Happily Ever After

Chapter twenty

Hi! Let me know what you're thinking of this story, any suggestions? And the picture on the side, is how i picture anna!

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It's been three months since that night. Three months since Nathan left our baby fatherless, and almost lifeless. That fall down the stairs left me in the hospital for three weeks, with the baby under constant watch. Somehow, he survived. That's right, our baby is a he. Little Chase Matthew Smith. The baby wasn't going to have Nathan's last name if he didn't want to step up and claim responsibility. The only time he talked to me after the fall was when he came in and visited me at the hospital. He told me he wasn't ready to take on the responsibility of a child and asked me if I would keep him being the father a secret. Not a problem. I haven't told him anything about our baby. He doesn't even know the gender of the baby, let alone the name. He hasn't seen an ultrasound either

I had still been thinking over the idea of adoption, but over the past five months of this pregnancy I have become attached to my little baby boy. I don't know if i'd be able to give him up to someone who isn't me. I lovingly rubbed my growing stomach. I still hadn't felt him kick yet, but the doctor said it was nothing to worry about, and that I should feel him sometime soon.

Everybody knew I was pregnant. Peggy was shocked, to say the least, but she quickly warmed to the idea of a little baby running around. She was already turning another spare bedroom into a nursery for little baby Chase. It was already turning out so cute. She was doing a frog theme, and the walls were white with little green and brown dots ranging in sizes all over the walls. She was more excited for the nursery than me. Ofcourse no one else knows who the father is besides Nathan, Cheslea, and I. And I planned to keep it that way.

I had a month left of school to do, since I had enrolled in online home schooling. I was more than excited to finish high school and start my life with me and my baby. I loved him so much already and i haven't even met him.

I sat up slowly and slid my laptop off of my laptop. My belly was getting significantly larger, but not too bad, I had a tiny bump, just enough to let you know I was pregnant. I shut the lid of my laptop and stood up. I grabbed my empty cup, and walked towards the door.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I felt a prominent kick in my stomach.

"Oh my god..." I practically shouted, completely stunned.

The door flew open and Nathan rushed in beside me.

"Anna, what's" wrong? Is it the baby?" He asked, concern flooding his every feature.

"No, nothing's wrong, he...he kicked." I said soothingly, rubbing my belly and smiling. When Nathan didn't respond I peeked up at him through my lashes. "What's wrong?"

"He? We're having a boy?" He asked, It almost looked as if he was...excited?

"No," I said, my joy quickly ebbing into anger. "I'M having a boy, you want nothing to do with him, remember?"

"No, Anna, I just asked if you could keep my being the father a secret, I never said I didn't want anything to do with him." He said, his voice raising up an octive.

"Whatever, You haven't even been interested until n-" I stopped mid sentence, when another kick petruded my abdomen. "Shh... He's kicking again."

"Can...Can I feel him?" He whispered, his eyes never leaving my stomach.

I grabbed his hand, and raised my shirt up over my baby bump. I placed his palm against the spot where he last kicked.

Seconds passed and no kick.

"He's not kicking, maybe he doesn't like me..." Nathan said, sadness lacing his voice, he started to pull his hand away, but I held it in place.

"Ofcourse he likes you, you're his father. Talk to him." I said, watching as he knelt down in front of my stomach. He took his other hand and pressed it to the other side of my belly.

"Hey, baby. It's me, your father. I know you think I don't love you, but I do, and i promise to be there for you, and your mom," He whispered, breifly glancing up at me before returning his gaze to the baby. "I love you baby boy. You hear me? Your dad loves you very m-" He was interrupted by a few kicks to both spots where Nathan had his hands. It was like he was dancing all over my stomach. I smiled, watching as Nathan's mouth slowly opened, and he gasped. His eyes wide with joy and shock. He looked up at me, and gave me the widest smile I've ever seen.

"That's my baby! We're having a baby!" He said, so completely happy, he let out a short burst of laughter before jumping up and enclosing me in a bear hug. "We're having a baby!"

"Yes, Nathan. I know that!" I laughed. I couldn't help but to catch onto his infectious mood. I paused slightly, before continuing. "Do you want to know his name?"

"Please, Anna." He smiled again breathlessly. He sat me down on the bed and sat down beside me.

"Chase Matthew Smith." I said, proudly glancing down aat my growing stomach. He was still kicking up a storm.

"Smith?" He asked, puzzled. "Why Smith? Shouldn't it be my last name?"

"Nathan, you didn't want any one to know that it was your baby, don't you think him having your last name would be a little obvious?"

"Well I don't care anymore. We're having a baby boy, and I want everyone to know! Everyone should know! And he sure as hell is having my last name." He remarked.

Well... wow. I wasn't expecting Nathan to ever step up, and now, just feeling the baby kick, makes him want to announce it to the world? I was jubiliant! Maybe this time he wont let me down. I hope not at least.

"Fine, he can have your last name," He let out a cheer, before I stopped him. "BUT, you have to promise you're going to be here for him, you can't just decide you don't want the responsibility of him anymore, this is a life long commitment."

"I know, Anna. I'm ready." He smiled, as he leaned down, and pulled me into a long, loving, passionate kiss. I think I had my Nathan back.