Date: February 26, 2008
Chapter 10: Making Decisions
'What?'
Angelina gasped and spun around. Standing in front of her was George, with a shocked expression on his face. 'I didn't want you to find out this way,' she said hurriedly.
'You're pregnant.' It was a statement, not a question. George sank into the melting snow with his face in his hands. 'I'm so sorry,' he said. Angelina knelt next to him.
'You don't have to worry,' she said comfortingly. 'I've made my decision. I'm going to have an abortion.'
His head snapped back up. 'What?'
'It's where you get rid of the baby. We can't raise it, George, we're not even married! It's just best if we get rid of it, and then if we ever get married, we can have children we're ready for.'
At this, George said, 'Don't, Ange. You don't have to get rid of it. We can raise it together.'
'But George, it's my body,' Angelina said. 'I don't want to get big, and I honestly am not ready to raise a child. I'm still a child myself,' she added with a wry chuckle.
'Ange-'
She cut him off. 'I've made my decision, George. I'm not keeping it.' She turned to leave, but George caught her.
'It's my kid too, Ange. Unless-' He narrowed his eyes, and she shook her head.
'You were my first and only,' she promised.
He went on. 'It's my kid too. I should get a say in this.'
Angelina rounded on him. 'Well, it's my life! Do you realize what having a baby would be like for me, George? I'd be the one who'd have to suffer through nine months of pregnancy, and the birth, and the breastfeeding! I'd be so busy I wouldn't have any time for myself!' she all but screamed. 'Forget it,' she said in a lower voice. 'You're not going to change my mind.' She Apparated away, leaving George standing by himself by her father's grave.
'Ange? Are you asleep?' George asked softly into the covers.
'Well, I'm not now,' came the reply, and George gently pulled the duvet off of her. Her eyes were bloodshot and there were tear streaks on her face.
'I'm sorry, Ange,' George said. 'It is your body, and you should get to make the final decision. But I think I should be able to at least try to convince you.'
'Then try,' Angelina challenged.
He took a deep breath and started. 'Ange, think about it. This isn't just something in you. This is a baby, something we created out of love. I can support a family, you know I can. We can move out of this place, get married, and when the time comes you'll be ready to have the baby. You can work from home, so you won't miss too much, and I'll do everything I can to help you.' He sat down on the bed and took her hand. 'I want this baby, Ange. I don't want you to give up something we created.'
Angelina sighed. 'Give me some time to think. I need to sort my thoughts out.'
'Sure,' George said, stroking her hair. 'I'll sleep on the couch, if you'd like.'
'Thanks,' she murmured, and she slid back under the covers.
George and Angelina still hadn't spoken about the pregnancy. Angelina had thrown up a few more times, and George would reassuringly rub her back, but other than that they made no acknowledgment to the baby. Now, a week later, Angelina came to George as they were getting ready for bed.
'I've made my decision,' she said, twisting her hands.
George stopped putting on his pyjamas to listen. 'Yeah?'
'Just hear me out,' Angelina said. 'I'm not ready for my stomach to expand, and mood swings and fatigue. But if you really want this, and if you think you can support me, then I'll keep the baby.'
George sighed in relief. 'Thanks, Ange. You made the right decision.'
'I'm not finished yet,' Angelina interjected. 'If, by the time the baby is ready to be born, we realise we can't raise the baby, we'll give it up for adoption. I don't want to take in more than we can handle. And I'll need you to always be there for me,' she added in a softer voice. 'Whether you think I'm going mad or if I just can't handle it. I need you to help me.'
'Of course, Ange,' George said gently, kissing her cheek. 'I love you. And I love the baby too, even though I don't know him.'
Angelina smiled softly. 'We love you too.'