Two Weeks (The Baxter Family #5)(49)

“It is.” The wonder of the night was wearing thin. Cole didn’t want to talk about this now. Not right before the dance. He wanted to be Prince Charming and she his princess. At least until midnight—when her aunt and uncle wanted her home.

These adult conversations could come later. They would come later.

But Elise didn’t let it go. “Liberty’s in Virginia, right?”

“Lynchburg. Yes.” He didn’t want to be upset. If talking about Liberty was important to her, then he’d go along. Maybe if he laughed a little. “So what you’re saying is”—he winked at her—“you’re thinking of going to Liberty?”

“No.” She laughed. “I’m for sure about NYU. I sent in my application, my service hours.” Her words came with all the confidence in the world. As if she was making more of a declaration than a response.

So where was this going? Cole turned into the Clear Creek High parking lot. “Then why all the questions?”

“I told you.” She was watching him. Really watching him. “If you care about it, I care about it.”

He nodded. “Okay. I get that.” They found a parking spot and he cut the engine. He still had hold of her hand. “NYU, huh?”

“Yes.” She didn’t blink, didn’t look away. A deeper meaning seemed to live in her answer.

Again, this wasn’t the time, but Cole could do nothing to stop the conversation. “Are you trying to tell me something?”

Her expression softened and she nodded. Just the slightest move of her head. “I’m not ready for a baby, Cole.” Her smile held an ocean of sadness. “You . . . you make it sound so wonderful and easy. You’ll stay with me. You’ll help me. And if things work out, maybe we’ll get married.”

“They will work out.” Cole had no doubt. “Okay, sure we’re young. And yes, I have plans to attend Liberty for the next eight years. But plans change.” The passion in his voice didn’t waver. “You and me, Elise, we would make it work. If we keep God at the center, if we follow His lead.” He paused. “Don’t you believe that?”

“I do.”

He leaned back in his seat. Her response took his breath. They were the words she would say to him one day if God allowed it. But it didn’t look like she picked up on the fact.

“I believe it.” She took a steady breath. “But not right now, Cole.”

“Why?” For the first time since she’d found out she was pregnant, Cole heard a voice loud and clear. Because she’s right. This isn’t the time. You barely know her. And the plans you had before you met her were good plans. He shut out the voice. “I told you I’m here for you.” He hesitated. He wished she’d never brought the subject up. They were supposed to be heading into prom. He forced himself to sound calm. “All my life I wanted to be like my dad.”

“He’s a nice man.” Her tone held the ring of longing. “The sort of dad I always pictured having.”

“Thanks.” Cole looked straight ahead and suddenly he wasn’t seeing across a high school parking lot. He was seeing his dad run to him when he got home from the fire station, swinging him up onto his shoulders or sitting down at the table to hear about Cole’s day. No question, Cole was who he was now because of his dad.

The man who chose to be his father.

“Your mom and dad want you to go to Liberty. Your dad, especially. He’s a successful man, Cole.” She exhaled. “He wouldn’t have cut his career short to marry your mom.” Her voice fell, and a sense of control returned to the moment. “It’s what he would’ve done in this situation if he had been your age.”

“No, it’s not.” Cole gripped the steering wheel and for a few seconds he looked out the driver’s-side window. Please, God, let her see how serious I am. He turned back to her. “My dad gave up his life to love my mom and take care of me.” Cole turned so he could face her fully. He pressed his shoulder into the seat. “I don’t have his blood in my veins, but he’ll be my father till the day I die.”

Elise still looked confused. “You really think your dad would’ve given up his school and training, at our age, to marry your mom?”

“Of course.” Finally she was getting it.

But instead she shook her head. “The timing was different.” Elise’s tone started to rise, but she brought it back down again. “Ask him, Cole. Ask your mom. What would they do in our situation?” She lifted her hands and let them fall into her lap. “Maybe your mom would’ve chosen adoption if she’d only been eighteen. And maybe your dad would’ve kept in touch. Been a friend to her. But I can’t see him giving up his calling to be a firefighter.”

Cole turned toward the windshield again. Was that what he was doing? Giving up his college career? His chance at being a doctor? Online classes were just as good. They had to be. At least for the first few years. Maybe he would talk to his papa. See if being in a classroom really mattered. He looked at her again, but he had no words. This was supposed to be the best night of his life.

He still wanted it to be.

She adjusted her position. “This baby, this pregnancy . . .” She put her free hand on her belly as her voice fell. “It’s my problem to figure out.” She didn’t look sad or upset. But there was no wavering in her tone. “I’ve been so confused, Cole. Some days I think about what you’re offering and it’s all I want. You beside me when the baby is born, the two of us making a life for ourselves. Getting married.”