Chapter 37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
ALLIE
I wake up tangled in my sheets like I’ve been wrestling alligators all night long. Which is about how rested I feel.
My mind spun and spun and spun some more.
I had crazy dreams which included me taking a bus to Madison, climbing the walls of the house Brett and Holly posted on Instagram—calling it their “dream home”—and stealing their babies one by one.
Then I took them to an adoption agency before trying to talk the people there into letting me adopt them.
I knew how insane this was even while I was dreaming it. I mean, I’d just kidnapped them—who in the world would make that legal? Then there’s the small fact that I don’t want Brett’s babies. Not to mention I really don’t want four at one time.
I finally gather the strength to crawl out of bed. Tying my big fluffy pink robe around me, I shuffle out to the living room. I expect to see Margie in a similar state to my own—sleep deprived and anxiety-riddled—but that’s not what I find.
Margie is tucked under the covers and is sleeping like a baby herself. She looks peaceful and serene, and I suddenly know that she’s made her final decision, and she will not change her mind.
I admire this girl more than I can say. She’s stayed true to herself in the toughest of situations with very little support and yet she’s not once backed down.
She hasn’t let herself be bullied into doing something she knew wasn’t right for her.
And even during such emotional chaos, she’s found a solution that not only will allow her to live life the way she wants to, but it will also give me the greatest gift I could imagine.
After starting the coffee pot, I go back into the living room and sit down on the overstuffed chair across from the sofa.
I watch Margie sleep for a few more minutes while my resolve hardens into something tangible.
I am going to adopt Margie’s baby. There’s absolutely no reason in this world why I should allow someone else that privilege.
Margie rolls over in her sleep and groans. Then her eyes open and immediately meet mine. “Hey,” she says. “How long have you been watching me sleep?”
“It’s not as creepy as it seems,” I assure her, which makes her laugh. “I’ve hardly slept a wink all night.”
“I slept well for the first time since I found out I was pregnant,” she tells me. “I feel great.”
“I’m glad. Listen, about last night …”
She interrupts before I can finish my sentence. “Please don’t say no yet. Please. I know I must sound pitiful, but I really don’t want your answer yet.”
My lips turn up at the corners ever so slightly as I ask, “Even if I want to adopt your baby?”
Margie stares at me in disbelief. “Do you … will you … I mean, are you going to?”
“My answer is yes,” I tell Margie. A feeling of pure warmth and light fills me, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I’ve made the right decision.
Margie throws her covers off and launches herself across the room at me. She’s practically sitting on me while she hugs me and shouts, “You won’t be sorry, I promise! You are going to love her and be a fantastic family for her!”
“We’re going to be a fantastic family,” I tell her. “Because you will very much be a part of our baby’s life.”
“Oh, Allie, thank you so much!” Margie is still hanging on to me for dear life.
“Even though I want you to talk to your parents and Jordan, what do you say we tell my mom and dad at dinner tonight?”
“I would love that!” She jumps to her feet and starts bouncing like she’s on a trampoline. “Do you think they’ll be happy?”
She’s so excited that I hate to burst her bubble, but she should know what we’re getting into.
“I’m not sure,” I tell her. “My parents expect things to come in a certain order. You know, marriage first and then babies. The thing is, I don’t know if I want to get married again. I don’t trust like I once did.”
“I don’t know if I want to get married, either,” Margie says.
“Honey, you’re only eighteen. Why would you say that?”
Rolling her eyes toward the ceiling, she answers, “Maybe because the first boy who told me he loved me and wanted to be with me forever dumped me as soon as he found out I was pregnant.” Aaah. There is that.
“When do you want to let Jordan know what you’ve decided?” I ask her.
“I’d just as soon never tell him, but I know I have to. I don’t want him to cause any trouble.” She adds, “I did an internet search and found out that in private adoption, which is what they call what we’re doing, I can’t sign the final paperwork until almost a week after the baby is born.”
“That makes sense,” I tell her. My heart feels like it just plummeted into the depths of my stomach. “They want to make sure you’re comfortable with your decision.”
Margie nods her head. “I get it. I just don’t want you to worry. I’m going to apply to Northwestern right away, along with my backup schools. I’ll give birth in July and by August I’m going to be moving somewhere else to go to school.”
I have so many questions. The biggest being, will her parents take her back and continue to help her with college if she puts the baby up for adoption? Will Jordan and his family agree? And finally, how will my parents take the news?
Looking at the clock on the wall, I tell Margie, “Sunday dinner at my house starts at one. We should probably get up and have breakfast now so we’re hungry again by then. Let’s go down to Rosemary’s. I could use a muffin and hot chocolate.”
Fifteen minutes later, we’re dressed and standing at the bakery counter. Teddy is working again. “You sure are here a lot,” I tell him.
“I’m giving Faith as much of a break as I can before I leave for LA. We’re actually looking for part time help to help fill the schedule.”
“Looks like I might not have left at a good time after all,” I tell him, feeling mildly guilty.
“You did the best thing for you and that makes us all happy. Don’t worry,” he says, “we’ll find a high school student or something.”
Margie nudges my side, so I turn to see what she wants. “I’m a high school student,” she announces. “I could use a part-time job.”
“Are you sure you won’t be too tired?” I ask.
“It’s supposed to get a lot better in the second trimester. And if I’m going to go to college then I could use all the money I can get.”
Teddy offers, “Faith could practically run marathons in her second trimester. I’ve never seen her with so much energy.”
Margie stands up straighter, and she holds her head high. “Can I apply for the job?” she asks.
Instead of answering her, Teddy looks at me. “Will you vouch for her, Allie?”
“You bet I will,” I say enthusiastically.
He winks at Margie and tells her, “You don’t need to apply. The job is yours. After all, we need to take care of our own, don’t we?” Margie’s and my looks of confusion cause him to add, “Actors need to help fellow actors.” Margie looks happier than I’ve ever seen her.
Meanwhile, I tell Teddy, “Speaking of acting, Margie is going to go ahead and apply to Northwestern for the fall semester. I don’t suppose you’d be willing to write her a recommendation letter?”
“You don’t have to do that,” Margie interrupts. “I mean, a job is enough. I don’t want to be any trouble.”
“What trouble?” Teddy asks. “I’d be happy to write you a recommendation, Margie. After all, my name means something at Northwestern.” I don’t know who he’s kidding. His name means something all over this planet.
Once Margie and I have our food and drinks, we sit down at a table by the window. “Did that really just happen?” she asks me. She looks completely shell-shocked.
“What did I tell you? All you have to do is imagine the future you want and somehow that programs the universe to provide.” She shakes her head in wonder, so I tell her, “Look how it’s worked out for me.
All I had to do was say that I was going to investigate adoption and I suddenly have an offer to be someone’s mom. ” I still can’t believe my luck.
Reaching across the table, Margie takes my hands in hers. “You’re going to be the best mom, Allie. I can’t wait to see you in action.”
“I can’t wait to see you on the silver screen,” I tell her.
I also can’t help but wonder if I should let myself see a future with Noah. I mean, if the universe is providing, I have a list.