LITTLE FINGERS

Authors Note: Hey! Jackie here! Here's the beginning of my series, called Little Fingers! And here is the very first chapter! Also, I'm gonna go with 3 reviews to the next chapter. So if you read and you like, review, please!! I luv my reviewers! Just no flames. Please?

Chapter One

PONY POV

Monday, August 28, 1968

7:45 PM

Dear Ponyboy,

It's been almost nine months since I've seen you. And by now, you know why. Her name is Avery Elizabeth Curtis. She's only eight days old. She was born on August 20th at 2:19 AM. I can't take care of her, Ponyboy, you know I can't. I don't have a job or any source of income and the moment and you know as well as I do that my parents won't help me out. If that weren't enough reason for you, I personally don't think I would make a good mother.

I'm sorry, Ponyboy, for everything. I'm sorry for not telling you about her, and I'm especially sorry for just dumping her on you like this. I feel horrible, but I want a good life for her, and I can't give that to her with no money. I can't. I'm sorry, but no matter how many times I say that nothing will change. I'm starting a new life for myself, and I can't have a baby tying me down.

I hope you're willing to understand. If you still don't want her, you can call Child Services or something. Just make sure they put her with a good family, Ponyboy, and make sure she knows that her mother loves her and the mistakes that I made were not her fault. I didn't give her up because I didn't love her. I gave her up because I do. I fell in love with her the minute I saw her, and I just want the best for her. Make sure she knows that.

By the time you read this, I'll be gone. My family is moving to San Antonio so we can have a fresh start. I hope to see you, and Avery, again someday. I'm sorry, Ponyboy. I'm sorry. We all make mistakes. Mine were just worse than usual. I'll see you again someday, I hope; if you'll let me. And I'll send money as often as I can, to help you out. Goodbye, Pony, and I'm sorry. But that doesn't really change anything, does it?

~Emily Lewis

A small baby girl laid, sleeping peacefully, in a car seat. Small tufts of dark hair were visible from under her pink hat. She was cuddling a small, pink teddy bear, sucking her thumb, and smiling contentedly at the same time. My heart melted at the sight of the beautiful baby girl. My beautiful baby girl. Avery stirred and rolled over in her car seat as best she could. She wasn't strapped in, but it didn't matter, because we were on my front porch, not in a car.

I picked the small baby girl up and cradled her in my arms, not knowing to support her neck and head but doing it instinctively. I was already in love with the little bundle of pink that smelled like baby powder and shampoo that I held in my arms.

"Avery Elizabeth," I cooed softly to the sleeping baby, carrying her carefully inside. I gently set her on the sofa and brought her car seat and a diaper bag of essentials that was with it inside. I placed Avery back in her car seat so there was no danger of her falling off the sofa and getting hurt. I began to re-read Emily's letter.

Emily was my girlfriend when I was 14. She stayed my girlfriend until about four months after I turned fifteen, and she told me her and her family was moving to Kentucky. Did she return just to drop Avery off? Was she on her way to San Antonio now, or was she already there? Did she even drop the baby off herself? There were thousands of questions I wanted to ask, but no one would answer them if I did. I wasn't expecting Avery too, after all, and no one else was home. Even if someone was home, I doubt they would know the answers.

If you still don't want her, you can call Child Services or something. Just make sure they put her with a good family, Ponyboy, and make sure she knows that her mother loves her and the mistakes that I made were not her fault. I didn't give her up because I didn't love her. I gave her up because I do.

That's a funny way of saying you love your child, I thought. Leaving them on the doorstep of their father, who hadn't even known he had a kid until now. I was still debating about calling Child Services, but was leaning toward not. She might get placed with a good, caring family, but she might also get placed with a family that didn't care about her at all. I didn't know if I wanted to take that chance.

Avery chose that moment to gurgle in her sleep. She looked panicked for a moment, until she reached her hand out and grabbed mine. I hadn't realized I was sitting on the floor right next to her car seat until then. When she grabbed my hand, she instantly calmed down. She might have even smiled.

That's exactly when I knew I wouldn't, and probably couldn't, even if I wanted to, give her to Child Services. She already had her little fingers wrapped around my heart.

A/N: I know it's short. But I felt that this chapter should end here.