Chapter 2

Derek-

I wasn't sure how serious the issue was with Grace until she told me some serious stuff that she had gone through for pretty much her whole life. She had told me about her ex-boyfriend who was Logan White he had raped her many times while she tried to sleep which started at the age of fourteen years old he and his parents would beat on her for no reason at all.

She was brought into that family as a baby when her parents passed she had no aunts or uncles or even grandparents to take her in. She was forced to do anything she was told unless she would be threatened with her life which was pretty messed up. She wasn't able to step outside for even a second or would be severely beaten.

She was one strong young woman for surviving that hell house for almost a full eighteen years she was lucky she was able to get out of there alive even by getting kicked out onto the streets was yet dangerous.

I had the feeling of wanting to help her in a way that would be an obvious no since we only just met that evening. And there was no reason for her to not trust me when I was a single twenty-four-year-old man who lived all alone inside a small apartment.

It sounded so right in my head to have her live with me and help her with any struggles she may go through with the pregnancy though, I knew nothing about it though it couldn't hurt to learn something new. And just maybe help raise that baby?

But again there was no way that would happen they were strangers who just happened to run into each other on the streets.

"Derek, what are you thinking? Please if it's anything about me tell me?" She whipped away her tears and leaned over to look at me. She was beautiful even after crying so much. What was wrong with me to think of her that way I've never taken a liking towards any woman before but something was different.

Grace had been affecting my mind ever since I returned home and now I'm sitting beside her on the ground in the alley and even hearing about her story nothing had changed inside of me on how I felt. I couldn't understand why I felt that way? Yes, she was very beautiful but she was only a nineteen-year-old young woman.

There was no way that could happen especially when I was a businessman at a writing company and would be so busy with work and wouldn't be around to help her with anything from two to seven o'clock work took most of my days away.

"Sorry, it's nothing I was thinking of something quite stupid knowing it really wouldn't happen."

"What was it you were thinking?" She asked curiously.

"Okay well please don't take it out the wrong way? But I was thinking you could stay with me for the time being? I know it's stupid but it's the truth."

"Oh you mean you would allow me to stay in your home even after hearing that I'm a pregnant teenager?" She said sounding uncertain.

"You being pregnant doesn't change a thing it only makes me want to help you, even more, when you should be in a warm home in a comfortable bed in your condition."

"Okay well, I'll think about it?"

I nodded in agreement and leaned my head against the brick wall with a sign and everything became silent I wasn't sure if I should speak or just stay quiet until she fell asleep. Though I wasn't sure how that would be possible when it was freezing outside and I could tell she was cold from her shivering and clashing teeth sounds even though she wore a coat.

"Grace come here?" I was wearing a jacket and wanted to give it to her to wear instead since she needed it more than I did. I slipped my arms out and put the jacket around her shoulders.

"Oh no you don't have to I'm fine really?"

"No, you need it more than I do your shivering?"

"Yes but I'm pretty much used to it I've been out here since December and you'll be cold?" She frowned.

"I'll be fine now move closer to me?" Hopefully, I didn't make that sound weird when I only wanted her to move closer so I could use my body heat to keep her a little warmer. And by her actions, she got the idea and moved closer to me without hesitation.

I wrapped my arm around her as she rested her head against my shoulder. I closed my eyes and tried to take my mind off of the cold air then eventually fell asleep.

When I woke up the sun partly beamed through the alley. Grace was still fast asleep huddled against, me. I tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and without moving my hand I paused for a moment and took a good look at her beautiful face.

I traced my thumb over her cheek where something stuck to her skin but she suddenly moved and I quickly pulled my hand away before she fully woke up. And that was when I noticed frost on a patch of grass and got sudden chills from just seeing it.

"Mmm?" She hummed and slowly opened her eyes.

"Good morning sorry for waking you I hope you slept well?"

She sat up straight off of my shoulder and stretched. "Mmm mhm you worked great for a pillow last night." She smiled.

I couldn't help but smile. "Are you hungry at all?" I asked.

"Yeah, maybe just a little bit?" She looked at me as if embarrassed to say the truth. I didn't want her to be like that towards me I'd rather have her feeling, comfortable and confident with me.

"Would you like to go out to eat? Like Applebee's?"

"I would like to but I don't want to trouble you and take over your whole day or something like that?"

"It's alright I'd love to have your company." I didn't want to sound desperate but I really didn't feel like going to work in a few hours. And I didn't want to admit it but I'd rather stay around her than anyone who was at the offices.

I liked her in a way I shouldn't I wanted to be around her like some weirdo I wished those feelings would go away it didn't feel right to be attracted to a teenager but she was at the age where she was known to be an adult. So it couldn't be that bad it wasn't like I would be punished by God if I kissed her...

