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

asked her to take a long leave due to her pregnancy, she was worried about finances. The paint fumes could be hazardous for

Ashton would visit her next. Sandy thought that the baby’s father should also

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

into the room, there was

who used to visit her. She

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

time I missed you more." She said against his

kissed her lips, "but money also matters." 'I never let him take my responsibility or the baby's responsibility. He never spent a dime on gynecologist visits. Maybe Sandy was right. He isn’t interested in the baby.' She thought

thinking love?" he nudged her a

that she was almost jobless now, with nothing to support, "I was just

visits he had been staying hardly for one

body towards him and kissed her lips with a passion that

wrist near her face and turned her head to kiss it, "I...” she didn't want to tell him what Sandy said about him

going for an ultrasound. You never asked me about the gender." "Well!" he straightened beside her and took her in his arms, making her topple over him, "That's because I love

it was a girl. And she was planning to give her the name Ashley. Ash from Ashton’s name

money

aside and stretched his hand to pick up something from

him when

him she took the bag and started opening

she raised her eyes to him and

of money!" she remarked and took out the heavy stacks of

moved her hair

little taken aback, she realized he was no

her tightly to him, "But nothing is as

you that doesn't mean I am not ready to take responsibility for you or my child.

circled her arms around his neck and started crying. She wanted to

in Leigh's mind so it was better if Leigh would not join back the

evening they again made love. He whispered in her ear how much he loved her. How she and

next morning when she got up, she was disappointed

"I miss you. Doctor says I need to stay happy." "My 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

the money, he gave her

this to me, Leigh." 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

"Now cheer up and give me a

and kissed

"I love you

final kiss, he stepped back and left. She took out the money he gave her last night and started counting

was a

Like A LOT!

Ashton is taking care of all the

to people living around. It used

calling him from the shop in her neighborhood to the garage where

in the evening. In the evening, he did return the

you? Why are you taking so long to visit me?" At that instant, all she wanted to do was to return the money and

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

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