Relentless Pursuit

by Lulu Pratt

  I’m actually feeling a little excited. More than I am letting on to Carrie. The reason for my excitement is that Ben, Janet and their two sons are coming over for a barbecue later today. While they are here, I am going to tell them the big news.

  It’s been three months and we’ve been given the all-clear.

  I was once nervous to tell Ben, thinking that he would judge me. But now, I cannot wait. Ben and I used to be such good friends, and although we still are, a definite divide opened between us when he became a father. Now that I will have a child of my own, we can finally bridge that gap, once and for all.

  “When are they coming over?” Carrie asks, walking back to me, now that I have stopped threatening to throw her on the moon-bounce.

  “Any minute,” I reply. “The food is ready, the table and chairs are set up. All we need now are the guests.”

  I stop talking as I hear something in the distance. It sounds like screaming, and as I continue to listen, it gets closer and closer.

  “What’s that?” Carrie asks, hearing the same thing.

  I listen, my ears straining. Breaking into a smile, I suddenly realize what it is. The screaming is more akin to laughing, and I watch the side of my house, waiting for what I know is about to charge around the corner.

  It’s Simon, Ben’s son. He is screaming playfully as he charges across the backyard to me. The second he reaches me, I scoop up him and literally throw him across the gap between myself and the moon-bounce. He lands in it safely, laughing the whole time.

  “Hey there!” Ben calls out.

  He and Janet walk across the yard to Carrie and me. Tommy walks between them, holding his mother’s hand. Ben and Janet have been married for over ten years. I actually met her first and essentially introduced them, although Ben will never admit that. She has long red hair, big green eyes and a kind smile.

  “He came at me,” I say and I hold my hands up in defense. “I was worried for my safety.”

  “Oh, no,” Ben says as he reaches me. “Are you okay?”

  “I am,” I say, before leaning around Ben to face Tommy. He is only four, but is the spitting image of his father. “Hey, buddy. How’s my favorite guy?”

  “Good,” he beams up at me.

  “You want to join your brother on the moon-bounce?”

  Before he has a chance to answer, I scoop him off the ground, throw him over my shoulder, and carry him to the moon-bounce. There, I throw him inside so he can play with his brother.

  “I think they like you more than me,” Ben says, and he bites his lip as if in frustration.

  “Who wouldn’t?” I joke.

  The lunch is, of course, phenomenal. The chefs, again, have outdone themselves. Ben and Janet let the kids continue to play while we all eat and chat.

  As we eat, I talk about everything but the pregnancy. It is constantly on the very tip of my tongue, but the words just don’t follow. And it’s not that I am nervous. I just don’t know how I am going to break the news.

  I am sitting beside Carrie, and I love how easily she, Ben and Janet all get on. It’s as if they have been friends for years. I reach under the table and take her hand in mine, giving it a squeeze. I instantly notice that her hand is clammy and cold. Sweaty even.

  “Are you okay?” I whisper, making sure that Ben and Janet are distracted by the kids.

  “I don’t feel good. I need to go to the bathroom.” Without another word, Carrie pushes her seat back, hops to her feet and scurries across the yard.

  “What was that?” Ben asks.

  “I don’t know. I’ll be right back.”

  I jump to my feet, hurry across the yard and inside. Once inside, I head straight for the bathroom door, which I see to be closed. “Carrie?” I say as I reach it. “Is everything all right?”

  The obvious sound of vomiting echoes through the door. “I’m fine,” she yells out back to me. “Just a little—” She stops again, having been cut off by another bout of vomiting.

  She assures me again that she is fine and that I should just get back to Ben and Janet. I do, but I walk away from the door with some trepidation. I hate knowing that she is sick and in need of help. I want to be in there with her, holding her hand. Sure, it is only a little sickness from the pregnancy, but I still think of that as a pretty big deal.

  I pull up my seat and fall into it. I don’t even look at Ben or Janet. I’m too lost in my own head.

  “So,” Ben begins. “How long has it been?”

  “What?” I ask, and I look at him for the first time.

