Life

“ You can’t keep it from me.” He said.

“ Sure I can.” I said. “ You keep telling me it isn’t yours as if I’m some whore who sleeps around.”

“ I never said that.” He said.

“ Just sign the papers.” I said. “ It’ll be a lot easier on both of us.”

“ A lot easier? You want me to sign away rights to a child that could be –” I cut him off.

“ Lucky it’s yours. We slept together, unprotected, get over it. This baby is yours. I know it’s yours because I was a virgin and you’re the only person I’ve been with.” I said. “ Lucky I don’t want to argue. I just want you to sign the papers. You’re getting married. You and Elizabeth can start a family without the burden or feeling of guilt of this baby.”

“ I’m not signing the papers.” He said, a little annoyed.

“ Why?” I asked.

“ Because this baby is mine too.” Lucky said.

“ Ten minutes ago it wasn’t.” I said. “ Lucky I’m going back to Puerto Rico for good.”

“ And you’ll bring the baby up here or I’ll come there.” He said.

“ Lucky either you sign the papers or I’ll sign all rights over to my mom and Miguel. Neither of us will legally have any claim to it at all.” I said.

“ You wouldn’t do that.” He said.

“ Why? I’d be living there with her.” I said. “ It would still call me Momma.”

“ Ella –” I cut him off.

“ Sign them.” I said. “ I’ll leave them here. I’ll be in town for a few days visiting my family.”

“ I’m not signing them.” He repeated. I left. I went to see my aunt Courtney.

“ Hey sweetie.” Courtney said, her new husband was there too.

“ Hi Aunt Courtney.” I said. “ Hey Jax.” I smiled.

“ We saw your mom and she told us the news…you excited?” She asked.

“ Yeah.” I said. “ It would be a lot better if I could get Lucky to sign the papers.” I said.

“ He won’t?” Jax asked.

“ Nope.” I sighed. “ He said he’s not giving his rights up.” I said.

“ You’ll be in Puerto Rico won’t you?” Courtney asked.

“ As far as I know.” I said.

" And you're going to bring that baby here to see it's great aunt Courtney right?" She laughed.

" Absolutely." I said. Courtney had only officially been my aunt for about 3 years now. She was my dad's sister.

" How long are you and Lily staying?" Jax asked.

" A few days." I said.

" Courtney." I heard my grandfather as he knocked on the door. She let him in. " Where is she? Where is--" He saw me. " Ella."

" Grandpa." I said. " Are you mad?" I knew he knew.

" Of course not. Ella you are my granddaughter," He said. " Are you ok?"

" Yeah." I said. " I'm fine." I paused. " How mad is my dad?"

" He's ok. He's not disappointed...he just wants so much for you." He said.

" A baby isn't going to stop me. I'm still going to do everything I want to do." I said. " I'm going to go to school and be successful."

" That's my girl." Grandpa said.

" Alright so what do you want?" Courtney asked me.

" A healthy baby." I smiled.

" No relationship?" Jax asked.

" Any man who can deny a child isn't worthy of love." I said.

" Who-" I cut him off.

" Grandpa it's not important." I said.

" I already know about Lucky." He said. " Who went with you to see him?"

" No one Grandpa." I said. " I don't want to scare him into signing, I just want him to sign them."

" Ella." He said.

" Grandpa." I said. " Courtney I have to go. I want to walk for a little while before I go back to Dad's."

" Ok. You stop by before you leave ok?" She asked. I nodded and left. I went to Kelly's. A diner. My dad's brother (from his mom, Courtney was from his dad) Ric Lansing was there.