       Finally, the school year was nearly over!  Jeremy could hardly wait.  The school year had been pretty rough!  Kids never ceased to amaze him with how they could get into such trouble.  One girl in particular though seemed to get in trouble in whole new ways though.  And she had ramped up his anxiety about her future.
       She had always been a problem child.  Skipping school, not listening to anyone.  Leaving in the middle of class when she got bored.  Normal things.  It had taken long months to get her back on the right track through perseverance.  Finally, he had won her trust.  And a whole lot more than he had ever bargained for.
       Frowning, he looks over his test notes looking at all the student’s grades.  One, Kacy’s of course, caught his eye especially.  She had months earlier confessed to him her love to him.  Which, by itself wasn’t really a problem.  He had had girls give him notes before but this time was different.  He had lost himself and done something he should never have done to her.  
       Her grades were normally High B’s and low A’s suddenly started to drop over the time frame that he had decided to try to act like nothing had happen.  Grimacing he thinks of her hurt looks she had given him during that time.  But, just like the sudden downward spiral, the shot right back up.  When they had “made up” as she liked to call it.  Make up huh?  Do you have any idea how much that sounds like we were a couple?  Dammit Kacy…
       He rests his head on his arms as he considers how the time after had been going.  It had seemingly gone back to normal.  However, it was FAR from normal.  She felt it and so did he.  He could never look at that little vixen the same way again.  And worst of all, he knew for certain she felt it too.
       When he had apologized to her, she had managed a final memento from him.  Their “final” time as he had put it.  And she had kept her word.  She had not tried to convince him to change his mind.  But, however he tried he couldn’t talk to her in the same free way he had before.  He felt awkward around her, especially when she hung out with other girls in her class.  At least lately she had stopped wearing her normal provocative little dresses.  Opting instead to wear jeans and lose fitting t-shirts.  
       Rubbing his eyes, he just pushes it past him and hope she really hadn’t noticed his awkwardness.  Although he felt for sure she had.  Women always seemed to know….  Am… am I really looking at her like a woman??  She’s not, she’s twelve!  Groaning inwardly, he pushes the thought away roughly.  She’s a kid.  Not a woman.  Don’t go thinking like that or you’ll end up in jail!”
       Standing up he spots the subject of his “torment”.  Kacy walked into the classroom with her books in her arms looking to her best friend Zoe, a Hybrid feline girl.  Today she was wearing snug fitting jeans and a loose but flowy lacy shirt.  Normally she would have worn the tightest clothes she could find but luckily, she seemed to stopped that.  Maybe Zoe, her “conscious” Jeremy had joked before had gotten to her.
       Zoe seemed to be pestering Kacy about something.  Must have been going on for a while because Kacy’s expression was slowly souring.  Zoe suddenly looks up and notices him watching them and stops abruptly and glares acidly.  The hell?  What was that for…?  Kacy turns to see who Zoe was looking at with a rather annoyed look on her face.  Once she spots Jeremy her cheeks redden and she quickly turns back around and walks quickly to her desk with Zoe following more slowly.
       Class was about to start so he didn’t have time to dwell on what had just transpired.  Shrugging it off he decides to just ignore whatever had just happened.  The class passed by quickly.  Nearly half of the kids had skipped the last day and the rest just huddled together discussing their plans for the summer.  Glancing over at Kacy it seems whatever they had been discussing was over now.  Zoe looked a little miffed but Kacy went on as vapidly as ever.  Either not noticing or not caring.  
       When the final bell rung Jeremy felt like shouting out with the kids as they all horridly gathered up their things and ran for the halls.  Some called “good-byes” to him as they passed, most ignored him though.  Not that it bothered him.  He knew how it was as a kid.  With a sigh he looks down at laptop and reads though the emails looking for the calendar to see when their next planning days would be.  No rest for the weary. He reflected with a wry smile.
       “Ahem!”
       The sudden noise startles him and he looks up to see Zoe standing in front of his disk, hands akimbo, and GLARING at him.  
       “Uh, YES Miss Delue?  How can I help you?”
       “Why didn’t you break up with her?”  It was more of an accusation than a question.  But still, his mind went blank and spun with confusion.   
       “Huh?”  Was all he could manage in reply.

              “UGH!  KACY!  Your FAVORITE student?  Your little GIRLFREIND?”
       “My WHAT!?”  His mouth had gone dry but his anger also flared.  “Miss Delue, I think you had better calm down RIGHT NOW.”  I had better find out what she’s talking about and nip it at the bud before this gets out of hand.  Calming down he says, “Now, WHY ON EARTH do you think Kacy is my “girlfriend”?”
       “Because SHE seems to think so!”  Zoe continues to glare at him, he eyes alight with accusations.
       “SO, because she SAYS so you think that’s true?  WHY would I date my own student?”
       “Maybe because you’re a pervert?” she replies, her anger seemed to be abating and doubt started to creep in.  Still, that last statement cut him to his core.  
       “Gee, THANKS.  I wonder how your mother would feel if she knew you were so disrespectful to her teacher.”
