You’re teaching a seven-month-old about photosynthesis? Olivia asked one day, returning from school to find Maeve showing Lily the interior structure of a leaf. Early exposure to scientific concepts enhances neural development, Maeve replied madder. A factly.
Besides, she seems to enjoy the colors and textures. Indeed, Lily was reaching for the leaf with evident fascination, her small face alight with curiosity that mirrored Maeve’s expression. Spring edged towards summer, bringing finals week in a decision point.
Olivia had completed enough credits to graduate, barely, and with considerable effort, but what came next remained uncertain. The temporary guardianship would expire soon, requiring either renewal or a new arrangement altogether. On a warm June evening, as they sat on the cabin’s porch watching the sunset, which now came near midnight, Maeve brought up the subject directly.
You’ll need to decide soon, she said, her eyes on the golden pink horizon. Fall semester applications for the community college are due next month. Olivia bounced Lily gently on her knee, buying time to organize her thoughts.
The baby was sitting up independently now, reaching for everything within grasp, her personality emerging more clearly each day. I’ve been thinking about it, she admitted. College seems impossible with Lily, but staying here indefinitely isn’t a long-term solution either.
Why not? Maeve asked, surprising her. This cabin has housed three generations of my family. It could house yours as well.
The offer hung in the air between them, momentous in its implications. Before Olivia could respond, Maeve continued. The university in Fairbanks has a program for student parents, child care subsidies, family housing, flexible class schedules.
You could study environmental science, biology, or whatever interests you. She gestured toward the forest spreading below them. This land will still be here on weekends and holidays.
Olivia stared at her, struggling to comprehend what she was hearing. Are you saying you want us to stay? Permanently? Maeve shifted uncomfortably, clearly fighting her natural reticence. I’m saying you have options, more than you might think.
She reached into her pocket and withdrew an envelope. This came for you yesterday. The envelope bore Olivia’s name and the cabin’s address, the first mail she had received since arriving.
Inside was a letter from Mackenzie, her former best friend. Your parents finally told people the truth, Mackenzie wrote. Not by choice.
Someone from church saw you at the grocery store with Lily. There’s been drama, obviously. Your mom called me crying, asking if I knew where you were staying.
I didn’t tell her anything specific, just that you were safe. She says they want to talk to you. The letter continued with updates about their old friends, school events Olivia had missed, and finally, whatever you decide, I’ve got your back this time.
I should have done more when your parents kicked you out, I’m sorry. Attached was a note with Olivia’s parents’ new phone number. They had apparently changed it after she left.
They want to reconcile, Olivia said, her voice hollow. At least, my mom does. Maeve’s expression remained neutral.
That’s one option, she said carefully. You could return to your previous life. Or, she hesitated.
Or you could continue building the new one you’ve started here. Before Olivia could respond, the satellite phone rang from inside the cabin, an unusual occurrence in the evening. Maeve went to answer it, Olivia alone with her thoughts and the setting sun.
When Maeve returned, her expression was grim. That was Thomas. He had an unexpected visitor at his house today.
A young man asking questions about the teenage girl with the baby who supposedly lives out near his teaching route. Olivia’s heart stuttered. Did he give a name? Jackson Williams.
Said he’s been looking for you since he discovered through social media that you’d had his baby. Lily’s father, the college freshman who had blocked her number when she told him about the pregnancy, now suddenly interested in finding them. What did Thomas tell him, Olivia asked, holding Lily closer instinctively.
Nothing specific, but the boy was persistent. Thomas thinks he may have followed him part of the way here today. Might show up tomorrow.
The news landed like a stone in still water, sending ripples through the tentative peace Olivia had found. Jackson’s reappearance complicated everything. He had legal rights as Lily’s father.
Rights that could disrupt all their carefully laid plans. What do I do, she asked, suddenly feeling 17 again, young, scared, overwhelmed by adult decisions. Maeve sat back in her chair, her face thoughtful.
That depends on what you want, Olivia. Not what Jackson wants. Not what your parents want.
Not even what I want. Her gaze was steady. What future do you envision for yourself and Lily? The question hung between them as the sunset faded and the long Alaskan twilight began.
Lily, oblivious to the adult complexities swirling around her, reached for a dragonfly hovering near the porch railing, her face alight with wonder. The next morning brought exactly what they had anticipated, Jackson’s arrival. His car appeared on the long driveway around noon, the unfamiliar engine sound alerting them before he came into view.
Maeve had prepared for this moment with characteristic thoroughness. You don’t have to speak to him if you don’t want to, she reminded Olivia. This is private property.
He has no right here without invitation. But Olivia had made her decision during the night, after hours of consideration. I need to face him, for Lily’s sake.
Jackson Williams stepped out of his car looking nothing like the boy who had charmed Olivia at a party almost two years ago. He was thinner, more serious, his collegiate sweatshirt and neat haircut creating the image of responsible young adulthood. When he saw Olivia on the porch with Lily in her arms, he stopped mid-stride, his expression a complicated mix of emotions.
Live, he said, using the nickname from their brief relationship. I’ve been looking everywhere for you, that’s strange, Olivia replied, her voice steadier than she felt, since you blocked my number when I told you I was pregnant. To his credit, Jackson winced.
I know, I was an idiot. I was scared and immature and, God, is that her? Is that my daughter? His eyes were fixed on Lily, who regarded this stranger with cautious curiosity. Her name is Lily, Olivia said.
She’s nine months old. Can I, would it be okay if I held her? Maeve, who had been silently observing from the doorway, stepped forward. Why don’t we all sit down and have a conversation first? I’m Maeve Callahan, by the way.
This is my property you’re standing on. Her tone made it clear that Jackson was being evaluated and found potentially wanting. He nodded, suddenly looking younger and less confident.
They moved to the porch chairs, an unlikely quartet. Jackson explained that he had learned about Lily through a mutual friend’s social media post that mentioned Olivia and her baby being spotted in town. I realized what I’d done, he said, his eyes moving between Olivia and Lily, running away from my responsibility.
I’m not that person anymore. I’ve grown up a lot this past year. What exactly do you want, Jackson? Olivia asked directly, to be part of her life, to help support her.
He leaned forward earnestly to make things right. What followed was a complicated conversation about Jackson’s vision for their future. He had plans, plans that sounded reasonable on the surface, but revealed fundamental misunderstandings about Olivia’s current life.
I’ve got an apartment near campus, he explained. My parents are helping with rent. You and Lily could move in.
The community college has daycare. You could take classes while I finish my degree. And where do I fit in these plans? Olivia asked.
Besides being Lily’s caretaker, Jackson looked confused. You’d be taking classes too. We could make it work, Liv.
My parents feel terrible about how I handled things. They want to help. So your parents know about Lily? They’ve accepted the situation? Jackson shifted uncomfortably.
They’re coming around. They’re traditional, you know. But a baby changes things.
They want to meet their granddaughter. As he continued outlining his vision of their future, one where Olivia would essentially put her own dreams on hold to accommodate his education and career path, Maeve observed in silence, her expression growing increasingly skeptical. Only once did she interject, when Jackson suggested that his mother could help with child care, since she raised four kids.