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𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐇𝐄𝐑'𝐒

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Sunshine stood before her mirror clad only in underwear. Today was her doctor's appointment since her mother had insisted it was crucial to ensure the baby's well-being, regardless of the choice Sunshine would ultimately make.

Her gaze fell to her stomach, the subtle curve taking her main focus. She reached out, hesitantly placing her palm against the skin. As she rubbed her belly gently, she swore she could feel a flutter—like a butterfly's wings beating softly against the walls of her womb. A small smile curled on her lips at the sensation.

Sunshine's eyes widened as she caught a glimpse of Tate's reflection in the mirror, standing just behind her. 

She spun around to face him and Tate's gaze drifted downward to her stomach, and she felt a rush of shame wash over her. There was no hiding it now.

"Tate," she breathed before hastily moving to her closet. She rifled through the hangers, tugging a loose-fitting dress over her head, desperately trying to cover the evidence.

Tate remained silent, an unreadable expression etched across his features as she caught his eye. 

Sunshine moved to sit on the edge of her bed, her hands fidgeting in her lap as she stared at the floor, trying to find the right words. She had rehearsed this conversation in her head countless times, but now that Tate was here—standing just a few feet away, looking at her with such tenderness—she felt her throat tighten. This wasn't going to be easy.

Tate's gaze softened as he noticed her unease. "Is that why you've been avoiding me?" His voice was gentle, patient, but there was a flicker of concern in his eyes as he moved to sit beside her on the bed. 

Sunshine's fingers twisted together nervously, and she took a deep breath, steadying herself. She turned to face him, her eyes meeting his. "Tate, I was going to tell you," she started, her voice wavering. She could see the worry deepen in his expression as he waited.

"I'm pregnant." The words hung in the air between them, heavy and thick with meaning. 

She felt her breath catch, her throat tightening as she pushed forward. "But it's... it's not yours. I—I know it's not." Her voice trembled slightly as she explained. "The timeline doesn't add up, and... I don't know." Sunshine's eyes dropped to the floor again, her heart aching with the guilt she felt. "I just didn't want to keep it from you."

For a moment, there was silence. Sunshine braced herself for the anger she thought might come—the frustration or sadness. 

Tate shifted uncomfortably, his jaw tightening for just a split second before his calm, comforting demeanor returned. "It's okay, Sunshine," he said, his voice soft and reassuring. "I'm not mad." He reached out, taking her hand in his, his thumb gently brushing over her knuckles. 

Sunshine shifted uneasily, her gaze flickering over Tate's face as she tried to process his reaction. He hadn't questioned her virtue—not once—and for that, she was deeply grateful. The relief of not having to explain the unexplainable was a relief. How could she tell him the truth, even if she wanted to? If she even attempted to explain what she thought had happened—she'd sound like a madwoman.

And yet, here he was, calm and composed, offering her nothing but love and reassurance.

"You're really not upset?" she asked cautiously, still wary of how easy it all seemed.

Tate shook his head, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "No, Sunny. I'm not upset. This... this baby, it doesn't change anything between us. I'll still be here, with you." 

Sunshine exhaled, relieved by his response, though a small part of her still wondered why he wasn't more affected by the news. Maybe it was because she had imagined the worst—rejection, anger—but instead, he was calm, even supportive.

"I want to help you, with all of this," Tate continued, his hand still warm in hers. "You're not alone in this, okay?" 

Sunshine felt her chest tighten, emotions all over the place. She nodded, leaning into him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you, Tate. I was so scared to tell you."

He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer. "You don't ever have to be scared with me," he murmured into her hair.

A knock sounded at the door, pulling them out of their conversation.

"Sunshine? Are you ready?" Vivien's voice echoed from the hallway.

Sunshine looked toward the door. "Yeah, Mom. I'm coming."

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Sunshine sat in the sterile, cold exam room, her hands nervously gripping the edges of the paper-lined table beneath her. The walls were an uninviting pale blue, a color meant to soothe, but only serving to make the room feel more clinical.

Sunshine glanced down at her stomach, where her baby was growing—an impossible, inexplicable baby. She had tried to make sense of it all, but nothing in her life had been "normal" since she moved into that house. She'd convinced herself that whatever was happening, it was beyond her control.

The doctor entered the room, a kind smile on her face as she wheeled the ultrasound machine closer to the bed. "Good morning, Sunshine. How are you feeling today?"

"Nervous," Sunshine admitted, biting her lip.

"That's completely understandable. We're just going to have a look and see how things are progressing, alright? You can relax, this won't take long."

Dr. Novak squeezed a cool blob of gel onto Sunshine's belly, and the sudden chill made her shiver. As the probe touched her skin, her eyes glued to the screen, waiting, terrified, and strangely excited to see the baby she still wasn't sure she wanted.

The black-and-white image flickered to life, fuzzy at first, but then slowly coming into focus. A shape emerged—small, but unmistakable. Her baby. Sunshine's heart skipped a beat as she stared at the image on the monitor, a lump forming in her throat. She hadn't expected to feel this... connected, this suddenly overwhelmed by the reality of it all.

