It had been two weeks since the meeting with the adoption agent, I had been avoiding any kind of interaction with my mom. I stayed away when she was home only coming back to sleep. On our days off I found other places to spend my time. I let out a heavy sight, climbing from my car. Emily was at work had been called in to work so I found myself at Ben's apartment, hoping he was home. His small two bedroom apartment was on the second floor, the first door on the landing.

"Ben!" I knocked loudly. I waited a few minutes before knocking again. "Ben?"

"Little lady, it's 7:30 in the morning. You don't need to pound on the door like that, clearly he is not home." The little old woman that lived under Ben appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

"I'm sorry, I just…Nevermind. I apologize." She shook her head, waving me off. I pulled a piece of paper and pen from my purse, writing Ben a little note. I smiled, rubbing my small round belly as I put the note to the door.

I spun around to walk back down the stairs. I was looking down at my purse, trying to put my pen away. Missing the first step all together, my dropping into my stomach, I watched the stairs get closer to my face as I summersaulted down. A scream escaped my lips as my left wrist caught the railing. I heard the snap but felt no pain. I landed on the bottom of the stairs on my side.

My vision blurred, the only sound I could hear was my heart beat. With my right hand, I felt my belly, panic rising to the brim. My left wrist had gone numb with pain. The door to the little old lady's apartment opened, and she came back out.

"My goodness, you are louder than a heard of elephants and I will be putting in a noise-OH!" She rounded the stairs, finding me there. "Did you just fall?" I looked up at her, tears running down my cheeks.

"My baby." I choked through sobs. "Oh God.." Everything began to throb, my back, my head, my hand. I was too scared to look at my wrist, which I figured was broken.

"Don't move, I'll call 911." She hurried back to her apartment as fast as her little body could take her, and the returned with her phone. "Hi, yes I need an ambulance to the 14th street Apartments." I closed my eyes, my body shaking so bad I couldn't control my own movements. "Hun, what's your name?"

"Mel-Melanie." I stuttered. "I'm 18 weeks pregnant." I gulped loudly, fearing that my fall had terminated the pregnancy. "Oh God.." I sobbed.

"It's going to be okay, the paramedics are on their way." The lady spoke. I squeezed my eyes shut, leaning my head against the wall behind me. "Open your eyes, Melanie, stay awake." I heard the sirens enter the parking lot and I mapped out in my head the closest fire station.

"Hello, my name is Tanner, this is Allen. Can you tell me what happened?" A paramedic knelt down next to me. He pulled out a blood pressure cuff, moving to put it on my right arm. "Allen," Tanner spoke gesturing to my left wrist.

"My baby," I mumbled. "I fell down the stairs..my baby."

"Shh, okay, we've got you. You and your baby are going to be alright." Tanner spoke taking down my vitals. They moved quickly, placing an oxygen mask on me. It wasn't long before a firetruck was there as well, and they rushed around too. I closed my eyes, focusing on my breathing in the mask. I blocked out what was being said as they lifted me onto a gurney.

Once in the ambulance the drive to the hospital seemed quick. Before I knew it the doors opened and they were moving me out.

"Melanie!" My mom bounced up next to the gurney. Of course they would take me to the same hospital that my mother works at, and of course she would be called in while I was away from home avoiding her. "What happened?" I blocked out the medics response, still trying block out the medical talk. I could see the fear in her eyes, the day had barely begun and I was already ready for it to be over.

"Okay, Melanie," The OBGYN cleaned the goo off my belly. "Baby looks good, I want to keep you both over night to monitor your heart rates. Take it easy, Melanie. Light duty, semi bed rest if you will." I winced in pain giving my head a slight nod. "Good, I'll be back to check on you before I leave for the day. Call the nurse if you need anything at all."

"Thanks, Cara." My mom spoke from where she sat. I glanced down at my wrist, which was in this big brace propped up on a pillow.

"So, is it broken?" I whispered.

"Yes," My mom sighed heavily. "You need to be careful from now on. I'll stay the night here with you tonight. I just want to run home and get a few things, do you want anything from home?"

"My pillow? Oh, and my headphones so I can listen to music." She leaned over, kissing my forehead. Though I had been avoiding her, I was very thankful I had her there for me.

"Melanie…" She looked down at her hands. "You're all I have. You're all that I have and I want what's best for you. I know you've been avoiding me, it's obvious-" I opened my mouth to speak but sh continued. "I am your mother, Melanie, and I love you. If you weren't so busy avoiding me you'd know that…you'd know that I fully support you decision to keep the baby."

"Mom-"

"I don't like the situation, but you're a smart girl and you're my daughter. I know that you will be a great mother." She smiled, smoothing down my hair. "I may be a little young to be a grandma in my opinion but hey-I can be a cool young, hip grandma then, right?" She laughed. "No more avoiding me, I want to be 100% involved, got it?"

"Got it." She pinched my cheek.

"Good girl, I'll be back shortly with your pillow. Let me double check with Dr. Anslow and maybe I'll stop by that little sandwich shop you like for lunch." She winked at me, scooping up her purse. I waited for her to leave before I closed my eyes, focusing on my baby's heartbeat. They had a monitor around my small belly, the machine was to my right. I let myself fall asleep, listening to the life inside me. I knew I'd need the rest.