Afterwards Mr. and Mrs. Lavoie helped me install the crib and get my room set up. Mrs. Lavoie even made some chocolate chip cookies, that day, just for me. They really showed me God's love and compassion without making me feel like I was imposing or being given charity. I could see where Elise got her genuine love for everybody and everything from. Time, once again, flew by. I had been seeing another doctor and my due date was May twelfth.

I wrote to Biko almost everyday. Although I missed him more than I had ever missed anyone before, Elise had succeeded in getting my mind on other things. Her mom was a great help as well. It was strange to think that I had never changed a diaper before, but she didn't even make me feel the least bit embarrassed. She also taught me how to bathe a baby and feed it. I practiced with her daughter, little Lavinia, a lot, but babysitting was one thing and actually having a child of your own is another…. The thing that I was most grateful for, though, was the day that I received a large package from Africa.

The whole youth group had gotten toogether to buy me diapers, stuffed animals, and a snugly, so I would be able to walk around and do stuff even with the baby. That night I cried, hard. I let it all out, again.

"Is everything alright dear?" Mrs. Lavoie asked and entered my room.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I wake you up?"

"No, no. I just wanted to check up on you."

"At two in the morning?" I asked drying my tears.

"Alright…Call it a mother's intuition. What's wrong?" she asked rubbing my back. Her voice was so soothing and comforting I just couldn't hold back anymore and I let the tears flow and flow.

"The problem is I'm pregnant. I've made the stupidest mistake of my life. I'm never going to be able to take it back. I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't think Alex will come through either. I won't be able to get a good enough job because I haven't even finished high school yet! I mean, I can't just stay here all my life. Dillan's always going to be there or at least for another eighteen years. I'm going to have to provide all the things that children need and I don't even know what that is!

How am I supposed to treat him? Like a little brother, or just a cousin? I've never had either. Or am I supposed to treat him as a friend? I'm practically old enough to be his sister for crying out loud." She rubbed my back in circles slowly. We were both silent for a few more minutes. "Can I ask you something personal?" I hesitated.

"I have nothing personal. Go ahead," she said.

The tears raced down my cheeks. "What's it like? Going into labour and having a baby? Does it really hurt?"

In a way, Mrs. Lavoie felt a deep sense of helplessness for Kelsey. She was just another teenager who had recently accepted Jesus. She took Kelsey in her arms. "Yes, it does, for some people, but it's not a total disaster. You can have an epidural, or a C-section. Lots of things are possible…You will never outstay your visit here, Kelsey. Let me tell you something. Right now, at this very moment the devil is trying to plan his next move of attack towards you. He is always trying to tempt you, scare you and make you think there is no hope. Do not let him. A few months ago, you asked Jesus to come into your life. He wanted you when you had trashed everything else in your life. You were a wreck, and Jesus Christ, the One who created the world wanted you at your worse moment. He still wants you, wants you to be happy. In Philippians four verse thirteen it says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." You can survive through this. Women have been doing it since the beginning, and some… like me, do it more than a few times! You will live to see the day when things will be better. Don't get me wrong, taking care of a baby is hard work. Goodness… sometimes you will be so in over your head you will wish you gave him up for adoption and then you will look into his little face and see the precious gift God has given you."

"Romans 8:28…"

"You are absolutely right," she said and gave me another Kleenex.

That next morning, my water broke and the contractions were regular. Luckily Mrs. Lavoie had made me pack my bags early. She grabbed them and Elise helped me into the car. I had made it clear that I wanted both of them in the delivery room and Elise got Alex on the phone. But he promptly refused to have anything to do with me, saying that if I had wanted his help then I should have stayed in Africa. This only made me more nervous and I begged her to call Biko, I needed to hear his voice.

I was in labour for a grand total of ten hours! I had no idea that having a little baby pass through you could be so painful! I pushed and heaved and begged God to let him pass easily. I later heard from Elise's mother that compared to others, it was an easy delivery. Just as I thought that I couldn't last any longer Elise passed me the phone and I tried to concentrate on who was on the other end.

"Kelsey!" the voice said loudly and agitatedly. It was Biko.

"Biko!" I breathed.

"Elise tells me you're doing fine. Just keep… uh, keep going." I smiled at his awkwardness. "Look, I've got to go; the hospital won't let me stay anymore than two minutes. I love you. I'll be praying for you, okay? Call me when it's all done," he said quickly.

"Okay. I," the pain came again. Then another nurse came and tried to take away the phone and said something about me giving birth and I was supposed to concentrate. "I love you!"

I gave one last push and the worst was over. The doctor took him away to clean him and then handed him right back over to me. "Dillan," I whispered under my breath. "I promise I'll be faithful." His face was all scrunched up. He let out his first breath but didn't cry much. Nothing but a little peep escaped his lips.

"Wow! Great job, Kels!" Elise exclaimed.

"He's so handsome, already," said her mom. "What are you going to name him?"

"Dillan," I replied confidently. "It means faithful, because that's what I'm going to be to God and everyone else from this point on."

"I think it's a great name."