George almost spat his coffee out in shock before realising how shaken Christine was, "whatever decision you choose I'll support you." He said as he moved to sit beside Christine, taking her trembling hand in his.
Christine was shocked, she'd imagined George to walk away, tell her she was on her own, 'What?"
"You didn't get pregnant on your own, I'm not going to let you deal with the consequences on your own. If you decide you don't want a baby I'll be there if you want me to be there but if you decide to keep it I'll be there too but at the end of the day I won't force you into making a choice either way."
Christine nodded and wiped at her eyes, "if, if it was your choice what would you do?"
"I know age is against me and I'm probably not anyone's top choice for father material but I would like to experience fatherhood." He said honestly. Christine nodded, too lost in her own thoughts to even contemplate forming a coherent response, "do you need a lift home? You don't look like you're in a fit state to be driving."
Christine shook her head, "I'll walk, maybe the fresh air will clear my head."
"Okay" George began to gather his things together, "I understand you want some time to yourself but if you change your mind call me, it doesn't matter what time it is, give me a ring and I'll come straight round."
Christine nodded, "thanks"
"I'll see you tomorrow then, unless you call me." George smiled slightly before placing a gentle kiss on Christine's temple, "good night."
"Night" Christine whispered, waiting until the door had closed behind George before letting her head fall into her hands and beginning to sob.
"Are you still on for tonight?" Imogen poked her head round Christine's door later that week before frowning when she saw her mother in law, "are you okay?"
Christine looked up at Imogen and swore to herself under her breath, it had become a weekly ritual since Connor had left, every Thursday Imogen would come over, they'd order a takeaway and curl up on the sofa to watch a film or two. "Would you mind if we didn't? I feel like I'm getting a horrible migraine" she lied.
"Sure" Imogen nodded, "I hope you're feeling better soon, let me know if you need anything." she smiled before leaving Christine's office just as she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket with a text from Connor 'Are you seeing Mum tonight? She keeps crying whenever we're on the phone, will you see if she's alright please. I love you xx'
'She's canceled tonight, said she had a migraine but she looks terrible, like she hasn't been sleeping. She hasn't been herself all week. I love you too xx'
Connor sighed as he read the text, he rang his mum every night, even if he only had 5 minutes free but every phone call that week had ended with Christine sobbing apologies down the phone to him. 'Be honest with me Imogen, do you think she's started drinking again? Xx'
'I don't think she has, she seems distant, just different. I don't know how to explain it Connor but I don't think it's alcohol, I think she'd been crying when I went to see her xx.'
'Do I need to come home? xx'
'I don't know, when you first left she wanted company but now she just seems to be pushing everyone away xx'
'I'm coming home, don't tell Mum, I'm going to get the sleeper train up tonight. I need to know she's okay.'
'I think it'll do her good to see you. Let me know if you need a lift from the station or anything xx'
'Thanks I love you xx'
'I love you too xx'
Like every night that week Christine spent her evening curled on the sofa staring into space as she tried to organise the thoughts running through her head. She spoke briefly to Connor, barely managing to hold herself together as he told her about her day, before hating herself for being thankful that her son only had a few minutes spare to speak to her, what sort of mother was she if she was too obsessed about her own life to even speak to her son? Just after eight came the ritual text from George asking if she wanted him to come over but unlike every other night where she politely declined his offer, tonight she chose to ignore it, her phone discarded on the table where she'd placed it after speaking to Connor and instead she chose to just lay on the sofa until deciding it was time to drag herself up the stairs to her bed even though she knew she was unlikely to be able to turn her brain off for long enough to get a decent amount of sleep.
She forced herself out of bed the next morning, exhausted after yet again getting barely any sleep, she pulled on some clean clothes before doing her best to hide the bags under her eyes and make herself look presentable. She managed to drink a cup of strong black tea and collected the discarded paperwork she'd brought home, a failed attempt to distract herself the previous night, before she got in her car and drove herself to the school even though she knew she was far too tired to be safe..
