” All those old fears rose in his mind now – drugs, crime threats, and worse. 

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But Jack ignored his wife’s plea. He didn’t notice the ring on Mira’s finger, either. All his attention was on his son. When he spoke, it was in that cold, rough whisper that had always came out when he was furious with his children – in a way, it was worse than yelling. 

“Ulric, how could you have been so stupid? You … look, I don’t want to know the details, but weren’t you being careful at all? For god’s sake, we had this talk with you!”

He could feel his old stutter creeping in, he was so distraught, and it made him even angrier. “And you’re in the past. You might be altering all our lives. Dammit, didn’t you think?!”

Reminding himself to keep meeting his dad’s eyes, Ulric keeps himself still. That was something he recognized, that whisper. Right now, though… He glances toward Mira briefly and gives her a quick squeeze.

“Of course I thought.” He’s looking at the screen again, keeping his voice level. “About everything. Why I came back, why I’m here… and why I’m coming back.” When it was time, that was. “When we’re all coming back.”

Mira started trembling a little. There was that angry tone she was bracing herself for. She could already feel this conversation heading toward a bad direction. And what could she say right now? Mira squeezed him tightly as it pained her to hear Ulric’s own father calling him stupid. And it made her feel even worse. They way Jack had worded things made her feel more like a fuck buddy rather than Ulric’s girlfriend – something so far from the truth. They loved each other dearly.

Staring to feel a few stinging tears forming at the corners of her eyes, Mira quickly turned her head to hide herself from wiping them away. If this conversation escalated, it was best to move Joey to a different room. So Mira got off the couch and picked up a very confused Joey. “Just gonna take him in his room…” she informed Ulric quietly. 

“Mama?” Joey asked as Mira scooped him up along with Minion in her arms. Mira simply hushed him softly and told him things were okay. She walked off with the little guy and would return fairly soon.

Jack felt a sharp pang of guilt as he watched Mira carry the baby out into the other room. She’d tried to hide her tears, but he knew well enough what that gesture meant. Damn it, it wasn’t her fault the poor girl had gotten involved with a boy from the future. And he heard Ulric’s words – that they were all going to come home, permanently, by the year’s end. 

But he’d already said his words. He couldn’t back down in front of his own child. He’d already been much too lenient with Gail and Ulric when they were growing up, and he knew it. There was no choice but to stand his ground. 

“And what happens in the meantime? That’s almost a year from now, Ulric. Look how much you’ve already messed up the past! Who knows what else you could do in that time!” Jack groaned, rubbing his temples, his eyes tightly closed. “I’m not saying you should abandon Mira. You did this, you have to take responsibility for it. But … Ulric, you can’t do this. You’re going to destroy your future. In more ways than one." 

He knew in his heart that it wouldn’t really be that terrible. If they did bring the baby back to the present, he and Katelynn would help take care of it, just like they’d been planning to help with Joey. But that wasn’t what he felt Ulric needed to hear. 

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“… What?”

The blood drained from Jack’s face, leaving it a sickly-looking gray. He felt as if his stomach had dropped out – as if something inside him had gone cold and crumbled away. He heard the words, but could only gape for a moment as the full impact settled in. 

His son had gotten someone pregnant. After all the hard work Jack and Katelynn had done to educate their children about sex and safety, one of them had still gone and made the ultimate screw-up (pun very much intended). There was no way Ulric was ready for a baby of his own. He was too young – he hadn’t even finished school! – and worse, he was stuck twenty-five years in the past. 

When he turned to Ulric, there was no happiness in his expression. Only anger, grief, and fear. “Is that true?” 

Ulric winces, recognizing that expression on his dad’s face. Katelynn was one thing, he knew it was likely she’d react well, but Jack… this wasn’t going to be easy.

“Uh, y-yeah… ?”

Mira’s body felt like it was going to tremble out of how nervous she was. Jack did not look happy. Breaking the news to them was much, much harder than it was to Gail. One of Mira’s immediate thoughts was thinking she shouldn’t have said anything at all. Or maybe she’d spilled the beans too soon. But either waiting longer or saying it sooner, it really didn’t matter. 

