Sophia pushed a stroller with her baby daughter Ella in it towards the door to a house. Sophia then knocked on the door. Then within a minute, the door opened and Sydney appeared with her hair tied back and a slightly messy shirt on. With a smile Sydney said, "Sophia, hey!" Then Sydney knelt down and looked at Ella as she said, "And hello little Ella. What brings you two here?" Then Sophia said, "Well... I wanted to talk to you about something. Is Harry here?" Then Harry came down the stairs as he said, "Somebody say my name?" Then Sydney looked at Harry as she said, "Hey. So did Alisha finally fall asleep?" Harry nodded and said, "Yeah. Your grandmother is in the next room near her in case she wakes up though." Then Harry looked down at Ella as he said, "Hey there little Ella." Then Sydney and Harry sat down on the couch together as Sophia sat in a chair near them. Sophia then picked up Ella and held her as Sydney said, "So, how have things been for you?" Then Sophia said, "Well breast feeding is still weird." Then Sydney said, "I know. Although pumping is even weirder. You gotten back to at least four straight hours of sleep yet?" Then Sophia said, "Almost. Although... I think I can't sleep because... guys, there's something important I need to tell you two." Then Harry said, "What is it?" Sophia then took a deep breath, and then tears appeared in her eyes as she said, "I've realized I can't be a mother and I want to give Ella up for adoption." Sydney and Harry both looked startled as Sydney yelled "What!? But you're her mother. You can't do that!" Then the sound of Sydney speaking loudly caused Ella to cry a bit. Harry then said, "Here, let me hold her for a bit." Harry then picked up Ella as Sophia said, "I... I'm sorry." Then Sophia got up and stepped out of the house crying as Sydney followed her.

Olive was in her home walking down the hallway looking exhausted. Olive then sat on the couch in the living room as she said, "Ah. Peace." Then Olive heard the sound of crying in the nearby room, and then Olive's eyes widened while looking freaked out. Olive then stood up looking exhausted again as she said, "What? Again!?" Olive then walked into a nearby room where a crib was set up and her daughter Serenity was crying. Olive picked up Serenity and said, "Please Serenity. Just stop crying. Come on. Happy mommy means happy baby. Just stop crying." Then from nearby Emmy walked into the room and said, "Hey. I just got Esperanza to sleep. You want me to give it a try?" Olive handed Serenity to Emmy as she said, "Be my guest." Emmy then held Serenity gently in her arms as she gently rested Serenity's head near her shoulder and gently rubbed her back as she softly said, "There, there now Serenity. It's okay. Shh. Just let it out." Olive and Emmy then both sat in chairs near each other as Emmy still held Serenity. As Olive watched Emmy work with amazement in her face she said, "How do you do it Emmy? You always get Esperanza and Serenity to stop crying faster than me. What's your secret?"

Then Emmy with a smile said, "No secret. I mean the only thing I really do is just remain calm and peaceful with the girls. Remember, babies are always making attempts to copy us, so the calmer we are: the more likely they will be. But also, I have to remember: being a baby is much harder than we make it out to be. I mean for babies: the whole world is new to them. They're experiencing taste, touch, smell, sight, and hearing for the first time. It'll all probably over-whelming for them. Plus, they're completely helpless. They have no control on where they can go, what they can do, and can barely even communicate at this stage in their life. I mean... it must be scary for them. So as much as I want to be mad at these little ones for crying so much, I need to remember they desperately need my warmth and comfort to get them through this difficult time." With a look of amazement Olive said, "Wow. When you put it like that... well I guess instead of being upset over the lack of sleep I'm getting, I guess I should be grateful for the fact that I can still walk and talk, considering Serenity still can't." Then Emmy smiled as she said, "Well if you don't get enough rest, you won't be able to walk and talk either soon. Go take a nap Olive." Olive looking concerned said, "Are you sure." Emmy then got up, leaned over, gently kissed Olive on the forehead, and said, "I got this. Just like I got you." Olive smiled as she said, "Thanks Emmy."

Sophia sat on a bench outside of Sydney's house looking troubled, as Sydney sat down next to her. Sydney sighed as she said, "Look, I'm sorry I yelled at you. It's just... I don't understand why you wouldn't want to be Ella's mother so suddenly." Then Sophia said, "This wasn't sudden Sydney. It's been on my mind for a long time now. I mean... look at us Sydney. We haven't even started high school yet. We're not ready to be mothers." Then Sydney said, "Maybe you're right Sophia. But the fact is we are mothers, and we can't change that." Then Sophia said, "I mean, biologically no. But... Ella deserves a better life. A life with people who want to be parents right now. People who have jobs, money, savings, and just have more life experience. I mean how am I supposed to raise Ella to become a proper teenager, when I won't even get the chance to grow up as a proper teenager." Then Sydney said, "And if I was all alone I would feel the same Sophia. But I'm not. Because I have supporting me: Harry, my dad, my grandmother, Harry's mom, and my friends... which I thought included you."

Tears appeared in Sophia's eyes as she said, "Sydney, I want Ella to have a good life... but how can I know what a good life for her looks like, when I don't even know what a good life for me looks like?" Then from the doorway nearby, Harry stepped outside while holding Ella as he said, "Sorry. Didn't mean to eavesdrop but... well, yeah I did. Listen, Sophia, I wanna talk to you about your plan for adoption. Is that okay?" Sophia then said, "Of course Harry. Ella is your daughter too. That's why I came here. I didn't want to give Ella up for adoption without you being okay with it." Then Harry said, "Actually, if that's what you want, I am okay with it. Fortunately though, I've already found the perfect family to adopt her." A surprised Sophia then said, "Really?" A confused Sydney then looked at Harry as she said, "Who?" Then Harry looked at Sydney with a little smile.

