L E I L A N I
She looked at my hand, then at my face, a flicker of trust in her tear filled eyes. She leaned forward and rested her head on my shoulder, a small, trusting gesture that broke my heart into a million pieces.
I held her, my arms wrapped around her small, trembling body. I could feel the life growing inside me, a small, insistent kick against my ribs, a strange and powerful connection to the girl in my arms. I was a mother. To a growing pup. One I hadn't chosen, and one I hadn't known if I wanted.
She seemed to notice my belly which was growing unusually fast for a four months pregnancy. But I didn't care. She reached out a small, hesitant hand and placed it on my stomach. Her touch was light, a question mark.
"That's my baby," I said, the words feeling strange and true on
