Page 107 of Redeeming 6

“I don’t hate you, love, I could never hate you.” She was quick to soothe as the sound of a chair scraping off tiles filled my ears. “I just need to sit down and think about this for a moment.”

“Okay,” I sniffled, nodding aimlessly, as tears trickled down my cheeks. “Take your time.”

“Have you taken a pregnancy test?”

“I’ve taken four.”

“And?”

I choked out a sob. “All positive.”

“Oh, Aoife love.”

“Yeah.” I shrugged, helpless.

“Have you told Joey?”

I shook my head.

“Aoife, does Joey know?”

“Not yet,” I said softly, chest rising and falling quickly. “And don’t tell Dad either, okay? Or Kev—or Nana. Not yet. Not until I talk to Joe.”

“And when do you plan on talking to Joey?”

“I don’t know.” I felt my shoulders slump. “I tried to earlier, but I’m so scared.”

“Aoife, this is Joey’s burden just as much as it is yours. I know you’re frightened, but the boy has a right to know.”

“I know, Mam, okay?” I snapped, chest heaving. “I know. God! I’m trying to work up to it.”

“He’s a good boy,” she was quick to assure me. “He is, Aoife. He’s one of the few good ones, if that’s why you’re avoiding telling him.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because your father and I have known that boy since he was twelve years old,” she replied. “Joey might be rough around the edges, but he’s never been one to shy away from hard work or responsibility. It’s not in his nature.”

“Yeah, Mam, but this is different,” I squeezed out, blinking away my tears. “This is a baby.”

“He won’t turn his back on you,” she promised. “Trust me. I’m your mother. I was put on this earth to worry about you, and when you told me you were late, a million different fears and worries flooded my mind. But never once did I worry about that boy’s willingness to stick by you.”

“Maybe you’re right,” I choked out, resting my head on my knees. “But I just… I need some more time before I tell him.”

Mam was quiet for a long time, clearly reeling in my revelation, until she finally spoke again. “Look, today is Sunday. There’s not much we can do today. I’ll phone the GP first thing in the morning. We’ll get you an appointment as soon as possible, and we’ll go from there.”

“No, no, no, I can’t, Mam,” I cried hoarsely. “I’m not ready.”

“You’re going to have to be,” she stated in that no-nonsense mothering tone of voice that held no room for arguing. “You need to have your bloodwork taken and have a dating scan. You need to meet with a consultant and put a hospital plan together.” Mam sighed sadly again. “Because, whether you’re ready or not, there’s a baby growing in your belly who won’t wait for anyone.”

“Mam.”

“Talk to Joey,” she pushed. “Talk to the boy, Aoife. I promise, you’ll feel a lot better once you do.”

“Are you disappointed in me?” I dared to ask, and then held my breath out of fear of her answer.

“I’m not disappointed in you, sweetheart. I’m disappointed for you,” she replied gently. “You’re eighteen years old, with a big, bright future laid out in front of you, and now it’s…going to be changing course. You’re going to have to grow up way too fast, and I hate that for you, but your father and I will be there every step of the way.”

“Dad. Really?” I flinched. “He’s going to hit the roof, Mam.”

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