  He wears a goofy, knowing smile. Which he shares with Janet.

  “How long has she been pregnant for?”

  “What do you mean? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I am so obviously lying, but I don’t know what to say.

  “Please,” Ben says with a smirk. “You don’t think I recognize that look on Carrie’s face? She’s in there right now, blowing chunks.” Janet smacks Ben on the arm. “Ow. You know what I mean, though. She is pregnant. I’m right, aren’t I?”

  I look from Ben to Janet and back to Ben. They both have insufferable, all-knowing smiles, and I know that there is no point lying to them. More than that, there is no reason to. I want to tell them the truth and have wanted to for a while. This may as well be the way that they find out.

  “Yep, she’s pregnant,” I admit. “With our baby.”

  A tremendous weight falls from my shoulders as I tell them. The two clap and cheer, and Ben hold up his glass as a toast. I raise my glass too, smiling as I do, and I wonder why I was ever so worried in the first place. Both Janet and Ben are so happy for me, and I am happier than I ever thought I would be in my life.

  Chapter 41

  CARRIE

  Sitting across the table from Amy, I can’t help but think about how different this meal is from the one that Blake and I had with Ben and Janet.

  That was a much quieter affair, even with the children. There were a few drinks that I avoided. There was light banter and an all-around enjoyable time. But Amy is a whirlwind. She stormed into the house, screaming at the top of her lungs about how much she had missed me, even though I went for lunch with her only the week before.

  She demanded I give her a tour of the house and then was adamant that the two of us get smashed. I was able to oblige the first, but I had to work to dodge the second. I’d managed to avoid the subject of not drinking in front of her so far, but I was telling her tonight that I was pregnant.

  Our dinner is far louder than either Blake or I had anticipated, either. She chose the music, and it is blaring. She also bought vodka for us to drink, which Blake is drinking for the two of us, and she is even hinting that we go out after.

  Although Blake is obviously a little put out by Amy’s behavior, I can’t help but laugh. This isn’t really what Amy is like, not usually, anyway. She is just excited to see me and wants to get the most of me in while she can. She is only here for the weekend.

  “So,” she says, and she looks back between Blake and me. “You two are going to show me a good night, right? Take me to a Beverly Hills club, maybe? Maybe then I can meet a rich so and so, and get myself set up?”

  I still haven’t told her yet. I keep meaning to, but every time I am about to say it, she barrels forth with a comment about being single, or how she misses me, or how she can’t wait until I am back. I thought Blake was being silly for not telling Ben and Janet sooner. Now I see how hard it is.

  But Blake is my rock. He sees that I am struggling and reaches across the table and takes my hand.

  “So, Amy,” he says, turning to address her. “Carrie has something she wants to tell you.”

  “Oh,” Amy says. “Does it involve a reason why your glass is still full? Chug that drink, and then tell me.”

  “Actually,” I begin. I take a deep breath and prepare myself. It is time. “I can’t drink that, Amy. And I haven’t drunk anything all night. Blake has been drinking my half.”

  “What?”


  “I’m pregnant.” I say it quickly, and I hold Amy’s stare as I do. I want her to know that I am being serious for once, and that this isn’t a joke.

  She looks back from me to Blake. Blake is holding my hand, and he lifts it to his mouth and kisses it. I put my hand on his lap and give it a rub.

  “You’re pregnant?” She asks.

  “That’s right,” I say, with more resolution. “Definitely pregnant. With Blake’s baby, obviously. I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

  “Oh my God!” Amy screams. She leaps from her chair, runs around the table and pulls me into a massive hug. “I can’t believe it. This is amazing. This is wonderful news!”

  She has let go of me just long enough to get the words out. But now that she has, she pulls me into another bone-crunching hug.

  “You’re not mad?” I ask.

  “Mad? How could I be mad? My best friend is having a baby. Which means I’m going to be an aunt. Which means I’m going to cry.”

  And sure enough, tears begin to pour down her cheek. She bats at her eyes, trying to fan them off.

