by Sarah Peis
Willa lay down on the floor and flopped her arms out to the side with a dramatic sigh. “So am I. And I’m married. Happily, I might add.”
“But I’ve just opened a business.”
“That you can still run just fine even while having a baby.”
“What if Oliver doesn’t see himself being with me for the long haul? Then I’ll be a single mom.”
She started laughing hysterically, hitting the floor with her hands and feet. “Shit, you’re funny.”
“I wasn’t joking.”
Willa sat up and snapped her fingers at me. “Look at me. You need to stop letting shitty relationships dictate the rest of your life. You live with the guy. One does not just move in with someone unless they are serious.”
“Technically, I didn’t move in,” I said, not really having anything valuable to add to the conversation.
“Now get your shit together and let me get excited about becoming an aunt. I know this was unplanned. And yes, you’re young. But at least then your body will recover quickly. And you can have another one,” she said, jumping up, way too excited about the idea. I definitely had to get the doctor’s office to remove her name from the list of people who were allowed my medical information.
“Okay. You have a point. And I’ll think about it. But I really need to work right now. And shouldn’t you be answering phones or something at Drake’s?”
She waved me off. “I always redirect the office phone to Jameson’s cell phone when I go out.”
“I bet he just loves that.”
“I always make it up to him,” she said and grinned.
Gah, I really didn’t need to know that.
“But I really need to go. I have to organize a date for the movers,” Willa said and got up.
“I thought you already moved all your stuff to Jameson’s?”
“I have. But I’m moving all of Landon’s stuff.”
I groaned. “Willa. Don’t do it.”
She ignored me and instead gave me her best villain grin. “This will be the best prank ever.”
She was gone before I could try to talk her out of it. Maybe now I would have time to get my head together. I had bills to pay and orders to organize.
And a baby on the way.
My head was still spinning from the baby news when Oliver arrived to pick me up. I had done absolutely nothing productive since he left.
“Hello, beautiful. You ready to go?” he asked when he walked into the shop.
I was busy sweeping the floor, my thoughts on what I had drunk and eaten in the last few weeks that could have harmed the baby. The list was getting longer and longer. Chloe had already left because she had a date. She nearly sprinted out the door when I told her to leave early. And really, who could blame her? I had been muttering under my breath for most of the day, achieving nothing.
“I ate sushi last week,” I responded and put the broom away.
“Okay. Are you saying you want sushi today?”
“No.” I shook my head, my hair flying every which way. “I’m not supposed to eat sushi. And then there was the Camembert I had yesterday. And the champagne. And the eggs you made two days ago had a runny yolk.”
“Maisie, you need to calm down. I’m sure the baby is fine.”
“I ate leftovers that had been in the fridge for over a week.”
“Everything is going to be okay,” Oliver tried again. But I wasn’t having it. I was in a state and determined to stay there.
“I also exercised two days ago. I even did two sit-ups. What if I squashed the baby?”
Oliver bit his lip, and I could tell he was trying hard not to laugh. “Exercise during pregnancy is good for you.”
“This is too stressful. I can’t do this. Maybe we should just forget about the entire thing. It’s too soon, anyway. We barely know each other. Adding a baby to the mix is a terrible idea.”
Oliver blanched, and that should have been my cue to shut the hell up. But I was in a tizzy, and I needed to get it all out before my head exploded.
“I’m also from a family with big ears.” I held my hair back to show him proof of my claim. “The baby would have large ears. Nobody wants big ears.”
I started pacing and continued to mutter under my breath.
“Can I talk now?” he said, his voice like steel. It had the desired effect. I stopped pacing and snapped my head to him. “I support you in whatever decision you make. But I want you to know that I’m over-the-moon happy about this baby. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. And I want a family. A big one. With you, in case you haven’t gotten that yet. Whether we start now or in ten years doesn’t matter to me.”
I burst into tears and flopped onto the sofa, because I really had nothing to say to that. I had always wanted kids. I wanted to get married right after college and start a family. It had always been my plan. If Ray hadn’t cheated, I probably would have been married and pregnant already. And I definitely wouldn’t be so jaded. I was with my dream man, finally having the baby I’d always wanted. Why was I fighting this so hard?
Oliver was there in an instant, sitting down next to me and pulling me to him, holding me tight. “We’ll figure it out. I promise. Let’s go home.”
I nodded in his chest, and he kissed my head. “Let’s lock up the shop. You need food before you make any life-altering decisions.”
Oh, how well he knew me already. Guess it wasn’t true that we barely knew each other.
We drove home, and Oliver ordered takeout on the way. He asked me what I wanted, but I didn’t even remember where he ordered from, I was so stuck in my head.
Once home, he led me to the living room, and I stopped dead when I cleared the doorway. The lights were off, and there were candles everywhere.
I turned to Oliver, who was watching my reaction. “This is beautiful,” I whispered, overcome with emotion for the man standing next to me.
“I wanted to do something nice for you.” He led me over to the couch. “Sit down, put your feet up, and let me spoil you.”
“When did you set all this up?” If he wasn’t working, he was either with me or sleeping. I wondered when he had time to do all of it.