I took a breath. Kiss did I just think about kissing her? I could but I won't I want my first kiss to be with someone I wanted to spend my whole life with. I quickly shut down my thoughts before I thought of something that would be way far-fetched.

"You okay your face is red? Oh, wait never mind we're outside in the cold so, of course, you look red." She began to laugh at herself.

"Okay, so would you go out to dinner with me? Just as friends it's not a date or anything like that!" I quickly added.

She nodded. "Yeah, but you'll have to give me a moment to get ready?"

"Of course, I'm not quite dressed for the weather so I'll be back in like ten minutes?"

She nodded then I stood up from off the ground and went back into my apartment. I took a quick shower and changed into clean clothes brushed my teeth then put my hair half up and half down. And put on a pair of shoes before making my way back to her.

I've never taken a woman out for dinner in my life even as friends. I'm a bit nervous just thinking about it but quite excited at the same time.

"Get away from me! Help someone help me?!" That was Grace's voice and she was in danger. I picked up my pace and ran just around the corner. A man had a hold of her arm with a sickening expression on his face.

"Let go of her!" I got a quick reaction from Grace she pulled her arm away from the man's tight grip that had hurt her and caused her arm to turn red.

"Derek!" She was almost in tears running up to me, I frowned and pulled her into my arms. I checked her red arm and asked. "You okay does it hurt?"

Before I could get a response from her the man spoke up. "Who are you and why does she think it's okay for her to hold you like that?" The man's expressions change from something sickening to curious.

"He's my boyfriend!" She blurted with anger. I was surprised to hear that come out of her mouth but made sure to keep a straight serious face so the man wouldn't expect anything suspicious.

"And can you see alright? She's not holding me her arms are to her sides I'm the one holding her." I pointed out.

"Has she not told you she was pregnant with my baby?"

I felt something odd about this guy but now I understood why the guy was Logan White Grace's ex-boyfriend. And no wonder she told the guy she was his girlfriend.

"Sorry but no? People like you don't deserve to be able to produce children when-" before I could carry on with what I was going to say, he cut me off short.

"It is a gift from the God above am I not able to use it?" He asked mockingly.

"I wouldn't call it a gift. There are men and women who pray for a child that they are unable to have. But it's a blessing when they get a chance to bring a child from an orphanage into their home and let the child experience the childhood they deserve. And what you had with this beautiful young lady It's wrong and you know it."

"I'm sorry I'm unlike you, sir but you can't just stand there and tell me you never touched or even felt a woman?"

"I have not," I answered quickly without hesitation, not knowing if to be convincing but it was the truth.

Leaving Logan speechless Grace spoke up. "Okay well umm excuse us but we are going out to eat? Whatever junk you have to say about me keep to yourself!" She said annoyed and had taken a hold of my hand and walked into the open city streets. Being distracted by Logan I hadn't even noticed the beautiful green long sleeve dress that reached down to her ankles and hugged each and every curve of her body which made her baby bump noticeable.

Her coat may have thrown off the outfit a little bit but she still looked beautiful gorgeous even. I could look at her all day and night and never get tired of her beauty. Her beautiful blonde hair that, reached down to the center of her back and those lovely blue eyes that looked like the ocean. She was very attentive I couldn't deny it, though if I told Ryan he'd freak out if he knew the feelings I had for a pregnant teenager.

But again I could also see Ryan not caring about her age and just being filled with happiness because I finally fell in love with a woman throughout my twenty-four years of life.

I got ahead of her and took her to my car. I could feel her eyes on me with each step I took and suddenly she stopped just a few feet away from my car I turned around to face her and she said. "Was what you said true?"

I knew immediately what she was talking about and of course, she didn't believe, me. "Yes." I nodded in response.

She looked at me with her mouth gaped open in disbelief. I didn't know what else to say and opened the car door for her instead when she got in I got in on the driver's side and, starting the car, I drove off.

Applebee's was only five miles away from my apartment which was close to eleven minutes but the silence between us made it feel like it was hours instead. Was I supposed to say something so I could get rid of the awkward silence? But what would I say I couldn't think of anything to say to her it was nerve-racking!

Before I was about to lose my sanity Grace spoke up and I quickly gained it back after what I heard come from her lips.

"Are you really willing to help me?" She asked skeptically. I had parked the car in the parking lot and I looked over at her not knowing how to really feel should I be upset that she asked that or happy that she may be thinking of living with me for however long? I wouldn't mind if she decided to live with me for a year.

I don't know why but I grabbed her hand and had her look at, me. "Yes, I'm willing to do anything for you even if you don't ask for it I will do anything for you," I said staring deep into her eyes. "We may not have known each other for long but I like you and I really want to help you?"