Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
“I need to go tell the father,” I say, my mind in a haze. He needs to know. Then we can discuss this together. Just as I’ve been avoiding Landon, I’ve also been equally avoiding Richie, having no clue what to say. While I was imagining the guy I was having sex with was Landon, Richie was hoping we would get back together. Which is kind of ridiculous since we didn’t work when we were together before.
“Is Landon planning a trip down?” Mom asks. Of course she would think Landon is the father. He’s the only guy I’ve slept with… until now.
“Landon isn’t the father. Richie is.” I don’t need to look at her to know the shocked expression she’s sporting right now. “Landon and I broke up and then Richie and I hooked up at a party.” I don’t bother getting into all the details. It’s pointless. What’s done is done and now I have to deal with it. Melissa and I haven’t spoken since the day I kicked her out of my house. I see her around at school, but we both pretend like we don’t know each other. When I told Angela what happened, she took my side and hasn’t spoken to Melissa either. I’m kind of shocked Melissa hasn’t started any shit yet, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.
After calling Richie and telling him we need to talk and that I feel it would be best if both of our families are there—that was my mom’s idea since I’m still underage and Richie is only about to start his second semester of college—he calls his parents, who welcome us to come over.
Once everyone is gathered in the living room, minus Richie’s older sister, who’s away at college, I tell them the reason for this meeting. “I’m pregnant and Richie is the father.”
Anita, Richie’s mom, gasps, his dad, Alan, groans, and Richie looks like he’s about to throw up.
“And you’re sure it’s my son’s?” Anita asks.
I glare at Richie, who speaks up. “It’s mine,” he says as he drops his head into his hands. “Fuck.”
The families spend the next hour discussing our future. Different ideas are thrown around, but before any plans can be made, I need to confirm the pregnancy and then decide if I’m going to keep the baby.
My mom calls my gynecologist, and since she’s able to fit me in today, we head right over. After taking my blood and a urine sample, which confirms I’m pregnant, the doctor has me get undressed so she can do an internal ultrasound to determine how far along I am and that everything is okay so far.
“Is everyone planning to join?” she asks, looking from my mom, to Anita, to Richie. Thankfully Richie’s dad decided not to tag along.
“Yes,” they all say at once.
Dr. Fox inserts the probe into me and within seconds a loud whooshing sound comes over the monitor. “That’s the baby’s heartbeat,” Dr. Fox says. She zooms in and we’re able to see the tiny little blip’s heart beating fast. It looks like nothing more than a flutter. A beautiful flutter. And I realize, as I stare at my baby’s heart beating, there’s no way I’m going to give it up. It’s a part of me, a part of my heart.
I don’t realize I’m crying until Richie leans over and wipes my tears. “It’s going to be okay, Harper,” he says softly. “We’ll get through this.” I’m not shocked by his sweet words. I’ve seen this side of Richie. It’s the side that convinced me to go out with him. It’s also the side of him that kept me going back over and over again for seven months.
“Looks like you’re roughly ten weeks pregnant. That might change the farther along you get.”
She hits a couple buttons then reaches down, pulling out a black and white picture of our baby.
Our baby. We created a baby. A baby who wasn’t conceived out of love but a one-night stand. But it doesn’t matter because I already love him or her.
The doctor excuses herself, saying once I’m dressed, I can go to the front desk and pick up some prenatal vitamin samples and schedule my next appointment.
“I want to have the baby,” I say once she’s gone.
Mom nods, but the tears in her eyes tell me she’s disappointed. She wanted so much more for me and here I am following in her footsteps. About to have a baby straight out of high school. My entire life all I’ve heard from her is how she wants me to go to college and follow my dreams.
“Do you think I’m making a mistake?” I ask her, ignoring the fact Richie and his mom are still in the room.
“No, sweetie, I just think you’re only a baby yourself.” She looks over at Richie. “You both are. And this is going to change your entire life. But if you want to keep the baby, I will support you the best I can. Money will be tight, but you can live at home. You’re going to have to work more hours because babies are expensive, but maybe you can take some classes online.”