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.

Her owner was quite a caring lady, but

due to her pregnancy, she was worried about finances. The paint fumes could be hazardous for

next. Sandy thought that the baby’s

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

when she stepped into the room, there was a knock on the door. Leigh's heart missed a

Ashton was the one who used to visit her. She opened the

door close. As always, they got busy

said against his naked body, stroking his

I could stay here, my love." He held her face in his hands and 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.

thinking love?" he nudged her

she was almost jobless now, with nothing to support, "I was just thinking about how long you will stay this

two or three visits he had been staying hardly for one day making her

turned her sheet-cladded body towards him and kissed her

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

gender." "Well!" he straightened beside her and took her

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

needed money to take care of the bills. Sandy was still ready to help her except for the delivery

could say anything, he leaned aside and stretched his hand to pick up something from the floor. It was a black-colored, square-shaped bag made

it?" she asked him when he gave

He said with a smile. Frowning at him she took the bag and

her eyes to him and found him wiggling his brows

a lot of money!" she

savings," he moved

was no more wearing his gold chain around his

it a lot." "Yeah. I know." He hugged her tightly to him, "But nothing is as precious as you, love." "B...But you didn't need to do

do you think? If I am living away from you that doesn't mean I am not ready to take

child is my responsibility too, Leigh." "Oh, Ashton." Leigh circled her arms around his neck and started crying. She wanted to meet Sandy and tell her that Ashton was

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

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

when she got up, she was disappointed to see

must stay more," she complained, "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

need to make more money to pay hospital bills too." She wanted to tell him that the money, he gave her last night was more than enough. They

make this harder, love. I wish I could tell you how much I miss you. Just can't wait enough for the baby

"Now cheer up and give me a

smiled and kissed his

"I love you too,

out the money

That was a

Like A LOT!

to Sandy and told her that Ashton is taking care of all the hospital bills from now on. Sandy initially

started giving furniture fixing services to people living around. It used to keep her mind off so many things like Ashton and his love

him from the shop in her neighborhood to the garage where

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

to visit me?" At that instant, all she wanted to do was

want money, Ashton!" She screamed into the receiver, "I want you. All I want is you. The eighth month is about to end, Ashton. Why

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