Page 15 of Can We Try?

I furrow my brow. “Try what?”

“To raise this baby together. I want to be there, Maggie. For you and our baby. I want to hold your hand at appointments. I want to help paint the nursery. I want to spend hours picking out names. All of it. I don’t want to miss a single thing.”

“Really?” I ask, my voice cracking as I lose my battle with my tears.

Lachlan wipes at my cheeks with his thumbs. “Yes, really. We’re friends, Maggie. We shared a night together that I will always remember and not just because that night gave us our son or daughter. I could never forget you, and I want this with you. Sure, it’s unconventional, but we can do this, Maggie. We can raise this baby together.”

“You want to co-parent with me?” I ask, making sure that I’m understanding him correctly.

“Is that what it’s called? I want to be this baby’s daddy. My biological dad walked out on my mom when she found out she was pregnant with me.”

“Oh, Lachlan.”

“She met and married my dad, my father, not by blood but by love, and he’s been there every day since. I know what it takes to be a good dad because I had the best example. Besides, I have four best friends who will be there if I need advice. And you. You and I, we can do this, Maggie. So, can we? Can we try this? I promise you we’re going to kick ass at this co-parent thing.”

“I’m sorry. You don’t have to ask to be a part of our child’s life. I’m just… you’re not my ex, and that’s not fair to you that I would assume that you would push me away. I’m sorry for doubting you. Yes, we can do this. We can raise this baby. Together.”

I don’t know what I was expecting, but it’s not Lachlan to lean in and wrap his arms around me in a hug so fierce, it pulls the breath from my lungs. When he finally pulls back, he’s wearing a smile that lights up his entire face.

“Okay, tell me everything.”

So I do. I tell him how I’ve been nauseous, about my boobs hurting, and then the five at-home tests that I took, ending with the details of today’s appointment.

“When do you go back to the doctor?” he asks, pulling his phone out of his pocket and tapping the screen.

“The second week of August.” Reaching for my phone, I scroll to the appointment in my calendar and rattle off the exact date and time.

“I’ll be there.”

“You don’t—” I start, then stop. “Thank you, Lachlan.”

“This is my baby too. Do you need anything? I know you said you’ve been nauseous. What foods make it better or worse?”

“I don’t really know if there is any one thing that triggers it. What I do know is that it’s not just in the mornings. It seems to hit me at all hours of the day or night.”

“Maybe you should move in with me so that I can be there for you when that happens,” he muses.

“I’m a big girl and a registered nurse. I’m completely capable of taking care of myself.”

“I know, but you’re growing my baby in there. I should be there for anything you need.”

“Lachlan, think about what you’re saying. We’re not together. If we were to live together, think about how confusing that will be for the baby, when either one of us meets someone. I promise I’ll keep you as updated on my life as I possibly can.”

“Fine, but I don’t care what time it is, you text me. If you’re up at 3:00 a.m. call me, text me. Hell, come over. Just… I don’t want to miss any of it.”

Reaching over the cushion that’s between us, I rest my palm against his cheek. “You’re a good man, Lachlan Noble. Our baby is lucky to have you as his or her father.”

His blue eyes blaze. “We’re having a baby! We need to tell everyone. Should we call them now?”

“Actually, I was kind of hoping we could wait until I’m out of the first trimester. If something were to happen, if I were to miscarry, it’s more likely to happen in the first trimester.”

“What? What do you mean? Is something wrong?”

“No,” I’m quick to reassure him. “Miscarriages happen to many women, and I would rather just keep this between us for now, and once we’re past the twelve-week mark, we can tell the world.”

“How long is that?”

“I’m eight weeks along, so it’s a month from now. Can you keep a secret that long?”

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