“Actually, yes.” Chase comes into my office and sits down, waiting for me to take my seat again. “I need you to take Elizabeth’s role today.”
Chase smirks and I can tell he wants to make a joke, but he remains silent as he nods, accepting my offer.
“Great. Yeah, she called out today, which is odd. You haven’t heard anything from Dani about how she’s doing, have you?” I ask, knowing it’s a long shot, but since he’s been seeing Lizzy’s roommate for a few weeks now, maybe he could fill me in.
I haven’t come out and told him that Lizzy and I are dating, but he’s my best friend and knows me better than anyone else in the world. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know what’s been going on, especially after Karl’s outburst a week ago.
As I look up at Chase, waiting for an answer, his face suddenly turns pale, and his skin looks clammy as he shifts awkwardly in the chair. “Chase?” I say in a low tone. “Do you know something that I don’t?”
When he doesn’t answer, I lean closer to him over my desk, peering into his eyes.
“Alright,” he finally speaks, putting his hands up in front of his chest. “But don’t shoot the messenger. Dude…Lizzy is pregnant. Dani let it slip to me on the phone this morning on the way towork. I promised I wouldn’t say anything, but you deserve to know. I’m sorry you had to hear it from me.”
As he speaks, everything around us goes black. My mouth hangs open as I stare at him. “What?”
“I knew you’ve been sneaking around together for a while. I’m not blind.” He chuckles. “And it’s none of my business, but you’re my best friend, so I thought you should know what’s really going on.”
My entire world comes to a screeching halt.
Pregnant…She’s…pregnant.I don’t even know how to react. I appreciate him telling me, but this should’ve come from her lips, not his.
Without another word from me, I jump up from my chair, grab my briefcase and keys, and run out of the building, leaving Chase alone in my office. Once in my car, I pause for a moment, allowing the news to fully sink in.
Why the hell didn’t she tell me? Is this just her personality, lying and keeping very important news to herself? This isn’t some business deal we are dealing with now…This is my life, our life.
How long has she known about this?
So many questions are running through my head, but none will be answered if I just sit here in my car. With a clenched jaw, I shove my keys into the ignition and speed off out of the parking garage.
Breaking every traffic law in New York, I arrive outside of her apartment building within five minutes and sprint up the stairs. Normally, I’d feel weird showing up unannounced, but this isn’t any normal circumstance.
She is pregnant, and I want answers. I pound on her apartment door nonstop until I hear the chain lock on the inside of the apartment click. The door opens, and a shocked Lizzy stands on the other side, wearing pajamas, a thick, blue robe, and slippers.
Her hair is a mess, yet to me, she’s never looked more beautiful. Unfortunately, my visit this time is strictly business.
“Jon, what are you doing here? And why are you so sweaty?” Lizzy steps aside, granting me access, and as I walk inside, I begin blurting out questions rapidly.
“Why didn’t you tell me? How long have you known?” I begin to pace but notice her slight eye roll as she looks back at Dani’s empty bedroom. “Were you ever going to tell me?”
“Of course I was going to tell you.” She walks over and sits down on the couch, groggily rubbing her tired eyes. “But I was waiting until after things calmed down at work. I found out last night after Dani made me take a test. But wait, how did you find out?”
Sighing, I sit next to her now that I’m calmed down slightly. “Chase told me. I guess Dani let it slip to him this morning on the phone or something.” She scoffs as I reveal my findings.
“Of course she did…I can’t tell that woman a damn thing.”
“Don’t be mad at her,” I cut in. “I’m glad she told him. You’ve been working for my company for a year, and you’re aware that work never slows down. You should’ve told me last night when you found out.”
She buries her face in her hands and begins to cry. Instinctively, I take her into my arms. Yes, I was upset with her for not telling me, but I can’t stay mad at her, especially because I don’t understand what it’s like to be pregnant.
I’m sure it’s a lot harder than I think, and what she needs is someone to assure her that everything will be okay. This is my doing as well as hers, and I’d never dream of leaving her to do this alone.
Having a baby is just adding another aspect to our relationship; it doesn’t have to disrupt our entire lives. This could be a very good thing. I never expected to be a father and was too scared to be after seeing the trouble my own father went through.
But this could be my chance to break that cycle. My father was as good a father as he knew how to be on his own, but now I have a chance to fix his mistakes.
“Hey, please don’t cry,” I whisper to her. “Let’s talk about it.”
Lizzy lifts her head and wipes her tears away. “I’d really like that. I know I should’ve told you sooner, but this is all fresh for me as well. Jon, I’m terrified, and I wasn’t ready for it to be real. I can’t do this on my own.”
