“I only hope he can forgive me.”
“He will. Now, rest up, and we will be back tomorrow to collect you.” With another hug from her and one from Toby, they leave, and I turn to look at Aria. She sits down at my bedside.
“I really hope he’s not too mad at me.”
“I didn’t believe it,” my mum’s voice breaks through the room. “When I saw someone had the same name on the board as my daughter, I got curious. Now, I discover it is, in fact, my daughter. Why didn’t you tell me the news? Oh, I’m going to get another grandchild, that’s so exciting! I hope this one is a boy. Don’t get me wrong, the twins are sweet, but boy are they a handful.”
“Mum, I didn’t say anything sooner because I wanted to tell the baby’s father who now knows, and I wanted to have the twelve-week scan done first. I hadn’t decided what to do. I knew I wanted to keep it, but it was meant to be a joint decision between Jake and me.” I turn to Aria. “I messed everything up didn’t I, Ari? I should’ve done what Toby said and simply told Jake even if it was via email; he would’ve had more of a choice.”
She looks at me, and I burst into tears—fucking pregnancy hormones.
“Well, I know you should’ve told him sooner, hon, but I couldn’t force you to do it, and I know you’ve been trying, but yeah, you should’ve told him. I hope you can forgive me for breaking the news.”
“Yeah, I can. You’re my best friend, and there’s no way I can stay mad at you.”
“Stephanie, your dad and I found a nice little rental. It’s only one bedroom, but it will do for now.”
“Actually Mum, I moved in with Toby and his fiancée Sasha. Jake will be living there too when he comes home from deployment, and that way, he can be a part of the baby’s life even if we aren’t a couple.”
“Is that a wise option?”
“I don’t know, Mum. Maybe things will work out between us, or maybe they won’t, but I won’t know unless I try.”
My mum inhales and though she doesn’t say anything, I know she’s sceptical about my idea. “I’ve got to get back to my shift, but I will check on you soon. This has definitely been an interesting night. Can I tell your dad and sister?”
“Actually Mum, do you mind if I told them, please?”
“Sure. I’ll just keep it quiet.” She hugs me and then walks away. I turn to look at Aria. “You can go if you want to. I know you’re just as tired as I am if not more so.”
“I just want to make sure you’ll be okay.”
“Yeah, I will be now that everyone knows. Now we can prepare for this baby.”
“We should have a combined baby shower. It’ll be fun.”
I smile. “Only if you make your famous cookies.”
“Done.” She leans over and hugs me. “Don’t you worry about Jake; he’ll come ‘round. I promise.”
I hope she’s right.
For this baby’s sake.
Jake
I’m lying on my bed staring at the screen before me, taking in the black and white image. I’ve been staring at it on and off for days now. Not before long, I will return home and see for myself. It’s not that I don’t believe Stephanie’s pregnant, but I missed out on having her take the test and feeling the excitement along with her, and that annoys me.
It’s hard to believe there’s a baby on the picture in front of me; it rather resembles a blurry blob. I’m waiting to hear from Stephanie as she was having the official twelve-week scan today even though she’s almost fifteen weeks along.
One week and I go home to a family I can’t believe will be mine. I still don’t believe it.
After all, the night I walked away from her, there had been that other man at her place.
How do I know the baby isn’t his?
A ping upon my tablet and a message appears with a video. I open it. Watching the blob moving is incredible.
It is a baby. It’s not an alien.
I’m mesmerised by the screen, watching it move around. I smile as I see a limb stretch out and a tiny hand waving at me.
Smiling, I whisper, “Hi little one,” even though it can’t hear me. Touching the screen, I continue to stare.
Another ping and this time a message appears:
Steph: Hey, hope the video loaded for you. The baby is looking healthy now that my morning sickness has subsided. I have a few weird cravings like tacos and chocolate mousse. I can’t get enough of them. I think bubba likes Mexican food and has a sweet tooth, just like its daddy. I can’t wait to see you next week. There’s so much we need to talk about. I miss you. XX.
Does she seriously think that everything is okay between us?
She betrayed me in the worst way imaginable. Yes, she’s been great, sending me information about the baby so I now feel like I’m part of things, but I should’ve been part of it from the moment she found out.
Closing down her message, I ignore it, choosing not to communicate with her as this angry feeling bubbles within me.
I stand up and run my hands through my hair, pacing the floor.
She can’t seriously think that I’m okay with her betrayal, can she?
And my sister. I’ve got a few things to say to her too. We’re as close as siblings could ever be with having shared a womb together, but to find out she knew and never said anything sooner hurts. She should’ve at least tried to get Stephanie to tell me earlier. It shouldn’t have been kept a secret. We’ve never kept secrets from each other before.
Toby would’ve been smart, pressuring her to tell me about the baby; this much I know, but if he knew, why didn’t he say anything either?
Were they trying to get her to tell me and she was ashamed?
Am I right in thinking she might not be sure who the father is?
I want to be in a relationship with her. I was going to tell her just that when I got home, but now, I don’t know what to do. This baby makes things complicated, and it’s not their fault.
I’m not even angry she’s pregnant. I’m mad because she didn’t tell me herself. She let my sister do it.
These are all things we will be talking about when I get home.
A nice long conversation, starting with why she broke my heart.
Stephanie
I arrive at my sister’s house for one last dinner before they move. Tonight, I tell them all I’m pregnant. My stomach is twisted into knots as I walk up the driveway and enter the house. My mum barely contains her excitement as she races over to hug me.
“You’re looking better than you did a few weeks ago.”
“Thanks, Mum. I’m feeling a lot better, and I’m able to keep more food down too.”
“Have you been sick?” My dad asks, lifting a beer to his lips and taking a sip.
“Not just sick. Actually, I have some news. I’m pregnant.”
My dad leaps out of his seat and comes over to hug me.
“Who’s the dad? Do I know him? Why haven’t we met this guy who’s knocked you up?” he asks, a serious look on his face which breaks into a wide grin. I breathe a sigh of relief. I thought he’d be the one who would be disappointed in me.