Matters Of The Heart ✔

Chapter One

Abigail placed Emily on the bed and tucked her in, careful not to wake her up. It was already a struggle to get her to sleep because Stephanie secretly gave her a chocolate bar before dinner. When she finally felt asleep on her lap because she grew tired to talking to herself, both her and Stephanie were relived.

After kissing her goodnight, the everyday guilt washed over her as she looked at her daughter's face, she was the splitting image of Austin, especially when she was asleep. She couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if she chose to stay? Would they have been the family they've always wanted to be? Would he still love her and their daughter the same way he vowed to when he found out she was pregnant? Would things still be the same?

Those questions haunted her each and every day, but she consoled herself every day that she took the best decision for the both of them. He had big dreams he needed to fulfil. He had been accepted at an accountancy school before they chose to run away. He was aspiring to be a chartered accountant for one of the biggest banks or firms in the city. Furthermore, he was very intelligent and brave. He wasn't afraid of a challenge. One of the things she loved about him. He meant everything to her, he was the light of her life, her courage, the reason she kept holding on.

But the day Angie knocked on the door, she was willing to sacrifice all of that so that he could have a brighter future. She didn't want him to have any regrets, she'll rather be the one to carry regrets herself.

Abigail caressed Emily's cheek as she thought of this. She wished her baby girl could stay young and innocent forever, and never be absorbed by the cruelty of this world. She wanted her to always remain her happy little girl.

“I'm sorry, sweetie”, one of her tears fell onto Emily's cheek. “I hope one day you'll understand why I did why I did”, she sniffed as she tried to compose herself quietly. “I never wanted to separate you and your father”

“Abbie?”, Stephanie peeked inside as her shoulder slumped down in disappointment. “You're crying again?”, she sat beside her friend as she side hugged her and rubbed her arm gently.

She watched her friend wipe off her tears and shrugged. “I don't want her to hate me Steph. She's my everything”

“She won't”, she gave her a gentle squeeze. “She knows how much you love her”

“Steph-”

“No Abbie, don't let your past haunt you like this. You did what you needed to do”, she said, and she pulled them up to their feet and kissed Emily's forehead before reaching to switch her side lamp off and dragged Abigail out of the room and closed the door behind her.

Abigail stood firmly of her with her arms crossed across her chest. Stephanie could see the hurt in her eyes. She tried to help Abbie forget about the pain and suffering from her past but some time alone with Emily bought it back all over again.

“Would you like some ice cream?”, she suggested and the other woman nodded her head before they walked hand in hand to the kitchen

As Stephanie scooped ice cream for the both of them into a bowl, it reminded her of the day they met. It all seemed like yesterday when their paths crossed. She just knocked late that night, with the rain pouring hard outside. Her car was at a repair shop, and she was taking a taxi to and from work those couple of days. She stood at the side of the road, trying to hail some taxis to stop but none of them did. The strong wind was blowing hard on her umbrella and she had to hold on tight so that it doesn't fly off. She decided to walk a few miles to the spot where taxis dropped off people, she was sure she would catch one there.

As she walked, she came across a heart stopping view. A pregnant Abbie sitting at on the sidewalk with a jacket over her head to shield her from the rain. She was shivering terribly as she couldn't even rub her arms warm as her hands were wrapped tightly around her body. She noticed a traveling bag besides her, it was clear she was living on the streets.

She walked to stand next to her, with her umbrella covering the both of them. Abbie didn't even notice her presence next to her until she couldn't feel the heavy rain droplets on her, and she looked up in confusion. Her eyes softened as she noticed how young Abbie looked, her eyes puffy red as an indication that she was crying.

“Hey”, she greeted with a warm smile on her face and Abbie nodded her head at her and turned to look away.  “I'm Stephanie Daniels”, she extended her hand for a handshake. Abbie took another look at her and placed her ice-cold hand in Stephanie's.

“Abigail Haines”, she shivered they shook hands and broke contact after a few seconds

“Why are you sitting in the rain?”, she questioned before the other woman looked away again

“I'm waiting for someone”, Abigail lied without even looking up, the truth was she had nowhere else to go. Stephanie immediately picked it up and wasn't willing to leave her like that.

“Come with me”, Stephanie breathed out after the short sigh she took, Abigail finally rose her head to look at her

“What?”

“I said come with me”, she repeated as she grabbed Abbie's bag and hung the sling over her shoulder before helping Abigail to her feet, clearly puzzled of what was going on

“Where are we going?”, Abigail questioned as Stephanie held her by her arm and guided her to catch a taxi

“To my place”, Stephanie said as she hailed on an oncoming taxi, and it came to a halt. They both got in and Stephanie told the driver her address.

At the apartment, Stephanie gave her clothes to change into after she ran her a hot bath. She turned the heater on and Abigail sat comfortably on the couch, watching TV.

“Thank you”, Abigail smiled as she accepted a plate of food from Stephanie, and she immediately shoved the food into her mouth. She hadn't eaten a proper meal for two full days, and she was beyond starving. Stephanie watched her as she ate, cleaning her plate out within a few minutes.

“You were pretty hungry, weren't you?”, she asked and Abbie paused chewing to shyly nod her head

After they ate and washed the dishes together, Stephanie made the both them tea. Abigail told her everything that has happened to her and why she landed on the streets. Tears streamed down Stephanie's face as Abigail told her story.

“I'm sorry”, she sniffed as she took Abbie's hand in hers. “No woman has to go through what you went through”

“It's okay. Thank you for your hospitality. I don't know how I would have survived the rain. I'll leave immediately when it stops”, Abigail said and Stephanie looked her dead in the eye.

“You're not going anywhere. You're in no condition to be living on the streets right now”, she protested and Abigail blinked at her and Stephanie's eyes softened as she looked at Abigail's belly.

“How far along are you?”

“Six months”, she answered as she placed her hands on her belly but a wave of fear went through her eyes, Stephanie noticed and gave her hands a gentle squeeze

“You're safe here Abbie”, she reassured her and Abigail started crying, Steph comforted her as she pulled her for a hug

“Why are you doing this?”, Abigail found herself asking as she sobbed on her shoulder. She didn't understand how a complete stranger could show so much kindness towards her. It didn't make any sense to her.

“You're pregnant and need all the support you can get. And I'm more than happy to be there for you and your little one”, she smiled and Abigail couldn't help but to return her smile.

“I'm willing to be there for you, anything you need, I'll be happy to help”, Stephanie said and tears welled up into Abigail eyes

“Thank you so much Steph. I really appreciate it”, she placed her hand on Stephanie's, and she smiled again.

“Hey, I know this is going to sound weird since it's cold and stuff but,-”, Steph stated as she stood to her feet and Abigail's eyes followed her movements closely

“Would you like some ice cream?”