“This afternoon. I just want to make sure you know that you mean the world to me. I love you. And I already love the baby we made.”
I burst into tears again thanks to the hormones cruising through my body. “This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me,” I wailed.
Oliver dropped to his knees in front of me. “This was supposed to be a happy thing, to cheer you up. Not make you cry.”
“I’m just so happy.” I sniffled, trying to get my emotions back under control. “And I want this baby. With you. I’m sorry I ever suggested that this was bad timing. Because there never is the perfect timing for babies.”
He broke into a wide, open smile. “You make me so happy. I love you.”
He leaned in and kissed me, keeping it short and sweet. The big smile was on his face once more when he pulled back. “We’re doing this, then.”
“We’re doing this,” I said as well, grinning big.
The doorbell rang, interrupting our moment. Oliver got back up. “I’ll grab the food. Get comfortable, I have more pampering planned for tonight.”
My eyes followed him all the way out of the room, and I wondered how I got so lucky. My next thought was that I had to tell the girls, so I got my phone out.
Me: I’m having a baby!!!
I then attached a picture of my face distorted into the biggest smile. Perfect. I hit Send and grinned, feeling like my life couldn’t get any more perfect right now.
Willa: Of course you are. Little Aldo needs to meet his aunt.
Willa: Congrats, Maize.
Stella: WHAT BABY???!!!!
Willa: You know I don’t like it when you shout at us like that.
Stella: SHUT UP, WILLA! TELL ME WHAT I MISSED IN THE EIGHT HOURS I’VE BEEN GONE.
Willa: Our little Maisie has joined the pu
dding club.
Stella: ???
Willa: She’s swallowed a pumpkin seed. Is eating for two.
Me: What she means to say is that I’m pregnant. And we are not naming the baby Aldo.
Stella: OMG!!!!! Congrats, that’s awesome! Why am I only hearing about this now?
Me: I didn’t know until Willa made me do a test today.
Stella: How far along are you? Is it Oliver’s?
Me: Why does everyone keep asking me this? I haven’t slept with anyone since meeting Oliver! Of course it’s his!
Willa: Anis?
Stella: Sounds like Anus.
Me: NO!
Willa: Agatha?
I glared at my phone but was saved from starting a full-on argument when Oliver came back in carrying takeout containers, plates, and cutlery.
“Sorry, I should have grabbed the plates and cutlery while you went to the door, but I got caught up talking to the girls.”
“Beautiful, I think I can manage to carry a few things. Now sit back down and let’s eat.”
I did as instructed, and he piled my plate high with the tapas he ordered.
“Everything okay with Willa and Stella?”
“They’re fine. Annoying but fine. How was your day? I can’t believe you got away from the office to set all this up.” I swept out a hand, indicating the room.
“There have been a few changes, which meant I suddenly had a free afternoon.”
I stopped eating and looked up. Every day I asked him how his day was, and he would always answer, “The usual.” Every single time.
“What happened?”
He looked up at me and put his plate on the table, then took mine and did the same.
“Something happened today. But I’m only going to tell you if you promise not to freak out. The stress isn’t good for the baby.”
I suddenly felt like running upstairs and hiding in the bathroom. “Just tell me,” I begged, wanting to get it over with. Like ripping off a Band-Aid. Nice and quick.
“I’ve been disagreeing with my parents for a while. And it all escalated when we visited them. This morning they called and gave me an ultimatum. Marry Lana and become head of the company, or they would cut all ties with me. I always tried to believe they would change. That they cared about Anna and me. But the way they acted when we visited them showed me that all they care about is money. So I needed to make a decision.”
I sat up straighter, my pulse racing. “Oh no, Oliver.” I didn’t think I liked where this was going.
“Needless to say, I told them that’s fine, I never wanted to lead Thorpe Holdings to start with. I only did it because it was the right thing to do and to keep the peace. They are my parents, after all. But if it means so little to them, then it shouldn’t mean anything to me. So as of today, I’m no longer CEO of Thorpe Holdings.”
Was it wrong that I was excited about this change? Not because he cut ties with his toxic family, but because he could finally breathe a little easier and not get calls at three in the morning because someone forgot he was in a different time zone.
“Are you okay?” I asked, trying to read his expression.
“More than okay. They were the conference call I had to get to this morning and why I couldn’t stay while you said goodbye to Stella. When I got back and found out you were pregnant, I didn’t think my life could get any more perfect.”
I threw myself at him, and he fell back on the couch. “I love you. And I’m so happy right now.”
He chuckled and held me close, kissing my nose, then my cheeks, making his way to my mouth. “And I love you. You are my world. And I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you and meet our son.”
“You don’t know if it’s going to be a boy.”
He kissed me, the food forgotten. And then we finally celebrated the start of our life together.
“What’s wrong with its face?” I asked in horror. “Is his nose missing? And why is his arm bent like that?”
“Your baby looks perfectly normal. No need to worry. And it’s okay for the arm to bend at the elbow. Yours does the same thing. Just try it,” our smartass doctor replied, calm as a cucumber. “Looks like you’re about four months along.”
