She's Having My Baby

Falling Into Place

24 weeks pregnant

It was the middle of Febraury and Maya's due date grew closer and closer. She couldn't belive how fast time was going by. She had decided today was the day. If everything went to plan, she would have a decision on the fate of her baby by the end of the day.

It was a Saturday morning and unlike usual, her mother was home. Her mother was folding laundry in the living room while watching TV. Maya was twiddling her thumbs as she crossed the room towards her. She stopped a few feet from her mother's back. Her baby was doing somersaults and Maya felt the same way.

"Mom, can I talk to you for a second?" Maya said in a small voice.

Katy jumped and quickly turned around.

"Hi, I thought you were still in bed. You didn't sleep in today?" she asked.

"No, I have stuff to do today. Can I talk to you?" Maya repeated.

"You look worried. You're not pregnant, are you?" her mother said in a faux-serious tone.

It took Maya a minute but then she let out a small laugh. They both sat on the couch and Maya began.

"I got a job at the movies. It doesn't pay great but I worked it out and I think it will be enough," Maya stumbled.

She placed the notebook she'd been clutching in her hand on the coffee table and opened it to the page that showed her financial workings. Her mother picked it up and Maya continued.

"Lucas says he doesn't wanna keep her but I really think I can do it without him. She'll go to daycare until I get off work at five every day and I'll spend time with her on the weekends. I looked it up and by law Lucas has to pay something towards her so I'll use that money to buy supplies. I've been working really hard in school lately and since she'll be born at the end of April I was thinking of asking the school if I could finish the school year at home to take care of her the first few months. If not, I'll just have to miss a few weeks and go back. My job starts in a month anyway. I really think I can swing it, Mom. So basically, I'm asking you if you're with me on this. You're the only person who can talk me in or out of this. Plus I'll need to live here because I definitely can't afford a place of my own, and even if I could that's, like, illegal," Maya finished.

Maya's mother looked at her and smiled.

"Maya, I think what you're trying to do here is really admirable and responsible. And I'm willing to support you in whatever you do. I just have to make sure you know what you're doing. You're giving up all of your time, money and your childhood for someone else. It's not going to be easy Maya. I, of all people, know that," her mother explained.

"I know. But I love her so much, I don't think I have a choice. I can't give her up," Maya said with tears in her eyes.

"Then you need to do what you think is right," her mother smiled.

Katy pulled Maya into her arms as Maya attempted to dry her eyes.

"I'm proud of you, Maya," her mother whispered into her ear.

Maya smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. One mission down, three to go.

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Maya didn't call ahead because there was simply no time today. She didn't know if Mr. Matthews was home, but she hoped he would be. She was happy to see that he was sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast with the rest of the Matthews'.

"Maya! You're up early!" Cory said.

"I know, apparently fetuses don't like their mothers to sleep much. I need to talk to you and Mrs. Matthews," Maya announced.

"Alright. Why don't you join us for breakfast and we can talk after?" Topanga suggested.

Maya smiled and sat down at the table. She nibbled on some toast and sipped some orange juice. She didn't participate much in the conversation; she had other things on her mind. When everyone was finshed, Riley said she would take Auggie to the park while Maya talked to Cory and Topanga.

"So what's up, Maya?" Cory asked as they cleared off the table.

"Well, I think I wanna keep my baby. I talked to my mom before I came over here and she's okay with it, but I value your opinion. And I also need to talk about school," Maya explained.

Cory and Topanga sat back down at the table with Maya.

"Well, I think if you're absolutely sure that that's what you wanna do, then go for it," Cory said.

"Do you know what you're gonna do with her when you're at school?" Topanga asked.

"I have a job now so I can pay for childcare," Maya told her.

"What about Lucas?" Topanga questioned.

"He says he doesn't wanna be involved," Maya said, looking at the ground.

"He might come around," Cory smiled.

"Well if you think you can do this, Maya, we'd be happy to help in any way we can. If you ever need a babysitter, we're here," Topanga smiled.

"Thank you," Maya smiled.

"What was that about school?" Cory asked.

"Right. I was wondering if it would be possible to work from home for the last two months of the year after she's born," Maya said.

"I don't know Maya, we'll have to see where your grades are at at that point. But I wouldn't worry about school, you've been doing well this year," Cory told her.

Maya left the Matthews' house feeling more confident than she had earlier today. She felt like everything was finally falling into place. Now came the hard part.
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A/N: So this is kinda like part one of the 24 weeks part. By the way, for anyone that doesn't know a full-term pregnancy goes to 40 weeks, so we're more than halfway there!