       “I wonder what SHE would think if she knew I had a pedophile teacher.” She growls in response.
       He closes his eyes and prays for patience, and to not react.  “Look… I take it you know about Kacy’s feelings towards me?  I admit she confessed to me once, but I promise you that’s as far as it went.  I DID tell her as gently as I could we could not be together like she wanted.  Now.  If she STILL feels that way to me, and thinks we are a couple there is nothing I can do about that.  She will move on in her own time.”
       Zoe watched him closely as he spoke.  The hardness to her eyes slowly soften, but not all the way.
       “Well, then you need to tell her again.” She says stubbornly.
       “Sure kid, I’ll get RIGHT on that.” He replies dryly with his chin on his hand.
       “You really do because…” she hesitated at this.  
       “Because she’s way younger than me?  I’m an adult, she’s 13?” he supplies helpfully.
       “…Yes… and no.  Sh-she’s really bent on being with you…  I have no idea why.  But she is.  It seemed like she was going to be able to move on but… recently she took a hard-right turn back in your direction.  I watched you guys interact and thought that… maybe you were trying to win her back or something.”
       Jeremy winced at this.  Great, if she noticed, then the other students may have too.  Wonderful.   
       “She hasn’t really been herself either…”
       “Like how?” he asks with concern.  This was the first he had heard about this.
       “I dunno… she’s always been kinda moody but now it’s take new heights.  One moment she’s laughing the next she’s down in the dumps…  She’s also started to eat more and has gained weight.  She’s even thrown up multiple times at school.  She says she’s not stressed but… what else can it be?”
       The more he listened the more he grew concerned.  There were several possible reasons.  If it was stress, it could be stress from their “break-up”, or possibly issues at home.  He always suspected she had issues with her parents.  Though she had never really spoke to him about either of her parents or even home life.  But the mood swings coupled with the vomiting hinted at something else entirely.
       “I honestly can’t speak for her home life Zoe.  Maybe there is something going on there.  She talks about you a lot to me.  So, when she’s ready I’m sure she will let you know.”
       “I hope so… sorry for jumping you like I did.  But if you DO have something to do with you better man up and deal with it!”
       “Heh, so do you want me to be around her or not?”
       “I don’t know… but for some reason the thought of you taking care of her makes me feel better.  Now that I actually think about it.  Well, hope you have a good break.”  She says and walks out of the room leaving him to deal with this new info to worry over.
       
       
       The kids might have been off until later on in the year but being a teach, sadly, he could not.  There were conferences to be had, training sessions.  Everything they didn’t really have time to do during the normal school year they did now.  Training training TRAINING.  No rest for the weary indeed.
       Jeremy however was somewhat grateful for the busy schedule.  It took his mind off of Kacy.  She had never texted him all that often to begin with.  But now, she had gone completely silent.  Normally he’d have agonized over this for days.  But, being so busy, it was only a passing notion.  He still worried of course, but nearly as much about it as he normally was.  That is, until the third week after school had let out.
       He had just arrived home when his phone buzzed to warn him of a text.  Setting down his keys on the counter he looks to see who had messaged him.  “Kacy” he murmurs to himself typing in his PIN to see what the message was.
       “Can I come over?” was the simple message.
       “Sure” he texted back feeling nervous.  “Is something wrong, do you need a ride?”  He still felt unsure about meeting a pupal outside of school, but it was summer and the school was locked up besides.  If he wanted to make sure she was ok, he would have to meet her.
       “Thanks, and no need.  I’m already here.”  
       Nearly dropping his phone, he opens the front door to see her walking up his walk pushing along a bicycle.  She looked a little winded, but proud of herself.  
       “The hell?  When did you get here?” he asks taking the bike from her and wheels it inside.
       “huff, calm down.  Not long.”  
       “Well, you shouldn’t have ridden a bike all the way here.”
       “Jeremy, I live like 10 minutes away by car.  It took me only fifteen to ride here.  It’s not far at all.” She responds rolling her eyes. 
       “That’s hardly the point.  But whatever, you’re here now, and I am taking you back with my car.  But WHY are you here?” he asks bluntly.
       “Can I get some water first?  It wasn’t far but I’m pretty winded.” She says with a giggle.  She DID look rather ragged.  
       Five minutes later they were both sitting in his living room.  Kacy had finished her cup and gotten her breath back.  Getting comfortable she sits up, closes her eyes and takes deep breath.  She’s preparing herself…  
       “Jeremy… I have to tell you something.  I’ve thought long and hard about it too.  And the best way to deal with it is just to be up front about it.  I’m pregnant.”
       The words hit him like a ton of bricks.  Ever since Zoe had told him what was going on he had suspected as much.  But hearing her confirm it was still no less a blow.  
       “Are… are you SURE?”
       Kacy gave him an exasperated sigh, as if she had known he’d doubt her.  She reaches into her backpack and pulls out three pregnancy tests.  All three indicated that a pregnancy was detected.  Groaning he place his head in his hands and rubbed the corner of his eyes.  Still though… these tests were not always right.  So, there was STILL hope.
