Small Steps

Chapter 8 - Stuck

3 Months Later

I was sitting alone at home, staring at the small bump that bulged out of my stomach. My precious little boy.

"Hey. What's up?" I asked the incoming caller. "Hi. I was wondering if you wanted to go for a walk at the park this morning. It's a beautiful day." I grinned. "I'll be right there. Can you pick me up? I'm not so good with the whole driving thing."
"Sure. I'll swing round in 5."

His friendly face peered round the door as I opened it. His face broke into a pleasant smile. "Hey." He said, pulling me gently into the direction of his car.
"Lewis, wait. You don't have to do this you know." I said, even though I didn't want to. "I know. But I want to. Believe it or not, I like spending time with you." I smiled, and let him pull me to the car.

Lewis.

I shouldn't have yelled at her. I made it seem like it was her fault. I was angry, that's all. It's not everyday a girl tells you she's pregnant and your the unlucky father. I was so unprepared, it wasn't like we were dating before or anything. I mean, I liked her, sure, hence the sex part, but I wasn't ready to have a child. I had my whole life ahead of me. And I really really didn't want to be tied down.

2 weeks after the news had settled in, I told my parents. They were very disappointed. My mother hasn't spoken to me at all since. However, my father encouraged me to go talk to Lily. He reminded me that she was twice as scared as me, especially since I'd walked out on her. I'd gone to see her the next day.

"Lily. I came to apologise. I want to talk. Can I come in?" Tears streamed down her face. "What could you possibly want to say to me? I think you got your message across pretty clearly. You want nothing to do with me, or the baby. Well, fine. I don't care. I don't need you." Her words cut like sharp pointy knives. "I want to help. I shouldn't have said those awful things. I'm sorry. But this is my baby too. And I want to be in its life, whether you like it or not." She sighed, staring at me thoughtfully. "I'm going to give you a chance, Lewis. You better not screw it up."

Lily

We arrived at the park in no time. It was a lovely spring morning. The birds were whistling and there were dogs roaming and little kids screaming. We sat on a bench facing the great expanse of green grass in front of us. It was nice. "So. Have your parents come around?" I asked as Lewis whipped out two chicken stuffing sandwiches and two cokes out of his bag. "Not really. They convinced me to talk to you, so I'm grateful for that." I blushed. "I'm glad I have you a second chance, Lewis. I'm glad you can see your child." He squeezed my hand. "So am I."