“Four months?” I exclaimed. How was that possible? Maybe it wasn’t my missed contraception shot at fault here, because I hadn’t forgotten my appointment until about six weeks ago.
“I can’t give you the exact date of conception, but I can give you an estimate of your delivery date. The measurements are usually accurate.”
Why was the doctor still smiling? I hadn’t known I was pregnant for four months. I had to go back and figure out all I had eaten in that time. There was also alcohol on several occasions.
“Maisie, stop it. She said the baby is fine,” Oliver reassured me, knowing exactly what crazy thoughts were racing through my head at that moment.
“I’ve done a lot of terrible things the last few months,” I blurted out. “I ate cheese. And raw fish. And I drank. A lot of times.”
“Many people don’t know they’re pregnant for a few months. You’ll be fine. Your baby’s heartbeat is strong, and everything looks as it should be.”
“But how do you know I didn’t cause permanent damage?” I pressed.
“We won’t know for sure until the birth, but the chances of you having harmed your child are low. So relax and just take better care of yourself from now on.”
“Does that include exercise?” I asked, dreading the answer.
“It does. You can keep doing the exercise you’ve been doing up until now, but once you start to show, you should stop things like running, sit-ups, and such. It’s just common sense, really.”
“We’re okay, then, because the only exercise I’m doing at the moment is walking from my house to work.”
“You should probably add a little light exercise into your daily routine. I’ll get the nurse to give you some pamphlets on pregnancy yoga and water exercise classes.”
I nodded, but on the inside, I started crying a little at the thought of yoga classes. But I would do what it took to make sure my baby was healthy. And apparently that started with taking care of my body.
The doctor printed the ultrasound photos and handed them to us. “You’re all done. Make sure to set up your next checkup at the front desk.” She turned to Oliver and nodded to him. “Oliver, nice to meet you. And welcome to Humptulips.”
Guess he had another person’s approval. He really did have a way with people.
“Come on, I’ll help you get cleaned up,” he said and wiped the gel off my stomach. He then helped me sit up, and I pulled my clothes back into place.
We walked back to the waiting area, and I reluctantly took all the pamphlets they gave me and made another appointment. Oliver was standing next to me with a hand on my lower back the entire time, completely oblivious to all the stares he was receiving. And they weren’t just because he was fairly new to town.
I knew what some of those stares meant. And because it seemed to have worked last time, I dropped my hand and placed it on his ass again. Had to stake a claim early to make sure there was no doubt about who he belonged to.
We left the office, and Oliver took my hand. “I’ll drop you off at the shop.”
“I’m meeting Willa at Sweet Dreams first. Mind walking me there?”
“Of course not. I could use a coffee.”
The bakery was crowded as usual, but Willa was already sitting at a table in the back, her friend Nora in the seat next to her.
“I can see Willa,” I said and waved to my friend, who maniacally waved back.
“Call me when you’re walking back to the shop.” Oliver kissed my cheek.
“Nothing is going to happen to me on the way back.”
“Maybe I just want to hear your voice,” he said and kissed my lips this time.
I grinned at him and shook my head. “I’ll call you when I’m walking back.”
“Good. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I pulled myself away from his warmth and met the girls at the table. There was already a cup of hot chocolate and lemony thingies waiting for me.
“Hey, Nora, haven’t seen you in a while,” I greeted them and sat down. I liked Nora, having met her a few times while Willa was still living in her old apartment. She was her next-door neighbor, and both Willa and Stella had helped her out in the past with babysitting.
“Maisie, congratulations on the baby, that’s so exciting,” she responded and smiled at me.
“So, since I know you freaked out at your ultrasound today, I thought I’d bring reinforcements. Nora has had two babies, so who better to ask about the wonder of childbirth than her, right?” Willa cut off my thoughts and held her hands out to me. “Now give me the photos. I want to know what my little nephew looks like.”
I handed the photos over and shrugged at an amused Nora. “I freaked out, I won’t lie. And I probably have more questions than we have time for. But if you’re willing to stay for a little and help ease my mind, I’d be more than happy to offer my babysitting services.”
“Are you sure this is Oliver’s baby?” Willa asked and turned the ultrasound pictures every which way.
“For all that is holy, would you stop asking me that?” I exclaimed, throwing my arms up for good measure.
“Well, this looks more like you bumped uglies with an alien, not a GQ model. And why doesn’t he have a nose? Good thing Oliver has a lot of money. He can pay for reconstructive surgery.”
I snatched the photos back and put them in my purse where they were safe.
“Apparently the baby looks just like it’s mean to. Now shut up and tell me how adorable it is or you’ll have no chance of becoming a godmother.”
She huffed but relented. “Fine. It’s adorable. And I’m definitely going to be its godmother, whether or not it has a nose.”
I ignored her jab and turned to Nora. “So, is childbirth really as painful as everyone says it is?”
Nora laughed and nodded. She was gorgeous, her long black hair falling in waves down to the middle of her back. Her aquamarine eyes stood out brilliantly against her darker hair. I once commented on her perfect skin, and Stella told me her mother was Japanese and her dad Swedish.
