Fourth of July

Chapter 22

My 14 year old brother walked into my room and asked me if Dan and Phil are gay and I've never been more proud

~~

My breath stopped when I saw the ultrasound. A little sound played as I watched.

"I-Is that the--"

"The heartbeat, yes," the doctor said.

I nodded, my eyes watering.

"I can't believe this," I muttered. "That's...that's my baby."

"Frank, are you thinking about keeping it?" Alicia asked.

"I-I...I don't know," I mumbled. "I think I am. That's my little baby in there, I love them already."

"Really?" She asked. "You're gonna raise this baby all by yourself?"

"No, I-I don't know," I muttered. "I'm just seeing this little baby here and I just don't think that I'm going to be able to give this baby away."

"Well, the baby looks to be developing well and is healthy," she said. "Now, we need to talk about the things for the mom."

"Mm, please don't say mom, I'm not keeping it, I'm not the mom," Alicia said. "I am just the...the birth giver."

"Okay, well, we need to make sure to give you all the vitamins," she said.

They talked but all I could do was smile and stare at my little baby. Soon we had to go and the doctor handed me a picture of the ultrasound. I smiled softly as I looked down at it.

Jamia was at my house playing with Gee when I walked in. They were at the table coloring and I smiled happily as I kissed Gee's cheek.

"Hey, how was he?" I asked.

"He was fine," Jamia said. "How was...how was the appointment?"

"It was great," I said as I sat down. "I heard the little heartbeat and I almost cried. I-Is it crazy that I'm actually thinking about keeping the baby?"

"W-well, the baby would have the best dad in the whole world," she said. "They would live an amazing life with you and you would love them with all of your heart. You're so sweet and caring, they would have the best dad in your whole life."

"Really?" I asked and she nodded.

"You're gonna be an amazing parent," she said. "Whether it be with this kid or another one in the future when you're married and stuff."

"I-I was thinking about keeping them but, you know, the band is starting to take off and this just isn't the right time," I said. "And I'll be on the road a lot while on tour."

"Well, when we're on tour maybe I can watch your kid, I'm already watching Gee," she offered.

"I-I don't know," I mumbled. "I can't really bring a baby on tour."

"Maybe you won't go on tour until the baby is a little bit bigger," she said. "You can just do local shows or overnight shows. We're right near New York so that's great. And then, you know, maybe when you guys go on a big tour I can stay home with Gee and the baby."

"But...you always do our things for us, you're like our rock," I said quietly. "W-we can't go on tour alone."

"Yes you can," she said with a small chuckle. "You're gonna get the hang of managing yourselves while on the road but you know I'll always be a phone call away."

I bit my lip, looking down at my hands.

"Maybe...adoption would just be the easiest choice," I said.