Checking Out (Girl Meets World)

Promise Me

"Hey, you." Sally says weakly as she stares at her youngest son. "When did you . . . Get here?" Her voice is soft and barely above a whisper. Sally had waken up two nights after Andrew had poured his heart and soul out when she was unconscious. Usually, things would look brighter, but they were just getting worse.

"Momma!" Arnie throws his arms around her neck as he lays beside her in the hospital bed. "You nearly missed Andrew's birthday. That would be bad. That would be bad, Momma." His voice is upsetting, but for once, Sally is glad she couldn't hear how heartbroken he was.

"I know, sweetie." Sally strokes Arnie's hair and kisses it softly. "Momma's sorry." Andrew leans against the far wall and looks at her. "Andrew, honey . . . Are you alright?"

Andrew nods slightly. "Just . . . Glad you're okay, Mom."

Sally stares at her son, not convinced  "Sweetheart . . . You sure?" She presses on. "You don't . . . . Seem okay."

"I am." He tries to assure her again. He pushes off of the wall. "I'm going to go get Maya. She'll want to see you." He leaves the room without another word.

The waiting room is cold from the night time air, and there's an icky feeling floating in the air. Maya, along with Riley, is waiting in one of those old dull colored blue chairs. Maya spots her boyfriend and slowly stands up. "How is she?"

Andrew shoves his hands in his pockets. "She's . . . Better."

Maya nods, understandingly. Riley looks at her friend and stands up. "I better get going . . . Call me if you need anything . . . Both of you." Riley's innocent eyes glance at Andrew before leaving in silence.

"Missy?" Mr. Turner looks at the pregnant teenager, now almost showing, as he sits at the island in his kitchen. "Sweetheart, are you alright?"

Missy nods and glances down at her stomach. "I don't even know who the father is . . ."

Mr. Turner looks at the girl and feels a sting of self pity for the child. she was just a child, and she sure as hell wasn't ready to be an adult. He takes a long sip of his coffee and walks over to the couch. He looks at the young girl, who avoids his gaze.

"Missy," He begins. "Regardless of who that baby's father is, you're it's mother -"

"It's not an 'it.'" Missy huffs. "It's a girl."

Turner looks at her confused. "How do you know?"

"I just do." Missy looks at him. "Mother's instinct." Mr. Turner nods understanding. "You know, Mr. Turner . . . This baby is gonna change everything, for the better. I know I'm not the most responsible person . . . But this baby isn't a result of a mistake I made. She's my baby, whether she likes it or not. She's mine. She's the first thing that's ever really been mine completely . . . She might not know her father, but that's okay. I can find someone willing to be her father - Do you think I'll ever find someone? I mean, being a teen mom . . . Most boys run and hide."

Turner looks at the girl once more. "Missy," he starts. "You're a bright girl. There would have to be a completely and utterly stupid man out there, and he's not going to take you - But that's his mistake. You're going to have this baby, you're going to get a good job, and you're going to be happy." He stops his encouraging speech when he hears her sniffing. "Missy?"

The pads of her fingers wipe under her eyes, tears forming. "I - I'm fine . . . It's just. . . You're more of a dad to me than my own father."

He's taken back, completely. He feels tears forming and a loap in his throat. This girl was now his family. She was like his daughter, and he was like her father. This baby was going to be like a grandchild to him. "I'm glad." Was his response. She gives a warm smile before saying good night. As he watches her leave, he truly thinks something so simple and yet amazing happened. Missy was growing up and becoming an adult, and she had thanked him for that. He was never going to forget that. Ever.