You didn't have to do this." I said quietly that evening. The doctor had taken one look at me and had sent me straight to the maternity wing of the hospital to have some blood tests done. Meanwhile I was hooked up to a drip to give me fluids, and while I was still feeling awful my head didn't hurt anymore and I was feeling as though I could actually sleep.
"I know, but if you're having my kid then I'll take care of you." He replied.
"Does this mean you believe me now?" I asked pointedly.
"Yeah it does." He replied, giving me no apology and I rolled my eyes.
"This doesn't mean you have to be involved, I'm not expecting you to be. I'll be fine on my own."
"Oh clearly!" he added sarcastically and I glared at him.
"I'm not going to owe you anything, Billy."
"I'm not saying that!" he replied in a louder voice. We lapsed into silence as I looked the other way, breathing heavily. He made me so angry that stupid cocky dickhead.
"You're having my kid, so I'm going to be involved." He said after a few minutes. I looked back to him questioningly. "I don't want the kid growing up thinking of me what I think of my dad, okay? So I'm going to be involved. As much as you'll let me anyway." He said and I observed him for a few minutes. This was probably the most humble I'd ever seen him. Perhaps there was hope for him being a decent human being after all.
"You can have as big a part in this baby's life as you want, I won't stop you. Your involvement is totally up to you." I replied and he looked me in the eye. He didn't say it but I knew he meant thank you.
"Right, well I should go. Get some rest. I'll call you soon." He said and I nodded as he got up to leave.
"hey Billy?" I asked after him and he turned around. "Thanks." I added and this time it was his turn to nod before walking out of the ward. I slouched down a bit in the bed trying to get comfortable, it had been three hours since I last felt the need to throw up and now, tiredness was hitting me like a million buses. Feeling like I could sleep for a hundred years I closed my eyes, drifting off to a death-like sleep almost instantaneously.
Surprisingly enough he kept his word, and two days later I got a call from him. I picked up,
"So you didn't lose my number then." I said.
"If I remember right you're the one who put an end to our sessions. How are you doing anyway?" he asked.
"Fine, I'm out of the hospital. Feeling much better, all the bloods were clear so I'm just one of the unfortunate ones that had hellish morning sickness!" I sighed fixing myself a cup of tea.
"Is there anything you can do about it?"
"Nah, but I've not been as sick since so it's not too bad. Just warm milk for heart burn and keep myself hydrated." I answered.
"You've heart burn too? Shit you are having it rough."
"Comes as a package I'm afraid. They say heartburn is a sign that your baby will have loads of hair though." I said, feeling myself grin.
"Well now I know you're lying about it being mine." He replied and I laughed. Billy was bald.
"Did you just crack a joke, Billy? Is that a smile I hear?" I teased.
"It's been known to happen." He replied and I laughed,
"I'll alert the news stations immediately."
"Very funny. So is there any appointments coming up?" he asked and I was a little taken aback.
"Yeah next week I've got another scan."
"When?"
"Two fifteen on Thursday." I answered.
"Alright, keep me posted." He said and hung up, leaving me bewildered.
"I hope he's a bit clearer when he speaks to you, kiddo." I said looking down at my stomach and running my hand across it.
