“How are you feeling?” Toby asks.

  “I’m okay. The morning sickness sucks, but I’m handling it,” I reply. I take a spoonful of the meal Toby has made and shove it into my mouth.

  “And Jake? Is he excited?” Toby asks.

  Guilt washes over me. I’d told Aria and Toby I’d tell him, and I still haven’t. I’ve emailed him and told him we needed to talk urgently. He hasn’t responded. He’s going to get the shock of a lifetime when he gets my message that I’m sending tonight because I’m telling him about the baby.

  “You haven’t told him, have you?” Toby asks.

  “I want to tell him to his face, but he’s not making it easy.”

  “Steph, he deserves to know. If I were in Jake’s position, I wouldn’t care how I found out just that you told me.”

  He’s right, and I know it. “I’m going to tonight once I’ve had my shower.”

  “Good plan.”

  “I’ll need you to set up your WIFI password and stuff on my laptop please.”

  “I’ll do it while you’re in the shower.”

  “Thanks.”

  We eat the remainder of the meal in silence mainly because I don’t want to talk any further. I’m exhausted and just want to crawl into bed and sleep. I head up to Jake’s room once dinner is finished, and I begin getting ready for a shower. I’m expecting my phone to be overloaded with orders and things as I only have data use for a few days and in order not to incur overages, I haven’t been checking up on things much, choosing to deal with urgent things only.

  After finding all my toiletries, I make my way into the bathroom and find all of Jake’s things still in the room. Closing my eyes, I can imagine him being in the shower, naked and covered in the foamy soap of his shower gel. His hands are roaming the strong muscles of his body. I remember how good they felt against my skin; his calloused palms caressing my skin. He was so skilled with his hands.

  Stop this. He’s not here.

  I strip out of my clothing and hit the shower. I climb beneath the water; it’s hotter than I expect so I turn it down a little. I shower but feel myself getting quite dizzy; my stomach pounds and my vision blurs.

  I need to get out of here before I faint. I don’t feel so good, and there’s no sexy doctor this time to take care of me. Shutting off the water, I step out of the shower, and my entire vision fades.

  “Steph.” The voice is faint and distant. I feel numb and tingly. “Steph.” The voice is clearer this time, and I open my eyes to find Toby leaning over me.

  “What happened?” I ask.

  “You fainted. There’s an ambulance on the way.” I try to sit up. “Don’t move.”

  Noise from downstairs is distracting, and I can hear movement towards the room.

  “Detective,” a man’s deep voice says.

  “Over here. She’s pregnant.”

  A green blur comes into the crowded bathroom as two paramedics begin to take care of me, but I don’t want them. I only want Jake. I wish he was here, damn it. I miss him so much.

  Jake

  I haven’t heard from Stephanie since her last email. I guess what she had to tell me wasn’t so important after all. I haven’t made the effort to contact her though, so maybe she simply just gave up. I’m still in no mood to talk to anyone, let alone the one person who broke my heart.

  And yet, thinking of her makes me instantly feel comforted even though she’s not really with me. She steadies my heart, and when I close my eyes, I can see her beautiful face in my mind. She’s as beautiful, sweet and gorgeous as ever.

  Perhaps I’ll try calling her now and see what she wanted to talk about. Maybe it might help this time pass. I only have another five weeks to go, and they can’t go by fast enough. Picking up my iPad off the desk, I dial Stephanie’s Facebook Messenger with no answer.

  Odd.

  She’s the one desperate to talk, and now she’s busy.

  Maybe she’s with a client. I’ll try again later.

  After playing a few games and making myself a coffee, I try her again.

  Still no answer.

  Now, this is really weird. Maybe Aria knows where she is. Yes, that’s it. She’s with my sister who will be talking her ear off about the pregnancy, baby names and other stuff ladies talk about.

  Dialling Aria’s Facebook Messenger account, she answers after a few rings.

  “Hey, what’s up?” her tone is shaky.

  “Hey, how are you?” I ask her.

  “Good, just at the hospital.”

  “What? Are you okay? Is the baby okay?” I ask.

  “I’m fine. The baby is just fine. It’s um...Steph.”

  Steph? What’s wrong with Steph?

  “What’s going on? Is she okay?” I ask.

  “Um well, yes she’s okay. At least we hope so. She collapsed tonight after having a shower, and an ambulance took her to the hospital. We’ve been waiting for hours. They’ve done tests, and she’s had a scan. They’re both fine. They’re worried the baby is growing on the small side, so they want to admit her overnight for observation.”

  Baby. What baby? “Aria, what baby?” I ask.

  “Oh, fuck. I wasn’t supposed to tell you this but Steph’s pregnant. She’s been stressed about work and stuff lately too, so the doctor thinks that it’s not helping the situation. The scan looks so cute though. I can’t believe you’re going to be a daddy!”

  Me? A daddy? What?