At any rate, the cards were out on the table. Mira hadn’t expected a somewhat happy reaction out of Katelynn and that did make her feel a little better. But it was Jack that she was scared and worried about. She could see the way his face paled it it made Mira cringe, biting the inside of her lip and moving in closer to Ulric. If this progressed, Mira was going to have Joey move to the other room.

“…y-yes, it is.” she brought her hands together, holding onto the engagement ring around her finger. She didn’t want to say much. Not right now when the news was still sinking in.

Being unable to hardly speak, Katelynn’s hand merely traveled down to clasp her husband’s, knowing this wasn’t going to be pretty. Words of comfort would hardly work, knowing he needed to let out the emotion and have his say.

Still it slightly broke her heart, glancing at her son from the corner of her eye and giving him a fearful glance. She wanted to be encouraging but was torn between that and wishing her son had waited until he was older. The deed was done however and she squeezed Jack’s hand.

“Love..” she tried, but failed to form any words.

But Jack ignored his wife’s plea. He didn’t notice the ring on Mira’s finger, either. All his attention was on his son. When he spoke, it was in that cold, rough whisper that had always came out when he was furious with his children – in a way, it was worse than yelling. 

“Ulric, how could you have been so stupid? You … look, I don’t want to know the details, but weren’t you being careful at all? For god’s sake, we had this talk with you!”

He could feel his old stutter creeping in, he was so distraught, and it made him even angrier. “And you’re in the past. You might be altering all our lives. Dammit, didn’t you think?!”

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Jack cuddled his wife, but he didn’t seem nearly as happy about the news. “Why do you have to wait so long.” He gave Katelynn one last nuzzle before turning back to the screen. “Ulric, you’ve been there for almost a year now. I’m glad you’re having a good time, but this is still where you belong. And when.”

He quirked an eyebrow. Growing up, when his son had given these kind of half-answers, it had usually meant … “Is there something going on?”

Katelynn’s response is so familiar that Ulric has to remind himself not to laugh, still holding onto Mira and facing the camera.

“We have something to tell you, actually.” With that, he takes a quick look to Mira, making sure she’d be alright with it. “And… I know. It won’t be too long.”

Oh boy, the spotlight was on her now. Jack already seemed to suspect something was up. If she considered Gail’s reaction to be bad, Mira suspected Jack and Katelynn’s reactions to be much worse. But they had to tell them. It wasn’t like Mira could hide the pregnancy forever. Her thoughts started going back and forth wondering if she should simply blurt it out or ease it to them. Her heart was beating faster as she gave Ulric a nervous squeeze. “U-Uh…yes, we do. And um…part of the reason for the move.”

Mira glanced quickly at Ulric, mouth opening and closing a few times. It was on the tip of her tongue. “I…” she started. “I’m…” she repeated. “I, uh…” Mira’s voice started to get shaky, eyes darting from Ulric to the screen. Fuck, why was this so hard to do? Swallowing nervously, Mira took a deep breath in. She just had to say it. 

“I…I’m pregnant.”

That calmed her, arms holding Jack loosely as she merely stared at the screen. Had she heard right or was the reception between time shorting out on them? “P-Pregnant?” she repeated, eyes wandering between the two of them.

Her son had impregnated his girlfriend? She had barely been able to accept that her baby was all grown up, no longer clinging to her skirts or asking for juice boxes and now he was going to be a father? Granted they had Joey but this was something else entirely.

“O-Oh my…!” Tears dusted her lashes as she fought back feelings of happiness and worry before turning to look at her husband, figuring he wasn’t going to take it well.

“… What?”

The blood drained from Jack’s face, leaving it a sickly-looking gray. He felt as if his stomach had dropped out – as if something inside him had gone cold and crumbled away. He heard the words, but could only gape for a moment as the full impact settled in. 

His son had gotten someone pregnant. After all the hard work Jack and Katelynn had done to educate their children about sex and safety, one of them had still gone and made the ultimate screw-up (pun very much intended). There was no way Ulric was ready for a baby of his own. He was too young – he hadn’t even finished school! – and worse, he was stuck twenty-five years in the past. 

When he turned to Ulric, there was no happiness in his expression. Only anger, grief, and fear. “Is that true?"