       “Those are not always totally accurate.  Have you told anyone yet?  Your mom?  You need to go to the hospital to be sure.”
       “Seriously?  What are the chances for three false positive tests in a row…” she replies scathingly.  “And does THIS look like a false pregnancy to you!?” she demands lifting up exposing her belly.  She HAD put on some weight.  Her belly remained taunt but a definite roundness was starting to take shape.  “I have morning sickness nearly every day now, I’m eating way more than I used to…  I maybe 13 but I know when I’m pregnant.”
       “Ok fine!  This is the worst… but, HAVE you told anyone?”
       “Zoe…”
       “Not your mom?  Why not?  You need to tell her.”
       “I don’t have to tell that woman ANYTHING.” The edge that had crept into her voice startled him.  
       “Look… I don’t know your home life… but she IS your primary care giver.  She HAS to know.  And there is no way you will be able to hide this from her.”
       “Not after this she won’t.”  Her voice was bitter, but she did not cry.
       “What do you mean?  She… she has to.  It’s the law.” He said to her.
       “Jeremy… when she found out about my… antics at school, she told me that she would never let me keep my kids if I ever got pregnant.”  Jeremy watched her as she revealed this to him.  He had never heard her talk about home ONCE.  And now, as she did, there was no emotion in her voice.
       “Look, I’m sure she was just upset with you.  But, she has a point you know?  Your 12, turning 13.  How do you expect to take care of a cub?”  That was the wrong thing to say.  She stood up, her brush tail twice its normal size, and her teeth were exposed.
       “NO!  I WILL NEVER LET HER TAKE OUR CUB FROM US!”
       “O-our?”
       “OUR.” She insisted.  Her eyes still blazed but she had sat back down and her fur laid flat again.
       “K-Kacy.  You can’t KNOW if it’s from our… from our…”  his voice trailed away.  He couldn’t bring himself to say it.
       “No Jeremy, I DO know.  It HAS to be yours.” She replied forcefully.
       “Kacy… listen, I know you want this to be our cub but… but there is no way to find out until the cub is born and a maternity test is done.  And you know as well as I do what a mistake that would be if it should turn out to actually be mine.”  
       She still looked defiant but didn’t argue.  She had to know that he was right.  And also know that there was a chance that any number of other boys in the school could also be the father.  He didn’t know just how often she had had sex.  But he DID know that he wasn’t the only male to fill her belly with their seed that day.  Although… he had certainly filled her up more.
       “Whoever its father is, I’m not giving it up.  I won’t let my mother take my cub away.”  Her expression and body language showed him how serious she was.  
       “Kacy, this isn’t really something to be discussing with me…  NO.”  she was about to say something but he stopped her.  “Listen, I am not your care giver.  In the eyes of the law I have NO say in this matter.  It’s your mother who you need to be having this conversation with.  Thank you, for telling me.  But I can’t help you.”
       She sighs sadly and nods.  “I know… but, since you’re the father I wanted you to be the first to know… Zoe doesn’t count.  She made me take the tests.  I was too afraid to. “
       He was about to correct her again about the unborn cub’s father but decided not to.  Instead he says: “Kacy… whenever you tell your mother, and YOU WILL tell her... please don’t tell her IM the father.”
       She giggles at this and says; “Don’t worry.  Only me and you will know the truth.”  
       The truth huh?  I don’t even think I want to know the truth.  I’d rather go the rest of my life not knowing if this cub is mine or not.  
       “Anyways, you need to head home.”
       “What?  No!  I only just got here!” she complains.
       “No, you have things to do.  And no more riding out here on a bike!  Your pregnant, so be careful!”
       Kacy grins mischievously and giggles; “You sound just like a worried husband.” She teases.  
       He ignores that and bustles her back out of the house and puts her bike in his trunk.  On the way there she muses about how the cub will look.  If it will be a boy, or a girl.  Who they will look like more.  She seemed to be stuck on if she wanted a girl that looked like him or a boy that looked like herself.  Jeremy takes no part in it.  Unsure if he’d ever know.  
       Once they arrive near her house she tries to convince him to come in with her when she tells her mother.  “Kacy, no.  That wouldn’t be a good idea.  She might get suspicious.”
       “Well… I guess your right…  I’ll let you know what happens.  And if I need a place to stay…”
       “It won’t come to that.  I promise.” He says firmly.  She looks at him though with an expression that said she didn’t quite believe that.
       “I hope your right.  Well, wish me luck.  Talk to you later.”
       With that she rides off towards her house.  He wished he could have gone with her.  But he knew how it would look.  Her daughter pregnant, with her adult teacher there for “moral support” during summer break.  
       Best not incriminate yourself buddy…  She will be fine.
       
       
       The sudden staff meeting was the first clue that something had happened.  Nobody was sure what, but from the abruptness, and cutting into of other things, they all knew it had to be important.  The principal was a large female bear.  She had a commanding presence that cause everyone to pause when she entered a room.  Today was no different, especially with the expression across her face.
