About four years ago I was at a party, a college party. I had just turned sixteen and at my best friend Trish's insistence, I drank; I drank way too much and the very next day when I awoke, I was naked, beside a blonde headed stranger, with no recognition of the events of the night before, just an awful hangover.

Several weeks later, when I had realized that I was late and had to buy a pregnancy test I called Trish to come with me to the pharmacy. Actually, she bought it for me because I was so knee shaking nervous. Then she and I went back to her house, so I could take the test because I knew know one would be there and we wouldn't be caught or questioned.

I remember going up the stairs to the bathroom and peeing on the stick and leaving the room to wait for the results. I didn't have the nerve to look through so I asked Trish too check the pregnancy test after an excruciatingly long three minute wait.

"It's positive", I remember her saying. I seriously bawled. There I was, barely sixteen, pregnant, and scared. Scared because not only was I pregnant but, I had to tell my father or at least I would have to tell him soon.

A couple of days later, I went to the free health center to confirm what I already knew to be true, that I was in fact pregnant. Turned out that I was ten weeks along and because I was sixteen I could keep the appointment confidential.

I had decided not to tell my father. I didn't want to break his heart. I knew that I'd eventually start to show but for the first few months, I could pass it off as gaining a few extra pounds. For that reason, I decided to get a job. I wanted to be able to have some sort of financial income in preparation for my baby that would be coming in several long months.

I worked as a cashier at a grocery store, my dads music store, and went to school. I had talked to the schools counselor, Dr. McDaniel, early on and told her my "situation" and found a way to finish school before the baby arrived. She said that I could take a high school equivalency exam, and if I passed it, I would be finished. I knew passing it wouldn't be problem as I was I straight A student, in AP everything, and school was just plain easy for me.

I took the exam a couple of weeks later and passed it; they said I was in the 98th percentile of those who take it which was excellent. I began working full time, banking all of the money I was making from both jobs, using only what was needed for my appointments. I did have pregnancy medicaid and wic, which I was super grateful for and as far as my father knew, I was still in school everyday, instead of working.

Once I'd made it to twenty weeks, I found out what I was having. I was told that I was going to have a little baby girl. I was scared and excited, because finding out that I had a baby girl on the way, made my pregnancy that much more real. That was the night I had decided to tell my father everything.

When my father had arrived home that night I told him that he might want to sit down and that I had something very difficult to tell him. Before I could say anything though, he'd stopped me, took my hands and told me he that he knew. I remember it like it was yesterday. He said, "Ally, I know you're pregnant. I know that you've been working and I know that you have already finished school. I am disappointed over the situation but I'm not upset over how you have handled your self. I am proud that you did not drop out of school and that you have been taking responsibility for the repercussions from this pregnancy. I do wish you would have told me sooner but, I understand why you didn't. I love you and I will stand by you and the choices you make. I feel like you have been very mature for the most part in how you've handled everything." That is practically word for word what he said to me. I asked him who told, and it had been my best friend. He told me not to be upset, that she was only looking out for me and that she told him not to let on that be knew, that eventually I would come to him. I guess my dad figured by telling me he knew, it would alleviate the anxiety I was feeling.

I continued to work both jobs and started taking some online general education classes, mini-semester of coarse, so I'd finish before my baby arrived and got my own place with the support of my father.

I went into labor at thirty-eight weeks while I was working at my father's store. Shortly thereafter, we, my father and I, arrived at the hospital and seven hours and twenty-four minutes later my beautiful daughter, Olivia Grace Dawson, was born. She weighed in at seven pounds two ounces and was twenty-one inches long.

For the last four years, she and I have been doing so well, she's very intelligent, she is already reading at a first grade level. She absolutely loves her grandpa and loves school. I still work at the same grocery store that I did when I was sixteen, I'm just a supervisor now, as well as having earned two, two year degrees, one in accounting, the other in business. I want more though. I want more for both Olivia and myself.

Mr. Moon, I am promising you that I am very ambitious, hard working, and dedicated. I believe with the skills that I have acquired through education as well as work experience in general, I would make a wonderful assistant as well as asset to your company. So... What do you say?

"Wow miss Dawson, that is one very interesting story you have. I do believe that you would make for an awesome employee. I think we may have got our wires crossed though. While I do feel that you are more than capable as well as qualified for my company, I was looking for a live in nanny to take care of my children." "Ohh, I'm sorry Mr. Moon. I guess I did misunderstand the ad you posted", Ally sighed exasperated. "I'm sorry to have wasted your time." "Miss Dawson, you didn't waste my time, in fact I find you very delightful. How much is the grocery store that you work at pay? I'm willing to offer you much more to be a nanny to my twins Dylan and Danielle. My wife passed away two years ago and being alone to raise my children has been a wonderful but difficult task, as you well know." "Uh I'll have think about it, the money sounds great but I really wanted the chance to put my skills to use. You said live in nanny, right? " "Yes Miss Dawson, I did.", Mr Moon replied. "Can I contact you or swing back by here in a couple of hours? I need to go pick up Olivia from school. I will have to bring her back with me as I have no one else to watch her and don't worry, she is very well behaved." "That will be fine ma'am. I look forward to seeing you soon." "Thank you sir!", I say as I walked out the door.

I drove to the school to pick up my daughter. When I arrived, my beautiful little curly blond haired, brown eyed angel was there waiting for me with her arms out, ready for her hug and kiss, just like every day. I swear, I'll never get tired of those hugs.

"Hey Gracie, how was school today?" I asked my daughter. "It was so much fun. My teacher gave me more homework than the other children though.", Gracie answered, mock pouting. Truth is, she likes to be challenged. She gets that from me, I'm proud to say! As of right now the only thing that she gets from he father is her blond hair; she gets the curls from me.

"Mommy, where are we going?", Gracie asked. "We are going to see Mr. Moon about a job and while I talk to him, you miss Gracie, will do you homework." "Okie dokie mommy, I love you!" "I love you too baby girl!", I say, so happy to have such a wonderful daughter.

Ten minutes later we arrived back at Mr. Moon's and I get Gracie out of her booster seat. I swing her to my hip as I can she's gotten tired and walk through the doors to his office. Out of no where I hear Gracie say, "Hi Mr. Moon, lets talk business!" The look on his face makes my nearly fall over laughing. It was a mix of shock and amusement because of Gracie's tenacity.

A few minutes later Mr. Moon's face changes and be begins to look inquisitive, like he's studying my daughter. He then looks at me and ask, "Did you say you were at a party four years ago with no recollection of the events leading up to, you know?" "I did", relieved he's making sure Gracie didn't have a clue as to what he was talking about. "Miss Dawson, can I call you Ally?" I nod and he continues, "do you know by any chance who threw the party? " "Hey Gracie can you go play with your toys in Mommy's purse while I speak with Mr. Moon?" "yes ma'am", she sweetly obeyed. "Mr. Moon, why all of a sudden are you asking about a party from four years ago? Do you know something I don't? The guy's name was Desmond " Dez" Wade I believe." " Dez is my best friend. Ally, I was at that party. I woke up naked and alone. I know it seems like a long shot but, if you are willing to let me, I'd like to take a paternity test. You see, Gracie looks so much like Danielle, with the exception of the curls in her hair and your beautiful eyes." The last comment made me blush but I went on to say, "you'd really be willing to do that for us? That's amazing, thank you. I can't believe I might find out who Gracie's father is!" "Oh you can call me Austin by the way.", he said smiling.