  “Wait… Slow down a little and go back to the beginning.”

  “How hard is this to understand Jake? Steph’s pregnant, it’s your baby, and it’s what she’s been trying to tell you for weeks, but you’ve been a jerk and haven’t called or emailed her back.”

  My heart slams within the walls of my chest.

  Stephanie is pregnant. That must’ve been what she wanted to tell me.

  My hands are shaking, and my mouth dries as the revelation sinks in.

  She’d told me she was on the pill.

  How did she get pregnant in the first place?

  Did she lie to me about being on the pill?

  “Is the baby okay?” I choke out.

  “As I said, a little smaller than they’d like but a good strong heartbeat. Stephanie cried because you missed hearing the sound of it.”

  “Aria, how far along is she?” I ask.

  “Twelve weeks.”

  Twelve weeks along and I’m only finding out now?

  “Hey, I have to go. They’re moving her to a room.”

  “Tell her to contact me immediately.”

  “I will.” A click tells me she’s hung up the phone. I run my hand across the beard on my chin. We were careful. How the fuck did this happen? The condom broke once, and we’d used six for Christ’s sake.

  I feel betrayed.

  Why didn’t she just come out and tell me? Is she scared I’m going to think the worst of her? I could never think that.

  Oh wait, I already have, and that’s why we’re in this predicament.

  We had one hell of an unforgettable night together, and I want nothing more than to go home and do it all over again before making her my girl. But now, she’s having my baby. This puts a spanner in my plans to seduce her.

  A ping on my iPad tells me I have a message. I open it and see it’s from Stephanie. Opening it, I read:

  Steph: Hey, I’m so sorry you found out from your sister. I didn’t mean for you to find out like that. Here’s the proof that I’m not lying to you.

  As I read, a photo appears of a baby scan—a black and white image with some distinct alien-like features.

  Our baby. A child who didn’t ask to be in this world and needs me to be a great dad.

  I’m mad as hell at Stephanie for not telling me first. Clenching my jaw, I don’t answer her message. I can’t right now. I’ll say things to her I don’t mean. I need some time to think things over. I need a plan on how to handle everything because right now, I’m a mixture of angry, betrayed and in love with a woman I’m not sure is available.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Stephanie

  I’m taken to the maternity ward at Hutt Hospital. My entire body has calmed down since finding out my baby looks healthy; a little on the small side but the doctor thinks that it’s because I’ve been unable to keep much food down.

  Thankfully there doesn’t seem to be anyone else in the room with me, but that may change overnight.

  I move off the bed I was brought up on and get into the one that will be mine. Sasha and Aria both help me get comfortable, and when I am, Toby enters the room.

  He smiles. “You doing okay?”

  “As okay as I can be right now. Jake knows about the pregnancy, and it wasn’t how I wanted to tell him. I was a little scared that something was wrong with the baby, but I’m glad all seems fine. Thank you all for being here for me,” I say. I do feel bad that they were here all day—literally.

  “No worries. We’re just glad you’re okay,” Sasha says.

  “Steph, you’re family. Speaking of, does your family know you’re pregnant?” Toby asks.

  “No. I wanted to tell Jake first.”

  I turn to look at Aria whose lips are trembling, her eyes filling with tears. “I am really sorry, Steph. I didn’t mean for it to slip out, but I was so worried about you.”

  “I know Ari, I know. While I’m a little upset that you told him, I am glad he knows now.”

  Toby frowns and his brows furrow. “You should’ve told him sooner.”

  “I know I should have. You don’t need to nag me about it,” I snap.

  “Toby, perhaps we should go and let Steph here get some sleep.” Sasha hugs me from across the bed, and our eyes meet. “Don’t listen to him. You wanted to tell Jake yourself and not via email. I get it, but he knows now.”

  “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.

  “Actually, yes, you all know him. It’s Jacob, Aria’s twin brother.”

  “When did you sleep with him?” Paula asks as Dad walks away and lets her hug me.

  “Toby and Sasha’s engagement party.”

  “Have you been well? Not too sick?” Paula asks.

  “Not too bad now that the first trimester is over.”

  My dad looks at my mum. “Perhaps we should rethink selling our house. I mean, we’re only buying the two-bedroom unit for us to move into. Maybe we could help Steph out for a while.”

  “No, it’s okay Dad. I’m living with Jake, Toby and Sasha.”

  “Jake?” My dad asks.

  “Same guy Dad, just his nickname.”

  “So, are you going to find out the gender of the baby?” Paula asks.

  “I’m not sure. That’s a discussion I’m going to have with Jake. It’s only fair he gets a say in this baby’s life.”

  “Mummy, what’s going on?” Hazel asks, pulling on Paula’s arm.

  “Auntie Steph is having a baby. It’s growing in her tummy,” Paula replies.

  “How did it get in there? Did she swallow it?” Skylar asks.

 

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