"Christine" Sonya said cautiously as she tapped on the head teacher's door a little after nine, "I know you said you didn't want to be disturbed, but there's someone here to see you."
Christine sighed and dragged her fingers through her lank hair, she hadn't washed it in days, she didn't have the energy, "ask them to make an appointment for another day" she sighed tiredly.
"But..." Sonya didn't get chance to finish her sentence before Connor stepped forward.
"Mum" he said softly.
Christine's head snapped up, "Connor" she whispered, "what are you doing here?"
"I came to see you, I was worried about you" he said, dropping his bag by the door and holding his arms out to his mother.
"I'll make sure you're not disturbed" Sonya said quietly, slipping from the room and closing the door.
"Connor" Christine whispered as she walked slowly over to her son.
"It's okay" Connor said softly as he hugged Christine, sighing softly as once again she began to sob into his shoulder, clinging to him like her life depended on it.
Connor didn't know how long he held his mother for before he felt a hand on his arm and he looked up to see George stood beside him, "take her home" he said softly, "Simon and I can hold the fort here."
He nodded "thanks, can you pass me her bag?"
George dropped Christine's things into her handbag before passing it to Connor, "do you need a lift or anything?"
"I'm on mum's insurance, I'm guessing she drove in this morning."
"Yeah, she's got my number, call me if you need anything."
"Thanks" Connor said quietly before looking at George, "has she said anything to you? Do you know why she's like this?"
"I do but it's not really my place to say. Just look after her Connor."
"I will" he nodded before picking up his bag and helping Christine out to the car, glad that the corridors were empty, no matter what was wrong he knew his mum well enough to know she'd hate for anyone to see her in the state she was in at the moment.
Connor left Christine in her room to change once he got home, he had a quick shower and changed himself before knocking on the door to his Mum's bedroom, "yeah" Christine whispered and Connor pushed the door open, finding his mum sat on top of the duvet wearing a pair of grey sweatpants and a white tshirt Connor was sure was his.
"Oh mum" Connor sighed, sitting beside her and slipping his hand into hers, letting her know he was there for her.
"I'm pregnant" Christine whispered after what felt like forever, "I'm sorry Connor."
Connor was shocked, "You don't have to apologise Mum, I didn't even know you were seeing anybody."
"I wasn't, it was just one night, I didn't, I didn't plan for this to happen, I, I don't know what to do" she whispered.
"Oh Mum" Connor sighed, running his thumb over the back of her hand, "I don't know what to say."
"I'm sorry."
"No, don't apologise Mum, please don't apologise."
"I feel so stupid, I've spent so long telling you an Imogen to be safe and then I go and get pregnant myself" she said softly as tears continued to roll down her cheeks.
"But you're older Mum, you've got a house and a stable job and we already know what a good Mum you are."
"I'm not" she shook her head.
"You are" Connor said firmly, "yes you've had bad times but who hasn't, I wouldn't want anyone else to be my Mum and I'm really the only one that can judge you as a parent." Christine just nodded, "does the father know?" Christine nodded again, "and is he...will he be there?"
"He said he'd support me whatever decision I make but I have to be the one to make the decision" she said before looking at Connor and whispering "It's George, it's his baby."
"That explains why he was so worried about you earlier."
"He's been good" Christine said quietly, "he's offered to come round every night but I sort of wanted to be on my own."
"I can go if…"
"No" Christine said softly, "I'd like you to stay, you erm, you can invite Imogen over if you want."
"Are you sure?"
Christine nodded, "I should probably shower and then speak to George."
"I can go round to see Imogen after school if you like? I'll drive you to the school to meet George and then walk home with her?"
Christine nodded, "you can take the car if you want, I'll get George to drop me off."
"Okay" Connor smiled as he squeezed Christine's hand's softly, "now why don't you go shower and I'll make us both something to eat."