An innocent baby boy

Looking into his innocent blue eyes all she could feel was love. The stresses of the day washing over her like a tidal wave. She sighed and pulled him up into her arms. The sounds of the nursery around her, just a hum as she hugged Jack, and stroked his smooth skin.

Telling herself daily how lucky she was, having to remind herself that her baby still needed her even though his dad didn’t. Working hard to provide for the two of them, he was her whole world. Picking up his bag, she put it on her right shoulder and held Jack on her other side.

Thanking the nursery, she now left. Relieved it was Friday and time for the weekend, she was looking forward to seeing Billy.

* * * *

Millie

Millie was just twenty years old. Chris had left her at six months pregnant. He had no interest in Baby Jack. Innocent when she met him, Chris was her first and she had trusted him.  With her heart shattered she had bravely rebuilt herself. Her love for baby Jack had helped and so had Mrs Jenkins, her best friends mum.
Her own parents had been angry, their innocent daughter, carrying his baby. They had never liked Chris. Now Jack was here, they were warming to him, but they were still concerned for their daughter.

Having got a job in the local library, Millie was pleased with what she had achieved. A new baby and a new job, and a small one bed flat. It was cosy but she was managing, Mrs Jenkins had bought Jack clothes and had helped her in the early days.

Those days that no new mum is prepared for. The days when baby just keeps crying and won’t allow you to put him down. Tending to his demands as a single mum, she had struggled, but she had remained strong. The breast feeding support and baby groups and the forms she had had to complete. Her tight budget and then gratitude for mothers milk despite the work involved.

As a new mum, Millie was proud to walk with her pram, ignoring the disapproving looks around her. This was her life now, she had to get on with it. Everyone cooed at little Jack and she knew that as a mum, she was doing well.

Chris had dumped her as soon as she told him about Jack. She had not wanted him to be involved. He was distant history and her innocent baby was the future, just her and him.

* * * *

The baby group

Walking past the Townham village hall, Billy saw the sign for the baby group and out of curiosity he turned the pram and walked in. Quickly, he was surrounded by new mums and saw Ruth sitting quietly, looking innocent alone in the corner.

          Why was she alone? What was her story?

Ignoring the other mums, he walked over to her.
“Hi, I’m Billy and this is Lilly”.
Millie smiled. “That rhymes, I’m Millie and this is Jack”
“Well hello Millie and Jack. We were just out for a walk and then walked in here.”
“Loads of mums, I’m guessing Lily is yours?
“Actually no, she’s my brothers, I’m just looking after her.”

Millie felt a little disappointed, she kicked herself for the feeling, she had only just met him. She didn’t need a boyfriend.
“Jack is a cute baby, his dad must be proud.”
Feeling awkward, she responded, “Actually his dad is not around, he gave up all rights before he was born.”
Feeling embarrassed now, she wondered what this nice looking stranger was thinking.
“Sounds like a waste of space.”
Relieved she nodded, “he is”.
“I don’t know how a man could do that. I’ve always wanted to be a father, I could never do that to a girl.”

            Hmmm one of the good ones.

Further plans

They had been talking happily for over an hour and the baby group was ending , when Billy said,

“We’ve only just met, but if you fancy getting a coffee sometime, maybe I can give you my number.”
“Errr, okay.” Millie pulled out her phone, okay shall I phone you or you phone me.”
“Pass me your phone.” She passed her phone and watched him dial a number. As his phone buzzed he cut of the call and now saved both numbers into the phones.
“How clever is modern technology” he stated.
“I don’t need to worry about losing it do I”.
“No, you don’t, give me a text sometime.”
Millie nodded, nervously, “will do.”

Billy got up and went to leave. In a room of mum’s he was shocked that he had just got this pretty girls phone number. He was not expecting it and was now scared of messing things up.
“I will see you again.”
Millie nodded, “bye Billy” and watched him leave.

* * * *

Meeting Billy

After that day she had thought about Billy, but had been too scared to message him. It was a week later that she got her job at the library. Then the next week with a new found confidence, she had texted him.

“Hello, it’s Millie, do you still want coffee.”
He had texted back quickly, as if he had been waiting for her message.
“Yes, how about tomorrow, maybe 6.00pm”
“That sounds good, I will have Jack though.”
“That’s fine, how about Marjs cafe? I will meet you there.”
“See you then.”

So, today was the day, she was meeting Billy for the first time. She was a mum and she was innocent about alot of things. The butterflies wouldn’t stop and her chest hurt.
What was she doing? She was going to get hurt. Another row with her parents?

Arriving at the cafe, she walked in. There he was sat with two steaming mugs of coffee with a cream bun beside them. She could feel her heart warming to him. She thought, maybe he was just what they needed. Was he going to be reliable? Could she trust him? Now was the time to be brave and find out.

Written for Blog battle – Innocent

For more see – Two harps a drum and a working mum – Blog battle – Harp