Page 15 of Finding Jacob
“He doesn’t know. It was a one-night stand,” I blurted out. “I don’t know how I am about this to be honest.”
“Ah. Okay, are you going to tell him?” She came and sat beside me, taking my hand in hers.
“Nope. Oh, I don’t know. He should know, it’s only fair but I don’t need him to be involved, do I?”
“No, you’re financially stable and mature enough—sometimes—to do this alone. You have enough of a support network from your friends. But if there is anything we should know about the father, genetically, it helps in the long run.”
“Genetically?”
“You know, any kind of health issues in his family.”
She didn’t need to say anymore, I understood. I nodded and sighed. “Right, big girl pants up, and let’s get on with this. What do I do next?”
We discussed plans and she booked me in for a scan. We estimated I would be six weeks pregnant and with the wedding in another eight weeks, I was worried I might show a little at that point. I certainly wouldn’t be telling anyone, other than my close friends, that I was pregnant, although a very horrid thought ran briefly through my mind. I could do theholding my stomachor therubbing my backthat pregnant women do at the wedding, steal my sister’s thunder a little. I chuckled, not even I was that much of a bitch. Although…
I walked back to my offices, it was just my luck to be hormonal during the summer, although I should be thankful, I wouldn’t be heavily pregnant during the hottest months. Since I’d taken the home test, I’d read everything I could and I didn’t want swollen feet, imagining not wearing heels was terrifying.
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” I said, stopping so abruptly someone walked into me. I grabbed a tissue from my bag and dabbed at the tears.
“Are you okay?” I heard. I turned to see a suited gentleman.
“Pregnant,” I snapped back, not being able to stop the tone of my voice, even if I wanted to.
He raised his hands as if in defence and quickly walked away. I cried some more.
I was still crying when I walked into my office. Several people jumped from their desks, but I waved them away with a weak,I’m okay.
I grabbed my phone from my bag and sent a text.
Emergency lunch. Usual time and place.
I sent it to my girlfriends.
While I waited on replies, my office door opened. Nathan walked in with a coffee and a large box of tissues. He placed them on the desk and sat opposite me. He didn’t speak.
“I’m pregnant,” I said, knowing I’d tell him first. If anything, he was more like a best friend than an employee.
“I gathered. Does the father know?”
“Nope. It’s Jacob’s and Ido notwant you to tell him. I will, but when I’ve got my head around all this. What do you mean,I gathered?”
“Miserable, moody, sick all the time—I can smell it—and you do have a tiny bump.”
“I do not,” I replied, running my hands over my flat stomach. I didn’t have a bump.
“Maybe you’d just eaten then. Or need a shit.” Nathan smirked and pushed the cup of coffee towards me. “Are you really going to tell him?”
“Yes, it’s only right, but he doesn’t have to be involved.”
“He’s cross that you never got in contact with him, you know.”
“I did and he didn’t reply. If he’s so cross, why not message me? I don’t do games, Nathan.”
“Yet you are,” he replied gently. “He doesn’t have your number to call you, remember?”
I picked up my coffee and scowled at him. “I’m fucking terrified right now, so I don’t need a lecture.”
“I might buy one of those white padded suits, you know, that fencers wear?” I stared at him. “For when you start on me.”
