The Girl He Craves novel (Sophie and Aiden) novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Sophie’s pov
Mila’s words were reassuring. They really were. But they couldn’t break the circle of doubt, fear, and shock I was currently feeling at the moment.
I was pregnant. At least that’s what all three tests read.
“I just turned eighteen today, I have no job, Mila. How am I going to do this on my own? Aiden
I stopped, hiccuping on a sob. Life was unfair to me.
Did the heavens hate me that much to not give me a break from all those hurdles they flew my way?
Aiden was behind bars, serving time. And I was a hundred percent sure he hated me with a passion. I dream every day about his cold eyes that shone with betrayal when he stared at me that day before they took him away.
In a way, he blamed me for what happened. He hated me.
My heart squeezed. I had placed myself in a tight spot and I saw no way to get out of it.
“You’re not going to be doing this on your own Soph. You have the Simpsons and me. We’ll be here every step of the way she reassured me while hugging my body sideways as she wiped my tears.
“There are other options you know….” She trailed off as if unsure if her words would create more harm than good.
I shook my head quickly. “I could never do abortion.”
She shook her head. “I was more leaning on adoption? There are families who crave to have what you carry in your womb.
I wince at her words. She was definitely making this more real for me.
But…..she was right
There are families who yearn for a child. I had one currently in my womb. I could make some family happy. I could give them something they craved for
But as my eyes drop to my stomach, my heart squeezes. What if I can’t let him or her go when I first set my eyes on them? What would I do
then?
*I don’t know Mila. ‘I trailed off unsurely.
‘it was just an option Soph. You don’t have to think about it so early on.’ She reassures, squeezing me to her.
“And if you do happen to keep the baby, I will be here to help you every step of the way. She beamed.
My eyes meet hers in the reflection of the mirror. “But what about New York Mila? Our plans? My shoulders sagged.
Mia and I had already planned to go to New York when we graduate from high school. It was supposed to be an exciting new chapter for us. Me to college and her to look for work Mila had no intentions of going back to school.
Apparently, school and learning just weren’t for her anymore
We only had a few more months until graduation. And now I had a huge damper on the plans.
She winces and lets me go while mumbling. “Well, I hadn’t quite thought about that.”
She scratches her chin and paced the entire length of the bathroom before stopping before me.
“My cousin Ria was willing to let us share her apartment with her. We only need to pay our share of the rent. Her mother, my aunt, did suggest I come and work for her in their little diner. I’m sure that they’ll accept both you and me.” She rushed out as if finding a solution to the hardest math question.
I raised my eyebrows in doubt. “They’ll accept a pregnant eighteen year old?”
She nods. “I’m sure they will. My aunt isn’t as strict as my mom. In fact, I once caught her smoking marijuana at one of our many family gatherings. She owes me one for not telling her husband she relapsed.”
I sighed. This feels too good to be true. How will I make this work when I was supposed to go to college and make a better life for myself?
“Just think about it okay Soph? We can still go to New York and live with my cousin and work for my aunt. We can still achieve our dreams, even though they will be postponed for a little bit longer. Whatever you choose Soph, will be the best choice. I believe so. And you should too.” She pulls me into a hug.
“You got this Sophie. If anyone can do this, it will be you.” Mila squeezed me tighter.
I cried on her shoulder, holding her tight. “I don’t know Mila. I’m scared.” I admitted.
I still had a few months left till graduation. By then, I would be sporting a bump.
The controversies this will bring, I can already see it. Many would be the baby belongs to Aiden while the others would think it was Carson’s.
I would be the talk of the town again. Though my name hadn’t quite died out yet.
“Are you going to tell him?” Mila asked softly.
I knew who’he’ was.
I shook my head. “No. I’m not going to ruin his life even more.”
Mali had left a couple of minutes ago already and I was currently in my room sucking up the courage to tell Ingrid that I was expecting.
After a few minutes of me just pacing across my room, I managed to get that little pep talk to actually push me.
I made my way downstairs where I can hear her playing with the pans and spoons. They rattled and disturbed the silence in the house. My fast pace turns into a cruise.
The air smells like chocolale cake and my belly grumbles reminding me that I hadn’t eaten yet. I couldn’t keep much down, but boy do I now crave some chocolate. Anything chocolate would do.
I found Ingrid in the kitchen like I expected to. She looked very focused on icing that chocolate cake. When she hears my footsteps nearing, she freezes and looks disappointed
“Darnmit You were not supposed to see this yet.” She sighed and continued icing the chocolate cake. The strong smell had me licking my ups
“Cover your eyes until I say I’m done” She instructed
Ingrid always went out of her way to see me happy and this is how I repaid her? By getting pregnant so young? By causing the death of an
innocent boy? For causing an innocent boy to take jail?
I don’t deserve all this.
“I’m pregnant Ingrid.” I stumbled out, my bottom lip already wobbling as I waited for her glare and scowl.
Hearing my words, Ingrid freezes, completely.
I must’ve disappointed her so badly. I am sure of it.
“I’m so sorry Ingrid. We were not being careful and I fully blame myself for putting myself in this position. I’m so sorry to disappoint you’ll rushed out, coming closer to the counter.
“When did you find out?” She breathed out, staring at me in disbelief.
“A couple of minutes ago,” I admitted afraid that she’ll accuse me of having an inkling of what was going on with me but didn’t tell her. Her eyes tell me that she was putting all those missing pieces together.
She shook her head, her eye misting. “We can barely make ends meet Sophie. You’re still in high school and you’re about to head to college Pregnant now?” She shook her head as if still in disbelief at what I had just said to her,
Her eyes drop to my stomach and she whispered, “Do you plan on keeping the baby?”
I looked away from her completely. “Mila suggested that I can give him or her up for adoption. Abortion is out of the question.”
Ingrid nods and sighs heavily. “Nine months Sophie. How are you going to go to school and what about college?”
I looked down at the floor, now finding it the most fascinating thing. I’m not going.”
“To school or to college?” I can just picture her with her brows furrowed in confusion.
“To college. I’m not going, I’ve made up my mind. I will finish high school and graduate. Not doing so is also not an option.”
“But going to college was always your dream Sophie? Are you going to give that up?” She whispered in worry.
I shook my head. “No, I’m not. I’ll just take a year off until the baby arrives then I’ll figure out what to do then.”
“Figure out what to do?” She voiced out in confusion.
I nodded. “If to put the baby up for adoption or not.”
“So no New York for you as yet then?”
I smiled shakily. “Mila actually suggested that we could still go, we both could work for her aunt. I think it’s a good idea. There’s a lot of opportunities there
It wasn’t named one of the biggest cities for nothing.
Ingrid smiles sadly “You seem to have everything figured out. Look at you acting like a grown-up already. Come here. She walks around the countertop and opened her arms
I walked right into them and she squeezed me “I love you, Sophie. You know we’ll support you know matter what.’
Iced softly on her shoulders. Today was a huge change in my life. One that will stay with me forever no matter what route I take.
‘What about Aiden? Are you going to tell him and his family?”
“How do you know it’s Aiden’s? “I whispered pulling away from her.
She grins slightly. “Because I know you, Sophie. You were never in love with that boy Carson. But I do remember the way you looked at Aiden. It’s easy to figure out who you trusted with something precious to you.”
I blushed brightly and shook my head. “I won’t tell him. I don’t want to make this even harder for him. I can do everything on my own.”
“I can do it,” I whispered, nodding with determination.