I'm Having my Father's baby ?!?

Chapter 8

(Daniels POV)

The four months since I had met Melody were the best of my life. I couldn't imagine there being anything more to heaven than this beautiful girl, growing by the week until she had her now visible baby bulge. I would put my hands on her stomach to see if I could feel anything. "No," she would say. "There's nothing to feel yet. Give it some time." I wouldn't wait any longer than a minute before trying again.

I couldn't wait to see the baby. I know it will be beautiful, like its mother, and just as smart and fun to be around. With each doctor's visit,I knew it was coming; I would be able to finally see our baby. When the day came that Mel's doctor suggested her first ultrasound, I couldn't wait. Now that the day has finally come, I get ready to take Mel to the hospital.

I awoke that morning to the sound of her light breathing. I lingered a little longer than I should have; I wanted to take a second to view her beauty. Even this early on, she had a visible glow about her, like an angel descending to the world. She is so beautiful.

I woke her up some time later with breakfast, freshly prepared (we had found a new grocery store, and managed to behave long enough to stock up on food) and healthy. She ate slowly, unsure of what to expect. "It's good for you," I told her. "You're eating for two still, remember?" I flashed a smile at her, and she laughed. I think she was tired of hearing it.

"You didn't have to do this," she said, giving me a hug and getting up to get changed. "But I'm glad you did." She was nervous, and I didn't blame her.

"The test results should be in today," I told her. "I'm sure everything's going to be fine."

I was trying to comfort her. We had found out in our last visits that Spinobifida runs in both of our families. The doctor told us that we would have to get the baby tested for it. He told her everything would be fine, but caught me outside of the room. "Both parents are carriers," he said. "There is almost no chance that your child would not be affected by it. I would prepare her for the worst."

There was no way our child, the beautiful, innocent growth inside of her---the only creature in the world worth proof of our love---could ever be affected by something so terrible. I didn't tell her what he told me; she didn't need to worry over something that could never happen.

Still, she was nervous. And very upset. She hardly talked during the car ride, and not once in the waiting room. I wanted to grab her and hold her gently against me, and tell her everything would be alright. But I am afraid; I don't want to lie to her. But I know the baby is fine.

She was seated in the bed when the doctor came in the room. I jump up and ask him immediately, "are the results back yet?"

"Yes, but I'd like to discuss them after the exam."

"That's fine," Melody said, shooting a scared look at me. I smile at her. She smiles back.

The exam starts with a technician putting some sort of jelly on her stomach. "It's warmed," she said, smiling at Mel, who still didn't know what to expect. "This won't hurt at all," the tech told her, putting the receiver over our baby.

As soon as she had placed the receiver on Mel, the machine started making fast, repeating noises. Me and Mel were both staring at the machine, horrified.

The tech laughs. "Don't worry! That's its heartbeat."

"It sounds awfully fast," I tell her.

"Yes, that's normal. We're going to take the first picture of your baby now... Alright. Now the doctor said he was looking for something on the spine, so let's see if we can get a clear look at that," the tech said. "Mmmhmm... There we go."

"Check the base of the spine, the lower vertebrae," the doctor announces to her.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Here we are."

There is a lump on the screen.

"Is that...?" I ask him. I grabbed Melody's hand. The doctor sighed and asked the tech to leave.

"Alright, then. I'll be back with your picture," she said, giving one last smile. I hated her for it.

"It appears as though the tests were correct," the doctor said. Mel squeezed my hand back. I couldn't look at her; I didn't want her to know I was afraid. "Your baby has Spinobifida."

There is a second of silence, but then Mel erupts in a sob so heartbreaking, I can hardly control myself from following.

"You should probably terminate the pregnancy. There are modern medical treatments to help increase the quality of life for people afflicted with the disease, but there is no cure. Your child would still suffer from the pain and decreased mobility among other things. It isn't very pleasant," the doctor says, moving through his chart.

Melody lets go of my hand, and hides her face from me. I can hear her crying harder, and I suddenly feel alone. I am angry at the doctor for his lack of care; we are in a crisis, and he's looking at a piece of paper. "How could you even suggest something like that!?" I scream at him. "In front of my pregnant girlfriend! Are you insane?! We're not giving up this child! Not even in hell!"

"I understand your concern," he says very calmly. "But it's best I tell you now. You can only terminate the pregnancy up to 5 months of development, and your girlfriend is already 4 months in. She needs to make the decision now."

"There is no decision to make! We're keeping this baby!" I scream, and I throw a box of gloves to the ground. I can't believe this is happening; our child is fine.

"According to the law, you have no say over whether or not you would like the fetus to live. She isn't your wife, so she can decide whatever she'd like on her own." He gets up to leave as the tech returns. I calm myself so I don't offend her. "I'll send a specialist up," he says.

"Here is the picture of your baby," the tech says, smiling warmly.

Mel is still crying. I take the picture and lean beside her, showing her the picture. "This is our child," I tell her. "It is ours, not just yours. I don't want to upset you, Mel, but this baby is as much a part of me as it is of you. If you kill it, you will be killing a part of me. Do you want to kill me? Do you want me out of your life?" I squeeze her arm.

"Stop! You're hurting me!" She screams between sobs. "I don't want you in this room anymore! I don't want you here!" She crumples up the picture and throws it at me. "If you really cared about this child, you would want it not to suffer any more than it has to! And it is a part of me, too! I get to decide!"

I feel absolute remorse. I was turning into a monster; I couldn't take back what I said, I couldn't make things better. The tech grabs me by the arm and leads me out of the room, Mel still crying and sobbing as she closes the door. She tells me that she will print out another picture, and not to worry so much.

The specialist arrives.