After having dinner, Clover helped clean up the dishes. Since she couldn't do anything that would help them financially, she could help around the house.
Becca and Reggie were at the living room, watching a show on TV. Levi was still seated at the dining room waiting for her to finish; he didn't think it would be appropriate to have this conversation with her alone in his room, as he didn't want her to feel uncomfortable.
He didn't also want his siblings to eavesdrop on their conversation, so the dining room was the most suitable place.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Clover asked, taking a seat next to him and sat in a way that they were facing each other.
"I want to talk about your pregnancy. I've thought about it and this seems like the best option." He went straight to the point.
"What seems like the best option?" She was puzzled.
"An abortion." He lowered his voice as he uttered the words.
"What?!" She honestly didn't know how to react or feel about his suggestion.
"I know that this is really hard on you, but you see this is the best option and I've thought about everything." He placed his hand on her shoulder and then made eye contact with her. "This is for your best interest." He let her shoulder go then relaxed back on the chair, letting his words sink into her mind.
She looked at her belly, her face was filled with remorse for the unborn child. It was innocent of what her father did but it's innocence didn't matter at all in this situation. The abortion seemed like the most rational thing to do given her situation.
"If you feel that's what is best for me in this situation, then I agree." He was happy that she didn't make this hard for him, but he was still worried.
"Is it what you want or you're just agreeing because I said so?"
"It is what I want." She said firmly.
"Are you sure?" She covered her face with her hands and started sobbing.
"Please don't make it harder than it needs to be." she said with a tear filled voice.
"I'm sorry." He wanted to hug her and comfort her, but due to her trauma he didn't know how she would react, rather he just patted her head softly from the back.
"You don't have to feel responsible for it. Blame everything on me, I'm the one that convinced you to get rid of the child. "
"No! You're not the one to blame."
He lifted her face up and cupped her face.
"And you're not also to blame. You're just a victim of circumstance. I don't want you to live with that burden for the rest of your life."
"Why are you doing this? Why are you helping me?" He used his thumb to wipe the tears off her face.
"I won't acknowledge myself as a saint and I don't really know why I'm helping you. If it were someone else I wouldn't take the responsibility of taking care of them as my hands are already full with my siblings. Honestly, I just want you to have a better life, experience happiness. I want you to see that there's more to life... " He took a deep breath then continued. "I can't honestly promise you that I could give you a perfect life but I'll try my best." He finally summoned the courage to hug her, hoping to make her feel at ease with him.
He hoped she wouldn't push him away, seeing as she always flinched when he came too close to her or tried to touch her.
He was relieved that she stayed still in his embrace but he could feel her muscle tense up.
"Thank you." She said softly.
He didn't say a word, instead he patted her head slowly.
Their moment was interrupted by Reggie walking in. He just looked at them, not exactly saying a word. He did what he came to do and went back to the living room.
"It's alright." He used his hands and wiped the tears off her face. "Tomorrow, we have to do an ultrasound scan to see the stage of the pregnancy and then we'll head over to the abortion clinic to see which method of abortion would be best for you." She just nodded in agreement.
"Lighten up, I have a surprise for you. " He stood up from his seat and she followed suit.
"What surprise ?"
"If I tell you, it'll ruin it. " He walked to the direction of a room that she hadn't really seen any of them enter before.
She followed him, as he led her to the front door. When they finally reached, he removed a key from his pocket and unlocked the door.
"This is your room." He opened the door wide, letting her see the interior.
The room was very spacious, she felt it was too big for her to stay alone.
"This is actually my parents room." She stared at him with a bewildered gaze.
"I don't think it's appropriate..." He cuts her off.
"I'm the owner of this house by inheritance and I think it's very appropriate if you stay here. Not only you though, Becca will also be moving in with you as she has started growing up. I know Reggie is her twin but he's also a boy, she'll be more comfortable having her own space. " As soon as he finished speaking she ran and hugged him out of excitement.
Levi didn't hug her back and just stood there frozen in place from the unexpected hug.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you." She said, continuously.
He just smiled at her and patted her head. I guess it was turning into a habit for him to always pat her head.
"I'm happy you like it." He said simply.
Clover felt surreal, she couldn't believe they were people out there who were this kind. She was a nobody and it didn't matter to him, as he took her in and treated her like family. She would always forever be in his debt.