Baby Makes Three

I shook my head. “That’s all I can think about. I don’t know what to say.”

“How do you think he’s going to react?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, does he strike you as a family-oriented man? Have you ever heard him talk about wanting kids before?”

“No. No to both of those.”

“Have you ever heard him say that he doesn’t want kids?”

“Well, no…”

“So technically, you’re on neutral ground. That’s a good thing. Don’t be so quick to jump to conclusions.”

“I guess I never looked at it that way,” I said after a pause.

“You know there’s only one way to find out then, right?”

I nodded. “I’m going to need time to get to that point though.”

“Take all the time you need,” Libby said after taking a sip of her wine. “And you can stay here for as long as you need.”

“Thanks.”

“I think you should tell him sooner than later though,” Libby said. “Your absence at the office is bound to start raising some eyebrows, especially his.”

“If he asks you about me, please don’t tell him anything,” I said. “I just need some time…”

“Of course,” Libby said, giving me another hug.

“I think I need some more ice cream too,” I said. “You know, since I can’t have any wine.”

Libby laughed.

CHAPTER 25

Joanna

While I knew Libby had a point in suggesting that I should tell Anderson about my pregnancy sooner rather than later, it was far easier said than done. As the days went by, I still couldn’t work up the nerve. His calls remained unanswered, and my resolve continued to waiver.

“Talk to him,” Libby had said to me one day after she’d returned from work. “He asked me about you today, you know. He’s worried. I can tell.”

“I’ll tell him soon,” I’d said, although I had been saying that for several days already.

The next thing I knew, Sunday evening had arrived and I had Libby’s house to myself. Her cousin had come to town, and the two of them were going out to dinner and catch up with each other.

“You’re welcome to join us,” Libby had offered. “It’ll be fun, and it’ll do you some good to get out the house.”

But I’d turned down the offer, not feeling in the mood to socialize. “I think I’m going to do it tonight,” I told her. “I’m going to call Anderson. Maybe invite him over so that we can talk. Is that all right?”

“Yes!” Libby said. “In fact, I’ll even stay out. I can crash at the hotel with my cousin to give you two some privacy.”

“Thanks, Libby. I owe you big time.”

Yet as the evening wore on, the only call I had succeeded in making was to a Chinese restaurant to order some chicken-fried rice and eggrolls.

It’s still early though, I told myself. I’ll wait until the food gets here, and then invite him over to eat.