Jersey

twenty

Four months.
Four months of hating their lives.
Today, Ellie's parents were visiting to see Addelyn.
No one was really aware of Grayson and Ellie's situation. No one else was ever around.
Ellie didn't want to worry her parents, but she also didn't want to act like everything was okay.
"Mom, dad." Ellie greeted, answering the door for them.
"Hey sweet heart." Her mom, Jenna greeted alongside her dad, Mark.
"Where's the little bundle of joy?" Jenna asked.
Ellie smiled, "She's in her crib in the living room."
Her parents went into the living room as Ellie locked the door.
Grayson then came downstairs, "Your parents here?"
"Yeah, they're playing with Addelyn." Ellie answered, not making eye contact.
"Okay." He said, leaving it there.
Ellie hated how Grayson didn't care. He used to care so much and now he just doesn't. It stung.
Ellie's parents loved Grayson, they always have. Ellie watched as they all talked among themselves. Laughing, having a grand old time.
She missed it. She missed having a good time, and having someone to talk to. She missed her life before Addelyn. Before everything got so complicated and messy.
"Anyone hungry?" Ellie asked, looking for an excuse to leave.
"Whatever's fine, honey." Her dad said, now holding Addelyn.
"Alright." Ellie sighed, walking into the kitchen. She turned the stove on and went into her freezer to grab the frozen chicken she was about to prepare.
Ellie's mom then entered, "Ellie."
She turned around, "Hey mom, what's up?"
"What's up with you?" She asked.
She raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
"I'm your mother. I know when something's bothering you and something is."
Ellie could never hide anything from her mother. When she was back home, her mom was her best friend.
"Is it Grayson?" She asked.
Ellie usually never opened up so soon, but she'd had no one to talk to for so long.
"He's gonna leave me, mom."
Jenna's eyes widened, "He is not."
"Yes he is." She said, trying to hold off her tears, "He doesn't want this. This family? Me? He wants his old life back and if it wasn't for Addelyn he would've left me a long time ago."
"Are you two- not together anymore?" She asked, "This whole time?"
"I hate it."
Jenna was at a lost for words. For everyone, it was hard to picture Ellie and Grayson not crazy for each other. But now, their spark is gone?
"Ellie, this isn't making any sense."
Ellie didn't know how to explain it when she wasn't even sure herself.
"He doesn't love me anymore." Ellie choked, "We're over."
Jenna hugged Ellie tightly. She was broken for her. Her baby girl was suffering out here, all alone, and she didn't even know.
"I'm so sorry." Jenna said.
They released the hug, and by now Ellie had tears flooding her face, "I can't do this."
"You can and you will. Things will get better."
"No." Ellie said, "I can't be a mom."
Now, Jenna was all ears, "Don't let this Grayson thing affect how you feel about your daughter."
"I'm too young. I don't what I'm doing. I can barely fix my own problems- and I can't love her the way she deserves and it's not her fault mom. She's such a beautiful amazing little girl and I can't even be thankful for her because I'm messed up. I can't remember a time where I wasn't crying, or on my knees praying that me and Grayson could give her the life she deserves, and she's just a baby mom. She's so young, and is already going through so much because of her parents." Ellie cried, "I can't live like this."
Jenna stared to Ellie in despair and confusion, "Baby, what are you saying?"
It was hard for Ellie, but she had to do what was best for her. What was best for Addelyn.
"Can you take her?" She choked out.
Jenna's eyes widened, "What?"
"Please." She said, "I can't keep her but I can't let her go. Growing up with you and dad was the best experience ever. You taught me everything I know, and I would much rather she grow up around a family who will do nothing but love the heck out of her. She at least deserves that."
Jenna couldn't even process.
Ellie was giving Addelyn- to her?

Jenna then walked out of the kitchen, and back into the living room.
"Mark." She called out, "A word, please."
Ellie stayed in the kitchen wiping her tears. She wasn't even in the mood to make chicken anymore. Instead, she served sandwiches.