by Katie Ashley
Abby nodded.
Dr. Field rattled off several questions which Abby answered. She then turned to me, smiled, and extended her hand. “And you must be the proud father.”
Before I could answer, Abby shook her head. “No, he’s just a very good friend.”
Dr. Field gave us a knowing look. “I see,” she replied, as she flicked Abby’s chart closed. “Why don’t we do the physical examination first, and then we’ll do the sonogram?”
“Okay,” Abby said. She reached for my hand as she started to lie back on the examination table. I quickly went to her side. If I had known exactly what the physical examination would have entailed, I would have run for my life instead. I once again raised my eyes to the heavens and willed myself to keep breathing. It wasn’t the fact I could see anything I shouldn’t. It was just knowing what the doctor was doing that was excruciating.
I glanced down at Abby’s face. She winced in discomfort and squeezed my hand harder. I smiled at her in reassurance. “Sorry,” she mouthed, realizing how I was still uncomfortable.
“It’s okay.”
She smiled.
“All right then, all done,” Dr. Field said. I helped Abby back to a sitting position. “By the information in your chart and your examination, you appear to be around twelve weeks.” Dr. Field picked up an odd shaped organizer and lined up the dates. “Looks like you have a due date of April 15th.” She grinned. “Tax day.”
I smiled, but Abby sucked in a breath. Her eyes welled with tears. “That was my mom’s birthday!”
Dr. Field looked to me, and I quickly replied, “Her mother just passed away a few months ago.”
She took Abby’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m so sorry about your mother. Due dates aren’t set in stone. Babies come early and late all the time.”
Abby shook her head and wiped her eyes. “No, that’s okay.” She smiled weakly. “I would be all right with them sharing a birthday.”
Dr. Field smiled. “All right then. Now why don’t we get a look at your baby?”
Abby nodded and lay back down on the table. Behind us was the sonogram screen.
She pushed the sheet down and squirted a jelly like substance on Abby’s belly, which caused her to shiver. “That’s cold,” Abby said, with a grin.
“Sorry about that,” Dr. Field replied.
“It’s okay.”
As she ran the wand over her Abby’s stomach, a grainy image formed on the screen. “There it is!” Dr. Field exclaimed. We both continued staring at the pod sized image. It looked nothing like a baby or what I assumed a baby would look like in the womb. I supposed it was too early for all that. But when you really stared at it, you could see its tiny features.
“And there’s the heartbeat.” A billowing blew in and out on the screen. “Let me let you hear it.” Dr. Field wrapped something that look like a belt with a monitor around Abby’s lower abdomen. Suddenly, the room was filled with a strange whirring noise. Dr. Field smiled. “It sounds strong.”
As Abby listened to the sound of the baby’s heartbeat, her gaze never left the screen. Tears welled in her eyes. “That’s my baby,” she whispered, softly. First the tears spilled silently down her cheeks. Then a slow sob rolled through her chest and throat. Before Dr. Field or I could anticipate it, she was shaking uncontrollably on the table.
“Abby?” Dr. Field questioned, putting her hand comfortingly on Abby’s shoulder. Abby ignored her and continued sobbing. Dr. Field once again stared at me for an explanation. I shook my head.
“I’ll leave you alone for a minute or two, okay?”
I nodded. Once the door closed behind Dr. Field, I l leaned down beside Abby. “Shh, don’t cry,” I whispered in her ear.
“Just hold me,” she pleaded.
I nodded as I brought my arm firmly underneath her. Her arms clenched tightly around my back. I don’t know how long she cried. I began to wonder how it was possible for someone to still have tears left to shed.
When she finally caught her breath, she wiped her eyes. “Will you get me out of here?”
“Of course I will.”
Before she got up to change, Dr. Field came back in. “Are you feeling better?”
“I’m all right,” Abby replied. She smiled meekly at Dr. Field. “Sorry about falling apart like that.”
“Don’t you worry one minute. I can’t imagine how traumatic these past few months have been for you. Losing a mother, especially when you’re so young, is one of the most difficult things anyone can ever endure. That in itself would be core shattering, but when you couple that with an unexpected pregnancy, it is unimaginable.” She squeezed Abby’s hand. “I want you to know I’m here for you.”
“Thank you, Dr. Field. I really appreciate that.”
Dr. Field smiled as she looked over at me. “It looks like you have a pretty good support system.”
“Yes, I do,” Abby said.
“Then cling to that. Make sure you surround yourself with supportive family and friends. It’s important you are physically and emotionally strong in the months to come. I want you to eat right, get the rest you need, which I know will be difficult with you in high school, and then take these prenatal vitamins.” Dr. Field handed a large box to Abby. “I want to see you back in a couple of weeks.”
“Okay.”
Before she headed out the door, Dr. Field turned me. “You take good care of her.”
“I will.”
“Good. I’ll be counting on you,” she said, and then she shut the door behind her.
“I’ll wait for you right outside,” I said to Abby.
She smiled weakly. “Okay.”
She emerged a few minutes later looking more composed. “Ready?” I asked.
“Definitely.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight: ELIJAH
When we slid into the car, I could tell Abby wasn’t ready to go home. “Are you hungry?”