       “Well, let’s get on with this.  I’m sure some of you may have already heard something.  So, I wanted to get it out of the way as soon as possible.” She stated in her gruff voice.  Her eyes had passed and lingered on him for a moment as she stated that some may have already known.  That made him uneasy.
       “It has come to our attention that one of our students has become pregnant over the school year.”  The staff started to mutter to each other at this point.  The principal however ignored it and plowed on.  “While this isn’t TOO unprecedented, the mother of this child has decided to accuse the school of negligence.  The child has admitted that she got pregnant from someone AT school.  Her mother wants to sue.”  At this however they ALL started to speak out. 
       “Enough!  I understand your feelings.  The school board is going to deal with this.  If the media comes sniffing around direct them to the school board.  I doubt they will.  But in case they do, or anybody asking for information AT ALL tell them to talk to the school board and inform me.  That’s all.”
       The room empties as the staff members all go back to their work, gossiping together about this new development.  It was true though, sometimes this happened.  But Jeremey had a sinking sensation he knew who the principal was talking about.  Sure enough, the Vice principal, a lithe Maine Coon beckons him over.  
       “Jeremy, would you meet me in my office in five minutes?”  She didn’t SOUND upset, but still, he felt nervous.  
       Following the feline out of the teachers lounge and into her office she closed the door behind them and offered him to take a seat.  After he does, she follows his example and sits her own and lets out a groan rubbing her temples.
       “They say “No good goes unpunished.”  So, I suppose in that regard you shouldn’t feet too surprised.”  He liked that even less.
       “Ugh.  I’m sure you realized by now WHO got pregnant?” she more stated than asked.
       “Uh, I had my suspicions…” he replied slowly.
       “Kacy.  If I’m being honest it doesn’t surprise me.  The fact it didn’t happen sooner is what surprises me more.”  Her voice is sadder than anything, but he can’t help but bristle a bit at this.  She seems to notice it too.  “Look, I know you did your best with her.  But some students have to find things out on their own.  She’s not a bad kid, but her decisions have gotten her in a pretty tight fix.”
       “Yeah… I know…” is all he can reply.
       “Anyways.  I didn’t bring you into here to bad mouth Kacy.  It seems you have been dragged into this.  Kacy’s mom came here hemming and hawing about the lax standards at the school and even used some of your letters to her as her “proof”.”
       “My letters?  I didn’t know she read them….”
       “Yeah, same with mine…  I can tell you, she seemed very hands off when it came to Kacy.  She’s never been to a single parent teacher conference.  Never showed up when we wanted to discuss with her how her daughter had been caught with boys or skipping classes.  Its all well documented.  So, if she wants to try and sue us then we have our own paper trail to prove we tried to warn and with yours, DID warn her.”  She stopped here and took a drink of water and slammed it as if it were a stiff drink.  Her expression made him feel even more uneasy than before though.
       “But, if only that were it…  Her mom told us that Kacy doesn’t want to give up the baby.  Even under threats of being disowned and sent to a home.  She told her mom, that if that were the case she’d just go and live with you instead.  She found that PARTICULARLY interesting and is suggesting that you have been conditioning her, YOU got her pregnant, and just want her there so you can keep having sex with her!”  
       As she spoke she sounded more and more exasperated.  Once she finishes she looks up to the ceiling and raised a hand as if to say, “What next”.  He felt like he should laugh at the absurdity of Kacy’s mother’s theory.  And that he should feel grateful for his bosses’ transparent trust that he was NOT the father.  But all he felt instead was sick.  He HAD had sex with her, not once, but twice.  And the first time was when she was in heat.  If they only knew how close to the truth they were…  Kacy, THIS is what I have been afraid of…
       “She found me out.” Was all he could muster to say.  
       “Well shit, Ill call the cops right now, she will be overjoyed!”  Came the reply and they both shared and uneasy laugh.
       “Ohhhhh.  Jeremy… if you ONLY KNEW what it was like dealing with her…  Actually, better you DON’T meet her.” She says putting her head in her hands.
       “Yeah… so… is she going to press charges or….” 
       “NO.  She has no proof, other than the fact that her daughter is pregnant.  And we ALL know how often she has been discovered with some boy.” She replies with such conviction that he felt both relived and bad about it.  If they DO make me do a paternity test… I MAY be in the clear but I also might not…  Damnit Kacy.
       “Heh, right.  Man, she’s caused us all a whole heap of trouble.”
       “Ugh, Yes and no.  I blame her mom for this more than anything.  We TRIED to warn her but she ignored it.  Now that her daughter is pregnant she is looking to blame anyone BUT herself.  Honestly, I feel sorrier for Kacy than anyone.”
       “Yeah, I hope she’s ok…”
       “Well, she’s in for some rough times that’s for sure.  She’s old enough to make decisions about her body right now.  So, her mother can’t MAKE her give the baby up…  But I worry how that woman will take it.”  She sounded really worried.  As worried as he felt…
       “WOULD I be able to?  Adopt her that is.”
