Living Without A Heart

"You look so much like your daddy,"

A/N potential trigger warning talking about abortion and adoption.

"I'm pregnant..." she whispered.

"What? You're what?"

"I'm pregnant," she repeated breathless.

"How? We were careful!"

"It's not-" she tried before being cut off.

"You need to get an abortion- I'll call the clinic-" he ordered.

"What? No! I'm not getting an abortion Hal!"

"Don't be stupid Alice!"

"I'm not! I think it's the best decision I've ever made!" she proclaimed.

"Alice, I won't let you ruin my life, my career, or my reputation, okay? you might not care but I do! so get it sorted."

"Hal, this has been the only thing keeping me going, I need this!"

"Well you do it alone and don't tell anyone!" he spat "you'll be on your own, no body to provide for you, and then the perfect little life you have imagined will be ripped right from you when social services get involved."

"Hal please no! don't do this to me..."

"Look Alice, I love you but we've only been together six weeks- it's not happening."

"Please!"

"No!"

At this point she swung for him, she slapped, punched, scratched and then broke down crying.

"Alice, I want to help you! I know some people who can help you- they'll do what's best for you." he convinced her "You'll leave first thing tomorrow."

Unseen by the both of them, somebody lurked in the shadows. FP had come to get a new amp for Fred when he saw the two of them arguing. He wanted to go over and help her but he feared by doing so he would make things worse for Alice so he said nothing but stayed to make sure she didn't get hurt. He had no idea what was going on but Alice was hysterical and it seemed really bad. 

*****

The next day, Alice was made to pack a bag and leave. Hal had said she had to go to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy. He claimed that they would help her.

On arriving, she was taken to a small room with just a bed, a toilet, and a draw filled with blue dresses with white collars and red cardigans. 

"You'll stay in here until the baby is born- you'll have your regular check ups and then we'll arrange for a quiet adoption. You'll be free to go then." The sister informed.

"What?"

The sister just looked at her.

"No one said anything about an adoption!?"

"Miss Smith, you are sixteen and unmarried, Mr Cooper insisted this was what was for the best. End of conversation!"

Alice was left alone in her room to get changed and then she just sat there. Silent tears rolled down her face. She was seething- she trusted Hal, believed her wanted to help her. She vowed never to trust a soul again! Perhaps if she told FP, and didn't let him cut her off, they could've worked something out, he would've listened to her decision not trick her into giving her baby up for adoption.

"Hey Al."

"I've told you to stop calling me that."

"I'll come and see you every couple of weeks- make sure you're doing okay, behaving your self..."