Pregnant and Homeless✔

Chapter 29

   "Jacky?" Her voice trembled as she repeated my name. I could read the surprise on her face as well as happiness. Teardrops rolled by her cheek, "my baby."

  Unable to keep my distance, I pulled her into a hug and wrapped my arms around her. She wailed in my arms, and I started to feel guilty, maybe I stayed away too long. "I'm so sorry, ma'" I said between sobs. 

  She pulled away from me, and we looked into each other's tear-stained eyes. She shook her head, vigorously, "No. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for how I reacted, for how I treated you. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."

   I place my hands on her cheeks to wipe her tears, "It's okay. I understand. It doesn't matter anymore. I'm okay. I forgive you."

 She shook her head, "I shouldn't have kicked you out. I shouldn't have done to you what my parents did for me. It was so wrong."

  "Do you forgive me?" I pled.

  She frowned, "Forgive you? I'm the one who needs to be forgiven. I'm so sorry. I..." It was then she realised that there as someone behind us. Her eyes widen as she looked at Valdo even more so when she noticed who he was carrying in his hands. Her eyes met mines again, "Is that..?"

 I nod my head before she could continue. "Yes, that's your grandbaby."

  My mother moved closer to Valdo and bent to look at Jamaica. "She's so beautiful. What's her name?"

  "Jamaica Gizelle Taylor." 

  She turned and looked at me for a brief second; then another tear fell from her eye. "Thank you." 

   She wiped it quickly then looked up at Valdo. "I'm Gizelle Taylor." she held her hands out, and he shook it. "Uvaldo, Dakoda." 

  "Nice to meet you, Mr Dakoda."

  "You can call me Valdo."

  She smiled, "Valdo, it is."

    She looked around then at us, "We should probably go inside before one of those nosey neighbours starts gossiping." She moved away from Valdo and left to open the door wider for us to enter. As I entered, I realised that nothing changed. It was exactly as it was when I left. "You can have a seat on the couch. Is there anything I can get you guys?"

  "I'm okay." Valdo and I said simultaneously as we sat on the couch. My mother nod then took a seat on the opposite couch. 

  She looked at between Valdo, and I then asked, "Are you two...together?"

  I looked at Valdo as he smiled, "Yes." we answered simultaneously once again. 

  "Is he the father of the baby?" 

    I shook my head, "No. William is Jamaica's father. I told William I was pregnant the same day I told you and he rejected me saying that she wasn't his. I haven't seen him since. " I looked across at Valdo and smile. "I met Valdo when I was seven months pregnant and homeless. He took me in. His family became my own. We've only been dating for a few weeks."

   My mother bent her head in shame. "I can't tell you how sorry I am. I tried looking for you. When I calmed down, I tried looking for you, but you were nowhere to be found. I even reported you missing, but the police said it wouldn't be a missing report since I had told you to leave and it was too early. I tried a few more times, but nothing came of it. "

   She sobbed, "I'm so sorry."

   "It's okay, ma'. I'm okay. I survived. I met Valdo, Hannah, Kevin, Zuria and some other wonderful people. I know what the real world is like now. If I had stayed here in this town, then God knows the type of scandal that would surround both of us. I would have never been able to experience other types of love and family relationship."