A Lover's Lament

“It’s not a stupid question,” she says before easing my mind. “You and the baby should both be fine, but Dr. Bray wants you to come back into the office for a checkup in two weeks.”

My mind drifts toward Devin, and whatever else she was saying falls to the wayside. What will he think about this? Will he be excited? We just got back together … will he be ready for a baby?

Am I ready for a baby?

“You don’t have a choice.” Maggie snaps the phone shut and I look up. “Don’t worry,” she

says, “you went off into la la land, so I took the phone and wrote everything else down.”

“Thank you,” I whisper. Looking down, I stare at my still flat stomach and touch it gently.

There’s a life growing inside there.

A tiny little life that is half Devin and half me.

Tears well up in my eyes. “I’m having a baby,” I say, nearly choking on the words. “I’m going to be a mother.”

Maggie’s arms wrap around me. “You are going to be the best damn mother.”

“You think?” I ask, turning to her with a tremulous smile.

“I know it. Congratulations, mama. Now you just have to tell the daddy … and just so I’m on the right page, the daddy is Devin, right?”

“Yes!” I half shriek and half laugh as I slap her across the arm.

“Okay,” she says, holding her hands up in the air. “I had to check. I mean, I figured, but you never mentioned Devin forgetting to shield the dragon.”

“Shield the dragon? Where in the hell do you come up with this stuff?”

“Never mind,” she says, rolling her eyes. “So, I need to know when you’re telling Devin and when you’re telling your mom, because this is going to be a really hard secret to keep.”

“Maggie,” I warn, giving her my best authoritative eye. Good to start practicing now, right? “You can’t tell anyone, at least not until I give you the okay. Got it?”

“I’ll do my best, but promise that you’ll tell him soon, because … well, you know how I get when I’m excited about something.”

“I’ll tell him soon, I promise. We’re schedule to webcam again in a couple of minutes anyway.”

Maggie’s eyes light up. “I’m totally sticking around for this.”

“What? No, you’re not sticking around.”

“Is there any chance of some sexy times? Because if so, I’m sticking around for this. That boy of yours is fucking delicious, and I’d love to walk in and catch him naked on the screen.”

“Trust me,” I say, laughing, “there won’t be any more on-screen sexy times for a very long time. Now leave,” I say, chuckling as I tug her up from her chair, spin her around and guide her toward the door.

“You’re no fun.”

“Yes, well, I’m sure that Devin’s friend who saw my lady bits disagrees with that.” Spinning her around, I pull her into a hug, kiss her cheek and then open the door and politely shove her out.

“Wait!” Maggie’s arm darts out, stopping the door from closing. “What about Wyatt?”

My brows furrow. “What about Wyatt?”

“This is huge. You’re pregnant, Katie.”

“I’m aware,” I say with a smile. “But what does that have to do with Wyatt?”

Maggie shrugs. “Nothing … but you guys didn’t break up that long ago. And from what you’ve told me, he’s been holding out hope for the two of you getting back together. I’ve never been a fan of his, but I hope you’re planning—”