“Don’t say that.” Unable to stop himself, he took her by the arms and turned her to fully face him. “You’re not a fuckup, Lilah. You’re so much more together than I was when faced with a similar situation, and you’ve handled it all on your own. You don’t have to keep handling it yourself, though. You’re not alone.”
“I know that. I do.” Her steady gaze confirmed her words. “But I also know my choices are ultimately my responsibility. I can’t lean on you, or anyone else, forever. I need to be the one in charge of my life.”
“I understand what you’re saying, maybe better than most, and that’s all I’m trying to accomplish. When I was seventeen, I wasn’t in charge of shit. Other people were steering my life, my choices, and I was mostly unwanted cargo. That would never happen to you because you’re not unwanted. You’re wanted just as much as this baby’s wanted.” He started to put a hand on her middle but quickly jerked it away and release her entirely.
No touching. Important rule. Un-fucking-breakable rule.
With that settled in his mind, he went on. “The people who might try to steer your life and choices really love you and care about you and genuinely want to help. But I aim to do whatever I can to keep you in the driver’s seat.”
“Because you know,” she said softly.
He nodded. “Because I know.”