The First Steps (A Hunter Hayes Fanfiction, Book 1 of the Hardships Saga)

Chapter Forty-Four

❝life (pronounced lʌɪf or lyfe), noun

the longest thing we will ever experience, and yet one that feels like the shortest.❞

No.

No.

No.

He went outside and just walked forward for about fifty meters, then yelled to the sky.

"WHY?!" he screamed. "WHY HER?! WHY ME?!"

Pregnant.

Pregnant with... who?

He walked back inside to see Lilly, who was sobbing, being comforted by Lynette. "What was that all about, Hunter?!" yelled Leo.

"I-I just needed a mo-"

"Lilly thought you had left! For good!"

There was a fresh wave of sobs as Leo said this, and Hunter bent down in front of Lilly. "Hey, hey, it's alright, I'm right here," he said gently, as Lilly kept sobbing, throwing her arms around him.

"I thought- I thought-"

"I'm not angry with you, I promise," said Hunter. "I just needed a second." He took a deep breath. "When did you find out?"

"A week ago."

"How?"

"Remember when I went to the doctor's because I felt sick? She did a pregnancy test."

"Is it mine or...?"

"I don't know," whispered Lilly. "I'm sorry, I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?!"

"Hunter!"

"No, Ma! When was the last time we tried for a baby, Lilliana?!"

"Two days before he raped me!" she yelled. "Two days before, okay?!" She broke out sobbing again, and Hunter soothed her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lose my temper," he said softly. "I'm sorry."

"Is there a way to find out who's baby it is?" asked Lynette. "Right now, the odds are looking better for... him. Not you."

"Why not me?" demanded Hunter.

"Because I'd assume he was very rough with you, Lilly?" asked Lynette, and Lilly nodded once. "Exactly. If the baby was yours, it might not have survived the trauma."

Hunter took a shaky breath, trying to be strong for Lilly. "It's okay," said Hunter. "You said the man had blue eyes and blonde hair, right? If the baby has the same features, we can pass it off as mine."

Lilly started crying again. "I thought you'd make me have an abortion..." she whispered in shame.

"I would never do that to you."

"So... we're keeping the baby?"

"I know you want a baby, Lilly," he said tightly. "And if this is the only way that'll work, then so be it."

"Hunt-"

"I'm gonna go wash my face, the pizza will be here soon," he said stiffly, and walked out of the room.

"He doesn't want the baby," whispered Leo. "Of course he doesn't."

Lilly shook her head. "You heard him before. He doesn't care about how he feels, he cares about how I feel. I wish I could change that... then for once I wouldn't ruin his life."

"Don't think that way, Lilly," said Lynette gently. "I would do the same."

She slowly stood up and walked to the kitchen sink, cleansing her face of her tears. Leo laughed awkwardly. "This was a terrible night to pick to come over, wasn't it?"