She shrugged. “A little.”
I nodded and made a quick right and headed into town. It was almost six when we pulled up in front of A Cup of Joe’s. I held open the door, and then I hurried in behind Abby. “Hey Cuz! Hey Elijah!” Zach called from behind the counter.
While I waved, Abby asked, “Hey to you too. Are you singing tonight?”
“Yeah, at seven.” Zach eyed her tear stained face and then raised his eyebrows at me. I shook my head, and he let it go. “So what can I get you guys?”
“I’ll have a BLT on white and a sprite,” Abby said.
“What happened to getting your favorite club sandwich?” Zach asked.
Abby gave a weak smile. “I read in a baby book that you’re not supposed to eat deli meats.”
“Oh, I see.”
Zach glanced between the two of us. “So, a BLT for my cousin and for you, Elijah?”
“I’ll have the same.”
After Zach finished with our orders, I led Abby over to a table in the corner. She quickly devoured her sandwich. I raised my eyebrows in surprise, and she laughed. “I guess I was hungrier than I thought.”
“Want some of mine?”
Abby blushed. “Are you sure?”
“Of course,” I replied, as I pushed the other half of my sandwich over to her. As I munched on the remaining chips on my plate, I glanced up to see her staring at me. “What is it?”
“Aren’t you going to ask me about the doctor’s office?”
“I was hoping we wouldn’t mention that, especially the part where I sent those ovaries flying across the room!”
She laughed, and I smiled in relief. There was something too painful and serious about the way she had questioned me. “If you don’t want to talk about it…”
“I was joking.”
She shook her head as her lip quivered. “I can understand if you don’t want to be with me anymore. I mean, I’m just one emotional disaster after another!”
“That isn’t true,” I argued.
“Isn’t it?”
I cocked my head at her. “Abby,
someone has done a real job on you.”
“What do you mean?”
I pushed my plate away and leaned in on my elbows on the table. “Who has made you feel you’re not worthy of being loved or supported if you’re not perfect? I mean you’re acting like true emotions are a sign of weakness. No wonder you’re beginning to crack.”
“I’m not cracking up,” she argued meekly.
I rolled my eyes. “And if you were, it would be okay. Your mom was murdered six months ago, and you’re pregnant. Would you cut yourself some slack?”
“I wish I could.”
“Try harder!”
The corners of her lips tugged a small smile. “There you go being so forceful again.”
“Well you need it,” I argued.
“Okay, I will.”
“Good, I’m glad to hear it.”
“But what makes you want to stay?” she asked.
“You,” I replied firmly. “You make me want to stay.”
Her blue eyes stared intently into mine. “Sometimes I think you see me better than I see myself. It’s like you see through to my bare soul. It scares me.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m afraid I’ll lose you. That you’ll realize there are better girls out there.”
“It’s impossible.”
She toyed with the edge of the tablecloth. “You say that now, but when you hear what I’m about to say, you might change your mind.”
“There’s nothing you could say to change my mind.”
Abby drew in a deep breath. “When I heard the baby’s heartbeat and when I saw him or her on the screen…” She chewed her lip. “I knew at that moment there was no way on earth I couldn’t give my baby up.”
My breath hitched in my chest. “So you’re really going to keep it?”
She nodded. “Yes, I am.”
“Are you absolutely sure?”
“Without a doubt in my mind!” she replied, emphatically.
“And you decided all that just by the sonogram?”
“Yes and there was this dream I had…” Her face flushed with embarrassment like she had revealed too much.
“What dream?”
She waved her hand dismissively. “No, it’s silly. You wouldn’t understand.”
Leaning back in my chair, I cocked my eyebrows at her. “Try me.”
Abby sighed. “I had this dream about my mom. She and I were talking about what I should do.”
“What did she say?”
“She said I should keep the baby. And when I asked about raising the baby alone, she told me in the end, I wouldn’t have to do it by myself. She said there would be a great love to come along who would help me.”
Suddenly I felt the prickly sensation of the hairs rising on the back of my neck. Could Victoria know my thoughts on transcending? Could she see it was me who was meant for Abby?
Abby brought me out of my thoughts. “Do you think I’m crazy?”
“No, I don’t.”
“I wouldn’t have thought anything about it if I had just had the dream once, but I’ve had it every night this week.” Her voice vibrated with emotion. “It’s so real, Elijah. It’s like she’s really with me. At the end of the dream, she always hugs me, and I wake up. When I lay there in bed, it’s like I can still feel her arms around me.”
Tears sprung in her eyes. I leaned forward, but Abby shook her head. “Ugh, hormones and grief are a lethal mixture!” she joked, dabbing her eyes with the corner of her napkin.
I laughed. “I’ll take your word for it.”
Once she put her napkin down, she eyed me expectantly. “And now that you know my decision, do you still feel the same way about me?”
The world around me screeched to a halt. I realized that until Abby decided to keep the baby, I never imagined there would be another reason to transcend. For a long time, a feeling had burned within me. It grew and grew, and now it threatened to consume me. I didn’t understand what it meant until then.
