Chapter 1: Standing Alone

Meet Clover, She is going through a bit of a rough patch in her life. Here she is about to give birth, with no father in sight, with no real in come and in a brand new city. She doesn't even know where the hospital is. All of that isnt going to stop the baby from coming though, but we are getting a head of ourselves. Let's back up.

Clover was living in Los Aniegos when she met Michael, he was a free spirit, a very talented photographer and she fell head over heels for him. She had just started to work as a spell checker for the local news paper, her dream was to become a news anchor. However Michael had other plans.
While they were watching the stars together in their back yard he leaned in and whispered in Clovers ear.

"We should escape this city...."

"What are you talking about?" she giggled.
"We should move to another city, you and me, start a new life. I'm so tired of the people here." He kissed her cheek, and then her nose.
"You're serious?" she pulled away from him to look him in the eye, yes he was serious.

"I got a job in Jericho, I want you to come with me. I don't want to be without you." His eyes were smoldering.
Clover thought about her job and how she just had started to get to know the city, but when she felt Michaels hand around her lower back and his lips against hers. She knew she was moving the next day.

For the first few weeks, she didnt see much of Jericho. Whenever Michael was home they spent a lot of time in bed together. She was in heaven, They lived in a small apartment on the 10th floor right in the heart of Jericho. Space was a luxury they couldnt afford and the furniture a bit run down, but she was happy. She had Michael.

As the weeks dragged on, she had managed to get a small writing job at the local news paper in Jericho, but she has started to worry, she was late and when i say Late, you all know what that means. She started to backtrack her cycle and panic hit her. She was most likely pregnant. She decided to pick up a pregnancy test after work the next day, but as the morning sickness was already telling her what the test would do, Positive, she was pregnant.
At first she was shocked, what was she going to do? She had no good income, she had no experience with children, Michael was just getting on his feet here. Michael, she thought and her heart melted. A child with Michael, they would make it work, together. Deep down she knew she was going to keep it, she had always wanted to have children. The shock and worry slowly turned in to happiness and longing.

When Michael got home from work she decided to tell him, she was so happy. Beaming with joy, but Michael was not happy to hear the news.

"What?! I'm going to be a father?! Clover, are you crazy?!" I can't be a dad, how could you do this to me?!" He was furious, screaming. Neighbors that passed by gave them confused looks.

"Me? How did I do this to You?! You're also a part of THIS you know!" How dare he, Clover thought, its his baby too, she cant just magically conjure babies on her own.

"I thought you were on the Pill! I didn't sign up for this, You better get that fixed because I wont be a part of this, I just cant" Michael was upset and confused, he pleaded with her. But Clover wanted to keep the baby.

"That, isnt getting Fixed!" She screamed at him.

"Then I'm leaving you, I won't be a part of this, I have a say as well. You can stay here, I have another place I can stay at. I don't want to have children. " He spat out the last word, she was frozen. she didnt know what to say.

"and dont call me, If you keep it, it wont be mine" he whispered as he passed her.

"Don't go..." Was all she managed to get out when she saw Michaels back disappear through the door.

That night Clover couldnt sleep. The tears kept falling as she looked out over Jericho's dark streets.
What was she going to do now? She was alone, with none to support her. Was Michael right? Should she get rid of the baby? Her heart broke, no, she couldnt do that.

Clover had made up her mind, She was keeping the baby. With or without Michael, she was going to make it. Alone.