It was a hard few months. Charlie didn't text me back, nor did he turn up to the house. I told my mom I was pregnant alone, but I kept Charlie out of it. As far as anyone was concerned I had a one night stand when I met the guy in Seattle and I was keepin the child because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to have another child. Everyone was happy for me, everyone was excited that there was going to be a baby.

I had found a part time job in a bookstore, it was a good job and my boss was really friendly. He said I was going to keep my job open for me so I could go back when I was able too. My mother was happy, she had even started knitting clothes for the child. I had found out I was having a little girl and I couldt be happier.

I had also stopped shifting, something I was extremely proud of. I didn't know if shifting was going to hurt my child so I wasn't going to risk it anyway but my anger had been controlled, even before I was pregnant I was rarely shifted. If everything carried on this way I was sure that it wouldn't be long before I'd stop completely.

Of course I saw him around, impossible not to really. He would stare at me from across the road whenever he saw me, but he's never come talk to me. I had deleted both numbers from my phone and changed my number.

My mother would tell me she had been speaking to Charlie whenever she saw him. She had forgiven him for the cheating, but she wasn't able to go back to what they had even before they were a couple. She would speak to him on the sidewalk or in a shop but that was all they would ever be able to do.

My due date was fast approaching, and I didn't have everything ready. I packed and replaced my birthing bag so many times that my mother had hidden it to keep me from changing it again.

My life was full, I was looking forward to being a mother - even if I was going to be a single parent.

It was currently Friday afternoon and I was at work. I was sat behind the counter sipping on a cup of tea. Mr Hoppit, my boss, wasn't in the shop so I had no one to talk to. Counting down the minutes til my shift was over, I was startled when the bell over the shop door tinkled and in walked Charlie Swan. My heart began pounding, I hadn't been this close to Charlie since he found out I was pregnant, when he cut all ties I was heartbroken. I had no trouble admitting to myself that I had fallen in love with Charlie, even if I hadn't said this out loud to anyone. Charlie came and stood in front of the counter, lust was evident in his eyes.

"Can we talk?"

"No"

"How long do you have left?"

"Not long."

"I bought you something." He pulled out a teddy bear from his pocket and placed it on the counter

"I don't want it."

"That's my child too."

"Only you and I know that. So that doesn't really matter." I crossed my arms over my bump " If that was all you can leave."

Charlie didn't protest as he placed the teddy on the counter by me and walked out. A tear fell down my cheek as I cursed the man. Why did he have to do that?!

Not long after Charlie left Mr Hoppit returned, he gave a big smile as he walked through the door which I couldn't help but return.

"Ah Leah! How was everything?" He picked up the teddy and gave it a look over. "Cute thing."

"Shops been quiet, haven't seen anyone in about an hour." I left out Charlie.

"Go home then. No point in having you sat there if no one is going to come in. I'll pay you in full, don't worry."

"You are too kind to me." I stood up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Just don't let the wife know I can be kind - she'll expect me to be kind to her!" He joked and I gave a laugh.

I picked up my bag and coat and made my way to the door. I didn't even get to the door before my waters broke. I panicked and started yelling while Mr Hoppit grabbed the shop phone to call my mother. He pulled the chair fr behind the counter and brought it over to me so I could sit down.

"It's early! I'm not due for another 3 weeks" I cried

"Well this little girl is on her way now!"