Page 53 of Nave
“I’m not of the mind that keeping tears in is ever a good idea. Are you… conflicted about it?”
“About the baby?”
“I think I was at first. I mean… the idea that it will be part Ben. But it’s not. It’s not Ben’s. It’s mine.”
“It is,” I agreed. Ben didn’t deserve another thought, let alone any consideration when it came to this future child.
“So, no. I’m not conflicted. Just maybe a little… overwhelmed. There’s something alive in there,” she said, looking down at her stomach. “That’s… weird. I mean, wonderful. But also… weird.”
“Right?” I asked, glad to hear someone else say it. “It’s a miracle and all that shit. But also… kinda freaky.”
To that, I got a snorting laugh.
“And you’re not even the one carrying it.”
“Did you want kids?” I asked. “You know… before all this.”
“Well, before Ben, I think I was too young to really give it any thought. I just wanted a more stable life. And during Ben… God. I didn’t even want to think about that. A baby was the complete antithesis to everything Ben liked: cleanliness, quiet, order. He would never have wanted this. He wouldn’t have… allowed it. I never really gave this any thought. What about you?”
“I think I’ve always wanted a kid or kids. You know… eventually.”
“I think you’d make a great dad.”
“Yeah?” I asked, bringing her hand up to my lips to kiss the back of it. “You’re already a great mom. You’ve done everything in your power to get a better life for your baby.”
“Thank you.” She reached for the gown and folded it up with a deep sigh. “I guess I should get this part over with.” Her lip curled.
“Can’t imagine this part is pleasant.”
“I think I deserve a milkshake after this.”
“You got it,” I promised, giving her a smile before moving out of the room.
I gave her a minute to change before calling the doctor over.
“You two are great together,” Dr. Kinsey said, all smiles, as she reached for the doorknob. “Don’t worry. I’ll be quick. Then I’ll get your girl back to you, Daddy.”
With that, she was gone.
Before I could correct her.
And I wasgoingto correct her.
Right?
But I wouldn’t deny it; it felt like there was something right about what she’d said.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Lolly
I had the first picture of my baby in my purse.
Nave had a copy in his pocket.
The doctor, it seemed, didn’t have all the details right about my whole, you know, situation. She clearly thought Nave was the father.
And for some reason, neither of us corrected her.
