He powered off his computer and cleared his desk. Ready to leave for the day, he couldn’t wait to go home and do nothing. Until last weekend, he didn’t realize what a vast difference there was between his eighteen-year-old and twenty-three-year-old body. Staying up all night to study for a final took far less energy and recuperation time than passing the midnight hours participating in scavenger hunts and listening to teen boys tell jokes that weren’t funny.
As he stood to his feet, he heard footsteps nearing his office. Several seconds later, Aiden and Lara appeared in his doorway. They held hands, and their faces portrayed fear, insecurity, and confusion.
“Do you have time to talk?” Aiden’s voice shook, a full turnaround from the confident child he’d been when Elijah first came to the church.
“Yes.” He let go of his disappointment and put on his counseling hat. “Have a seat.”
Aiden let go of Lara and held a chair out for her. He had to give the boy some credit for showing manners, but then, he never should have gotten Lara in this situation to begin with.
Elijah sat down and apprised the boy he hadn’t seen since before Christmas. “How have you been?”
“Better.” Aiden bit down on his bottom lip.
Lara’s shoulders shook, appearing like she was about to cry. “We’re confused.”
Give me wisdom, Lord.He treaded carefully, unsure of the full situation. “Is this about the baby?”
She nodded, and then burst into tears.
“My parents aren’t happy at all and aren’t relenting.” Aiden dropped his gaze to the floor. “They threatened to kick me out and take away my college fund if Lara has this baby.”
He couldn’t mean… “They want Lara to give the baby up for adoption?”
Lara shook her head and cried harder.
“Abortion,” Aiden whispered.
A sucker punch slammed Elijah in the gut and anger overcame him. Maybe he should call Pastor Gray to help with this serious matter—but the kids had come to him. “How do you feel about that?”
“I love this baby.” Lara cradled her stomach through the tears. “But I don’t want Aiden’s life ruined because of me.”
Before he could remind them that they’d both made the choices that caused this pregnancy, Aiden launched into a speech. “I don’t believe in abortion, but how can I provide for a child? I can’t afford college on my own. I can’t even afford my car payment, which my parents said they’d stop paying for.”
These kids were too young to face these decisions. They had no concept of providing for themselves, let alone a child, but now they were faced with that very real prospect. He understood their fear, especially with one set of parents threatening severe action.
What mattered most right now was saving this baby’s life, by whatever means necessary.
He turned his attention to Lara. “What have your parents said?”
“They’re disappointed in me, but they have been supportive. Mom said she will watch the baby next school year so I can finish my senior year and graduate.”
“That’s great. You’re very fortunate to have a family network that will be there for you.” He uttered a silent prayer of thanks for her parents and breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t believe this baby’s life was in danger now, but rather he faced two kids who needed a sounding board to sort through their emotions.
“I know it won’t be easy, but I really want this baby.” Lara looked down at her stomach with a distant glaze to her eye.
“Me too.” Aiden removed his ball cap and twisted it in his hands. “I can’t imagine doing what my parents want me to, but I’m scared.”
“I understand being scared, and that’s natural. You’re facing a situation that will drastically change your life forever. However, continuing with the pregnancy is the right thing to do and you have that on your side.” He laced his hands, considering his words carefully. Aiden’s parents weren’t faithful members of the church, but came often enough to be considered regulars. From what he knew of them, their reaction seemed out of character with their beliefs. “Would you like me to visit your parents and speak with them?”
Aiden continued fiddling with his hat. “I’m not sure it would do any good.”
“I’m willing to try.” He leaned back. “I could be wrong, but I don’t believe they mean their threats. It sounds like they're scared for you and acting out of that fear.”
“What if they aren’t?” Lara had stopped crying, but her voice remained shaky.
“We’ll take it one step at a time, and as a church, we won’t allow Aiden to be on the streets. Both of you belong to this church family and together, we’ll make it through this.”
“Even though we sinned?” Aiden’s single raised brow conveyed his skepticism—for kids who had grown up in church, a teen pregnancy topped the list of infractions.
