oneshots

Denial - Joshua

Lisha paced back and forth in the living room, her heart pounding in her chest.
She had rehearsed the conversation countless times in her mind, but the reality of the situation made her anxious.
She had to tell Joshua about the baby, their baby.

Joshua sat on the couch, engrossed in his phone. Lisha took a deep breath and approached him, her hands trembling slightly. She sat down beside him, mustering the courage to speak.

"Joshua, we need to talk," she said, her voice quivering.

Joshua glanced up briefly, his expression distant. "Can it wait? I'm kind of busy right now."

Lisha's heart sank, but she knew she couldn't delay any longer. "No, it can't wait. This is important."

Reluctantly, Joshua put his phone down and turned to face her. "Okay, what is it?"

Lisha took another deep breath, her eyes fixed on the floor.
"I'm pregnant, Joshua. We're going to have a baby."

There was a moment of silence that seemed to stretch into eternity.
Lisha's heart pounded in her ears as she waited for Joshua's response.

Finally, Joshua chuckled, a bitter sound that cut through Lisha's heart like a knife.
"Nice joke, Lisha. But seriously, cut it out."

Lisha looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes. "Joshua, I'm not joking. I'm pregnant, and it's your child."

Joshua's eyes widened, disbelief etched across his face.
"That's impossible, Lisha. We've been careful. This can't be happening."

Lisha's voice trembled as she spoke.
"I know we took precautions, but accidents can still happen. And this is real, Joshua. I've seen the doctor, and it's confirmed."

Joshua's face hardened, his voice laced with anger.
"Well, I refuse to believe it. This changes everything.
I'm not ready to be a father."

Lisha's tears, which she'd been holding back, spilled over, her voice choked with emotion.
"Joshua, I'm scared too, but we can figure this out together right?
We can support each other and raise our child with love."

Joshua shook his head apologetically, his gaze fixed on the floor. "No, Lisha. I can't do it. I have my own dreams, my own plans. This is going to ruin everything."

Lisha reached out, her hand trembling as she touched his arm. "Please, Joshua, think about it. We don't have to give up on our dreams. We can find a way to balance it all. We can make this work."

Joshua pulled away, his eyes filled with determination. "I can't, Lisha. I won't be able to live the life I want if I have a child now. I won't be able to provide for them the way I want to. It's better for both of us if we end things now."

Lisha felt her heart shatter into a million pieces. She had hoped for his support, for his willingness to face the challenges together. But now, she realized that she had to be strong for both herself and her baby.

With tears streaming down her face, Lisha stood up and walked away from their joint apartment,
leaving Joshua behind.
It was the hardest decision she had ever made, but she knew she had to focus on what was best for her child.

Months passed, and Lisha faced the challenges of pregnancy alone. She poured her love into her unborn child, nurturing the bond between them. The absence of Joshua weighed heavily on her heart, but she knew she had made the right choice.

And when Lisha finally held her baby in her arms, a tiny bundle of joy, she knew that she had made the right decision for both of them. The little baby girl, with her button nose and delicate fingers, filled Lisha's heart with an indescribable love.

As the years went by, Lisha dedicated herself to being the best mother she could be. She worked tirelessly to provide for her daughter, creating a loving and nurturing environment for them both. Through the sleepless nights, the first steps, and the laughter-filled moments, Lisha found strength in the unconditional love she had for her child.

Meanwhile, Joshua's decision haunted him. Over time, he began to question his choices and the life he had envisioned. The emptiness he felt without Lisha and their child weighed heavily on his soul.
He yearned to be a part of their lives, to experience the joy and love that had eluded him.

One day, fate intervened when Joshua happened to cross paths with Lisha and their daughter in a local park. The sight of them, so radiant and full of happiness, stirred something deep within him. He couldn't tear his gaze away from the little girl who mirrored his features, her eyes sparkling with innocence.

Filled with a mix of regret and longing, Joshua approached Lisha tentatively. "Lisha, can we talk?" he asked, his voice filled with a mixture of hope and trepidation.

Lisha, surprised to see him after all this time, hesitated before nodding. "Josh. Alright, Let's talk."

They found a quiet spot on a nearby bench, where Joshua poured his heart out. He expressed his regret for not being there, for denying their daughter's existence, and for not believing in their love. He explained how he had spent countless nights haunted by his choices, longing for a chance to make amends.

Lisha listened, her heart both breaking and healing at the same time. She saw the genuine remorse in Joshua's eyes, and she recognized the opportunity for a second chance, not just for them, but for their daughter as well.

As they sat there, under the warm sun, Lisha found forgiveness within her heart. She understood that people make mistakes, and sometimes it takes time to realize what truly matters in life. Together, they made a pact to put their daughter's happiness first, to be the parents she deserved.

From that moment forward, Joshua became an active presence in their lives. He embraced the joys and challenges of fatherhood, making up for lost time and cherishing every moment he spent with his daughter. Lisha and Joshua learned to co-parent, to support each other, and to rebuild the trust that had been broken.

Their daughter flourished, surrounded by the love of both her parents. She grew up in a home filled with laughter, shared dreams, and unwavering support. Lisha and Joshua became a team, navigating the joys and complexities of parenting together, hand in hand.

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