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.

was not planning to have dinner as she had already eaten at work. Her owner was quite a caring lady, but

to take a long leave due to her pregnancy,

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

and fell pregnant, but Sandy explained to her that the

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

the one who used to visit her. She opened the door

door close. As always, they got

I missed you more." She said against his

'I never let him take my responsibility or the baby's responsibility. He never spent a dime on gynecologist visits.

you thinking love?" he nudged her a

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

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

her lips

my love. What is it? Or you don't trust me?" "No!" she held his wrist near her face and turned her head to kiss it, "I...” she didn't want to tell him what Sandy said about

for an ultrasound. You never asked me about the gender." "Well!" he straightened beside her and took her in his

to give her

money to take care of

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

it?" she asked him when he

smile. Frowning at him she took the bag and started opening the zip. After peeking inside, she

state, she raised her eyes to him and found him wiggling

a lot of money!" she remarked and took out the heavy

"It’s from my savings," he moved her hair away from her forehead, "Plus I

was no more wearing his

something your late father gave you. You used to cherish it a lot." "Yeah. I know." He hugged her tightly to him, "But nothing

living away from you that doesn't mean I am not

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 not what she

to plant doubts in Leigh's mind so it was better if

love. He whispered in her ear how much he loved her. How she and the baby had become the bane of his existence.

when she got up, she was disappointed to see him

from you so that I can earn more for my family. I have started to hunt for a

She wanted to tell him that the money, he gave her last night was more than enough. They

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 you how much

cheer up and give me a morning kiss and

and

love you, Ashton." "I love you

kiss, he stepped back and left. She took out the money he

was a

Like A LOT!

told her that Ashton is taking care of all

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

tried calling him from the shop in her neighborhood to the garage where he worked and asked them to

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

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

the receiver, "I want you. All I want is you. The eighth month is about to end, Ashton. Why are you leaving me alone? I am scared. I don’t know a thing about babies and pregnancy. Please,

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