Chapter 4
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Marissa: Mom advised that I not tell Alex I was pregnant unless I decided to have the baby. Why tell him about the baby, only to tell him I was going to abort it. Maybe that was good advice, but I loved him, and I needed his comfort. So, after finding out I was pregnant, and likely to develop ALS, I went and spoke with Alex in private.
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Alex: You okay, I looked for you at the movies but they said you called in sick.
Marissa: Yeah, as reasons for avoiding work go, this wasn't bad. Mom took me to the doctor.
Alex: What's wrong?
Marissa: I'm pregnant.
Alex: Wow. Okay, maybe we should get married.
Marissa; You think we should get married?
Alex: Yeah. I'm willing to take responsibility, get another job if I have to. You do want the baby right?
Marissa: Kind of. But the doctor found something else. I'm likely to develop ALS.
Alex: That's the disease that killed Lou Gherig, Catfish Hunter, Stephen Hawking.
Marissa: I'll take your word on that, but it also means that the baby, if I have her, will likely get this.
Alex: Her?
Marissa: Well I don't know for certain, it's just a feeling, but I think the baby is a girl.
Alex: So you want to have her right?
Marissa; A part of me does, the other part doesn't want to take care of a special needs child. I'm not really sure what I'm going to decide, can you just hold me for a little while?
Alex: Yeah, ofcourse.
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Alex held Marissa. They were both scared, and needed some comfort at the moment.