       “Adopt her?  I don’t think that would be a good idea.  Might prove her theory right in her mind…  But, if she put Kacy up for adoption then you could adopt her.  After that her mom had NO say in anything that happens to her.  It would be easier if she directly “transferred” her to you.  But I don’t think that is very likely.”  She replies slowly.
       “Do you think she will put her up for adoption?” he asked.  
       “I really don’t know…  I can’t say anything for sure.  She is putting up a huge stink right now though.  So, I’d guess she cares for Kacy.  Even though she doesn’t seem to want to take any responsibility for her daughter’s actions.  I don’t know, she did keep saying she wasn’t going to pay for child care or hospital visits…  Anything is possible I guess…”
       Her response didn’t fill him with confidence.  “Would there be any reason for the school to not want me to adopt an old student?”
       She looked at him for a moment before saying, “On a personal level I would not suggest it.  But as far as there being any professional reasons, no.  Do whatever you think is right Jeremy.  Adoption is not easy.  And adopting a teen that is pregnant can’t be any easier.  I understand that you invested a lot of time into her.  But please carefully consider if this is right for not only her, but also for yourself.”
       
       
       
       
       Jeremy had not heard from Kacy in a while.  He suspected she was grounded for life after it was discovered that she was pregnant.  The vice principal had kept him in the loop as far as she knew.  His name had not been brought up again luckily but it was clear she blamed the school for what had happened.  All too soon though she stopped calling and so did any way he had to possibly find out what was going on.  
       From what all he had heard so far, it seemed more like she was upset at being inconvenienced instead upset that her daughter had been knocked up at school due to improper supervision.  So’ when she had gone silent he had started to feel slightly concerned for Kacey.  So long as she was aiming her anger at the school then maybe Kacey would not be getting the brunt of it.  But now, she may have all her mother’s wrath aimed solely at her.
       He didn’t have to wait long to find out though.  A week after school was let out for even staff and the last contact he had heard there was a knock on the door.  Frowning, Jeremy gets up from his computer and walks to the front door and opens it up to find Kacy standing there with several bags of luggage around her.
       “Kacy!  What-?” looking behind her he catches an expensive looking car pulling away from his driveway.  
       “Can you… can you help me get these in please?” Kacy asks.  He gives her a blank look and is greeted with an equally blank stare from her.  Realizing there was nothing else to do he nods and pulls in the rest of the baggage before shutting the door.  Turning around Kacy comes into view from around the corner and grabs another bag and gives him a pointed look and drags it off to presumable the extra bedroom.  
       He tries to get from her what’s going on but she rebuffs him each time.  Simply telling him she needs to freshen up first.  Telling him to go back to what he had been doing before she grabs a large bag of what he assumes are bathing supplies and locks herself in the bathroom with a change of clothes.
       Feeling slightly annoyed he just leaves her to it.  Nearly and hour later she finally comes out looking as prim as proper as she ever did at school.  Only after she had taken her bath or shower had he noticed that she wasn’t at her fullest.  Dropping off her dirty clothes she returns to the living room with a note in hand.  Holding up a hand she simply hands it to him saying: “Read this.  It will answer all your questions”.
       Still mystified he opens up the letter and begins to read;  
       Mr. Jeremy,
       Kacy has decided she would rather keep her baby.  I told her when we discovered that she was pregnant that I would not take care of both her and the baby.  She was given the choice to abort the child or be kick out my house and she chose the latter.  I have let her keep all her clothes, shoes, and beauty products but nothing else.  Do not try to contact me for any financial help because I will not give it.  If you do not want or cannot support her please call this number and arrangements can be made to bring her else-where.  My lawyer will contact you on a later date to sign the documents for this Independent Adoption.
       Very Respectfully
       Rhonda 
       
       Jeremy had to re-read the note several times.  The more he read it the angrier he felt.  It sounded like this was simply a business transaction.  There was no emotion, no anger, no love, nothing.  She was simply shifting any responsibility she had away from herself.  How could she… to her own daughter!?
       “I- “he starts but she lifts up her hand and just smiles sadly to him.  
       “Its ok.  I read it to.  You don’t have to get so angry with her though.  This was my decision.”
       “Yeah but-!”
       “Jeremy… no.  She wanted me to abort my child.  Even if the baby looks nothing like you, I don’t care.  This is MY child.  And I was not about to let her bully me out of taking care of it.  Its not the baby’s fault, its mine.  I made my bed, so I need to lay in it.”
       It hurt to hear her say that.  She had clearly thought about this long and hard.  Maybe spent several sleepless nights going over it in her head.  In the end she had decided she needed to take responsibility.  But no child should sound like that.  Sound so tired, worn and grim.  She didn’t even look like a child anymore to him.  Her normally cheerful and happy go lucky attitude was gone.  Replacing it was the look of a determined adult.  
       “And… I’m sorry for forcing myself onto you like this.  I should have told you sooner so you could have time to decide what to do yourself.  If you want me to go I’ll understand.  My mom left a phone number to her lawyer.  And don’t worry, its not a trap.  She honestly doesn’t give a damn.”
