110- Leigh

(21 years ago) Third Person pov: "Leigh! Come here." The owner of the furniture shop was a lady in her thirties, called Leigh.

"Hey, Sandy." Leigh took off the scarf from the lower half of her face and wiped the sweat from her smooth forehead with the back of her hand.

"Are you visiting the doctor?" she asked Leigh, pointing towards her belly," Are you taking your prenatal vitamins?"

Leigh rubbed her belly fondly. She was four months along and now her belly had started protruding a little bit.

"Yeah, Sandy. Thanks to you." She thanked her employer who had been helping her with finances during this hard time.

"Oh, it’s nothing. I haven't called you here for your thankyous. There is something serious we need to discuss."

Leigh frowned and took the other seat, wiping her hands with a cloth.

"You need to go," Sandy announced without beating about the bush.

"What?" Leigh's head snapped up.

"It's not permanent, silly," Sandy scolded her, "the paint fumes. They are harmful to the baby. I can't take risks." "B...But Sandy. H...How I will..." "I understand, Leigh. Don't worry. I will still take care of the medical bills and your prenatal. But the hospital admission for the baby's delivery must be paid by you. I am trying to do whatever is possible for me.” "I know, Sandy. And I am thankful. B...But there are other things to take care of." Oh my God! What would she do now? She could not afford to lose this job.

"Listen, Leigh." Sandy leaned forward propping her elbows on the desk," Where is the father? Ask him to take some responsibility.” 'This pregnancy. It just happened... by accident. He can't afford it with his current job." Now Leigh was rubbing her palms on her lap in nervousness.

"I understand. But he can't step back from this responsibility. As a soon-to- be mom, you are also trying. Right? Why can't he, as a soon-to-be dad?" after that Sandy went quiet as if hesitating a bit.

"Leigh. Is the father still there in your life? I mean... I hope he hasn't left you

"Oh... No," Leigh shook her head giggling, "he hasn't left me. He is there.

But stays out of the city due to his job nature."

By now, Leigh had started fidgeting her fingers on her lap.

'Talk to him, girl. Once this baby will be delivered, I will take you back with open arms. But we can't risk the baby’s health."

Leigh tucked her upper lip between her teeth and stood up. She knew this moment would come up, once the pregnancy would be known. But that was too soon. Sandy was a caring employer, but she was not wrong when she said that the baby needed to stay safe.

***

Eighteen years old Leigh Walters came back from her furniture painting job and unlocked her dinky apartment. She was missing Ashton like anything.

Last time, she was so scared when she told him about her pregnancy. He was so particular about precautions because he didn't want a baby. He was struggling in his life. He had no one except Leigh.

But the moment, Leigh told him that she was pregnant, his face broke into a big smile.

"Really. You have made me a happy man.” He hugged her and made slow love to her that day. She was a beautiful woman and the first time Ashton saw her, he could not keep it inside his pants. He was tall, smart, and funny. He knew how to spoil a girl without spending money.

By making love to Leigh, cleaning her apartment, sharing simple meals with her, and staring at her face like she was the most beautiful woman in his life.

He used to work outside the city as a car mechanic and didn't have any proper place to keep Leigh with him. He could not stay with her either as his bread and butter depended on his mechanic job. He needed to concentrate on his work. He could not find enough opportunities in her city, related to his field, so it was sensible to stay out of the city and come to see his beloved, once a week or month.

work. Her owner was quite a caring lady, but Leigh had something else on

her pregnancy, she was

her next. Sandy thought that the baby’s father should also chip in to take

She always thought that she was the one who made a mistake and fell pregnant, but Sandy explained to her that

room, there was a knock on

used to visit her. She

the door close. As always, they got busy until they were panting and lying limply beside each

more." She said

face in his hands and kissed her lips, "but money also matters." 'I never let him take my responsibility or the baby's

are you thinking love?"

She didn't want to tell him that she was almost jobless now, with nothing to support, "I was just thinking about how long

visits he had been staying hardly for one day making her crave

kissed her lips

his wrist near her face and turned her head to kiss it,

straightened beside her and took her in his arms, making her topple over him,

And she was planning to give her the name Ashley. Ash from Ashton’s name and ley from her

contribution? She was living in a rented place, and she needed money to take care of

leaned aside and stretched his hand to pick up

she asked him when he

He said with a smile. Frowning at him she took the bag and started opening the zip. After peeking inside, she gasped and covered her mouth

her shocked state, she raised her eyes to him and found him wiggling his brows at

... I mean. This seems a lot of money!" she remarked and took

manage it, Ashton?" "It’s from my savings," he moved her hair away from her forehead, "Plus

aback, she realized he was no more

hugged her tightly to him, "But nothing is as precious as you, love." "B...But you didn't need to do this." She said

I am living away from you that doesn't mean I am not ready to take responsibility for you

arms around his neck and started crying. She

to plant doubts in Leigh's mind so it was better if Leigh would not join back the furniture shop after delivering the

her ear how much he loved her. How

when she got up, she was disappointed to see him getting ready to

love," he said while buttoning up his shirt, "I am away from you so that I can earn more for my family. I have started to hunt for a cheaper house so that we can live together.” "Really?" This visit of Ashton was full of surprises. She never knew that the baby could

money, he gave her last night

He sat on the edge of the bed, "I am doing it for us. For our child. Don't make this harder, love. I wish I could tell you how much I miss

cheer up and give me

and kissed his

you, Ashton." "I love you

he stepped back and left. She took out the money he gave her

was

Like A LOT!

care of all the hospital bills from now on. Sandy initially went quiet and

services to people living around. It used to keep her mind off so many things like Ashton and his

nor he tried to contact her. She tried calling him from the shop in her neighborhood to the

call her back in the evening. In the evening, he

me?" At that instant, all she wanted to do was to return the money and ask him

for..." "I don't want money, Ashton!" She screamed into the receiver, "I want you. All I want is you. The

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