Page 72 of The Wife Deception
"Wanna try me?"
It was my turn to cross my arms. She shook her head, smiling. "Of course you'd do something like that."
I didn't like the person I was becoming, but if this was the only way to keep my child, then I would do whatever it took. "Exactly. And guess what, if you try to leave, I'll keep my promise."
"Asshole."
***
"Are we done?" I checked my watch. I had an appointment with the gynecologist to attend and I didn't want to waste anymore time in an inane meeting. Aire was five months pregnant now, and it was time for an ultrasound scan. I could barely contain my excitement. I had been looking forward to it ever since she told me about it.
Our relationship had reached what I liked to call cordial disdain. We hated each other in equal measure, but we had come to a compromise. Whatever we were going to do from the momenton was what was best for the baby. Nothing else matters. We could deliver and raise the baby together, but once the child was five years old, then we would talk again about divorce. It was a good compromise. It meant we didn't have to pretend to like one another, and we each didn't get in the other's way. I could do my thing and she could do hers. We hadn't spoken about seeing other people, but eventually one of us was going to find someone they liked and maybe we would have the conversation then.
I turned to the junior executives who had convened in my office. They all nodded that the meeting was over.
"Good," I said, rising and putting on my jacket. "Now get out of my office. I have somewhere I need to be." They all scurried out and by the time I was done switching off my monitor, grabbing my keys and phone, they were all gone.
The drive to the apartment was short, and Aire was waiting for me outside the building. The blue and white maternity dress she wore made her look motherly in a way that was a gut punch. Her baby bump was still small, but showing more and more every day. She had no right to look this good while pregnant.
As soon as I parked the car in front, she got in and sat in the front, her purse on top of the bump.
"Surprised that you're this early. Didn't you say you had a crucial meeting today?"
I did, but I rushed it because this was more important. "I work efficiently."
She nodded as though it was something she expected me to say. I wondered what other things about me that she saw in me that she thought were just Nolanisms. I was clearly an open book to her than I was to anyone else. There was something comforting in that, I guess.
We got to the doctor's office just in time for the appointment. I had to wait while she changed into hospital robes and then act as a simple observer as the doctor did the scan. As she was smearing the jelly on Aire's belly, I took Aire's hand in mine subconsciously. I might not like her, but she wanted this child as much as I did.
"Let's see what we have here," the woman said as she moved the scanner across Aire's belly. "Good. Good. Everything looks good. The baby looks healthy."
Aire and I had our eyes glued to the screen. I felt her squeeze my hand.
"Do you want to know the sex?"
We both nodded. Either of us afraid to speak.
"Good. good." She moved the scanner again and then pointed to the screen. "Look there. You guys are having a boy!"
Aire's filled with tears. Her hand squeezed mine even harder. "Wow," she said. "A boy."
I couldn't contain my joy enough to speak without crying. For some reason, it didn't feel realuntil I saw the heart beating. The baby kicking and moving inside Aire. I could not believe it. I was going to be a father.
After the scan was done, Aire went to change while I waited for the printing of the images. I couldn't wait to share them with the rest of the family. Ivy and Damien had teased me about me having a child and since they had theirs a couple of months ago, they were the most eager to know about my child.
A son. A boy.
Aire got out of the dressing room just as the images finished printing. She joined me for a talk with the OBGYN, who gave us some tips for the upcoming four months. Since it didn't seem like there was anything wrong and the baby was healthy, we didn't need to worry much. I held her hand the entire time that I didn't notice it until she swiped it away once we were leaving the premises.
"You don't have to do it all the time, you know," she said as we stood by the sidewalk.
"Do what?" I was confused as to what she was referring to.
"Hold my hand like we're lovers."
"Oh. Don't think—"
"Nolan!" Aire's eyes bulged with shock. She was looking at someone or something behind me. She said something like run, bun, or gun, but before I could fully parse her words, I heard thesound. It was a firecracker. Or was it a gunshot? Everything happened fast and slow, all at the same time. I turned around and saw a man in a hood and mask holding a gun pointed at me. At us. The finger on the trigger as Aire screamed. The gun fired. I was pushed to the side. By Aire? Aire. I tried to shield her, but it was she who was shielding me. Another shot and I was on the ground. The last sound I heard was of Aire. Was she okay?
