Save the Date (Modern Arrangements, #1)

"Oh my god!" Viola exclaimed at the story. A look of disgust plastered across my face.

"I know." Debra choked back tears. "She is such a good kid and had her innocence stripped from her."

"He raped her?" I asked, torn between anger and tears.

"She says that it was consensual. Apparently he had told her that he loved her and she willingly had sex with him. I can’t be sure as to whether she is lying or not."

"Why would she lie?" I asked.

"Fear." Viola answered and put her arm on my shoulder.

"Exactly." Debra stated. "Though it could have been consensual, most of these kids just want to feel loved. And, with her history, I could see her falling prey to a little bastard like that boy."

"I can’t believe the foster parents were that…horrid, to allow this to happen to her." Anger pulsed through me.

"Honey, I wish I could say it wasn’t common, but that would be a lie."

Wiping at my face, the tears fell freely.

"What will she do?" Viola asked Debra.

I didn’t stay to hear her answer. Instinctively, I walked over to Abby who was holding a baby on her hip, rocking back and forth.

"Hello." I smiled.

Abby smiled shyly and then looked down at my stomach. "Hi."

"When are you due?" I pointed to her small but visible bump.

She got very still and fear crossed her face.

"I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer. I’m due in October." I rubbed my stomach.

She smiled. "Will I get that big?"

I laughed.

"I don’t know, but I doubt it. I’ve got two in here." Her eyes widened. I laughed again.

Giggling, she spoke. "Wow, I don’t know if I could handle that."

I shrugged. "We all take what we get and make the best out of it."

Her smile widened. "January."

"Well, you have some time then, don’t you?" I rubbed my stomach.

"Hello there." Viola appeared next to me.

"Hi." Abby turned shy once again.

While Viola talked with her about the nursery, I couldn’t help but think about everything this girl had gone through. Everything she had yet to go through.

I was so much luckier than that poor girl. My parents both loved me, no one had ever hurt me the way she'd been hurt and, even though my pregnancy was a shock and unconventional to an extent, Aidan was there for me, along with his family and our friends.

Both hands were on my stomach when I felt movement beneath my fingertips. I must have giggled out loud because both Viola and Abby looked at me in curiosity.

"They’re moving."

"Really?" Abby croaked.

I nodded. "Wanna feel?"

She bit her lip and hesitated, but then took a few steps toward me and placed her hand on my stomach. There was some movement and Abby’s eyes widened with panic.

"It’s okay." I placed my hand on hers.

She looked up, still unsure. "I don’t know what I'm going to do." I barely heard the words.

Sighing, I pulled her into a hug. The baby she was holding in her arms wiggled under us and I pulled back, taking the baby from her and holding him.

"So, you don’t know what you are going to do yet?" Viola had her arm around the girl’s shoulders.

She shrugged.

"I know I should put the baby up for adoption, I am only thirteen. I just hate the thought of abandoning my child…like my mom did."

Viola hugged her quickly. "Everything will work out for the best, my dear."

We left Abby in the nursery, following Debra around for the rest of the tour. I was already sure that both Viola and I were in agreement; this would be the newest addition to the foundation. After we said our goodbyes and got back into the car, Viola confirmed my thoughts.

"So, our new addition?" She asked.

I nodded. "Yep."

"I thought so."

"First thing, they need a better air conditioning system." I fanned myself. "Whew! I am sweating horridly and it’s not just one of my hot flashes this time."

Viola nodded.

"There are a few things they will need. I wonder if the bad air system also means that the heating system is bad." Viola picked up her cell phone and dialed. "I'm going to make some calls now and have the paperwork prepared…oh, and I want to have their budget sent over." She turned to her phone and began talking rapidly with people at the foundation office.

Once she was finished, she turned back to me.

"The contracts and the financials are going to be sent over. I will have copies sent to your house tomorrow."

"Sounds good." I smiled. Then my thoughts traveled back to Abby.

"What’s the matter?" Viola placed her hand on my knee.

"Just thinking about that poor girl." I placed my hands on my stomach. "I don’t know what I would do without all of you. Especially Aidan."

Viola smiled brightly. "It’s starting to sink in isn’t it?"

I looked at her, confused.

"That you love him." I felt myself blush. "Lilli, it’s okay to love him. You know that right?"

"I know." I said in a hushed tone.

"No, I don’t think you do." Viola patted my knee. "He loves you, Lilli. This has nothing to do with that damn agreement. Hell, I could tell that there was something there before you even agreed to everything." She laughed.

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