Paradigm {Complete}

{Figure}

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Toni's POV

I sat down at the kitchen table, my hands wrapped around a steaming cup of tea. I looked up as Kenny walked in, his face etched with concern.  I knew we had been avoiding this conversation for too long, and it was time to face it head-on.

"Kenny, we need to talk about Tianna,"
I said softly, breaking the silence.

Kenny nodded, pulling out a chair and sitting across from me. "I know, Toni. It's been weighing on my mind too. She's only 16, and I hope she knows this is a huge responsibility."

I took a deep breath. "We need to discuss her options with her. I mean I would have Keri come and sit with us but you're the only father she's got, honestly. I really need to know If she wants to keep the baby, if so, we have to be prepared to support her in every way possible. But she also needs to understand what that means for her future."

Kenny leaned back, crossing his arms.
"You're right. We need to make sure she knows all her options—adoption, keeping the baby, or you know. But we also need to have a serious talk about who the baby's father is. She needs to be honest with us about everything."

I nodded. "I agree. Maybe you could take her out for a daddy and daughter date. She might feel more comfortable opening up to you in a relaxed setting. You can talk about her options and also about the father. It's important that she feels supported and not judged. But she's heard from me but I think she needs a father figure to really be there for her.
She doesn't have Keri."

Kenny sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'll do that. I'll take her out and have a heart-to-heart with her. She needs to know we're here for her, no matter what she decides."

Toni reached across the table and took Kenny's hand. "Thank you, Kenny. Tianna needs us now more than ever."

Kenny squeezed her hand, a determined look in his eyes. "We'll be there for her, Toni. Every step of the way."

As they sat in the quiet kitchen, the weight of the conversation settled over them, but so did a sense of resolve.

"I always wanted to let you know that this Wednesday, she has her first ultrasound, Kenny"

"Shit, I think I'm supposed to be in a meeting at the record label. It's fine, I'll take Kenji with me, I think he'll be fine for a half hour"

"Okay babe and I'll pick him up on the way home and I don't mind dropping his off either because Tianna's school isn't to far from the studio and I'll be picking her up from there anyways."

"It's whatever you want baby"

"Ok, I love you baby"

"I love you too Babe"

---

Kenny's POV

Later that evening, Kenny knocked on Tianna's bedroom door. "Hey, sweetheart, can we talk?"

Tianna looked up from her homework, her eyes wary. "Sure, Dad. What's up?"

Kenny smiled gently. "How about we go out for some ice cream? Just the two of us. We can talk about everything that's been going on."

Tianna hesitated, then nodded.
"Okay, that sounds nice."

As we drove to their favorite ice cream parlor,
I kept the conversation light, talking about school and her interest in Fashion.
Once we were seated with our sundaes,
I took a deep breath, wanting to start the conversation so we could get past it.

"Tianna, your mom and I love you very much, and we want to support you through this. We need to talk about your options and what you want to do."

Tianna looked down at her ice cream, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know."

I reached across the table and took her hand. "I understand it's a big decision, Toni and I didn't know what to do when we got pregnant with Kensley, we thought I'd be to soon but it worked out. Have you thought about what you want to do?"

Tianna took a shaky breath. "I think I want to..abortion it... But I know it's going to be hard...
Like the recovery and there's a lot of long term damages."

I nodded. "It will be, but we'll be here to help you. We also need to talk about the baby's father. Can you tell me who he is?"

Tianna hesitated, then finally spoke.
"Um..no I'm not ready to say anything yet...
He does go to my school though.."

Kenny squeezed her hand. "Its fine, when you're ready you know to tell Toni and I but no matter what happens, we love you and we're here for you."

Tianna's eyes filled with tears. "Thank you, Dad. I don't know what I'd do without you and Mom.
I really mean what I say..Keri isn't much of a dad but I'm really happy that mom found you and I'm glad that you've always been there for her and us too since way before we were born."