Page 19 of Keeping Promises

Me:Well, what did the doctor say?

Hadley:I haven’t been to the doctor yet.

Me:So, then there’s still a chance you’re not pregnant. And this is all one big misunderstanding.

Hadley:I’m pretty sure the eleven tests I peed on say I’m definitely pregnant.

Jesus, that’s a lot of piss and sounds scary as hell.I’m glad that Lexi was there with her and that at least she wasn’t alone.

Hadley:We’re bringing a baby into this world whether we like it or not. So why don’t we start with something simple?

Me:Like what?

Hadley:175 Medical Parkway, Suite 211 June 17th at 2 pm

Me:What’s that?

Hadley:My first baby appointment.

Pulling up my calendar, I see that’s two days from now. My phone buzzes with another message.

Hadley:If being a part of this child’s life is something you want, then be there. Prove me wrong. The ball is now in your court.

I don’t bother responding. I’m not ready to say yes or no. I set my phone on the nightstand and prop my arm behind my head, staring up at the ceiling, and say a silent prayer to make the right decision, but what is the right decision?

There have been many moments throughout my life where I wish I could go back in time and ask my dad questions before he died so that I would have his advice when I needed it. This is definitely one of those moments. What would he say to me right now?

I close my eyes and imagine what he would say, learning that he would be a grandfather. Would he be excited? Would he be disappointed in the situation? My father always said never rush into making decisions, especially life-altering ones.“No matter what you are thinking, always give it a few days and sleep on it. If you feel the same way after then, the decision was meant to be, but those few days could change everything.”

Two days doesn’t exactly give me much time to think it over. My thoughts never silence enough for me to fall asleep, so I’m left wide-awake most of the night, battling a war within. It seems as though she already has it figured out. Do I take the out she is giving me, or do I do the right thing?

But what is right? How am I supposed to decide what’s best for everyone involved?