~Loving Can Hurt Sometimes~

Chapter 1 (Picture of Lilly)

I cradled Lilly in my arms as she cried because she lost her stuffed bunny "Tickles." "Sh, it's okay Mikey's gettin' it he's gettin' it," I told lily stroking her blond curls. Lilly is my daughter, I am an 18 year old mother. I got pregnant with a man named Ethan when I was 17. My name is Nicole Winberry, I recently just graduated highschool and trying to plan for college. My boyfriend Mikey helps me with Lilly, and all of my friends. " I got it baby, I got it," said Mikey coming in the nursery with the stuffed bunny. Lilly held her arms out and took the bunny. I layed her back into her Winnie the Pooh crib and kissed her forehead. I walked outside of Lilly's nursery and closed the door. Sage was waiting there for me with a cup of coffee. "Thanks," I said taking a sip of the coffee. My friends Sage and Evan help me with Lily, because my parents kicked me out when they had found out I was pregnant. Mikey's friends Dre and Jason help as well. Mikey is 19 he is currently in college and letting me live with him in his small apartment. It is two bedroom one bath and has a small kitchen. Sage is 21 and practically the mom I never had. I don't mean that like she is a 'mom' but she takes care of me and cares for Lilly. When I got pregnant and told Ethan that he was the father he yelled at me and moved away. Having Lilly is one of the best things to ever happen to me and knowing that she will never have a loving and caring group of grandparents kills me. My sister Brittney stops in every week or so. She's 15 and loves Lilly. She kind-of spoils her with gifts and such but I don't care too much. I know what you are thinking, I have alought of older friends, but that's because I am mature and don't club and drink and all that. When I got pregnant and kind-of thrown out onto the streets, I stayed with Sage. Her boyfriend didn't like the idea of me staying with them, because Lilly cried and constantly needed attention. How I met Mikey? Well, I was shopping at the grocery store with Lilly and dropped some baby food. Mikey must have noticed she did so and helped, he told me he didn't see a wedding ring and went for it. Now, he helps me and Lilly and I love him. If I never would have been pregnant I never would have met Mikey. "Hey Sage, what time does your boyfriend want you back at your place, cause it's like 2am?" said Mikey pouring himself a cup of coffee. " Oh crap, I gotta go, tell Lil-baby I love her, love you all," Sage said putting her coat on and grabbing her car keys. We live in the big apple, New York City, born and raised, so is Mikey. I waved and grabbed and blanket off the couch. Mikey joined me with a cup of coffee and a warm kiss. "Don't you have classes tomorrow?" I said laying on his chest. " Nah, it's Saturday and I think a holiday or something?" he said stroking my hair. We lie there for 30 minutes or so when we hear Lilly crying through her baby monitor. "I got it," I said sitting up and putting down my cup of coffee. "You sure?" said Mikey sitting up. "Yeah, you get some rest," I said walking down the hallway. I opened the nursery door and peeked my head inside. She was out of milk, I took her bottle and ran to the kitchen to get her some more. I got her more and tucked her back in. I left the nursery and headed to me and Mikey's bedroom, where Mikey was passed out. I took off my jeans and slipped on Mikey's shirt. I cuddled next to him and fell asleep.

~~~~~~~ NEXT MORNING~~~~~~~

I woke to the sound of Mikey getting out of the shower. I rose up off our bed and saw he was changing. "Oh, did I wake you?" he said grabbing the towel on his waist. "No, it's fine,, I think I am gonna call Evan and see if she wants to go shopping with me and Lilly," I said sitting up. "Well, that won't be very hard," said Mikey slipping on some ball shorts and tank top. "Why?" I said putting some polka-dot pajama pants on. "They're already here," he said pointing to the living room. " When did they get here?" I asked him kissing him on the forehead. "I don't know maybe two, three hours ago," he said combing his hair. I left our bedroom and walked toward the living room. Evan was there with her boyfriend Jason. " Hey babe, morning" said Evan sitting up and hugging me. "Morning, where's Sage and her boyfriend?" I said pouring a cup of coffee. "Probably at work," said Evan, "Speaking of which you need to go, Jason." Jason stood up and kissed Evan and said, "Tell Lil's I love her, see you all." He walked out and left. "Where does he work now?" I said pouring Lilly a bottle of apple juice. "Some dealership, i don't know," she said pouring herself a cup. "Is Lilly up?" I said. "I don't know ask Mikey?" replied Evan. "Nah, I'll go look in the nursery," I said heading that way. I look into the nursery and sure enough there was my sweet little baby girl playing with her bunny. "Goodmorning baby girl," I said picking her up and carrying her into the livingroom. "Momma, momma," said Lilly cradling her bunny. Evan's eyes widened when she saw me carrying Lilly. "There's my Lillydoodle, aww cute thing!" she said tossing her up and down in the air. "Be careful Evan!" I said. "I will," said Evan. "Hey you wanna go to the mall with me and Lilly today?" I said putting Lilly in her playpen. "Ugghhh, sorry can't I got a babysitting gig at 2, wish I could tho," Evan said and checking her watch, " I got's to go, talk to ya later?" "Yeah, love ya" I said hugging her. "Love yall, love you Lillydoodle!" said Evan walking out the apartment door. Short after Mikey came into the room, wearing a dark blue beanie, black jeans, a gray shirt, and red converses. "Where are you going looking like that?" I said giving a little smile and kissing him on the cheek. "I'm suppose to meet Dre at his house, were gonna go watch that baseball game remember?" He said kissing me back. "Oh yeah, what time do you think you'll be home?" I said getting him his jacket and keys. "Around 10ish, don't worry I'll be back in time for us to watch a movie and cuddle," he said walking to Lilly and kissing her on her forehead. "Have fun, love you," I said giving him his stuff and kissing him. "I will, love you guys," he said shutting the door. "Well, squirt looks like it's just me and you," I said looking at Lilly suck on her pacifier. I picked her up and got her dressed to go to the mall. I gave her some hot-pink leggings, a cat shirt, and some black flats, I put her curly blonde hair in a ponytail and gave her a hot-pink bow. It was November so I gave her a coat and mittens. I decided on putting on some black legging, ugg boots, and a shirt that says, New York City. I brushed my curly blonde hair and put on my black leather jacket. I grabbed my purse and car keys and headed out the door. Me and Lilly hopped into the elevator and rode to the lobby. "Morning Richard," I said walking to the parking lot. "Nicole, Lilith," he said removing his hat and showing his bald-spot. He was old and worked as our lobby's door man. He was sweet and kind and that was all that mattered. I waved and made it to my car. I drove a black Nissan Altima. I buckled Lilly into her butterfly car-seat and shut the door. I got into the driver's seat and drove to the mall. It wasn't that packed today, because everyone was going to the New York Mets game. I put Lilly into the shopping cart that looked like a car and drove past the candy shop. Lilly pointed at some gummy bears in the stores window. "You gotta be good for mommy okay?" I said whispering in her ear. She nodded sucking on her thumb and clutching onto her stuffed bunny. I walked into American Eagle, were I bought some jeans. Then I went to Bath and Body Works and got some body wash. Then, to Justice and bought Lilly some bows to go in her hair. She sat there staring at the bows and then spoke up, "Where Da Da?" she said looking at me. "Daddy at a baseball game with Dre," I said picking up her bunny she dropped on the floor. Then, me and Lilly bought some gummy bears from the candy store and left. We got into the car and I looked at Lilly in the rearview mirror, "Wanna go see Sagey?" She nodded and smiled. We drove to Sage's apartment and her car was parked in the parking lot, I texted her: