AN: Thank you to kaylou86 and DaniellaR for reviewing xx
I've had one or two requests about making the chapters longer or how people wish they were longer and from now on I will attempt to make them even longer for you xx It shouldn't be too hard, I have a mind bubbling with ideas for this story xx
ALL RIGHTS GO TO RACHEL CAINE!
Chapter thirty-six
Abby's POV
After breakfast I went and brushed my teeth, my mind still racing around the place about my pregnancy. Despite all the support Brandon has offered me, and the dream and all my feelings on the topic. I'm still unsure if I can manage a baby. I am only 15; yeah, sure, I do turn 16 next week. But that doesn't necessarily mean that I'm going to be ready for a baby. A baby for Christ sake. I know I probably need to make my decision as soon as possible, but I can't help but think of whether or not bringing a child into this world is a good thing. I mean, I live in Morganville. Home of the vampires. My boyfriend is a vampire. Would my child be safe in this setting? Wait. I said my child. It seems I'm already becoming attached now, which means if I want to get rid of this baby – I have to do it soon. But can I really go through with killing a life before it has even started?
I sigh heavily before exiting the bathroom and heading downstairs to find Brandon sat on the sofa; his legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles. His arms crossed over his chest as he relaxes, his eyes stuck to the TV where some film is playing. I can't say I recognise it but it looks like one about some royal family or something.
"Can we cuddle?" I query hopefully giving him my best puppy dog eyes.
"Of course we can" he agrees as he opens his arms up for me. I go to sit down next to him but instead he pulls me down onto his lap before wrapping his arms around me. My head resting above where his heart should be beating. You would think I would get used to not hearing it beat, but…well, yeah. I just haven't got used to it yet.
"Have you thought anymore on the whole baby thing? I know you must feel as though I'm forcing you to make a decision, but I'm not. I just want you to talk to me about it; I sort of want us to make the decision together, even if in the end you decide against what we decided on. It is your body, so it's your decision. But I figure you could do with someone to bounce theories off of" he made it sound as if we were discussing a science project, not a baby.
"I know and I appreciate you doing all this for me. I would love to tell you what I think and feel about this little being in me. But I still haven't decided myself" even though I know I can't have an abortion… I just wouldn't be able to kill a baby. Even if said baby is still only an embryo.
"Well, do you want an abortion?" got to appreciate how he jumps straight to the point. Leaving no room for chit chat.
"No, I couldn't go through with an abortion" I confess.
"So you're having the baby" he sounded almost…joyous about it. He really did mean it when he said he would be a father to this baby.
"Yes, but whether we keep the baby or we put him or her up for adoption is a completely different topic" I could have sworn his entire aura dropped right then. Did he want us to keep this baby? If I'm to be honest the idea of us keeping the baby is growing on me but I'm still unsure of whether we would be able to cope with a baby. Especially during the nights when they don't sleep or when they reach the terrible two's.
"I think I may start babysitting. You know, just to get the feel of parenting. If I think I like it and can cope with it, then I'll raise the baby" I announce when he doesn't say anything in return to my previous statement.
"We'll raise the baby" Brandon corrects me as he strokes through my hair. At least I'll always have him.
"Do you know anyone who needs a babysitter?" I inquire figuring that he does do the whole protection thing, so maybe he knows a family that needs a babysitter.
"I might. I'll tell you what; I'll make a few phone calls. Go talk to some people and see who I can find who needs a babysitter. I can't be certain that they'll take you on though" he tells me honestly.
"Thank you" I mumble as I close my eyes, relaxing in the peace and quiet.
OxOxOxO
Brandon's POV
"How's Abby?" Sam asks after he's joined me at my table in the corner of Common Grounds.
"She's fine. A little bit confused and unsure, indecisive. But fine" I assure him as I look through the contacts on my phone. Trying to find the name of that family who have like 3 children. They're always fussing about how they never get time for themselves.
"Indecisive?" he queries with a raised eyebrow. I will never know what Amelie sees in him…he is rather nosy when it comes down to it.
"It doesn't matter. Look, she wants to do some babysitting but I don't know anyone who needs a babysitter" I express my annoyance at this and his entire face brightens up.
"I can help you out there. Shane and Claire need someone to babysit for them. Michael told me that he wants the four of them – the glass house members – to go out tomorrow night but he doesn't know if it'll happen. He says they can't find anyone to watch Alyssa" Sam informs me making me, for the first time tonight, perk up.
"Do you think that if I give you Abby's number you could recommend her to them?" I question, praying to God this will be a yes.
"How old is she? And I can pass it on, sure"
"She's 15, but turns 16 next week" I tell him as I grab a piece of paper and pen ready to scrawl down Abby's name and number.
When I'm finished I pass him the sheet of paper that he folds up and puts in his jeans pocket.
"I'll pass this on to them tonight. I'm supposed to go see Michael anyway" he points out and I nod my appreciation before realisation sinks in.
"There is a reason as to why you started talking to me in the first place. Care to tell me what that reason is?"
"Ah, yes, I actually came here wondering if Abby needed anyone to talk to. I know she has you, but after what Amelie told me about what's happened with her. About her kidnapping, I figured she might want someone else to talk to as well as you" he actually seemed genuinely concerned. To say he doesn't even know her. But to be honest he is always concerned with humans, he's like a guidance counsellor – a father if you will – to some of the humans. Everyone trusts Sam and will go to him when they need advice.
Maybe this is what she needs; she is still unsure of the pregnancy. Maybe the babysitting combined with Sam's advice will show her the correct path. The one that she will feel comfortable with the most.
"Well, there is one thing she does need to talk to someone about. We have talked about it a lot since we found out yesterday, but I think it will do her good to talk to someone else about it. It might help her reach a decision, one that she won't regret"
"And what would that be? Just so I know what I'm dealing with" he clarifies and I nod already figuring that he would want to know before taking on Abby.
"She's pregnant. As you know she got…sexually abused while being held captive" I just about manage to grit out. My anger burning through my veins again. If she's babysitting tomorrow, then I can go deal with that man. Yes, he is in prison but I'm sure Amelie will happily let me torture him for a little bit. Nothing life threatening unfortunately, Amelie would have me staked if I killed him or injured him so severely he died.
"Oh, well that will be a bit of a touchy subject with her. I'm sure I can have a discussion with her, I will assume you have offered her your support?" he inquires and I incline my head.
"Of course I have offered her my support. If anything I have been trying to persuade her to have the baby and for us to raise it. So far I've got her to decide she's having the baby. But she doesn't know if she wants to put the baby up for adoption, or for us to keep it" I inform him, him nodding along to everything I'm saying.
"Is that why she wants to babysit? So she can get a feel of what it's like to be a parent?"
"Yes, that is why she wants to babysit. She believes that if she feels happy and comfortable looking after a child, then she thinks she might be able to cope with her own child. Anyway, how old is this child she's going to be babysitting?" I query, waiting for him to think it over.
"About 3 months old" he tells me and I smile. A decent age, she will hopefully cope perfectly with that. There is still a chance that she will choose to keep her baby. Our baby.