Chapter 42

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In mid-december Willow's mother Sheila visited her daughter at college. They spoke in Willow and Buffy's dorm room, alone.

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Willow: I'm glad to see you mom, but I still have two finals I need to study for.

Sheila; I think that can wait, it's a safe bet that you've already studied quite a bit.

Willow: True. What did you want to talk about?

Sheila: I know that Bianca is pregnant.

Willow: How do you know that?

Sheila: That's not important. I understand you probably tried to counsel her.

Willow: I told Bianca I'd be by her side, whatever she chose.

Sheila: And she chose to have this baby. I'm not sure it's healthy for you to commit yourself like that, not at your age. Bianca certainly has the right to do what she wants with her own pregnancy, but it's not your responsibility. You're not exactly the father.

Willow: No, but Bianca needs me. She needs love right now.

Sheila: She has her family, her mother for one.

Willow: Erica doesn't exactly know. Bianca doesn't think she could handle it.

Sheila: Perhaps she knows Erica would advise her to end the pregnancy, and deep down Bianca knows that might be best.

Willow: Bianca's six months pregnant. She loves her child more than anything.

Sheila: She's young, doesn't realize what a burden it is to try and raise a child of rape.

Willow: Do you?

Sheila: Not directly.

Willow: Besides, you said Bianca has the right to do what she wants. Apparently that doesn't apply if Bianca chooses to remain pregnant. I love Bianca, and that means loving her baby. I'm sorry mom, but I'm not abandoning the woman I love.