Page 15 of The Secrets that Surround Us

“Call the office if you have questions. "Looking straight at Fiona, he gently places his hand on hers, and my jaw tightens. “Try not to stress. I’ll see you in a month.”

Thankfully, he leaves quickly after that, so I don’t have to sock the doctor in his face for seeing my love’s, perfect pussy. I take a deep breath to calm my anger. I’ll need it to figure out how to keep myself calm during these appointments.

Stepping out of the room, I wait in the hallway for Fiona and stare at the picture the doctor gave us of the baby. Right then I vow I’ll do anything for this bean and her mom. Even if that means not punching doctors in the face.

Chapter ten

Fiona

It’s been about a month since the day I called Hazel and informed Alex of my pregnancy. The next day, Alex and his brothers went over to my parents’ house and retrieved my stuff. There was no way I was going to face them. Not after the way my dad yelled at me while I was in the hospital. Or even the way my mom took his side, leaving me alone and homeless.

I place my hand on my stomach, I know I’ll never treat my child the way my parents have treated me. As if they only tolerate me, and if that’s only if I’m doing what they want. No, my child will explore the world, find their passion. Know that it’s okay to make mistakes, that their father and I won’t hold it against them. Speaking of the father, Alex has been a godsend. A rock I’ve been able to lean on, taking care of me and the baby. I’m not sure I was expecting him to be so attentive.

Today is the last day of the first trimester for me. Thankfully, I’ve been able to keep food down more and more. Actually, I’m feeling hungrier as time goes on. The doctor said that would happen as the morning sickness resolved itself. Speaking of food, my stomach growls really loudly, telling me it’s time to head to the kitchen.

Walking over the threshold, I freeze in place when I see Alex talking with Mateo. I look deeper in the room, and find Mateo’s girlfriend, Cecilia playing with her son Oliver, I’m drawn more to Cecilia and Oliver. That’s going to be me before I know it. Sometimes, I forget that I’m going to be a mom, but then the universe always has a way to remind me. And not just any reminder, but the kind that has me contemplating every plan I’ve made in my life.

“Fiona?” Alex calls me, breaking my thoughts on motherhood. I turn toward him, raising an eyebrow, silently answering him. He seems to understand because he continues, “You remember my brother Mateo from the wedding?”

“Yes. Hi Mateo,” I croak, clearing my throat so I don’t sound crazier than they probably already think I am.

“Hi, Fiona. Let me introduce you to my girlfriend, Cecilia and our son Oliver.” Mateo introduces me.

“I remember.”

No one else speaks for a beat, but Alex is giving me a goofy grin, which apparently is contagious because I grin back at him. When my eyes bounce to Mateo, though, he’s stoic as ever, confusing me, making it hard to read what is happening right now.

Finally, giving up on trying to read either of these guys. I sigh. “Alex, what is going on?”

Still grinning, he claps his hands together. “Well, you’re feeling better now and you know how you said, you wanted to concentrate more on your photography business before the baby comes?”

“Yes.” I wave my hand to encourage him to keep going.

“Mateo here came over to see if you could take some pictures of him, Cecilia, and a few of his employees for the gym.”

“For the gym?”

This time, Mateo doesn’t allow Alex to continue and interrupts to explain more. “Yes. I’m not sure what my dipshit brother has told you about me, but I own a gym. And I need help to market it.”

Looking him up and down, I don’t see why he needs my help in marketing. The guy is built like a bodybuilder. He doesn’t need me to do anything, he just needs to stand outside and people will flock to it. “You need help marketing your gym?” I ask, emphasizing the word you.

“Yes.”

My hands clench by my sides, because I think I know what this is. I’ve been telling Alex how my business has been struggling. That I’ve tried to find more clients to let me take pictures of their wedding, but now that I don’t have any connections with the main church in town, my prospects have gotten even smaller. Did Alex set this up? Is this a pity job? If I weren’t seething so much, I might’ve thought this was sweet, but I don’t want him to interfere with my business. It’s already hard enough having to run baby decisions by him, since you know he’s the father. Not being able to help myself, I ask, “Is this a pity job? Did Alex put you up to this?” I blurt out feeling a blush creep up the back of my neck.

Cecilia stands up, moving until she is standing right in front of me. She shakes her head. “No, Fiona, this isn’t a pity job. Alex didn’t even know about it. We saw a few of the sneak peeks of Dex and Hazel’s wedding photos and were hoping you could help us. We need to make this gym work, and as you know, running a business can be hard.”

My face burns with embarrassment. “Sorry.” I mutter. “I know how hard running a business can be.”

Alex turns to me. “Love, I didn’t ask him to do this, but I think it’s a great idea. Your wedding clients seem to be sparse right now. Maybe in between jobs you can help businesses with marketing materials.” He takes a step closer, and places his hands on my hips, towering over my five-foot four frame with his six-foot body. “Try it just for me.”

“Okay. I’ll do it.” I say as I take a step back from him.

I turn toward Cecilia and Mateo. “When do you want to do this?”

“Are you available in a few hours? Alex said he can watch Oliver while we do the pictures,” Cecilia explains.

I glance over at him, and he gives me a wink. “You know, for practice.”

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