Hannah didn’t lift her eyes from the table, her fingers twisting in her lap as though she was trying to disappear into herself.
“It...it wasn’t supposed to happen,” Hannah murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “It was an accident.”
“Who is he?”
Hannah gave a little shake of her head. “He’s not in the picture anymore and that’s how I want it to stay. I swear, Dad, it was just a mistake.”
Her father’s jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists on the table. Maddie could see the struggle in his eyes—the anger warring with the heartbreak. He let out a ragged breath, shaking his head.
“A mistake,” he repeated, his voice raw with disbelief. “This...this is more than a mistake, Hannah. This changes everything. This is not the future I wanted for you. And certainly not the one your mom wanted for you.”
“I know,” Hannah whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
Maddie’s heart clenched as she watched the way Hannah’s father’s words pressed down on her already burdened shoulders. Maddie wanted to speak, to say something to ease the tension, but she knew this was a conversation Hannah needed to have with her father. Just like she needed to face the truth of her situation, as painful as it was.
Sam, ever steady, leaned forward slightly, his voice calm but firm. “She didn’t want to hide it from you, Bill. She deservessome credit for that. She’s scared, but she’s trying to take responsibility.”
Hannah’s father looked up at Sam, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and frustration. “Great, but how am I supposed to take this? My sixteen-year-old daughter is pregnant. I—” His voice broke, and he looked back at Hannah, his expression softening ever so slightly. “You’re just a kid.”
Hannah sniffled, finally lifting her gaze to meet his. “I’m not a kid anymore, Dad. I know that now.”
The raw honesty in her voice hung between them like a lifeline, pulling her father back from the edge of his anger. His shoulders sagged in resignation, the fire in his eyes dimming as he let out a long, heavy sigh. He swallowed twice before speaking again.
“I don’t know how we’re going to handle this,” he said, more to himself than to anyone else. “But we’re going to have to figure it out.”
Hannah blinked, clearly not expecting those words, and the hope that flickered in her eyes was like a spark in the darkness. “You mean...you don’t hate me?”
Her father’s face crumpled and he shook his head, running a hand through his graying hair. “Hannah, I could never hate you. I’m angry and I’m scared and I’m worried. But hate doesn’t even enter the picture. You’re my daughter, and that doesn’t change because of this. Nothing changes that. I love you. Always will.”
The tension in the room seemed to release all at once, and Maddie felt her own breath return. Things weren’t perfect—there was so much they had to work through—but this was a start. The hardest part was over now. Hannah had told him, and they could move forward, figure out a plan.
Hannah wiped her eyes, a shaky smile forming on her lips. “Thanks, Dad. I love you, too. Does that mean you’re not going to kick me out?”
“No, sweetheart. I am not going to kick you out.” Her father reached across the table, his hand trembling slightly as he took hers. The gesture was small, but it was enough to tell Maddie that they had made it through the worst of the storm.
The walk back to Schatzi’s house was quiet, but there was a palpable shift in the air, as if some of the weight that had been pressing down on them had finally lifted. All of their moods were vastly improved. Hannah had come with them to get her things. She’d dropped a bag off earlier, in case the talk with her dad didn’t go well.
The snow had begun to fall again, soft flakes drifting lazily through the air, and the world around them was still and serene, as if it, too, had been waiting for this moment of calm.
Hannah walked between Maddie and Sam, her head down but her steps lighter. Maddie could sense the relief radiating off of her, though the girl hadn’t said much since they’d left the house.
“You did great today, Hannah,” Sam said softly, breaking the silence. “That wasn’t easy. You did some real character building in there.”
Hannah glanced up at him, her eyes red-rimmed but filled with gratitude. “Thank you. I don’t think I could’ve done it without you guys beside me.”
Maddie smiled, warmth spreading through her. “You’re tougher than you think, Hannah. You handled it with more grace and maturity than I ever could have at your age.”
Hannah shrugged, her shoulders tense, but there was a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “I don’t feel tough. I feel scared. And a little stupid.”
“You’re not stupid just because this happened. Life throws us curveballs all the time. As for the scared part? That’s normal,” Maddie said gently. “But you’ve taken the hardest step. You told him. You got through that. Now, you can focus on what’s next. And we’ll help you every step of the way.”
Hannah’s gaze softened, and for the first time since Maddie had met her, there was a glimmer of peace in her eyes. She nodded, her steps slowing as they reached the edge of Schatzi’s front yard.
The house looked warm and inviting against the backdrop of the snowy mountains, smoke curling from the chimney and the soft glow of the firelight spilling through the windows. Maddie smiled as they approached the front door, grateful for the sense of safety and comfort the house provided.
“I should get my stuff and get going,” Hannah said quietly, stopping just outside the door. “I don’t want to impose...”
“You’re not imposing,” Maddie said firmly. “You’re always welcome here, Hannah. Come in for a few minutes. I’m sure Schatzi would love to see you and know that everything’s all right.”