       He reaches out and grabs her hand and says, “No.  You can stay.”  She’s being so brave…  She could have gone back to a normal life.  But she decided to stick it out.  It would be an insult to turn her away.  I need to be brave like her.  For her sake.  
       He might have said more, but once she hugged him they died in his mouth.  What needed to be said was said.  That night though he couldn’t sleep.  There was no turning back now.  But his decision would bring on a host of new issues.  He doubted he could teach and keep her in the same school.  Then there were extra financial affairs…  Dammit Kacy.  You sure opened a can of worms….
       The next day he called the lawyer to work out the details.  In the end he would become her legal guardian instead of her “father”.  Something that Kacy seemed very determined about.  The deal and legal paperwork went by much faster and cleanly than he would have imagined.  Seemed her mother wanted to be behind this as soon as possible…
       That first month was the roughest.  In more ways than one.  Owing to him, a young bachelor basically adopting his old pregnant pupal there were a LOT of extra steps the state wanted to take once her mom and relinquished Kacy.  There had been several very uncomfortable interviews.  They had showed up unannounced to inspect his house.  On top of that he had to shell out quite a bit of extra money on a new phone plan, health care, etc.  Not to mention the perfunctory doctor’s visits to check on Kacy’s developing baby.
       By the second month the state seemed to be relatively convinced that there was nothing bad going on behind the scenes.  She still would meet with a social worker for the duration of the pregnancy and possibly longer owing to her tender age.  Jeremey still felt like it was mainly to make sure he wasn’t doing anything bad to her.
       Luckily though she did not put him to the test.  With the irregular visits, tests, and doctors visits they hardly had time to spend together.  Either he was talking to a social worker, or a doctor.  He barely had any energy to spend any quality time with her.  But at least she seemed content.
       It was the first day they had to really relax.  The next visit or interview was weeks away and they could finally just lay around and do nothing.  Good thing too.  Kacy’s belly was getting larger.  It was not very large yet but it was making its presence known.
       Jeremy laid on the couch watching the tv when Kacy walked into the room.  Smiling at her he waves and she smiles back at him and waves a little shyly back.  “Uhm, may I join you?” she asks a little awkwardly.
       “S-sure.” He replies just as awkwardly.  
       She sides up and instead of sitting on the end like he had thought she instead lays next to him pressing her back to him.  He stiffens a bit but relaxes.  His heart raced a bit as he places his hand on her side.  A soft sigh is heard from her and she rolls around and presses in close pressing her nose against his neck.
       He had never noticed the minty scent of her shampoo.  His heart continued to thump away as they shared each-others space.  Kacy giggles and says, “I could get used to this.” And snuggles in closer.  
       So could I. He thought to himself.  So could I…
	

       It didn’t take too long for him to start regretting letting her join him on the couch.  All too soon he started to wake up finding her in bed with him.  At first, he had tried to convince her to sleep in in own bed.  But she would only giggle and then sneak into his bed again the following night anyways.  Sometimes he’d wake with her holding his hand.  Other mornings clutching his chest.  It was his own fault though he supposed.  As much as he didn’t want to admit it he had come to enjoy waking up like this.
       It had started innocently enough but things had started to take a more intimate turn.  It was hard to keep your hands to yourself when you had a very eager and willing partner.  Especially when she would press her rear against you as you lay together.  Or perhaps nuzzling in under your chin.  Then, for good measure lick and nip your neck
       It was getting harder and harder for him to look at her as her guardian and not a woman.  He still wanted to be a mentor and her guardian.  Maybe even a father figure, but as time went by he was slowly realizing that he wanted more than just that.
       Ever since she had decided to go through with the pregnancy she had changed.  She was older somehow, and wiser.  She was still obviously 12 but something about her gave off an adult air.  Something that was increasingly becoming harder for him to ignore.
       More than that though it was starting to feel as though he had a live-in girlfriend.  They ate together, cooked together, laughed together (not to mention started to sleep together).  They also seemed to know each other’s moods.  Read the other body language as well as any couple.  It was starting to become very difficult to not see her as another adult.
       Jeremey woke to a familiar warm weight on his chest.  The early dawn light filtered past the blinds and onto the sleeping teen vixen.  Her hand and head rested on his chest as she slept peacefully.  Chuckling, he gently slides out from under her and stands up stretching.  He glances down at her and smirks as she squirms a bit in displeasure at loosing her “body pillow”.  He also notices the fact that she’s naked.  His eyes linger on her breasts, slowly swelling due to the baby growing in her belly.
       Her belly was also getting more and more prominent.  Slowly it was getting bigger and rounder.  It was still fairly easy to conceal for now.  And if they couldn’t it still looked as though she was just big around the belly.  But here soon it would be impossible to conceal that she was in fact a VERY young mother.  It was going to be a pain taking her out…
       He takes a moment longer to indulge himself and admire her in the morning sun for a bit longer.  Finally, though, he pushes himself away deciding it would be better to go now instead of get caught looking at her in such a creepy way by Kacy.  If she DID catch him, she’d be unbearable.  She’d tease him unmercifully and probably never let him forget.  Grabbing fresh clothes, he takes himself into the bathroom for a cold shower to get rid of that nagging boner.
