𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝙺𝙸𝙽 𝚂𝙷𝙾𝚆

EPISODE 20 - THE CHOICE

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the kitchen as I sat at the table, staring at the tiny positive test that had completely altered my world.

The reality of it hit me like a freight train, leaving me breathless and disoriented. I was pregnant. The word echoed in my mind, a constant reminder of the future that now loomed before me. My heart raced as I contemplated the enormity of what was to come.

I needed to talk to someone, and Paxton was the first person who came to mind. So I dialed Paxton’s number, my fingers trembling slightly. The phone rang only a few times before Paxton’s voice came through, and I could hear the tension in his tone.

“Hello?”

“Paxton, it’s Nina,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Can we meet? There’s something important I need to talk to you about.”

There was a brief pause before Paxton responded. “Sure. How about that café we used to go to? I’ll be there in an hour.”

The café was a cozy little spot with a warm ambiance, a stark contrast to the turmoil roiling inside me. I arrived early, taking a seat at a table near the window, watching the passersby with a mixture of dread and anticipation. The minutes ticked by slowly until Paxton finally arrived, looking both nervous and determined.

He spotted me immediately and made his way over, his face a mask of apprehension. As he sat down, he offered a weak smile, his eyes searching mine for clues about the nature of our meeting.

“What’s going on, Nina?” he asked, his voice low and laced with concern.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the news settle heavily on my shoulders. “Paxton, I’m pregnant.”

His eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, he seemed at a loss for words. He ran a hand through his hair, his expression a mix of disbelief and fear. “Pregnant? Are you sure?”

I nodded, pulling out the test from my bag and sliding it across the table. Paxton glanced at it, his face growing pale. “I’ve been to the doctor, and it’s confirmed.”

Paxton’s hands trembled slightly as he looked back at me. “Nina, this is- this is a lot to take in. I mean, we’re both so young. I don’t even have a stable career yet.”

I reached across the table, placing a reassuring hand over his. “I know it’s a lot. And I know we’re both not where we want to be in life. But I need to know what you’re thinking. I need to know if you’re willing to be part of this.”

Paxton swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to the table. “I- I’m scared, Nina. I’m scared of not being able to provide for you and the baby. But- I’m also scared of not being there for you. I care about you, Nina. And if this baby is mine, I want to be involved.”

His voice was filled with a mix of desperation and sincerity, and I could see the internal struggle etched on his face. “I’m not asking for everything to be perfect, Paxton. I just need you to be here. I need your support, your help. We don’t have to have all the answers right now.”

Paxton took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. “You’re right. We don’t have to have everything figured out. I’ll do my best to support you and the baby. I want to be there for both of you.”

A wave of relief washed over me, and I squeezed his hand gently. “Thank you, Paxton. That means more to me than you know.”

He nodded, his expression softening. “We’ll figure this out together. It won’t be easy, but we can make it work. I’ll do whatever I can to make sure we’re okay.”