A blessing in disguise

Ten

Maddie and Grace's mom took turns staying at the hospital with John, Grace and I. Maddie took the time to teach me basic things such as how to change a diaper and how to feed a baby. At first it was a bit overwhelming, but I really think I could do this whole being a father thing.

I really wish that Grace would wake up. There is so much I want to talk about with her, so many plans we have to make. I don't know how I am going to explain my recent turn in attitude. I can't even explain it to myself. I came to the hospital not wanting to have anything to do with the baby and now I want to be in his life more than anything. I want to be in Grace's life too, but I feel like this was all my fault. I should of never been drunk that night. .

Grace has been asleep for almost a week now. I haven't left the hospital since the baby depot adventure. I set the room up to where John's crib is to the left of Grace's hospital bed and my seat is next to the crib.

I look like a mess. My hair hasn't been comb and I haven't shaved, I look homeless and emotional.

I heard something hit the ground and shot up. I looked at my phone and it was 1 a.m. I quickly switched the light on.

"Grace! You're awake!" I shouted.

She looked at me long and hard before answering.

"Zach what are you doing here? Where is Maddie? Where is my mom? Why on earth would they leave you here? Haven't you already caused enough trouble? What are you trying to rape me in my sleep?"

"What.. I would nev.." I tried to say, but she was quickly distracted by John's presence.

"Is that my..my baby?"

"Our baby" I corrected, but by the look on her face I know that I probably shouldn't have.

"Can I see him?"

I got John out of the crib and placed him in her arms.

There is nothing more beautiful than a mother and her new born baby. I began to tear up, but Grace already beat me to the tears.

I texted Maddie to let her know that Grace was awake and Maddie was there within the hour and helped pack everything up, she drove in her car back to Grace's house. She made sure to leave a car seat with Grace and I, that way Grace would be forced to ride home with me. She knew that we needed to talk and did everything in her power to make sure that it will happen.

Grace wasn't happy that she had to ride home with me. She carried John out of the hospital while I put the car seat in the car. We sat in silence for most of the ride, but surprisingly Grace was the one who broke the silence.

"Why are you here?" She said with no emotion to her voice.

"What do you mean? Do you honestly think that I was going to miss the birth of our baby?"

"Stop saying that. He isn't our baby. He's my baby because I was the one who wanted him, you're the one that wanted to have him aborted."

"I know. I remember what I said and it was wrong. I should've never of said that. I was harsh, hurtful and wrong. But I honestly didn't know what to do. I got you pregnant and you're only 16, I'm 22 and according to the law that's rape."

She folded her arms and sat there quietly as we rode the rest of the way home.