  “I’ll let you two talk.” Blake stands and heads to the bathroom.

  “Seriously,” Amy says as she calms down. She walks back to her seat, falling into it and letting out a long sigh. “I am so happy for you. My heart hurts.”

  “I’m so happy that you are. I was worried that you might not approve.”

  I look back to the bathroom door as I do. I don’t want Blake to overhear. Amy is aware of who Blake is, and if anyone is going to have it in for him, it’s going to be her.

  “Well, to be honest, if you had told me this before tonight, I probably wouldn’t be so behind it.”

  “Yeah?” I ask.

  I’m not that surprised. She and Blake have gotten on really well tonight, better than I could have ever hoped. It’s as if he knew he would have to win her over.

  “Well, yeah, after what he did.” I look over my shoulder at the still-closed bathroom door. “But he seems like a great guy. He’s handsome, he’s funny and he is obviously a good provider. Like what’s the deal? Are you two getting married or what?”

  “Whoa,” I say quickly. “Hold on there. We haven’t discussed that yet.”

  “Well, excuse me for thinking that two people having a baby together might be getting married,” she scoffs. “Either way, you mark my words. I know things, and I know people. I’m a hairdresser after all. And you two are going to be together for a while. Longer than that even.”

  “You think so?” I ask, unable to suppress my smile.

  “I know so. Forever and ever. You heard it here first. Now if you don’t mind.” She leans across the table and picks up the very full vodka-mixed drink that sits in front of me. “Seeing as you can’t have this.”

  She takes a big gulp and then another.

  I pay her hardly any attention. I look from the still-closed bathroom door to Blake’s empty seat, and I smile a big, goofy and unbridled smile. I don’t want to jinx it, and I have tried not to think of it, but as if Amy’s words have let the cat out of the bag, now I can’t think of anything but. I love Blake. Plain and simple, and I can truly see us spending the rest of our lives together. So much so that I don’t even bother to tell Amy about the pregnancy contract.

  I just hope that Blake feels the same way.

  Chapter 42

  BLAKE

  They probably think that I can’t hear them talking, but I can. It isn’t on purpose, either, but it just kind of happened. I finished up in the bathroom, washed my hands and went to open the door, and that’s when I heard them talking.

  And it’s not just because I hear them talking that I don’t exit the bathroom. It’s the content of their conversation that has caused me to pause. It’s about me. Well, more specifically, it’s about Carrie and me.

  Amy is saying that she thinks Carrie and me are perfect for one another, that we belong together and will be together forever. Not only is she saying it, but she is stating how certain of the fact she is.

  And what’s more, Carrie isn’t disagreeing. Even as I strain to listen, I can’t make out what Carrie is saying back. But judging from the way that Amy continues to talk, I guess it to be in the positive.

  I have thought for a while now that Carrie might be more than just the woman carrying my child. I have thought for a while now that I am slowly falling in love with her. Now I know her to feel the same way.

  I stand by the door for a few minutes more and continue to listen. When I hear that the conversation has changed direction, I take a deep breath and walk back outside.

  “What are we talking about?” I say as I enter the dining room. I don’t want them thinking that I overheard. “Anything interesting?”

  “Oh, this and that,” Carrie responds. As she does, I see a coy smile spread across her face, and she shares a knowing glance with Amy.

  “Hopefully, more of this and less of that,” I reply, sitting myself back beside Carrie.

  As I sit down, I reach across and take Carrie’s hand. I kiss the back of it and smile at her. I say nothing, but the way I look at her speaks volumes. She returns the look, too. We are both in love.

  “So, let me guess,” Amy sighs. “You’re doing all the work here, Carrie, while Blake puts his feet up for the next six months? He’ll start calling you the Baby Carrier soon.”

  Carrie snorts.

  I clear my throat. “Actually, Amy, if you must know, I would argue that I’m doing just as much work as Carrie, minus the actual carrying of the baby. In fact, if anything, Carrie is slacking off.”

  “Excuse me?” Carrie blusters and frowns. “Who was it that had to drag you to the bookstore to buy all those baby books?”