I wanted to be a father. More importantly, I wanted to be a father to Abby’s child.
Rising from my seat, I moved over to Abby and pulled her up. I swept her into my arms and kissed her.
When I pulled away, she murmured, “Does that mean nothing has changed?”
I smiled. “Exactly.”
She kissed my lips and then kissed along my cheek to my ear. “That makes me very, very happy!” Her arms fell from my neck. “I just don’t know how I’m going to tell Daddy. I know he’s not going to support me.”
I shook my head. “He might not support you at first, but he’s still your father. He loves you, and like I said before, he will come around.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“You’ll see,” I reassured.
“I’m going to ask something of you again.”
“Anything.”
“Except a doctor’s appointment?” she asked, with a grin.
I groaned. “Let me think about that one. I’ve got a couple of weeks to build my courage up, right?”
She nodded. “I wanted to know if you would go with me to tell my dad.”
“Of course, I will,” I answered.
Abby smiled. “You really are my guardian angel.”
I blushed and lowered my eyes. Thankfully, I was saved by Zach taking the stage to perform. Sarah motioned for us to come have a seat on one of the plush couches close to the stage. Abby laid her head on my shoulder, and for the rest of the evening, we listened to Zach sing about love.
Chapter Twenty Nine: ELIJAH
It was a few nights later that I got a text from Abby. Telling Dad. Can u come over?
I quickly texted her back. On my way.
My feet crunched along the multicolored leaves as I made my way up the street. When an icy burst of November air blew against me, it caused me to rub my arms to stay warm. Abby stood waiting for me on the front porch.
“It’s too cold for you to be out here,” I protested.
She smiled. “I’m all right.”
I shook my head. “It isn’t good for you.”
“Whatever, Elijah,” she said, pulling me into the house. My stomach churned as I followed her into the living room. I knew this day was coming for a while, but I still wasn’t ready for it.
We found David and Gabriel engrossed in the plans for the church’s upcoming Thanksgiving Feed the Hungry program.
At the sound of footsteps, they both glanced up from their paperwork. “Hello there,” David said.
“Hi,” Abby said.
I noticed David surveying the looks on mine and Abby’s faces. “Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing’s wrong. I just need to talk to you about something.” When Gabriel started to get up, Abby stopped him. “No, you don’t have to go.”
Gabriel nodded as he sat back down.
Abby and I went over and had a seat on the couch. “Daddy, I’ve made a very important decision.”
“Oh?” David asked.
Abby drew in a deep breath. “I…” She glanced over at me, and I grabbed up her hand and squeezed it encouragingly. Abby bobbed her head and turned back to David. “I’ve decided I want to keep the baby.”
Confusion filled David’s face. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I feel like it’s the right thing to do.”
“But you’re only sixteen,” David argued.
“Yes, but I’ll be seventeen by the time the baby is born. I may be young, but I know I will be a good mother.”
“What about college?”
“I can keep the baby and still go to school. I mean it won’t be UGA, but I can get a good education close to home. Yeah, it won’t be easy, but it can be done,” Abby replied. When David shook his head, Abby said, “If Mom could do it, I can.”
“Yes, your mother had children and finished college, but she also had a husband. Abigail, you don’t have anybody,” he protested.
“Don’t I have you?” Abby asked, her v
oice wavering.
David stared down at his hands. “I can’t condone this.”
“I’m not asking you to condone it. I’m asking you to support me by accepting my decision!” Tears sprung in Abby’s eyes. “Please, Daddy!”
As David’s chin trembled, my heart went out to him. I knew Abby’s tears and her request were breaking him. Abby drew in a breath. “Daddy, I know this sounds crazy, but Mom agrees I should keep the baby. She’s spoken to me and guided me, and because of that, I know I’m making the right decision.”
Tears flowed down David’s cheeks, and he swiped them away with the back of his hand. “I’m sorry, Abby, but it’s something I can’t accept. If you make this decision to keep the baby, then it’s one you’ll do on your own.”
A strangled cry erupted from Abby. “What are you saying? I can keep the baby, but I’m not welcome in this house once I have it?”
David didn’t respond. Instead, he rose from his chair, and with drooping shoulders, he walked out of the room.
Gabriel leaned forward and took Abby’s hand in his. “Don’t worry. I’ll talk him for you. I know he’s hurt and upset right now and not thinking clearly. I’m sure it’ll be all right.”
A faint smile flickered on her face. “Thanks, Gabriel. That means a lot to me.”
He nodded. “We’re here for you, and I promise, you won’t have to do this on your own.”
“Oh, I know I won’t be alone.” She turned to me. “I’ll always have Elijah by my side.”
At the mention of ‘always’, Gabriel sucked in a breath. I refused to meet his expectant gaze. Instead, I cleared my throat. “That’s right. I’m here for the long haul.” My neck prickled at Gabriel’s hot glare burning into me. He stood up. “We better head on home now.”
“All right then,” Abby replied. She walked us to the door, and before we stepped outside, Abby threw her arms around me. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Abby.”
As soon as we were off the safety of the porch, Gabriel whirled around with clenched teeth. “I want to talk to you!”
“What-”
“Not until we get home.”
