I throw my hands in the air. “Obviously!”
She pulls me close to her. “We’ll get through this, Melis. Jackson’s a good guy. He’ll support whatever you want.” She gives me a small smile. “And hey, between the two of you, at least you know your baby will be gorgeous.Talland gorgeous.” She looks at me hopefully.
I lean my head back on the wall and let out a breath. Her mentioning the actual baby just somehow made it more real. Tears start flowing down my cheeks.
She wipes them. “Don’t cry. It’ll be okay. I promise.” She turns and grabs a few tissues and hands them to me.
I wipe my nose and tear-filled face. I need to get it together.
I throw the tissues away, take a deep breath, and start to stand. “I need to go tell him. He deserves to know.”
She nods in agreement. “Do you want me to come with you?”
I smile at my best friend. She really is a good friend. “No. I need to do this on my own. It’s between Jackson and me.”
I walk over to his fraternity house, doing my best to get ahold on my emotions. I’m practically shaking as I reach the door.
I don’t bother knocking because none of the guys would answer and it’s always unlocked.
I walk in and see Jackson sitting on the sofa with a bunch of his friends, laughing. When he sees me, he smiles, but as soon as he notices my bloodshot eyes, his face drops and he jumps up.
He runs over to me. “What’s wrong?”
“Can we talk in your room?”
He nods. “Of course.” He takes my hand and we make our way upstairs to his room. He closes the door, giving us some privacy. Rubbing his thumb along the back of my hand, he says, “Talk to me. Tell me why you’re upset.”
I take a few breaths. I know I’m about to throw his world off its axis, and I hate myself for it. “I took a test. Actually, I took five tests.” I take one more big breath. “I’m pregnant.”
He sucks in a breath, and his eyes widen with the same shock I felt an hour ago.
I’m not sure what I was expecting in terms of a reaction right now, but it’s definitely not what he does next. He puts his arms around me, squeezes me tight, and kisses my head. “I’m so sorry I did this to you, Melissa. It’s all my fault.”
I pull my head back in visible shock. “Jackson, I was a willing participant.”
He swallows. “I know, but the condom was my responsibility and I failed you. I’m so sorry. I promise I’ll never fail you again. Tell me what you want to do. I’ll support whatever you choose.”
“Can we sit? I’m a little light-headed right now.”
“Of course.” We move to the bed and sit as he takes my hands in his. “What are you thinking? Are you considering an…an…”
“An abortion?”
Tears well in his eyes as he nods.
“I’m not 100% sure. I don’t know that I could go through with it, but I wanted to talk to you about it first. This isourdecision to make. I want to know what you want to do.”
He shakes his head. “The ultimate decision is yours Melissa, it’s your body. But if you’re asking me what I want…”
I nod. “I’m asking. I want to know.”
He swallows again as he appears to think for a moment. “I think I want to keep it.” He pauses, realizing the meaning of his words. “You know I lost my mother a few years ago. There’s just something very full circle about this and I personally would prefer to have the baby. But like I said, I know this decision is harder for you and I’ll respect whatever you choose. I’ll pay for whatever you decide. I’ll do anything you want.”
I have tears in my eyes. I reach over and kiss his cheek. “Thanks for being you, Jackson. If nothing else, I know our child will have a good man as a father.”
He gives me a small smile. “Does that mean we’re keeping it?”
I take a deep breath and slowly nod, finally feeling some sense of resolution on this. “I don’t think I’m capable of doing otherwise. Hearing your thoughts on it only bolsters that decision.”