He was only sixteen when he brought her home—a girl, already and undeniably pregnant, a year older than him.
Lily studied at the same college, just a year ahead. For days, James had watched the unfamiliar girl huddled in a corner, crying silently. He noticed the subtle swell of her belly, the same worn clothes day after day, the hollow emptiness in her eyes.
As it turned out, nearly everyone knew her story. The grandson of some well-known local businessman had been seeing her, then vanished, claiming urgent business in the next county. His parents refused to acknowledge her—made that abundantly clear. And her own family, as if trapped in some medieval nightmare of “shame,” had thrown her out and fled to their countryside cottage. Some pitied her; others snickered behind her back.
*She brought it on herself. Should’ve thought ahead.*
James couldn’t just watch. He weighed everything, then approached.
“It won’t be easy. Stop crying. Come home with me. We’ll get married. But I won’t lie—I won’t baby you, and I won’t coddle the kid. I’ll just be there. I promise we’ll make it work.”
Lily wiped her tears and looked at him. Just an ordinary boy, no polish. Not the kind of man she’d dreamed of. But in her state, choice was a luxury long gone. So she went with him.
His parents were horrified. His mother begged him to reconsider, but James was firm.
“Mum, relax. It’ll be fine. I’ve got two grants—regular and hardship. I’ll pick up extra shifts. We’ll manage.”
“But what about university?”
“So what? Dad’s worked the factory his whole life. You’re at the corner shop. People survive without degrees. It’s not the end of the world.”
Lily settled in James’ room. He gave her his bed and moved to a rickety pull-out chair. For days, she was silent, shadowing him to college and back, until suddenly—she erupted.
“I’ve had enough! Why do your parents glare at me? They don’t like me! And why don’t you spend time with me? Always studying or out somewhere!”
James was stunned.
“Because that’s life. No, they don’t like you—but they took you in. Your own family didn’t. Where’s the father? His parents? I study so I don’t flunk out. I work so we eat. I’m not here to watch soap operas with you.”
Lily burst into tears.
“Why are you being so cruel?”
“Cruel? I warned you—I don’t lie. And when are we filing the marriage papers?”
“I can’t go like *this*! Buy me a nice dress—high-waisted, so you can’t tell.”
“Are you serious? The registry office knows you’re pregnant. I’ve got cots and prams to save for.”
His mother stocked up on valerian drops, but slowly, she softened. Baby clothes caught her eye more often. Maybe it wasn’t so terrible. They’d manage. The girl might change after the baby came.
But Lily didn’t change.
When James came home from the car wash, grimy and exhausted, dragging a scrawny stray inside, she flushed with rage.
“You idiot! Why’d you bring that mangy thing here? Throw it out!”
James didn’t budge.
“No. She’s pregnant. She stays. Shut up and warm my dinner.”
“So that’s how it is?” Lily shrieked. “Choose—her or me!”
James frowned. “I live here. I don’t *choose*. She’s my cat now. If you don’t like it, leave. Even Mum never gave me ultimatums. Maybe *you* should stop glaring at everyone.”
Lily sobbed, raged, seethed with jealousy over a bony, patchy cat. Where had James even seen a belly? But soon enough—the belly appeared.
Exhausted, James fought off regret whenever it crept in. They’d endure. Lily would calm down after the birth. And sooner, the kittens would come. Fluffy bundles always soothed the soul.
But things unfolded differently.
The grandfather—the local bigwig—returned from a long business trip and found out. He tracked down his grandson, gave him an earful, and threatened to cut him off unless his great-grandchild was raised *properly*.
Lily left the college with the boy that same day, forgetting James entirely. Luckily, she had her documents—meant for the midwife. Her old things? Trash. She’d get new ones. And this pathetic college? Never setting foot here again.
James was crushed. Not a word. Not even a goodbye.
He threw out her things and sat in the dark, clutching his cat.
She understood. Pressed close, purring, comforting.
When her time came, James delivered the kittens himself, keeping his jittery mother and baffled father away. He murmured encouragement, monitored everything, his phone ready to call the vet.
Four kittens arrived safely. James changed the bedding, set out food and water. Exhausted, he finally slept, forgetting—that day was also his birthday.
He was seventeen now.
