Chapter Eight: Standing Strong
Months had passed since the storm had hit Favour's life. The first weeks had been unbearable. Tears, whispers, nights of fear, and the silent weight of judgment. But slowly, slowly, Favour learned to breathe again. Favorite had been her rock, her protector, the voice that reminded her she was not alone.
The baby was growing, and with every movement inside Favour's womb, she felt a strange mixture of fear and hope. Fear because of the past, hope because this life—this little heartbeat—was hers to love, hers to protect.
One evening, as the sun sank behind the city skyline, Favour was resting on the couch when a familiar voice echoed through the phone.
"Favour… it's me. Anthony," the voice said, hesitant, unsure.
Favour froze. Her heart tightened. Favorite, who had been sitting beside her, tensed instantly.
Anthony's voice was different now, soft, almost pleading. "I… I've been thinking. I made a mistake leaving. I want to… I want to come back. I want to be there for the baby. For you."
Favorite's eyes flared. "You want to come back? After everything you did? After leaving her when she needed you most?"
Anthony swallowed, audibly. "I… I was scared. I didn't know what to do. But I've changed. I want to make it right."
Favour's hands clenched into fists. Her body shook, but not from fear—this time it was anger, and pride, and the memory of every tear she had shed alone.
"You left me," Favour said slowly, voice steady despite the tears in her eyes. "You abandoned me. You abandoned your child. Do you have any idea what we went through? What I went through?"
Anthony's silence spoke louder than words.
Favorite leaned forward, voice trembling with righteous anger. "You think saying 'I'm sorry' makes up for the nights she cried alone, for the shame she endured, for the mockery, the whispers, the fear? You think you can just show up now?"
Anthony faltered. "I… I didn't know how to—"
"You didn't care enough to try!" Favorite snapped. "You left! And now you expect her to let you back in after every single thing we faced?"
Favour's tears began to fall, but this time they were not just tears of pain—they were tears of strength. "No, Anthony. You are not part of this child's life. Not now. Not ever. My baby will never know a father who ran away. You are not welcome here."
Anthony stammered, words failing him. "Please… just… let me—"
"No," Favour said, firm, unwavering. "We've been through hell. Favorite stood by me. Mama and Papa never left me. And I will protect my child. You don't get to decide what happens here."
Favorite reached for Favour's hand, squeezing it. "You see, Favour? You are not alone. Not for a second. He has no power here."
Anthony's voice broke into whispers. "I… I just… I thought…"
Favour shook her head. "You thought wrong. Goodbye, Anthony."
And with that, they hung up.
---
The days after Anthony's attempt to return were bittersweet. Favour felt a wave of relief. Relief that she had chosen herself, her baby, her family. Relief that no one could shake what they had built together—safety, love, trust. Favorite stayed by her side, holding her through every sleepless night, every sharp kick of the baby that reminded her of life moving forward despite past pain.
Faith and John visited often, bringing food, vitamins, and words of encouragement. Faith would sit beside Favour, hand resting on her growing belly. "This child is a blessing," Faith would whisper. "A new chapter. And you are strong enough to raise them right."
Favour smiled softly. "I will, Mama. I will raise this baby with love. With strength. With hope. Just like you raised us."
Favorite, ever faithful, would nod. "And we'll be there. Every step. We won't let anything hurt you or the baby."
Favour's belly grew larger each day, and with it, a quiet pride. She began talking to the baby, whispering promises no one else knew:
"You will be safe. You will be loved. And you will never know the pain of abandonment like I did."
She laughed softly one morning when the baby kicked fiercely. "You're strong, aren't you? Already fighting for yourself."
---
Weeks turned into months, and Anthony's attempts to reach them dwindled. He left voicemails and texts, but each one was met with a firm rejection. Favour and Favorite had learned something important: life is not about forgiveness for those who do not deserve it. Life is about protecting what matters most—family, love, and trust.
Faith noticed the change in her daughters. Favour walked taller, her gaze steady, her laughter returning slowly. Favorite's protective smile never wavered, and together, they became a shield for each other, a force that no outsider could pierce.
Even the baby seemed to respond. Every kick, every small movement inside Favour's womb felt like a heartbeat of resilience. A life growing stronger in spite of the past.
One evening, as the sun painted the room golden, Favour rested on the couch with Favorite beside her.
"The baby is kicking again," Favour said, smiling through tears. "I can feel it. So strong."
Favorite laughed softly. "Just like their mother. Already stubborn and fearless."
Favour stroked her belly gently. "We survived, Favorite. We survived everything life threw at us. And this little one… they'll have a better life because we did."
Favorite leaned her head on Favour's shoulder. "And Mama and Papa will be there too. We are a family. No one can break us now."
Favour nodded, tears spilling over, but they were tears of hope now, not despair.
Outside, the world kept moving, but inside that small home, a new life grew—a life surrounded by love, protection, and lessons learned the hard way. Anthony would not return, and that was not pain—it was victory. They had survived abandonment, shame, and betrayal. And now, they would thrive.
Favour whispered softly to the baby, as if speaking directly to their heart:
"You will never know weakness. You will never know fear. You will know love… and you will know courage."
And in that quiet, golden room, surrounded by family, Favour felt it: for the first time in a long time, life was finally gentle again.