Chapter 9

Grace awoke the following morning to find the place beside her, which had previously been taken up by a restlessly sleeping Eli the night before. Sadly she nodded her head… she wasn't surprised really, after all he'd only just discovered that the girl that he… the girl that he what? Was sleeping with? Either way regardless, it wouldn't have been easy for him to have found the pregnancy test box. Things weren't great as it was, and things had just gone from bad to worse.

Forcing herself out of bed she pulled on the same pair of jeans she'd worn the previous night before, she couldn't be bothered getting dressed up, plus she wanted to be comfortable anyway she told herself as she tied her hair back into a loose pony tail. It's all going to be okay, she told herself as she headed out of her room and down the stairs.

It was then, much to her surprise that she discovered that Eli in fact was still home.

"What going on?" she asked hesitantly, taking in the site of Eli who was standing in front of a huge stack of pancakes. On the table was every topping you could think of, along with a plate of toast.

"Well uh I" Eli blushed as he walked over to her, placing the plate of pancakes on the table. "I guess I just thought it would be nice you know?"

"That's really sweet" Grace couldn't help but smile as a warm feeling flooded her body, leaning over she hugged him, clinging to the warmth of his body for a moment before letting go.

"Look, I just want you to know Grace that I will be there for you okay" Eli said taking her hand, "I know that I don't really seem like the type, me a father, I still can't imagine it, but I'll try"

Grace took a deep breath before answering, "Eli as much as I appreciate it, I really do, knowing that you would be there for me means a lot, but" shaking her head she forced herself to smile "I'm not pregnant, the test came back negative."

"Leah, I'm sorry okay… It would just mean a lot if you were there… I don't think I can do this on my own" Grace apologized to her friend over the phone later on that morning.

"Are you sure Grace? I mean once you do this there's no turning back"

"What other choice do I have?" Grace asked biting her lip, "I'm 16, what the hell would I be able to offer a child? And Eli… he means well but he isn't ready to be a father, I can't do this to him".

"So Eli doesn't know?"

"No, and he can't" Grace said, "No one else knows Leah and it has to stay that way".

"I'm not sure Grace, I mean doesn't he at least have the right to know?"

"Please Leah… my appointments at 2… Eli thinks I'm spending the night at your place… if you decide to come I'll met you outside the clinic okay, otherwise I'll call you tonight".

Grace looked at her watch anxiously, for what must have been the 20th time in 5 minutes. You can do this, even if she doesn't show up, she told herself.

Placing her hands on her stomach she shook her head, someday it would be right, but until then she had to do what was best for everyone. Taking a deep breath she smiled sadly, knowing that Leah wasn't going to turn up, she turned and walked into the clinic, this was something which she would have to do on her own.

"Are you sure this is what you want? There are other options such as adoption that we could talk about before you make you final decision" Grace tuned out of what the doctor in front of her was saying. It had been half an hour since her appointment had started and so far she had seen a doctor, a psychologist and yet another doctor, all of who were trying to convince her not to go through with the decision she had made.

Yes she knew that she could change her mind right up until the very last second, yes she knew there were other options, but she also knew that the decision she had made was the right one and she didn't need anyone trying to convince her otherwise.

Grace nodded her head forcing herself to smile, "I'm sure this is what I want"

The doctor looked at her steadily for a moment, "Okay" she sad shaking her head, "Lets get you ready".

"So you're telling me you got all freaked out over nothing?" Coop laughed shaking his head.

"It's not funny" Eli rolled his eyes, reaching for another slice of pizza. Taking a bite he shrugged "What if she had of been? What would I have done then?"

"I thought you told her you would be there for her?"

Swallowing Eli shook his head, "Sure it's easy to say that at the time, I mean what else was I supposed to say… but me, a father? Come on"

"Girls man, sometimes I just think they aren't worth it" Coop laughed at the serious expression on his best mates face, "what man? Shouldn't you like be happy?"

"Yeah I'm happy" Eli answered forcing himself to smile, "it was just a bit of a reality check you know… anyway our parent's are going to be home soon, what are we supposed to do then?"

"Can't wait to see the look on you fathers face"

"There is no way they can know… no way"

Grace awoke slowly, her eyes blurred and a dull ache coming from her lower stomach, "where am I?" she asked wearily.

"It's okay Grace, you're at the clinic remember?"

Grace thought for a second then nodded, yes she remembered, all too well.

"Okay good, now the doctor just wanted me to talk to you for a moment, and after that I'll let you get some rest. Usually this kind of procedure would only require you to stay in for a couple of hours, however there were a few small complications"

"Complications? Like what?" Grace sat up quickly, ignoring the searing pain across her stomach.

"Nothing too serious, there was just a bit more bleeding than usual due to complications with the stitches, which meant that you required a few more than usual, however you're perfectly fine now but we'd just like to keep you in overnight to make sure you aren't moving around too much today. Is that okay with you?"

Grace nodded wearily, it wasn't as if she could exactly go home like this, and she couldn't exactly stay with Leah like she was planning, "yeah" she answered softly, sliding down slowly on the bed, "that's okay".