Chapter One: The Moment Of Truth

Emma was staring straight up at the ceiling in the tiny bedsit she shared with Neal anxiously waiting.

As the seconds ticked by Emma could feel her stomach turning, she felt sick. She had no idea what she was feeling. She could not even think straight with the persistent thumping of loud music vibrating through the walls from next door. Emma rubbed her temple as she desperately tried to collect her thoughts. Whatever the outcome, her life was about to change.

Her phone beeped loudly to let her know the time was up. She took a deep breath and sat up on the bed. It was the moment of truth. Her hand shook as she lifted up the white stick. Her eyes widened when she saw the one thing she was dreading but half expecting. 'Pregnant'

After mad panic and three pregnancy tests later, it was the same result. Emma put her head in her hands. "Oh shit," She whispered. She couldn't believe it. She was pregnant. How could they have been so reckless? They were far too young. How could they cope with a baby? They barely had enough money to look after themselves.

Her eyes burned as tears began to roll down her cheeks as she thought about the heartbreaking situation she had got herself into. What were they going to do?

Emma began to stand up slowly from the bed. Her legs began to shake a little. Her body was still in shock. Using the wall as support she made her way over to the bathroom.

Turning on light, she closed the door behind her, locking it. She looked into the bathroom mirror. Her eyes were red and patchy. She took off her glasses so she could wipe away the thick smudged mascara from under her eyes. Picking up a damp cloth next to the sink she started to wash away her remaining tears.

Once her face was clean, Emma looked at her reflection in the mirror. How could she be pregnant? She did not look any different. The reflection in the mirror looked just as terrified as her. She couldn't look after a child; she was barely an adult.

Emma had no idea what she was going to do. She knew she would not be able to bring herself to get rid of it. But the thought of keeping it terrified her more. Maybe this was how her own mother had felt with her. Emma had always wondered how her parents could have been so selfish. She was angry at herself for letting the same dilemma happen to her.

Emma took another deep breath and lifted up her vest top just above her torso. She looked at her stomach in the mirror. Even though her abdomen was still pretty flat and firm she was convinced she could see a small bulge. She gently ran her fingers over her stomach. Her touch tickled her skin.

All of sudden the fear and anxiety faded away. Emma had prepared herself for a massive breakdown. She had expected more tears and panic, but nothing. She felt something new, something she could not explain. She looked down at her hand which was still resting on her bare stomach. Emma anxiously bit her lip. She was overcome with a wave of love for this tiny life growing inside her.

"I promise I'll give you, your best shot," She whispered, feeling slightly silly that she actually talking to her belly.

Emma's eyes began to fill with fresh tears which were mixture of love and fear. She sighed as she lowered her top back down.

Whatever happened now Emma knew she would do everything she could to protect the tiny life they had created.

Suddenly she heard a key turning in the lock and front door open.

"Hey Babe." Neal called out as he entered the apartment. He was carrying a bag of groceries and a small bunch of flowers.

Emma took a moment to mentally prepare herself before unlocking the bathroom door. She cautiously made her way back into the room leaning against the wall for support.

Neal turned round and looked at her, smiling. "I got these for you," He grinned. His eyes lit up as he passed the gift to Emma. Neal watched as Emma's eyes looked over the flowers. He could tell something was wrong but chose to ignore it.

"I heard you being sick this morning, thought they would make you feel better." He smiled

"Thank you." She weakly replied. The smitten love in his eyes was making her feel ten times worse. She was scared to tell him. Terrified he would leave her; she knew she could not do this alone. She needed him.

Emma looked away, nervously biting her lip again, taking another deep breath. Here goes nothing

"Neal. I have something I need to tell you…"