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Hilary nods her head and regains her composure. I let go of her hand and give her a wink. Once we’re out of the truck, I link our fingers together. As we approach the door, her body tenses again but all it takes is one gentle squeeze to relax her. As if she’s a stranger in her own home, she knocks. A tall brunette opens the door dressed from head to toe like she just stepped out of a magazine. This must be her mother.
“Hilary, it’s so good to see you. Come here, baby girl, we’ve missed you.” The woman envelopes her in a hug and looks at me. “And who is this?”
Hilary’s dad peeks his head around the corner and sticks his hand out. “Lance, it’s nice to see you again. Come on in, you two.” I shake his hand before he hugs his daughter.
We walk inside and are ushered to the couch. I wasn’t nervous before but even now my palms are beginning to sweat. It’s now or never. In just a few moments, things will either get easier or a lot harder. Either way, I’m ready.
Chapter 17
Hilary
Seeing my mom and dad is the highlight of my day. Hugging them made me never want to let them go. They both begin asking where I’ve been. Mom asks why Travis hasn’t been around. I can see Lance cringe from the corner of my eye, and I immediately change the subject. I’m not ready to have that conversation, but I know that’s the main reason I’m here right now.
“Sweetie, you got a letter here saying you withdrew from school. What is that about? Were you having trouble in your classes? You know you could have come to your father and me,” Mom says grabbing hold of my hand.
I have no clue what to do or say. The truth needs to come out and it needs to come out now. I glance over to Lance who is on the other side of me, and he nods. I take in a deep breath as I sort out the words again in my head.
“My relationship with Travis wasn’t all I expected it to be,” I began. “He, uh…he controlled my every move and it was a living hell. I couldn’t show my face around you two. I was scared you would be ashamed of me. I dropped out of school for the time being, but I will go back.”
“What do you mean controlled?” my dad asks. His voice is bitter and harsh. No father wants to hear their daughter has been mistreated.
“It’s in the past, Dad. It’s over and I’d like to leave it at that. He’s just nowhere near the man I thought he was. And there’s something else I need to tell you and Mom. I’m terrified, so…please…can you remember how much you love me?”
“Of course we love you, Hilary. You know you can tell us anything.” Maybe I’m seeing things, but Mom’s gaze roams down to my stomach like she already knows something. It’s got to be that damn mother’s intuition.
I close my eyes and reach for Lance’s hand. He squeezes it tightly, giving me the courage to finally spit out this harsh truth. I hate saying these words out loud, and hopefully this is the last time I’ll use his name in this sentence. “I-I’m pregnant with his baby.”
Mom gasps and Dad lowers his head. I’m awaiting the backlash. I’m expecting them to tell me to get the hell out of their house and never come back. Deep in the back of my mind, I know this is the reaction I’m going to receive. I refuse to let go of Lance’s hand. He’s my protection right now. My eyes are filling with tears as I sit there amidst the awkward silence.
“Shit,” Dad says, breaking the silence. He immediately eyeballs Lance. “It’s not yours?”
“No sir.” Lance speaks confidently. “I have no problem telling you that I have never touched your daughter in that way. I respect her.”
He’s being honest. We’ve only kissed.
“If you don’t mind me asking, why are you here Lance?” Dad asks.
“With all due respect, sir, I really like your daughter and I told her I will do everything possible to help take care of her and this baby.”
“Does Travis know you’re pregnant?” Mom asks quietly.
“No, Mom. And I don’t want him to know. I never want him to have a part in this baby’s life. Ever.”
“That’s a bold statement, Hilary. Make sure that’s what you really want.”
“I’m one hundred percent positive, Mom. I refuse to see him again after what he did to me.”
“If that’s your decision, then I respect it, sweetheart.” I love my Mom for how supportive she is. Of all people, I expected her to crack down harder on me, but it’s Dad who’s drilling into Lance instead.
“Taking care of a baby that isn’t yours is a big step to take, especially when you aren’t even dating my daughter,” Dad interrupts, changing the subject again. “It takes commitment and love between two people to raise a baby.”
Lance gently squeezes my hand. “I’m fully committed, Mr. Vaughan.”
“Dad, I trust Lance. It’s my fault I shoved him away the first time and he’s willing to forgive
me and take on a role he shouldn’t have to. I know this must sound crazy but I hope you can respect this decision of mine. I may not like the father of this baby, and what he put me through, but I want to keep the baby.”
For the first time since this conversation started, Dad’s lips curl upward into a smile. “For what you just said, I do respect your decision. Lance, I respect your decision to step up. I just want you two to realize this won’t be easy.”
