Understanding Teenagers

53: Daddy

Giselle's POV

The sun was starting to set that warm evening and I found myself standing right next to Gloria's Gravestone. It was hard to believe that she was actually dead. How did this happen? Everything inside of me wanted to shed another tear, but I had no tears left to cry.

"I miss you, Gloria. It's not the same without you. I actually babysat Lady yesterday. She was quiet the entire time and went to bed early. Not an exciting evening."

At that moment, Ricky found himself standing next to me which I wasn't expecting.

"Hard to believe she's gone," he claimed. "I hated that woman with a passion. And now... now I realize she wasn't so bad. Hell, I was probably worse than she was."

A laugh found a way out of my mouth. "I've missed you, Ricky." My eyes were still on her stone.

"Yeah, I've missed you too. Life has been weird, to say the least." His eyes were still on the stone as well. "Listen, I need to tell you something. I broke up with my girlfriend. Believe it or not, I'm joining the military after graduation. Need some damn direction in my life. Tired of being the bad boy. There's no reason for it."

"True."

"What are your plans?"

Not really wanting to answer, I answered. "For now, I guess I'm going to community college. We'll see what the future holds." A silence took over me afraid to ask the next question on my mind. "Do you think we actually had something between us? I mean, if we weren't related, do you think we could've had a future?"

Our eyes somewhat managed to stay on the stone. "Eh, probably not. Our relationship was more of a fling. Although, I feel like I've come along way because of you. Suppose that's something."

"When did life get so complicated?

"My life has always been complicated. But if I could suggest one thing, don't lose Liam. He's a good man."

There was still something that needed to get off my chest. Was Ricky the best person to tell? Too late. With a deep breath, I spoke. "Speaking of complicated. This is going to sound crazy, but I'm late."

Ricky definitely didn't expect to hear those words. His eyes were now focused directly on my own eyes.

"What the hell do you mean you're late?" I couldn't bring myself to answer. "As in not having a period late?" My head nodded yes without any verbal response. "Have you told Liam?"

My heart skipped a million beats at once. "No, I can't tell him that. I don't even know if I'm actually pregnant. Just please keep this between us."

His head nodded in agreement with his point finger covering his lip. "Do you at least want to take a pregnancy test to be sure."

...

In a blink of an eye, I found myself riding with Ricky to the Walgreen's Pharmacy and bought a stick as soon as we got there. With my face sweating, I sat in the bathroom awaiting the results. After a couple of minutes, the results were in. It was positive. Two straight lines. Shit, two damn lines. This couldn't be. I found myself hyperventilating with tears coming out of my eyes. Walking out of the bathroom, Ricky stood right outside waiting for me. Without a word, he awaited an answer.

"I'm pregnant," I quietly said hoping nobody in the store would hear.

He quickly hugged me with all my tears. "Giselle, you're going to be OK. If my own damn mom can do it, so can you." The next few minutes were spent with me crying still being hugged. Once I calmed down, we walked outside.

"I need to talk to my dad." I did not expect myself to say that.

...

Thank the heavens my dad was willing to meet that very day at a coffee place. It was the same coffee place where I discovered Ricky. In fact, it was his idea to meet there. Once my dad arrived, my body wanted to sink to the floor. He nonchalantly made it to the table with a smile on his face.

"Hey, dad." I had to think positive. Yes, he's bad and messed up man, but think positive.

"Do you want a coffee or anything? Are you OK? You seemed upset over the phone."

Grabbing his arm, my eyes let a few tears out. "Dad, on my way over here, I thought a lot about you and Gloria. How you messed up. You messed up big time. And I know you're not perfect. Unperfect people make mistakes. People like me make mistakes. Honestly, I shouldn't be judging you." Everything in me wanted to cry and throw up. Without another thought, the stick found its way to the table. "I'll forgive you if you don't yell at me."

The man was speechless. In his palms held the stick. A couple of times, he licked his lips. "You're actually pregnant? Please tell me it wasn't Ricky."

"No, it was Liam."

His head nodded. "Could be worse," he stated scratching his face. What was he supposed to say? "You're not considering abortion?"

"Honestly, I thought about it a lot. Hell, Ricky offered to pay, but you know me. "Love kids too much to actually go through with it."

"Yeah, I've heard a lot about you and Lady. Maybe this is a perfect opportunity for you. You tell your mom yet?" My head shook no causing my dad to stand up. "Come outside with me. Let's have a little walk."

For some reason, everything felt a million times better once we were outside. Oddly, everything felt peaceful as we walked.

"You know, I know I wasn't the perfect father. Damn it, I failed in every way possible. But if it counts for anything, I truly loved your mom a lot. If I could take back all the cheating, I would. Everything in me would do anything to take her back."

"Yeah, mom seemed a little strange when I went to visit her."

"Can't blame her." His throat gave out a couple of coughs. "So you and Liam huh? Always thought there might be something between you two."

"New Orleans of all places. Something about that place brought something out in us."

He couldn't help but laugh which led me to do the same.

"How do you know when you actually love someone? I know you're the worst person for advice, but still."

"Trust me. When you know, you know. And even when you still love the person, you make some damn stupid mistakes."

For about a minute, there was a quiet moment between us leaving me to realize something. Everything was going to be fine.

"You know, maybe community college isn't a bad thing. I can still have my baby and go to school. And I know my baby will always love me. Just not sure about Liam."

At that moment, my dad gave me a side hug. "You know, I always loved how strong you were. You and Jaxon were the best gift. A Shame I missed out on a lot."

That was certainly a shocking chapter! Hope you enjoyed it! Don't forget to comment, vote, and share!

Next Chapter: Liam and Giselle meet on the roof again.

Thoughts on Giselle being pregnant?

Should she get an abortion?

Should she tell Liam?