“Yeah. Did you put me in bed last night?” she asked.
“Yeah. I know sofas aren’t the most comfy places to sleep,” he replied, rolling out of bed and coming up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face in her neck. “Did you sleep well?”
“Better than I’d been sleeping. Maybe it was because you were there holding me.” She sighed. “You’re really good for me, you know that?”
He kissed her neck softly. “I’m glad you think so. Now I’m gonna go throw on some clothes and brush my teeth.”
“We have to talk, Nick, so let me do the same, and then can you come back?” she asked. “I wanna get this over with.”
“This is about the baby, right?” Nick said, hoping she wasn’t gonna hit him with the break-up talk or something. “I mean, you and I, we’re okay?”
“Yeah, it’s about the baby. We’re okay,” she assured him.
Fifteen minutes later, Nick was comfortably situated on the bed with Madeleine’s head in his lap. He cleared his throat. “So what do you wanna do?”
“I wanna get an abortion without my parents knowing, I guess. It was Brian’s idea. That’s what he thinks is best,” she stated.
“He told me about it yesterday. Mattie, don’t worry about him. What do YOU think is best?” Using his pointer finger, he traced the outline of her jaw.
“I have to agree with him, Nick. My parents would kill us if they found out. I don’t really wanna get an abortion, but I don’t see any other way. Is that okay with you?”
He leaned down close to her. “Don’t worry about me, either. I’m not the one who will have to carry a baby. I agree with whatever decision you make.”
She smiled slightly and kissed his nose. “I love you. I have an appointment with Leighanne’s doctor this afternoon to find out if I’m pregnant for sure. Do you wanna come with?”
“I have rehearsal this afternoon.” He paused, thinking. “I can get Brian to cover for me, though. I’m sure he’ll understand.”
“It’s okay, you don’t have to do that. Leighanne said she’d take me.”
“Are you sure, baby?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.”