I never thought I’d be a teenage mother, another statistic, but I am. I’m lucky to have Taylor back. I couldn’t have done it without him. I’ll never forget the day we told his parents.
The day was January 3rd, 2002. Taylor and I spent hours getting ready. We put little barrettes in Daisy’s thin, blond hair and put her in the cutest little dress.
His parents had invited me down to Tulsa for dinner. I accepted, telling them I had to watch a baby, and asking if she could come. They said of course, and so early that morning we sat out for Tulsa. We weren’t sure how his parents would react, and we wondered if they’d be able to tell. The resemblance between Taylor and Daisy was unbelievable, the delicate features, blond hair, and bright blue eyes. It was almost scary.
When we pulled into the driveway he took my shaking hand in his. “Don’t worry Lexi, everything’ll be fine.” I nodded and got out of the car. He got Daisy and I took her diaper bag, which had become like an accessory to me. Holding the daughter that looked so much like him, he smiled at me. He handed her to me and we walked to the door.
Everyone was happy to see me again, but I was sure that would change soon. We ate dinner and after desert Taylor asked his parents to join us in the family room. For us it was like an execution walk, not knowing how they’d react.
“Mr. Hanson, Mrs.Hanson,” I said quietly, “I’d like you to meet my daughter.” You could see the shock on their faces.
“She’s beautiful Alexis,” Mrs. Hanson said, “Who’s her father?”
At that moment Daisy pointed at Taylor, and said her first word, “Daddy.” His parents gasped and his mom started to cry. Taylor stared at the floor, you could tell he was ashamed.
“Taylor, when, why, how, why didn’t you tell us?” his mother sobbed.
“I didn’t know,” he said, still not looking up.
“It’s my fault,” I said quietly, “he had so much, I wasn’t going to wreck it for him.”
His mother nodded blankly as she wiped her eyes, “Can I hold my granddaughter?” she asked.
I handed Daisy to her, whispering in Daisy’s ear, “Give her a hug.” I’ll never forget the look on Mrs. Hanson’s face when her granddaughter hugged her. Then she hugged her grandpa, and the frown on his face melted into a smile. Daisy was such a sweetheart, it was impossible not to fall in love with her.
Mrs. Hanson stood up, still holding her granddaughter, and turned to Taylor and I, “I think this little sweetie needs to be introduced to her aunts and uncles.” Taylor, his father, and I stood up.
I followed Mrs. Hanson, and Mr. Hanson draped his arm over his son’s shoulders, “we’ll talk later Taylor,” he said firmly, then in a softer voice he added, “She is a beauty, isn’t she?” Taylor smiled, and hugged his dad.
Everyone loved Daisy even more, when they found out the truth. Taylor and I put Daisy in a playpen for the night and then returned to the family room, with his parents. We told them the whole story.
They were so understanding and they offered to help in anyway they could. I broke down in tears, and while Taylor was comforting me his parents left the room.
Daisy, Taylor, and I live in Tulsa now. His parents converted the family room into a room for Daisy and I, and Taylor sleeps in his room upstairs.
We plan to get married in a few years, once Daisy’s old enough to be the flower girl. Until then we can only do what we can. We both go to Oral Robert’s University, and his mom watches Daisy for us. I never thought I’d get to go to college.
I’m lucky, for a lot of reasons. I have a chance at life, I have a beautiful daughter, a boyfriend who loves me, and two great families. Who could ask for more?