The Nurse's Baby Secret

“I’m glad you had a better upbringing, Savannah.”

“It wasn’t always easy. My parents were crazy about each other. When my dad died, my mother was devastated and suddenly struck with the reality that she didn’t know how to do anything or how to take care of herself and me.”

She paused, took a sip of her water. “While my mom devoted herself to me all day long every day, my dad worked, took care of the finances, the house, everything.”

“That must have been hard on her, and you, after he died.”

“Looking back, I think she would have had a mental breakdown if it weren’t for having to take care of me. She pulled herself together and did what she had to do. She got a job at the school where I went so her schedule would be the same as mine, and then she babysat in the evenings and on the weekends. Everything she did, she did for me.”

Charlie couldn’t imagine. Had his parents ever done anything for him? Maybe. He was probably being too harsh. After all, both of them had given up their lives because of him. Perhaps they’d felt they’d already sacrificed enough. Plus, he’d had glimpses of what he’d craved from time to time from his mother. She’d be having a good day and would take him to the park or read him a story. Those times had been far and few between, but they had occasionally happened.

“You were lucky.”

“Did your mother work outside the home?”

He shook his head. “She might have been happier if she had.”

“I can’t imagine being happier having to leave your child.”

“Do you plan to keep working after the baby is born?”

Her brow furrowed. “Of course I am. I have bills.”

“I’ll give you child support, Savannah. Enough that you wouldn’t have to work if you didn’t want to.”

She shook her head. “That would make me completely dependent upon you. I’d never do that. I can take care of myself and this baby. I don’t need you or anyone.”

She was right. She could, and would, take care of herself and their child. Her words stung, though. Not that he didn’t know she didn’t need him. He did know that.

Maybe he’d always known deep down. Although he and Savannah had been perfectly in tune, he’d always known he wouldn’t stay and that she’d be fine. Maybe that was why he’d felt so safe letting their relationship go on as long as he had.

“I’ve no doubt any judge will award you a great deal of support, Savannah.”

She traced her fingertip over the rim of her water glass. “I’m not going to take you to court, Charlie. All I want from you is our baby. Nothing more.”

Which was just as well, because all he had to give her beyond that was money. Although she would make do and would provide just fine for their child, there was no reason for her to struggle to do so. They’d cross that bridge closer to the time for the baby to arrive. For now, he didn’t want to argue with her.

“Our baby is lucky to have you, Savannah.”

Glancing down at her plate, she shrugged. “Our baby will be loved, Charlie. Always.”

“Like I said, our baby is lucky to have you.”

* * *

Had Charlie’s parents not loved him? More and more, Savannah found herself wondering about the couple who’d brought Charlie into the world.

He was such a high-functioning person that it was difficult to see beneath the super-successful layers to the inside she was beginning to think wasn’t nearly as whole as she’d once thought.

Unable to resist, she reached across the table, took his hand in hers. “Our baby is lucky to have you too, Charlie.”

He winced. “We both know that isn’t true.”

“Regardless of where our relationship is now, Charlie, there is no one I’d rather be the father of my child than you.”

He pulled his hand free. “That’s crazy. There are a lot more desirable genetics out there than my screwed-up ones.”

She shrugged. “Possibly, but I stand by what I said. You are an amazing cardiologist who genuinely cares about people, a brilliant man who sees things more clearly than most, a beautiful man with a body most men would envy and most women would desire to have their way with.” She could feel the heat burning her cheeks as she spoke, but she pushed on because he needed to hear the truth. “You’re fun, witty, and make me laugh—or at least you used to,” she clarified. “All those are traits I hope our child inherits.”