"There's your baby," Dr. Novak said softly, her voice filled with quiet awe. "Let's get a closer look."

Sunshine blinked away tears, her chest tightening as the tiny form on the screen moved.

"Is... everything okay?" she asked.

Dr. Novak smiled, her eyes studying the screen. "Everything looks perfect. Strong heartbeat, good movement."

Vivien leaned in closer, her own eyes misting over. "Sunshine... look at him," she whispered, pointing at the monitor. "He's beautiful."

"Him?" Sunshine asked.

Dr. Novak nodded. "Yes, it looks like you're having a boy."

A boy. Sunshine's mind reeled. She hadn't let herself imagine this—what the baby would be like, who they would become. But now, seeing him, seeing the shape of him, the way he moved so effortlessly inside her... everything shifted.

Dr. Novak's brow furrowed slightly as she moved the probe around Sunshine's belly, focusing on measurements. "According to the size of the fetus, you're measuring around 24 weeks. That's... a bit farther along than you originally thought, isn't it?"

"Twenty-four weeks?" Sunshine echoed. That was impossible—she had been nine weeks when she took the pills, and she'd taken them three weeks ago. "But... that can't be right, I mean..." 

This pregnancy wasn't normal. It never had been. Whatever this was, it wasn't going to follow any rules. She definitely didn't feel five months pregnant.

Vivien glanced at her daughter, concern etched into her features. "What does that mean?"

Dr. Novak paused, her expression carefully neutral. "Well, every pregnancy is different. Sometimes women don't find out they're pregnant until they're farther along, and measurements can vary. But based on what I'm seeing, everything looks healthy."

Sunshine stared at the screen. Twenty-four weeks. That meant she was past the point of no return. This baby was real, and growing fast, and soon, he would be here. 

She gazed at the image of her son, tears welling up in her eyes again. This was her baby. All hers. He had a heartbeat. He had little arms and legs. And he was growing—against all odds, despite everything. Maybe this was God's plan. Maybe this baby was meant to be.

"I think I'm keeping him," Sunshine whispered, her voice trembling. She looked up at her mother, tears finally spilling over as she spoke the words aloud, making it real. "I'm going to keep him."

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Ben's concerned expression tightened as he leaned against Sunshine's desk, staring at her with a mixture of frustration and worry. "Sunshine, have you even really thought about this?"

Sitting on the edge of her bed, Sunshine exhaled, her fingers idly picking at the fabric of her comforter. "All I've done is think about it, Dad," she replied, her tone thick with exhaustion. She glanced at her mother, who sat beside her, offering quiet support with a comforting hand on her knee.

Vivien turned toward Ben, her voice firm yet understanding. "It's her decision, Ben."

He let out a long breath, rubbing his temples as though trying to alleviate the tension building behind his eyes. "I understand that, Viv, but she's seventeen," he pressed, pushing off the desk and pacing slightly. "What about Juilliard?"

Juilliard. The word felt like a distant echo of a dream she'd been holding onto for so long. Sunshine's chest tightened at the mention of it, but she quickly suppressed the growing doubt. "I'll take a gap year," she responded, trying to sound confident, though the weight of the decision gnawed at her.

Ben folded his arms across his chest, glancing between Sunshine and Vivien. "And what about the cost?" His voice softened again, a fatherly concern leaking through his frustration. "We're already struggling as it is, kiddo. Between trying to sell this house and the fact that your mother is pregnant..."

Sunshine knew Ben wasn't wrong. Their finances had been tight for months, and the house—well, that was another matter altogether. The idea of bringing another baby into their current situation made her stomach knot, but it didn't shake her decision.

"I'll get a job," Sunshine said, her voice quiet but resolute. "Whatever I need to do."

Ben's brow furrowed deeper, his frustration inching toward desperation. "And school? Are you going to drop out?"

"Ben," Vivien cut in again, her tone sharper this time, as if scolding him for pushing too hard.

Sunshine shook her head, meeting her father's eyes with all the certainty she could muster. "No. I'm not dropping out. Daddy, I've taken everything into consideration. I tried to do what I was supposed to, but it didn't work. And maybe... I don't know, maybe it's a sign from God or something."

Ben let out a low, exasperated groan, rubbing his face with his hands as though he couldn't quite believe what he was hearing. "Oh my god," he muttered under his breath before looking back at her, his eyes searching for something—anything—that made sense. "Where's the father? Have you told him?"

Sunshine averted her gaze, her silence betraying more than she could find the strength to say. Her mother's eyes darted toward her, that same question written across her face.

"He's... not in the picture," Sunshine managed as she stared down at her hands, hoping that would be enough to end the discussion.

Ben's shoulders slumped slightly. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, trying to soothe the tension that wouldn't leave.

"Being a single mom is tough work, Sunshine. It's going to be a challenge—one of the hardest things you'll ever do. But if this is what you want," she paused, locking eyes with her daughter, "then we will be here for you."

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