Squib - In the Noble House of Black

1973

Late March, 1973

Iola did end up heading to university. Though she didn't know where most of the funds came from, she was not complaining. She was living her best life, until something happened. Iola got pregnant. She was scheduled to give birth on April 8th.

Since she got pregnant, she was still trying to attend her classes, but once everyone learned, no one wanted to be around her. She was unmarried, and the father was a one night fling. Friends around her called her nasty names and wanted nothing to do with her. The only friend she had was Maia. And Maia was still in the orphanage the last she heard.

But of course there was another issue. Six months into her pregnancy, she was diagnosed with brain cancer. They said it was likely a genetic cause. If it was genetic it would make sense. Her parents had dropped her off at the orphanage then possibly because one of them had the same thing. The doctors didn't know how to treat it or how long until it killed her. She was currently functioning fine, but how long would that last?

So she was going to be a single mother with brain cancer and no friends but one 15 year old. Sounds great right?

Maia had heard all the news about Iola. She felt horrible for her. Maia had hoped that Iola would get through university and have an amazing life after all the years in the orphanage. Maia had helped her get there as well. Maia took most of the money she had gotten from her thieving and had Matron deliver it to her. At least the money she received from her "job" went to a good use on Iola's education, and she didn't have to pay for medical bills.

Now Maia was barely fifteen but she had to help her friend in any way possible. On March 20th Maia packed her single bag of everything she owned. Everything included some clothes, school supplies, a little money she had under her bed and random keys she had taken to get into places. She was planning on leaving the orphanage for the last time.

Once she got situated, she sneaked out in the hall and slipped out a window. Maia was still small, barely five foot two but she was muscular from her years of stealing and fighting. She had braided her long dark hair into two Dutch braids that went down to the middle of her back. Sometimes when she looked in the mirror it was scary. Her face was so much like her mother's.

So as she ran down away from the orphanage, her braids clapped her back she made it to the nearest bus stop. She got on and headed out to London. Worcester passed in a blur as it was dark out, but she knew she would not miss it.

Maia arrived at Iola's appartement on the outskirts of London in the morning the next day. Maia went up and knocked on her older sister's apartment door.

Older sister. That was what she referred to Iola as since that day almost two years ago when Iola had called Maia her little sister. And it felt great.

Iola was not expecting anyone. Maia was not able to send ahead any notice but when Iola opened the door she was filled with joy to see the only person who still wanted to be around her. Maia didn't understand why people would stop being friends with Iola just because she was pregnant or had developing brain cancer. If anything Maia thought it was for more reasons to be around her friend.

Just because something wasn't traditional, didn't mean it was wrong. And after what her parents did to her there was no way she was going to abandon Iola.

"Maia! What are you doing here? I didn't think the orphanage would ever let you out." Iola had a face of surprise.

"Come on you know me, of course they didn't let me out, I just left and I don't plan on going back." Maia looked up at the much taller girl.

Iola looked the same as she always had to Maia. She had medium length platinum blonde her, a pale complexion and bright green eyes. She was tall compared to Maia, about five foot seven.

Iola shook her head but motioned for Maia to come inside. Her appartement was pretty clean, though a little run down, but that was just the building's fault. Maia took a seat on the sofa and Iola did as well.

"It's great to see you again, but what do you mean your not going back? Last time I checked that's where you had to live."

"I know but I've been saving up some money from my dealings and I wanted to come and help you. I know everything that's going on and what people are calling you, it's not acceptable." Both Maia and Iola now had worried looks on their faces.

"Well I'm planning on having the baby and raising him myself." Iola tried to look confident.

"Him?!" Maia looked excited again.

"Yeah it's a boy. I've been thinking of names but I can't decide on one"

"When is he due?"

"April 8th."

"And the father is nowhere in the picture?"

Iola looked down and spoke calmly, "No he doesn't want a child and once he learned of my brain cancer he wanted to get far away from me."

"That son of a bitch." Maia cursed.

Iola chuckled softly, "I know but I can't blame him too much, I'm only eighteen, and if the brain cancer is genetic, who knows? Maybe my son will also get it and I'm only bringing him into this world for a short period." Iola's voice was full of sadness.

Maia placed her hand on Iola's shoulder, "You don't know what the future holds, but you're having a baby and that's so exciting."

Iola signed, then posed a question that froze Maia. "Will you be his godmother?"

Maia was slightly shocked. "You really want me to be? I'm only 15. I can't take care of a child if anything happens to you."

"Well they say my brain cancer shouldn't kill me anytime soon, it's only stage one. And for the record I think you would make a great mother." Iola looked into Maia's deep gray eyes.

Maia took a deep breath and responded. "Okay, if you want me to be, then yes I will be his godmother."

There was a few moments of silence before Iola spoke, "how about James?"

"Who the fuck would name their child James if they didn't have the last name of Bond?"

Iola looks disappointed. "John?"

Maia looked defeated. "Why are you coming up with these basic arse names?"

"Because I grew up with the name Iola, it's my mother's name, welsh, and weird. I want my son to have a normal name. You should be able to relate with the name Maia, you're named after a star."

"Everyone in my old family was named after stars or some weird astronomy thing."

Iola then went through a list of names she had but for each one Maia said no. "If you want a basic name, go with a classic." Maia advised.

"How about Louis. Louis Griffiths."

Maia actually thought about it. Without her immediately saying no, Iola took it as a win. "Okay, I figured out the first name. Now middle name." Iola was writing on a piece of paper. "I hate middle names, can he just not have one? My middle name is Enid after my grandma and yours is Walrus or something."

"Walburga, but close enough." Maia scoffed saying the name. "Yeah I say it's fine not giving him a middle name."

Walrus. Damn that was fitting for her mother.

And so on April 8th, 1973 Louis Griffiths was born.