Too Complicated (The Lewis Cousins 2)

Deciding that now was the perfect time, while things were easy and we were both kind of joking and laughing, I cleared my throat and took her hand in mine.

“I was going to wait until after we found out, but since what I have to say is true whether there is a baby or not, I’d like to get it off my chest now.”

Chloe nodded, but sucked her lower lip between her teeth nervously.

“Chloe, I love you,” I admitted, laying my heart on the line. “I think I fell in love with you in that stupid bar all those years ago. These last few weeks with you have been the happiest of my life, and if things keep going this way, my plan is to marry you.”

At her gasp, I assured her, “I’m not asking now, because I don’t want you to think I want to get married because of the baby. Plus, it’s too soon. We still have a lot to learn about each other. But, that’s where my heart and head are. I want you to know that I’m in this one hundred percent. I want to have a life with you, and with Chris, and hopefully, with children of our own, whenever that may be.”

I noticed her eyes fill, and the skin around her lips get red as she bit down, but I had to get it all out.

“I know you’re used to doing things on your own, and that your first instinct is to go off on your own and sort your head out. I understand you need to do that, but I hope you’ll understand that you don’t have to. I’m here for you, no matter what you need. So, even if you do take time to yourself to come to terms with whatever is bothering you, know that I’ll be there waiting for you when you’re ready.”

“Thank you,” Chloe said, taking in a shaky breath. “I can’t tell you how much that means to me. And, I’m sorry that I took my shock out on you that way. You didn’t deserve it, but I think I knew deep down that you could handle it without giving up on me, and I do appreciate that. Although, I promise never to do it again.”

She fiddled nervously with her gown, then brought her big brown eyes to mine. “I love you too,” she said, and I swear my heart soared at hearing those words. “I am used to dealing with things on my own, but I promise to try and come to you, rather than push you away. Okay?”

“Okay,” I said, the relief evident in my voice.

“Well, hello,” the doctor said as he opened the door and walked around the curtain. “I was pretty surprised to open my chart and see I had another Zahn girl as my patient.”

“Hello, Dr. Phillips,” Chloe replied. “I have to admit, I’m just as surprised as you are.”

“And who do we have here?” Dr. Phillips asked me.

“Reardon Lewis, sir,” I replied, shaking his hand.

Dr. Phillips eyebrows rose as he took us in.

“Another Zahn and Lewis, huh…”

“Yeah,” Chloe said with a nervous laugh, “We’d make a great soap opera.”

“Excuse me,” the doctor said as he moved closer to Chloe, bringing the machine with him.

Not wanting to get in the way, I moved to the other side of the bed and watched him spray some gooey gel on an apparatus. Luckily, it wasn’t the thing that goes in the vagina.

“Go ahead and lift your gown so I can get to your stomach,” he requested, then used the machine to spread the goop around on Chloe’s belly.

I saw her flinch, but at my worried glance, she smiled and said, “Cold.”

Seconds later a strange sound filled the room. Almost like a whooshing.

Chloe reached out and grabbed my arm, and I followed her teary gaze to the little monitor on the machine.

“That’s your baby’s heartbeat,” Dr. Phillips said, pointing to a small flapping thing on the screen.

It was like an out-of-body experience. My heart pounded, my head got fuzzy, and a bright light seemed to fill me from within.

I am going to be a father.

Chapter Forty ~ Chloe

The last couple days had been great. I’d felt a little bit of queasiness, but nothing unbearable, which was a relief. With Chris, I’d had terrible morning sickness for the first twelve weeks.

No, it wasn’t the baby that was making me nauseous, it was the fact that Reardon, Chris, and I were on our way to Reardon’s parents for dinner.

Sure, I’d met them on plenty of occasions, and they were very nice people. But now, not only was I the mother of their great nephew and woman dating their only son, but I was also carrying their first grandchild.