Chapter 24 THE DECISION MADE (1)
WILLA’S POV
I never really thought of myself as a coward. I didn’t have the habit of running away from my fears and problems, but ever since I crossed paths with Gallahan, it seemed like all I ever did was avoid, evade, or run away.
And that was what I was going to do again. But I wasn’t going to run away alone this time. I had my unborn child with me.
“Willa,” Mom said gently as she held my hand and effectively halted me from adding more clothes inside my travel trunk that was already half full. “Are you sure about this? You know there is no shame in accidental pregnancies. You are still our daughter, and your future child will still be our grandchild.”
I smiled weakly. “Dad doesn’t seem to think so.”
“He’ll come around, Willa. You know he will. He loves you. He is just…shocked.”
My smile turned wry, and I gave Mom a look that told her I didn’t share the same belief as she did.
She squeezed my hand and further said, “Give it some time, Willa. You are his little princess, you know that. It’s just… It’s just surprising. That’s all.”
“Is it really just the shock, Mom? I know the two of you are disappointed.”
“Perhaps a little,” Mom admitted softly. “Every parent just wants the best for their children. I’m sure you will learn about this firsthand soon enough, Willa.”
I sighed. “I know, Mom.”
“Do you?” She asked, lifting a trimmed brow at me.
A heavy breath left her lips, and her shoulders sagged a little. She took the folded dresses I was about to put in my travel trunk and threw them carelessly back on my bed, where I had piled up the clothes I intended to bring with me.
She then clasped my hands in a tender hold, giving them a little squeeze. “Do you understand the depth of how much we want you to have the best life possible? For the longest time, your Dad and I wanted you and William to live a happy life with your respective mates. A sudden and accidental pregnancy like this at such a young age? And with an absent mate, all the while there is still an ongoing strife among our kind? It’s not something we wanted for you. It is far from what any parent would want for their daughter.”
“Mom… I already know, okay?” I replied, returning the affectionate squeeze she had given my hands. “I was careless, and I made a stupid decision while I was in heat. But… I’m not going to call my unborn child a mistake. This isn’t a mistake. I… I know this situation isn’t what you wanted for me. Heck, Mom! This isn’t what I wanted for myself either. But I’m already here. I’m already in this situation, and I’m going to do what I think is best for me and my unborn child.”
The kind expression on Mom’s face softened even further. And yet, the concern that marred her beautiful face didn’t ebb away.
The guilt and shame I felt over the unplanned pregnancy and over the claiming bite I had on my skin intensified more and more, the longer I stared at my Mom’s face, which seemed to have aged ten years since she learned about them.
And yet, despite the worry I had caused, she was giving me so much understanding and grace, far more than I felt I deserved.
“And for that, I am immensely proud of you, Willa. I know this is uncharted waters for you, and yet you have the grace to nod and take it in stride for the sake of your child.”
My eyes watered instantly, and without much thinking, I confessed, “I’m scared, Mom. Terrified, really.”
“Oh, darling.” Her arms wrapped around me, pulling me into an embrace that made me feel like I was a young kid again. “I know you are, sweetheart.”
She soothingly ran a hand on my back for a few moments before releasing me from her comforting hug. “Pregnancy and child-rearing are already tough, even with the presence of a mate, love. Pregnancy and child-rearing without one would be tougher. And that is why I don’t want you to leave. Let your family walk with you on this journey, sweetheart.”
I shook my head at her. “I have to do this, Mom. I have to leave. This is for the best.”