Olive laid on her bed as two cribs sat near it. Standing next to one of the cribs was Emmy as she held her daughter Esperanza in her hands. As Emmy gently rocked Esperanza in her arms, in a soothing tone she sang, "Come with me to a place. Come feel my warm embrace. There is so much I have to give. Come feel my passion rise. There's so much I have inside. So much more life you have to live." Esperanza then fell asleep as Emmy gently placed her in the crib. Emmy then fell on the bed exhausted next to Olive as she said, "Finally, they're both asleep." Then Olive looked at Emmy with awe as she said, "You're amazing Emmy. You never raise your voice, you always remain calm, and you even sing amazing too. I mean compared to me, these last few months have been way harder for you, and yet you've come out as the stronger one." Emmy then laid on her side and faced Olive as she said, "I wouldn't be this strong if it wasn't for you Olive. You're my rock. You're always there for me. I wouldn't be able to hold myself together if I didn't think I'd always have you by my side. By the way, thanks for sharing your bed and letting me be literally by your side." Olive smirked as she said, "Well it actually has turned out to be a smart move. Either kid cries, and we both take turns comforting them in the middle of the night. Plus... I couldn't do this without you Emmy." Emmy then leaned forward, kissed Olive on the cheek, and then said, "Olive... you, Esperanza, and Serenity... you three are my everything now." Olive smiled as she hugged Emmy, and then two teenagers fell asleep in each other's arms.

Sitting in the living room of Sydney's home were Sydney, Sophia, Harry, Max, Judy, Sophia's mom, and Harry's parents. Sophia was holding Ella, while Judy was holding Alisha. Sophia looked at Sydney and Max as she said, "So you all are serious? You would raise and look after Ella?" Max then said, "Of course Sophia. We're more than happy to look after her." Sydney then put a hand on Sophia's arm as she said, "I told you from the beginning that I would be there for all of our kids like they're my own. That includes Ella. I'd hate for her to live a life separated from her sisters." Then Harry said, "Plus, with me living in the Reynolds' basement now, and me being Ella's biological father, we wouldn't have to do any crazy paperwork. Ella would be still be with one of her biological parents, and if you have no problem with that, this transition will be easy." Then Harry's mother looked at Sophia as she said, "And we'll help take care of Ella as well. She's our grand-daughter too and we already love her so much." Then Sophia's mother said, "And I'll be looking after her too. My job makes it difficult for me to have any free time throughout the week. But I will help pay any of Ella's expenses including day care as she gets older. And speaking of care, I'd still be happy to take care of Ella on the weekends. I'll even watch Alisha too if you want, in order to give all of you a break."

Then Harry said, "Wait. Sophia, if your mom is going to have Ella over at your place sometimes, then where will you..." Sophia cut Harry off and said, "I'll be living at my dad's. He lives on the other side of the country with my brother. I've already talked to him about this, and both he and my mom think it's best if I live with my him for now. I just feel like I won't be able to find myself unless I do it somewhere else." Then Sydney said, "Well Sophia, you will still always be Ella's mom and you are more then welcome to visit her any time. But as long as you let me, I promise I will be the best mother I can be for her." Sophia looked at Sydney in the eyes as she said, "I know. Sydney, I don't know what to say. You realize you're taking on my life's greatest burden on top of yours, right?" Sydney then looked at Ella as she said, "Sophia, Ella isn't a burden. She's a gift. And I'll treat your greatest gift with upmost care." Sophia then looked at Ella with tears in her eyes. Max then said, "Well Sophia, do want to take Ella home with you, or have us watch her for the night?" Sophia then got up and gently handed Ella to Harry as she said, "Um... I think I could use a break tonight. I... I'll come by tomorrow with all of Ella's things. I, um... I'm moving in with my dad next week, so..." Then Harry said, "You can visit Ella any time before then." Sophia nodded as she said, "Thanks." Then Sophia leaned over and kissed Ella on the forehead, and then softly said, "Ella, I'm so sorry. I don't know if this is loving or selfish, but... I think this is for the best. You're gonna have a better life here than you would with me. I love you Ella, and... I'm sorry." Then Sophia turned her back to Ella, and ran out of the house crying.

NEXT TIME: TRUE LOVE AND TRUE GOODBYES

*Author's Note - Sometimes in life something extraordinary happens at just the most extraordinary timing, that it makes you realize there is a higher power out there that is controlling the universe in a very ironic kind of way. When I first started writing this story, it was born from a desire to fully explore the consequences of teenage pregnancy, including teenagers who choose to keep their children once they're born, along with teenagers who choose to give up their children for adoption. Then I learned something days ago that changed my life. I learned from my mother that I had a brother I never knew about that she gave up for adoption when she was a teenager. The shock of this revelation still resonates with me even days later. I still have so much to process. And yet, the fact that I wrote a story detailing the feelings a young teenage mother goes through, most notably the feelings Sophia has been going through, makes me realize this couldn't have been a coincidence. Somehow the universe wanted me to write a story that got into the mind of how a teenage mother feels when she's considering giving her child up for adoption; in order to better understand why my mother did what she did. I still can't say for sure what the best option is for a young teenage mother: to give a child up for adoption, or not to give a child up for adoption? The answer to that question I don't have. However I can say with certainty: it's a decision that shouldn't be made alone. As for this story: I am not going to have my current life events affect where this tale goes. I had already previously made plans for how this story moves forward for the next several chapters, I feel it best not to deviate from those plans. Even this chapter has not changed at all from it's original plan. However, it is crazy at how writing this ongoing story and planning it out helped give me a better perspective for the difficult choice my mother made long ago. Maybe it will give you all perspective as well.