Pregnant

Chapter 14

It's been a rough couple of weeks for me. I literally just sat in my room and cried. August was the only person allowed to come over. He would make me eat, shower, and brush my teeth. I wanted to do all those things on my own, for the baby, but I was emotionally exhausted.

"Ash, I'm back" I heard August come Into the house. I mustered up my energy and got out of bed. I threw my robe on and walked out into the living room. I stopped short when Odell was also standing in my living room.

"August, explain" I glared at him.

"This baby is due any time now. We all know that nothing has to happen between the two of you. For the baby's sake, y'all need to communicate that's all. Plus he's been at your door for a week straight" he explained.

My eyes went back to Odell, I missed him I cannot even lie. I wanted to hug him and tell him everything he put me through. I walked over to August and hugged him instead.

"Thank you" I whispered to him. He squeezed me in acknowledgment. I took a step back and looked at Odell who looked rough. His hair was a mess, he smelled, he was just a mess.

"Your clothes are still here, go take a shower then we can talk," I told him. He nodded and went to the back room.

"You handle that better than expected. Gabby and mom owe me the money" he smiled.

I smiled, "Figures that you all would bet on how I would react to him". I sat down on the couch. "What am I going to do"?

"Do what your heart tells you to do and that's all you can do" August said.

20 minutes later Odell came back into the living room, I had to remember to breathe. He looked and smelled so good. I wanted to hug him so bad, but I couldn't make it seem like all was okay. I came up with a plan on how things would go.

August was in the kitchen making some food. "Sit with me, Odell". I made room for him on the couch and he sat next to me, as close as he could get to. I took a few gulps of my water, this was not going to be easy.

I opened my mouth to start. "I know the baby is important and that's what we're here to discuss but Ashlyn, I begging you to take me back" Odell blurted out. My heart melted, hearing his voice and the pain behind his voice. I could feel myself starting to cry, this pregnancy was making me way too emotional.

"I know Odell, but I'm hurting inside. Let's just talk about the baby right now" I said, not meeting his gaze. He touched my leg and I stood up really quickly. Too quick, I started to stumble back, but Odell was there to catch me. I immediately got out of his arms.

"Odell this is so hard for me to do, touching me is only going to confuse me more and I won't be able to think straight," I told him. He sat back on the couch, arms raised as he surrendered. I stood up in front of the tv.

"Okay so this is what I'm thinking. You will be in the delivery room if you want. I will not take that moment away from you". He sighed, probably out of relief. "The baby will come back home with me, I will be breastfeeding as long as everything goes to plan. For the first year of her life, she will live with me, you can come to visit anytime you like I need a two hours notice. After she turns one, we can talk about when she can start spending the night. If you don't not bond with her before and she doesn't come to you on her own I will not make her come to you. As I said before I will never take your child away from you. Holidays and her birthday can be spent with you, I'll be there of course, but you just have to let me know and act like you care. Does that sound reasonable" I said.

He nodded in agreement, "It does and I'm okay with those terms. I will show you and our baby that I am a good father".

"Good, would you like anything to drink," I asked him?