Page 63 of Nanny for the Damaged Ex-SEAL

I step in. He stands in the entryway with his hand on the door. Then he closes it slowly, as though he still cannot believe I’m here. I walk into the living room, and I stare over at the table where I used to help Ethan with his homework. A wave of emotions washes over me, but I hold back the tears and sit down on a sofa. He takes a chair nearby and sits. His legs apart, elbows on his thighs and his palms clasped.

We don't speak for several seconds, then he breaks the silence. "Did you see my calls and messages?"

I nod and put my hands on my knees. "I did."

He nods. "I just wanted to hear your voice. I wanted to know how you were doing."

"I'm pregnant," I blurt out. I can't hold it in anymore.

His elbows slip off his lap. "What. What? What did you just say?"

I start to sniff. "I'm pregnant. I don't…"

He stands up and joins me. He puts his hands on my shoulders. I rock gently. His hands still feel the same. I still feel safe like I did before. I feel like everything will be okay. But nothing is okay. I'm breaking down.

"Shh," he says, pulling me into him.

I don't protest. I don't resist him. I fall into him as though I've been waiting for this. Maybe I have been. I can't do this without him. I can't. I’ve tried to, but I can't. He doesn't say anything. He just holds me and lets me spill out my emotions through the tears.

After a few minutes, he wipes my tears off my cheeks with the backs of his fingers. He pulls the center table closer and sits on it, facing me. Holding my hands, he looks into my eyes.

"Have you been to the doctor to confirm?"

I nod. "I went with Bria just to make sure."

He lets out a whoosh of air. "Okay. Okay.” He looks like he's trying to make a decision.

I sniff and look down at our hands.

"We’ll keep the baby."

I look up sharply. "What about Dad and Amy? What about money to take care of a baby? You have Ethan already, and your pension isn't much. I’m out of a job again. I don't want to put this burden on you."

He detangles his hands from mine. He hunches his back and puts his right hand on his lap. "Money isn’t a problem."

"What do you mean, money isn't a problem? Your pension from the Navy isn’t a lot. You had to take a job at the gym to supplement your income. I know this house makes you look well off, but you told me you inherited it."

He smiles and I wonder why this is his reaction. This is not a time for smiling.

"I took the job at the gym because I didn't want to be sitting around alone, stewing in my thoughts. It wasn't good for my mental state back then. You’ve noticed how I splurge sometimes, and you’ve never approved. Do you remember what I always told you?"

"You always said you could handle it."

"That's because I can. You know I go out for business a few times a week."

I nod and look at him.

"I own real estate. I've got several houses in Long Beach and a few apartment complexes. I didn't only inherit this house. I also inherited millions of dollars and a real estate business that has been thriving since. Your dad's been helping me with it. He’s a successful agent, and he’s helped me a ton to keep my father’s business alive. I have plenty of money, Aria. So, trust me, I can afford to take care of this baby. And as for your dad and Amy, we'll have to go talk to them. This isn’t about any of us anymore. It’s about the baby now."

I shake my head in objection. "No. I can't. It was bad enough when they found out about us being together. They'll cut us off completely if they find out I'm pregnant."

"We don't have a choice. We're keeping the baby, and they have to know about it. I think we should go right now. Bite the bullet. Get it over and done with."

My heart starts to race anticipating the tsunami that's about to take out what’s left of my life.

Chapter 24

Connor

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