       After his shower Jeremy fell onto his couch wearing a baggy t-shirt and shorts as was his custom during the spring break.  The only issue was, that now he had someone else to entertain too.  Kacy had not been saying anything but he could tell that she was bored.  The first few weeks he had spent quite a bit of money buying her a new phone, clothes and things for her bedroom (that she never used).  She had been able to keep in contact with her friend but that was it.
       Inviting her friend over to visit was something out of the question.  At least till he decided what to do about her schooling and all.  It would not do to have a parent find out then spill it to the school that a student was now living with their teacher.  She was also getting along in her pregnancy so leaving the house by herself was not maybe the best of plans either.  So sadly, she had been spending most of her days cooped up inside.
       The news lady distracted him from these though.  “And last week the James T Thatch park opened up with much fan fair as you saw if you had watched our special coverage of the event.  But if you’re not a fan of the crowds this weekend might be the best time to go.  The numbers have slowly been tapering off.”
       A park huh?  Maybe she’d be interested in going.
       Just then the soft squeak of the door to his bedroom alerted him to Kacey finally getting up.  The young vixen walks into the living looking rather groggy, still in only her panties.  Jeremy groans a bit inwardly as she walks to him then simply lays down with her head on his lap.  He lets out a sigh and just strokes her hair earning him a foxy purr.
       “Good morning.  Not wearing clothes today?” He teases
       “Not nude.  Wearing panties.” She replies thickly around a yawn.
       “I see.  You don’t mind wearing only those out today then?”  She only growls in response to this.  “Hmm?  Was that a “yes” or “no”?”
       “Jeremyyy, like you care.  You stared at me the whole way to the couch.  Too tired to put clothes on.  And “go” where?  We don’t have any plans today.  We NEVER have plans.”
       “If you wake up enough to put something on I might have plans” he says tickling her nose.  A habit he had gotten into.  He loved how her nose wiggled when he did it.  She sneezes a bit and presses her nose to his belly to hide it from further teasing.
       “Stop that.  And where?”
       “Oh, I don’t know.  A new park opened up a week ago.  It’s a Tuesday so I bet it wouldn’t be too crowded today.”
       “A theme park?” she asks dubiously.  Obviously thinking of the cub in her belly.
       “No.   Park park.  Like nature trails, ponds, etc.”
       She rolls back over and looks up at him with interest.  “Oh, well that does sounds nice.”
       “Thought you’d think so.” He replies suppressing the urge to boop her nose again.  “If you get ready in enough time we should be able to each lunch there.”
       Kacy sighs and nods and makes a great show of getting up.  “Oh, come on Kacy.  If you waste all this time now trying to get me to sympathies with you about that belly you’ll wear them thin when you have a REAL belly.”
       “Yeah, yeah.  I hear you!” she replies dismissively and walks to the bathroom.  Jeremey chuckles and gets up to change too.  After all, you can’t go to a park dressed like a bum, now can you?
       
       
       
       
       Kacy seemed to have an outfit for everything.  The closet he had was not big enough for all the clothes she had.  Today she had broken out a flowery sun dress, matching sandals, and a hat.  One of those large floppy ones.  He had to admit she looked quite pretty.  And had chose the perfect outfit (if not somewhat cliché) for a day in the park.
       He on the other hand had simply put on “nicer” shorts, his new sandals and a collared shirt over a white t-shirt.  She had fussed at him about how wrinkled it was and insisted he put on another one.  On the whole he was starting to feel like this was a date.
       The park was gorgeous.  The entrance had a large, wrought iron gate leading to a well-manicured lawn that lead to a large lake.  Many paths led lazy paths in many different directions with simple signs letting you know where certain places were.  
       He walked up to one of these feeling a little excited and turns to ask Kacy, “So, do you want to eat first or walk around for a while and eat later?  I hear they have a pretty nice restaurant by the lake.”
       Kacy looks at the sign thoughtfully and replies, “Lets explore first.  Not very hungry at the moment.”
       “Sounds like a plan!”
       Kacy smiles and grabs his arm and leads him off in a random direction.  The rest of the morning was much of the same.  Kacy seemed to have endless energy after being cooped up indoors for several weeks.  She led him, arm-in-arm, down every side path, letting go only to investigate some nook or cranny of the trail.  
       Jeremy felt a little relieved at the light traffic the park had that day.  As happy as he was to see Kacy so happy, he was afraid if they were seen like this a misunderstanding might occur.  And he didn’t want to lose her he realized.  She might have essentially shoehorned herself into his life but, it still felt totally normal now.
       He lets go of her hand.   She wanted to go and check out one of the many art installations around the walking paths.  A monolith of steel rails in odd shapes.  It was hardly art to him but Kacy was always very interested in anything art.
