Perseverance

Chapter Forty Eight ~ September

April - 2019

I'm staring in disgust at the TV screen as the sixth diaper commercial comes on. I've only been sitting here for fifteen minutes, entertaining myself with the classic daytime, weekday television and Jesus Christ, don't they have anything else to show? Are there really that many Moms sitting around watching this? How do they choose which diapers to get?

"Wipe that look off your face," Mom exclaims, appearing in the doorway in her business attire. I don't have time to react before she steps into the kitchen. "What's wrong?"

"If I have to look at one more baby..." I point at the TV screen above the table in the corner of the room.

Mom rolls her eyes as she glances at the screen. "You're off school sick. You should be in bed. Besides, what's wrong with babies?"

I wrinkle my nose up. "They're gross. They poop and vomit everywhere."

Mom tuts, grabbing the remote and switching the TV off. "They're so much more than that."

"That's the worst part!" I exclaim. "Having to be responsible for a whole new human. Who they become is on you. What if you accidentally let them die?"

"Please, Becky! Have some common sense," Mom lectures me. "Babies are the greatest gift."

I shrug. "Whatever you say."

"You'll change your mind when you get older," Mom insists and I nearly laugh, shuffling off the stool and grabbing the bottle of water she hands me.

"I'm never having babies, Mom," I tell her softly. I'm sorry. But it's never happening.

Mom sighs, resting her hands on the counter and looking me straight in the eyes. "Becky, sometimes babies come along when you least expect them," she tells me. "You might be scared, but it's worth it. It's always worth it," she finishes and I raise an eyebrow at her words.

What? Least expect them?

"Now, get your ass up those stairs and get in bed or I'll drive you to school myself," Mom exclaims. I groan, my headache intensifying as I walk towards the door, away from her.

Scooting up the stairs, I collapse onto my red bedspread and haul a blanket on top of me, thinking back over Mom's words.

Babies come when you least expect them? Does she mean...

Haydon wasn't planned.

My older brother wasn't planned. A great big mistake.

I chuckle to myself as I roll over on the bed and shut my eyes, ready to sleep the day away.

*~*~*

Present Day - September 2028

I'm pulling on a pair of orange hot pants as the doorbell sounds out. I curse under my breath, scowling at whoever is here to disturb my afternoon. I'm waiting for Savannah and Brett to get home from the hospital with their bundle of joy, having spent the entire morning cleaning the house.

Ellis left me at the front door last night, trying to follow the rule of taking things slowly. Not that we'd achieved that in the car. Buy hey... our version of taking things slow is bound to be different. Unique.

Leaving my phone on the bed, I head downstairs and skip to the front door. I grab the handle, hauling it open with a grin on my face. It instantly slides away, replaced with one of shock.

"Mom?" I exclaim, surprised to see the woman standing in front of me in casual attire. She smiles at me.

"I was hoping I'd find you here," she says and I blink. Why didn't she call?