Someone Else's Ocean

Ella smiled between us sensing our shared secret before her eyes lingered on her father who gave her a reassuring nod.

She lifted her hands. What’s the news?

Ian grabbed my hand and we beamed at each other before we both turned to Ella. “We’re pregnant.”

Ella’s smile disappeared, her face twisting in agony as she lifted her hands to sign.

Excuse me.

She shot up from the table unaware her water glass had spilled. I managed to catch it before it hit the floor and shattered and looked up to see Ian try to stop her with a hand on her arm while she tried her best to pull away. When she finally managed to get free, she began frantically signing.

“No,” he spoke and signed in unison, “You’re signing too fast. Slow down or speak.”

Her face twisted as her broken voice sounded out breaking both our hearts. “Congrats, Ian, you finally get a child of your own.”

“What?” Ian paled as I sucked in a breath.

Tears flooding her eyes, Ella leveled us both with her next words. “I know you’re not my father.”

Ian flinched as Ella faced him head-on.

“I’m deaf, not stupid, remember? You’ve been telling me that my whole life. Hey, Ian—”

“Stop calling me that!” He was smashing his hands together as he signed, pain twisting his features.

“Fine, Dad, how could you think I wouldn’t know? Haven’t you ever seen a picture of Daniel?”

Ian closed his eyes and I could feel the shatter in his chest from a foot away.

“I look just like him!” She was screaming, her voice faltering in heartbreak as she continued. “I have his face, his eyes! I’m not an idiot. All those months ago when you were sad, when you first came to St. Thomas, I saw you crying when you thought I wasn’t watching. The minute I met Daniel, I knew why.”

Ian slowly lifted his hands. You knew this whole time?

Ella slowly nodded. “So, it’s true?”

Ian’s tears were instant, the hurt on his

face etched in every line. “I’m so sorry, baby.”

Ella sobbed in our kitchen, her words coming out in an angry burst. “I hate her!”

Ian signed slowly. “You told her you know?”

“No, she was too busy kissing his dick until he broke up with her.”

“Language!”

“It doesn’t matter, I don’t care about her or him. And now I’m losing you because you will have this new family without me. I know you got what you want now. A baby of your own.”

“That’s not why Koti got pregnant, not for that reason.”

“You’re too old.”

“Now who’s the asshole? And I’m not too old, I’m still in my thirties until tomorrow.”

“Then why?”

“Because I love her, and I’m meant to be a dad.”