Page 224 of Check & Chase
“I’m fine,” I reply quickly, but even I can hear how unconvincing it sounds.
“Emma,” Mom murmurs gently, stepping closer and placing a warm hand on my arm. “Sweetheart, you do look a little pale. And you barely touched your lunch.”
“She’s right,” Patricia chimes in. “You’ve been unusually quiet today too.”
“I’m just tired,” I deflect, but the way both women are studying me tells me they’re putting pieces together.
“Tired,” both women repeat in unison, then look at each other with knowing glances.
Patricia’s gaze drops to where my hand instinctively rests on my stomach. “And not wanting to get on the ice. Feeling off all week.”
“Plus barely eating,” Mom adds, her voice growing more excited. “Emma, when was the last time you turned down seconds at dinner?”
Heat creeps up my neck as I realize how transparent I’ve become. “You two are like detectives—”
“Oh my God,” Maya suddenly blurts out, her eyes widening as she processes what she’s been hearing. “Emma, are you fucking pregnant?”
“I knew it!” Mom exclaims, clapping her hands together.
“Language!” Patricia scolds, though she’s beaming with excitement.
The question hangs in the air like a perfectly executed slap shot—direct, unavoidable, and game-changing.
Chase’s head whips toward me, his eyes wide with shock. “Wait, what?”
“Ma sick?” Ethan asks suddenly, his perceptive little eyes focused on me.
The backyard falls silent.
“Emma?” Chase asks quietly. “Are you pregnant?”
I look at my husband—this man who deserves to hear this news in private, in our own time. But everyone’s pregnancy radar has blown that plan to pieces.
“Yes,” I whisper, then clear my throat and repeat, “Yes, I’m pregnant. Five weeks.”
The reaction is immediate and overwhelming. Before anyone else can move, Maya is rushing toward me with tears in her eyes.
“Oh my God, Em!” she cries, wrapping me in the tightest hug. “I can’t believe it! Another baby!”
Mom starts tearing up. Richard grins like he’s won the lottery. Patricia looks delighted with the revelation.
“Baby!” Ethan declares, though he clearly has no idea what everyone is getting excited about.
Chase stares at me for a long moment, processing the information. Then his face breaks into the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen, and he’s crossing the distance between us in two quick strides with Ethan in his arms.
“Really?” he asks softly, placing our son down before bringing his hands up to frame my face. “We’re having another baby?”
“Really,” I confirm, leaning into his touch. “I was going to tell you tonight, after everyone left. I had this whole plan—”
“Screw the plan. We’re having another baby.”
“Another grandbaby!” Patricia exclaims.
“Baby?” Ethan asks again, looking between his father and me with growing interest.
“Yes, buddy,” Chase confirms, lifting our son into his arms. “You’re going to be a big brother.”
Ethan processes this information before breaking into a huge grin. “Baby!”
