Chapter 5 Family Disapproves

Lizzy sat at her bed's edge, the tempo of her heart increased as she reflected on the details of the discussion she and Mike just had. What has nagged in her thoughts over the past few days remained one simple fact - she was pregnant. The enormity of the weight she felt is similar to someone that got hit by a freight train. The unforeseen incident had left her breathless and likewise, disoriented. She had no other choice than to remain focused; she had picked today to take her father into confidence.

She steadied herself by taking a deep breath. She then took a walk down the hallway that led to her father's office, located within the premises of her father's popular eatery.

The door was kept slightly open, so she sighted him as he hunched over the desk. He was poring over some papers. Her father, Thomas Alberto was a figure that was stern but loving. He had remained as her staunch guiding light. She anticipated him to shine the usual light on her today, even though the situation was complicated.

"Dad?" exclaimed Lizzy; with her tentative voice as she knocked.

"Come in sweetheart," he said but not looking up. As she breezed in the door made a soft creak behind her.

"What do you have on your mind?" he asked and finally took his eyes off the papers to face her.

Lizzy hesitated a bit to weigh her words with care. "I... I have an important thing to talk to you about," she commenced, with her slightly trembling voice. She sat facing her father with her hands being folded in her lap. She tried hard to pick up courage for the discussion.

"Yes, proceed," he leaned forward as he noticed some elements of worry in her tone.

"I'm pregnant," she disclosed, the words oozed out from her lips as if a floodgate was broken. "And it belongs to Mike."

Her father's facial expression moved away from concern to something more of confusion. Visibly, Lizzy noticed a flicker of disappointment in her father's eyes. "Mike? Your CEO?" he slowly enquired. The disbelief contained in his voice was easily noticable.

"Yes Dad. He already proposed to me. He would like to marry me, so I think we could be real life partners," she informed, her heart started skipping at the thought.

"Have you given this idea a thorough consideration, Lizzy? I mean, bring the implications to focus?" he queried, his voice became deeper and tinged with admonition.

"Yes, I have," she persisted, the zeal growing in her chest. "Dad! I do love him. Normally, people can change. He's a changed person now, totally different from how he was before I met him."

His father steepled his fingers under his chin, then leaned back on his seat. "What of casting a thorough look at his past? I mean reputation. Remember how he was before, Lizzy."

"A playboy. A charmer. Do you actually think he's prepared for this? I mean for you, for a family?"

Lizzy felt the welling up of tears in her eyes. "Yes, he is. And I know he actually is. He promised me he will be a good person and that he will support me and the baby," she argued further, her voice convincing. "Above all, you have a popular saying that people are capable of changing. And it's something you say quite often."

Her father heaved a deep sigh, a sound full of weight, which resonated all over the quiet office. "I remember what I usually say, which is quite different. Marriage is a lifelong commitment. You're talking about settling down with a man who loathes commitment. Why do you think this time is different?"

"I trust him, Dad. And I really do. I'm meant for him, just as he is meant for me. My happiness is a priority to him, we are therefore, committed to building a family together. I want you to support me, Dad," she pleaded, with desperation appearing in her voice.

"How do I support a decision that I know is full of flaws," he gave a sharp reply. "Remember you're my only daughter, Lizzy. Only the best is what I think befits you, and my fear is that if you go ahead, you can't avoid hurt in the end. He's through with his fun; remember he's a man of many women. Why do you think you're the special person to change him?"

She was devastated. She thought about Mike, of how he usually gazed at her, his promise to support her and the unborn child. "For the reason that I love him, Dad; I feel it strongly in my bones! Life without Mike is unimaginable. Please give it a second thought," she pleaded, her voice cracking.

Silence enveloped the whole room; unspoken emotions were thick in the air. Lizzy started thinking fast on how best to make her father break his resolve. "You have been teaching me to always follow my heart," she said in a whisper.

Her father started rubbing his temples; the tension around them became apparent. "Lizzy, tell me what you want from me. Are you telling me to bless a union that I'm convinced is a flaw? Can't you see that I'm trying to shift you from harm's way?" His voice started to die down but full of concern.

"What I need is your support," she said, her eyes full of determination despite the pooling tears. "Turning this new chapter in my life has to be with a man I love wholeheartedly. The unborn child deserves a family."

"Lizzy..." He took a pause to enable him select his words with care. "There's no way I'd allow you to rush yourself into harm. My wish is for you to go with someone who will care for you, who understands the true meaning of commitment."

"I'm convinced within my heart that Mike is that kind of man you're envisaging. He's totally a changed person, partnering with him can lead to something beautiful," she replied with a strong voice, even though there's a crack in her heart.

"You trust him," said her father, in a whisper. What if you're putting your trust on a wrong person?"

At that very moment, Lizzy became overwhelmed with frustration. "And assuming I'm right? What if this turns out to be the very best thing to ever happen to me? You've not given him even a little chance."

"I've only tried to point at the risks involved," he stated firmly.

The discussion hung in air as if a fragile thread that is about to snap. Love with fear, loyalty with caution fought in their hearts. What Lizzy wished for most, is a reassurance from her father; but she knew as well that it's not obtainable because her father feels strongly that there's danger ahead.

"I'll take my personal decisions," Lizzy blurted out finally, with a resolute voice. "My love for Mike is unshakable. I will surely do everything possible to ensure it works, whether you bless it or not."

Lizzy's heart was broken so she became defiant. Her expectation was that her father would embrace the life-changing news, to show excitement for her. It was now glaring to her that she and her father are at the opposite sides of the divide that was profound.

"Please Lizzy, avoid rushing into this," he called after her while she was turning to leave, but she refused to look back.

As she moved on, onto the hallway, weight of uncertainties pressed on her chest heavily. She needs to make her choice, regardless of the depth of her love for Mike, the partway ahead still stayed shrouded in shadows.

She might likely prove that her father had a wrong opinion. Or probably, just probably, the enormity of his concern regarding her future may be proved right.

Facing an uncertain future, Lizzy breathed deeply, her hand rested on her stomach instinctively, where the little life contained there seemed to be pausing with the beating of its own heartbeat - the heartbeat which held both promises of challenges plus unconditional love.

A lot still left to be faced in future, but it's left for her to make a decision pertaining to the type of future she desired. She shut her eyes firmly, trying to imagine the kind of life she wished for - the unconditional love, the laughter, plus the hope.

The pathway stretched open before her, and whatever she'll meet ahead; Lizzy was keenly prepared to embark on the journey.