Page 11 of Against the Odds

Ian doesn’t reply but instead sits in awe as he watches my stomach move. We need to talk about this. I just don’t know where to start. I suppose the beginning is best but first I need to address tonight.

“Ian, I’m sorry for blurting out the news. I have spent the entire afternoon trying to figure out a way to explain this but nothing seemed right. Then there was the burnt dinner and you were standing there being so kind and completely unaware, and I just felt overwhelmed. Plus, the hormones are legitimately making it impossible for me to do anything rationally these days.”

“I don’t want to sound like an asshole here, Katy. Actually, I don’t even know how to respond. This is a lot.”

“Tell me about it,” I reply, rubbing the top of my belly.

The baby has stopped moving so he removes his hand and shifts in his seat, turning more to face me. I lean back, propping my feet on the coffee table. I feel like a beached whale but at this point in the pregnancy, I don’t care. The doctor said labor could start at any time. I’m hoping the early maternity leave will allow me to rest enough to make it through Felicity’s wedding.

“What happened in Vegas is so beyond my normal life. I don’t regret our night together, but as I sat on the plane, disappointment washed through me. We didn’t even exchange last names. Hell, I didn’t know if your real name was Hubert or something.”

At that quip he smiles and shakes his head. That seems to have broken some of the tension and he moves around so he’s in the same position as me, the glass of water sitting between our feet like a line drawn in the sand.

“It’s Ian. Ian Michael Wilkes. I’m thirty-five and originally from Oregon.”

“Nice to meet you, Ian Michael Wilks. I’m Katherine Marie Westbrook. My friends call me Katy. I am twenty-nine and originally from Washington State.”

We shake hands and the silence blankets us again. Before I can say something, Ian scratches the back of his neck, dipping his chin while his eyes stay fixed on mine. “For two seemingly mature and well-adjusted adults, we sure screwed things up, didn’t we?”

“No.” His brows furrow, a line forming between them making me think it’s a look he gives often. I wonder what he does for a living. That’s a topic we can address later. “What I mean is, I would never say this baby is from a screw up. We used poor judgment and should have used protection. Honestly, I feel like a hypocrite. I’ve preached to Rachel since she started puberty to always use protection.”

“I’m clean. Our night was the first time I was so caught up in the moment I didn’t use protection. I’m happy to get tested to put your mind at ease.”

Smiling I say, “It’s okay. That’s kind of how I found out about this guy. I went in to get tested and instead of finding out I needed antibiotics, I found out I’m going to need a boob lift at some point.”

There’s that line again and I laugh, realizing what I said. Waving my hand dismissively, I continue, “I plan to breast feed and from what I’m told some damage to the ladies may result. It’s okay though, really. I’m clean and confirmed that when I found out I was pregnant. I’ve not been with anyone except you in quite a while so I can guarantee this little one is yours. But, like you offered, I’m happy to do a DNA test at birth.”

“When are you due? God, this feels weird. Awful in fact. I hate that I wasn’t here for you. That I couldn’t help you out. I mean, you must have expenses and need things. We can go shopping. I’ll buy whatever you need.”

I shouldn’t want to scratch his eyes out but I do. Call it hormones or my independence taking over, but I’m a little offended he would instantly go to buying things. Is that what he thinks is important? Does he have no concept of what I need? What this baby needs?

“We’re fine. I have everything I need and will take excellent care of my child.” Pushing myself off the couch takes some effort but I manage and turn to face him, my hands on my hips and my heart racing. “Had the universe not brought you to Lexington, I would still be fine. We don’t need your money or anything. Since this is your child, I won’t keep you from being a part of his or her life, but that’s not something I’ll force on you. So, regardless we will be fine.”

The last few words are garbled as tears fall from my eyes and I gasp for breath. My head spins a little and I tilt on my feet. Ian is quick, jumping up to hold me upright before helping me back to the couch. I take a sip of the offered water and take two deep breaths.

“Thank you. I really should eat something.”

“Katy, I wasn’t insinuating you can’t handle this on your own. I need time to process this information. You’ve had nine months. I need nine minutes to wrap my head around it. I’m going to be a father.”

His openness is a relief and I am grateful for his willingness to process all that I’ve dropped in his lap. It’s the sadness in his voice that hits me the hardest. He’s right. I have had time to work through the emotions of the last nine months. I sit quietly sipping the water while Ian switches his position from resting his elbows on his knees to leaning back multiple times as he processes the news.

Mumbling a little to himself, he clears his throat and with his arms resting on his knees, he leans forward and looks off in the distance. “When we left Vegas, I was pissed at myself for not getting your number. For not finding out the name of the town or city where you lived. I knew nothing except that it was the best night of my life and you were gone. Seeing you today felt like a dream. How was it possible we know the same people and would see one another? But this, our baby... I missed it all. I missed the positive test. The doctor’s appointments. The ultrasounds. Cravings and emotions. I don’t know what to do here, Katy. I just want to dosomething.”

This is the man I met in Vegas. He was why I put my inhibitions aside and spent the night with him. And now, we’re in each other’s lives forever.

ChapterNine

IAN

I stayed at Katy’s for hours last night. We ordered pizza and sat on her couch, catching up. Like our night in Vegas, our conversation flowed easily. This time though, we spoke with purpose and to learn from one another. We are both from the West Coast and have siblings. Unlike most people our age, our parents are still married and living in the house we spent much of our childhoods in.

Sharing stories of our childhood and knowing how similar our lives were growing up, brought a sense of peace to my heart as the night progressed.

Other than family backgrounds, our lives have taken very different paths. Katy went from the gray skies of Washington to the sunshine of Texas for college. Her stories had us both laughing. She lived her college years in waves. Shy, outgoing and social, and focused on her classes. Her eyes lit up as she talked about that time in her life, and I remembered what attracted me to her in the first place. I only hope our child has that smile.

While Katy was going to parties and cramming for exams, I was already well into my armed forces career. It was in those years that I met Connor. Taylor and Grant too. It’s crazy that they’ve all ended up here in Texas going from one small town to another but then again, they were always like family.

Eventually, our conversation steered to the baby and all I’ve missed. Katy was open and honest about her fears. The guilt I felt as she spoke was overwhelming, but I kept it to myself. She made it clear there was nothing for us to feel guilty about. We didn’t know one another but we now have a second chance.

---