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shuufleur93Fandom: Younger (TV)
Word Count: 781
Type: OS
Rating: General
Relationships: Maggie Amato & Kelsey Peters
Additional Tags: Pregnancy Scares, Supportive Maggie Amato, Kelsey Thinks She's Pregnant
Summary: Maggie never expected Kelsey to come to her in her time of crisis.
Notes: Written for No True Pair 2026 Four-character mini-challenge: March 28 - 1 & 3 "I don't know." "Let's find out together."
Also fills the prompt Wine of my 100 Ships Challenge table.
AO3 Link: With a Little Bit of Support
As Maggie pours more wine into her glass, she hears a knock. She frowns, not expecting anyone tonight. It could be Lauren, here to lament over her last date. Or Josh, who’s been coming a lot lately to do a lot of fun art stuff together. Or, even Liza if Charles annoys her too much. She discovers it's none of them when she opens the door.
Maggie quickly recovers from her surprise and lets Kelsey in.
“Hi,” Maggie greets, recovering from her surprise. “Liza isn’t here.”
“I know,” Kelsey replies, neatly tucking a loose strand of hair that had slipped out of her messy bun. “I don’t want to talk to her.”
Then makes a face and sighs.
“Can I come in?”
Maggie steps aside and closes the door when Kelsey is inside. She looks a little shaken, pale with bags under her eyes. When she heads to the kitchen island, Maggie notices that she hasn’t let go of her purse and grips it as if she’s worried somebody might steal it.
“Are you OK?”
Maggie takes out another glass of wine. Kelsey looks like she needs it more.
“I don’t know,” Kelsey replies, squeezing her eyes with her fingers.
Maggie watches the young woman, the state she’s in, and thinks Liza should be here now. She likes Kelsey, she does. She’s supported Liza from the beginning. She’s like a little sister that Maggie hasn’t spoken to in about 15 years, and she isn’t sure where they stand exactly. Liza is her girl, her bestie, the one friend who can understand her. Maggie isn’t sure what to say to her so instead she pours the wine into the glass. Kelsey looks at the glass filling in, then at Maggie, her lips twisting into some sort of smile.
“I’m not sure I should?”
Maggie stops her pouring. Well. It’s not like she hasn’t dealt with women in crisis before, and Kelsey is no different.
“Is that a question?”
Kelsey sighs. Shakes her head, hesitantly. Sighs again.
“Want me to call Liza?” Maggie asks, because it sounds like it’s more than a little trouble.
Kelsey’s slightly panicked look makes it even more obvious. But why doesn’t she want to talk to Liza?
“Do you want some water instead? Or I can make coffee.”
“Water is fine,” Kelsey replies with a fleeting smile. “Thanks.”
Maggie slides the glass towards Kelsey, then tops her glass of wine all the way to the top. She can already feel that this conversation won't be lighthearted.
“So, spill it,” Maggie says when Kelsey stays quiet.
Uncharacteristically, the young woman seems to shrink on herself and avoids Maggie’s gaze. Maggie waits for her to say something, though. She feels like if she pushes too much or too quickly, Kelsey might decide not to tell her anything.
Kelsey inhales then exhales. She does it again twice and finally looks Maggie in the eyes.
“I think I might be pregnant.”
The young woman blinks, grabs the glass of water and drinks it in one go. She sighs, her shoulders drooping.
“OK,” Maggie starts slowly. “It’s OK. Right?”
Kelsey shrugs, looking defeating.
“Is it… Zane’s?”
Kelsey’s fingers whiten on the glass she’s still holding as she shakes her head once. Maggie has to put down her glass.
“Do you know who it might be?”
Kelsey nods.
“Was it consen—”
“Yes!” Kelsey opens her mouth then closes it. “Sorry. Yes.”
Kelsey sends her an embarrassed smile. Something loosens in Maggie at the confirmation.
“Good. You don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to.”
“It’s Josh’s. If I am. Pregnant.”
Kelsey closes her eyes and hides her face between her hands. Maggie represses the swear by drinking some more wine. No wonder she doesn’t want to talk to Liza. Talk about messy that might get messier.
“Do you need to get a test?” Maggie asks because although she’s burning with questions (When? Why? How?), Kelsey doesn’t need that now. Maybe later, when Kelsey feels better.
“I already have one.”
Kelsey puts her bag on the table, takes out the white and blue box and leaves it on the island. It’s unopened.
“I don’t know what to do. What do I do, Maggie?”
Kelsey looks so lost at this moment, Maggie’s heart hurts for her. She rounds the island to rub a comforting hand on her shoulders.
“Let’s find out together. We’ll deal with it. No one else has to know.”
“Not even Josh?”
“Not if you don’t want to.”
Kelsey blinks rapidly then wraps her arms around Maggie, her head resting against her chest. Maggie returns the hug and kisses the top of her head.
“It’ll be OK, Kelsey. I’m here.”