  “I agree,” I say. “But now that we have them, who has read the most?”

  “Well, that’s debatable,” Carrie says softly, and she looks away, unwilling to meet my challenge.

  I laugh. I know, too well, that I’ve read more than her.

  “Oh, baby books!” Amy squeals. “Show me, show me.”

  “Why?” I ask. “Planning on joining the fun?”

  “Just curious,” Amy replies.

  “Okay, one sec,” I get up from the table and hurry into the main bedroom where the majority of the books are stored. I pick up a handful and make my way back to the dining room where I offload them into Amy’s outstretched hands.

  “Hmm, What You Need To whatever. And Five Things You Never blah blah. Oh, and of course, The Most Important Thing that is totally common sense. All these books are rather presumptuous, aren’t they?” Amy shakes her head. “They just assume you’re a hopeless case who doesn’t know one end of a baby from the other.”

  “Ha, that was Blake before the books,” Carrie says.

  “Hey,” I cut in, as I pretend to get angry. “I was pretty sure that the head was located on the top of the baby. And these books just confirm it. Although I’m still not sure which end the diaper goes on.”

  “Okay, I admit I was wrong,” Amy says. “Clearly Blake is just as committed as you are, Carrie.”

  I actually have a surprise for Carrie that I have been waiting to show her. I organized it ages ago but have since kept it a secret. And now, considering the theme of the conversation, I figure it’s a perfect opportunity to show just how seriously I am taking this pregnancy.

  “Well,” I begin. “There is one more thing I can do to show you how far I’ve come. And I promise that by the end, even you, Carrie will be forced to admit that I’ve outdone you and outmaneuvered you in every way. You’ll be calling me the Baby Master.”

  “What have you done?” Carrie asks. She looks at me curiously, scrunching up her face.

  “Follow me.”

  I take Carrie by the hand and stand from the table. Amy follows, and I lead the two women up the stairs and down the hallway. There’s a room down at the end of it, located just off the master bedroom. When Carrie first asked about it, I told her it was a storage room. But it isn’t.
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br />   I reach the door, pull out my keys and unlock it. Once I hear the lock click, I slowly push the door open and step inside.

  “Ta-da!” I say.

  I smile in delight as I watch both Carrie’s and Amy’s faces drop in shock.

  The room is actually a nursery. I had it turned into one last week while Carrie was at doctors’ appointments and back at her old place getting a few things. She was gone for the day and I took advantage of her absence.

  There’s a crib in the middle, with a mobile dangling above it. There are stuffed bears, a stuffed elephant and a stuffed high-five emoji in the crib too. And the walls are yellow, a neutral color. Boy or girl, I can’t wait to be a father, and I hope that this proves it to Carrie.

  “Oh my God,” she exclaims as she takes in the room. “I can’t believe it. When did you do this?”

  “So, you like it?” I ask. The thought just occurred to me that maybe I should have asked Carrie to help me decorate it, and there is a small chance she might actually be upset.

  “Like it? I love it!” She rushes across the room and throws her arms around me.

  “So, ladies, does this settle the debate?” I ask with a broad grin.

  Amy raises an eyebrow and crosses her arms. Carrie kisses me on the cheek.

  “I suppose so,” Amy says with reluctance.

  “I don’t know what I can do now to catch up to you,” Carrie says, laughing. “Because, yes, you definitely win.”

  “All you have to do is have the baby,” I say. “And then we’ll call it even. Deal?”

  “Deal.”

  The three of us remain in the room for a few more minutes. Carrie continues to hug me, and Amy continues to watch us with a smile on her face.

  This whole fathering thing isn’t going to be half bad. And I cannot believe that I get to do it with Carrie.

  Chapter 43

  BLAKE

  It has been a long day. It’s been one of those days where even though the hours pass at a solid pace, there just seems to be too many of them. And indeed, today there was. I started early, getting up at six in the morning. And now, as the clock ticks onto eleven at night, I stroll through the front door, unable to believe how long I have been out.