It was silly to think an inanimate object could tauntingly hold the entire trajectory of her life. Two lines or one? It would completely alter the journey she’d been making with Wraith. Cleo stepped back and leaned against the hallway wall.
They’d gotten married in a small ceremony at the clubhouse a few years ago. Cleo had never coveted the grandeur of a big wedding. She just wanted Wraith. It was actually him who’d insisted they have a ceremony. She would’ve been fine with marrying at the courthouse. Looking back though, she wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. They’d been surrounded by family. Not by blood, but family all the same.
Cleo glanced down the hall to the back door. Well, what used to be the back door. The doorframe was covered by a heavy tarp.Beyond that, was their new bedroom. It was still in the finishing stages, but it would be amazing with a separate bathroom and walk-in closet.
When the timer on her phone rang, she pushed off the wall and peeked inside the bathroom again. This wasn’t some crazy, out of the ordinary event. Married couples had babies all the time. Planned or surprise, it happened. But this was different. They’d had one conversation after they got married about having children. Cleo wanted to be honest, not only with Wraith but with herself. She wasn’t ready for a child. In a sense, she was still kind of one herself. There were so many things she wanted to do. So many experiences she wanted to live. Wraith hadn’t said a word during the entire conversation. And then his response was simple.
“Okay.”
He’d never actually said whether he wanted to have kids somewhere down the road. Dread washed over her as she stepped into the bathroom. This would change things. The life they were building would never be the same. Could she even be a good mom? She had zero experience on how to do it.
Cleo drew in a deep breath and exhaled as she grabbed the stick and looked down.
An overwhelming calmness washed over her. As if total clarity was settling in. She rested her hand on her belly, staring down at the two small lines. Without any forethought, she smiled.
Pregnant.
Cleo hadn’t realized how much she’d wanted it until the proof was staring back at her. Her vision blurred from her tears.
“I’m gonna be a mom,” she muttered, brushing her hand over her cheek.
A good one. The kind that loved unconditionally, protected at all cost and put her child above everything else.
“A mom.” She repeated.
And Wraith is going to be a dad.
She sucked in a breath and glanced up at the ceiling. It was probably best to wait for him to come home. It was a sensible andlogical plan. And one that only lasted five minutes before she grabbed her keys and rushed to the car.
The drive over to the clubhouse was only five minutes, but it felt like forever. A million things ran through her mind, but they all circled back to one thing.I’m going to be a mom!
Cleo pulled up to the clubhouse, parked out front, and stared up at the building through her windshield. It was her second home. Her refuge when she’d been rescued. She’d had no regrets moving out, but every once in a while when nostalgia struck, she missed those days.
She walked up the stairs, waving to the newest prospects stationed by the door. They’d always been cordial but none were overly friendly. She assumed it had to do with her husband.
She knew Wraith was at the clubhouse for a meeting. She’d hoped it was finished when she arrived but as she glanced around the room, it was clear it was still in session. She could wait.
No, I can’t.
Cleo didn’t trust herself not to blurt it out to anyone before telling Wraith. Decision made. She started across the room, waving to the women near the bar.
“Hey, girl.”
Cleo made a beeline for the back hallway.
“Cleo, they’re in a meeting.”
I know.
She nodded but didn’t slow her steps. Ace’s wing of the clubhouse had expanded in the last year to accommodate his new living arrangements. But the rules hadn’t changed. No one was permitted in that section of the building unless given permission or invited. Cleo always respected and followed that specific rule. Until now. Maybe it was the hormones. Whatever the case, she couldn’t wait.
The prospect manning the door stepped in her path and held up his hand.
“They’re in a meeting, Cleo.”
“I know.” She gave a curt nod. Any other time, she wouldn’t consider any interruption.
“I need to talk to Wraith.”