         A couple huh?  He muses to himself as his mid wanders back to his earlier worries.  Would that really be how they were seen?  An older man and a young girl, exploring a park together, arm-in-arm?  She was 12 after all.  She could easily be her adopted father (which he basically was) or a friend of her family taking their daughter around.  It would probably be easy to explain it away.  That she was just crushing on him and he was simply indulging her.
       Somehow though, that made him feel slightly unhappy.  His eyes fall on Kacy as she wonders around the piece of “art”.  She’s grown quite a bit.  He thought to himself, thinking back to when he first took an interest in her.  She’s growing into a beautiful young woman.  Suddenly he felt rather sad that they had not been seen together.  Couple or no, she was too pretty not to show off.
       Suddenly Kacy plops down next to him, stealing his attention once again.  “Hey there.  What’cha thinking about?”
       Feeling a little flustered from being interpreted in the middle of such thoughts he replies, “O-oh!  Just, how this park is so pretty and all!  Glad we came here!
       “Aww, that’s all?” Kacy replies sadly.
       “Huh?  Why?” he asks confused turning to her.
       “Oh nothing.” She replies and stands up and reaches for both his paws.  “Anyways, I want ice cream!”  she demands practically pulling him off the bench.
       “Unnf!  Ok Ok!” He relents scrambling to his feet before he fell onto his butt.
       She must have seen a sign for ice cream.  Because not even 5min later they came across an ice cream booth.  Telling him to surprise her she goes to find a shady spot to sit down at.   He buys two cones of vanilla ice cream for them (which were far too expensive if you asked him), then looks around for her.  He spots her off in a corner of the little plaza and heads over
       A few paces from her he makes a startling discovery.  A breeze was staring to blow causing her dress to flutter a bit.  But a stray breeze hits it just right causing it to billow out exposing her crotch to him.  But, instead of revealing one of her cute, lacy panties he is instead greeted by the sight of her bare pretty little snatch.
       His expression must have tipped her off because she blushes deeply and presses her dress down covering herself up.   His mind races and trying to act like nothing happened he covers the last few feet and sits next to her.  Brusquely handing her the cone he says, “Why are you not wearing panties?”  His pants now uncomfortably tight after catching sight of her exposed like that out in the open.
       “I um, was going to surprise you today in a bit more… secluded area…” she replies shyly.
       “Well congrats, you surprised me.” He replies, annoyed at her and at the pressure in his shorts.  
       The vixen seems to notices this and giggles, “Something wrong?” teasingly
       “No.” he replies stubbornly, not wanting her to know the dirty thoughts now going through his mind.
       “Giggle, Liar.” She teases.  “What-ever am I going to do with you?  I can’t take you, anywhere can I?”
       “You can’t take me anywhere?  Look who’s talking miss “I purposely forgot my underwear”.” He replies huskily.
       She giggles softly before saying, “Come here Hun.”
       Standing up she takes his paw in her free paw and guides him out of the ice cream plaza and down a slightly more wooded path.  Jeremy tries to walk normally, wondering where in the world she was taking him and hoping they didn’t run into someone.  But he soon doesn’t need to, Kacy makes a sudden turn and goes off into the woods.  Jeremy tries to call her back but is forced to follow her.
       After a few feet he steps out into another clearing with Kacy standing in the middle of it waiting for him.  “When I was taking a shower, I looked up the park online.  There are a good few secluded spots throughout the park.  If you know where to find them.”  She says as she watches him look around.  “They are meant for picnickers who want a more “natural vibe”.  Or, while not their intended use, they can be used for more “naughty” patrons.”  She grins at the word “naughty” and lifts up her skirt exposing herself to him again licking her ice cream suggestively.
       The sun was at its peak and shone right down on her at the perfect angle.  She practically glowed in the sunlight.  He knew it was impossible.  But he still felt like she had set IT ALL up.  Even chose this perfect moment to tease him.  
       She doesn’t speak as he approaches her, she doesn’t even let go of her dress.  He rests his paws on her shoulders as he looks down at her into her eyes.  “Is this want you want?”
       “Are you asking me that, or yourself?  I see how you look at me.  And there was no mistaking that goofy, love-struck face you gave me earlier.  I’ve already told you how I really feel.  Have you?”
       His paws run down her sides and caresses her rear making her let out a gasp, letting her ice cream fall, forgotten in the grass.  “Are you sure that wasn’t just lust?” he asks pointedly.
       “Nnf, Jeremy, if it was only that you’d have been fucking me silly every time I asked.”
       “This is hardly a “secluded spot you know.”
       “I’ll be quiet.”
       Jeremy kisses her softly.  “Here is not the best place Kacey.”
       Kacy blushes darkly at this and squirms out of his grasp and starts heading to the path.  “L-later ok?  You still owe me the rest of our date ok?”
       Chuckling he nods and follows her out onto the path.  “Of course.”  Squeezing her paw, he smiles down at her, who returns the smile.  “Anyways.  We have the rest of the day to enjoy our “date”.  So, shall we?”
       “Yes!”
        
