Page 85 of Snowed In With The Second Chance Daddy

The Hawthorns too are ecstatic when they hear our news. The next family dinner, we announce we’re back together, I’m returning to Chicago,andwe’re expecting a baby. I’m surprised no one passed out from shock.

“You really are a Hawthorn, Trevor,” Ash slaps my boyfriend on the back.

Trevor flushes, but secretly I can tell he’s proud to be included in the fold, even if it is due to the fact that healsogot a woman pregnant by accident the way Ash and all three of his sons did.

They all had happy endings, though. Not a bad club to be a part of.

“So, when’s the wedding?” Dara rubs her hands together. “And when can I get started on the cake?”

“We’re taking things slow,” Trevor says. “Working our way back to it.”

Jarred scoffs. “You’ve already got a baby on the way. What’s there to work back to?”

It’s my fault we aren’t technically engaged yet. I told Trevor I want to have my next career steps underway first. There’s something I can’t shake about trading my career for being a wife. It doesn’t feel like me.

There are jobs, sure. But people aren’t going to want to hire me if I need an immediate maternity leave. And I’m definitely more tired than I used to be. Hard to motivate myself some mornings, especially the mornings where I’m hung over the toilet puking my guts out.

The next morning, I’m too overwhelmed by the nausea to even think about getting up from the bathroom floor.

I sit with my back against the wall, waiting for the next wave. I run my hand over my lower belly, the ever so slight swell.

“You’re worth it,” I grumble to myself.

And it’s true. My growing baby is worth all of it. As long as they’re all right, I’ll suffer.

There’s a knock on the bathroom door.

“Come in if you dare,” I mumble.

Trevor comes in with a plate piled high with toast. “A meal for a queen.”

“My hero.” Toast is about all I can scarf down in the morning. Can’t even have butter on it. “Breakfast of champions.”

He holds the plate out to me, and I take a slice, scarfing it down in three bites.

“Mm. Thank you.”

“Anything for you.”

I smile. “You heading out?”

It’s easier to get through this when he’s nearby.

Trevor adjusts the knot of his tie. “No, I’m not going in today.”

“Trevor, you didn’t go in yesterday. It’s fine. I’ll be okay here.”

Trevor sinks down to the floor next to me, suit and all. “I actually put in my resignation this morning.”

My stomach lurches. Not from a need to vomit or intense hunger, for once. From shock. “What?”

Trevor just looks at me, knowing I heard him.

“You resigned?! But your job–”

“I don’t need it.”

My mind is racing. “But what are you going to do, then? With your time? I mean, I guess if you want to be a stay-at-home dad, we can talk about that, but–”

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