Pushing the door open, I step inside. Her eyes find mine immediately, wide and filled with uncertainty, confusion. I can’t help but notice how vulnerable she looks lying there, the hospital gown swallowing her frame.
“Luka,” she whispers, her voice breaking.
“Seems we’re in for a surprise,” I start, trying to mask the chaos in my mind with a casual tone.
She looks at me, her eyes narrowing, “A surprise? Is that what you’re calling it?” She shakes her head, tears brimming in her eyes. “It’s not possible. You know it’s not possible. After the accident, they told me I couldn’t—”
“I know what they told you,” I cut her off, anger and frustration building in me. “But it’s happened. It’s a damn miracle or something. You’re pregnant, and we have to deal with it.”
Her eyes flash, anger replacing the vulnerability. “Deal with it? Deal with it how, Luka? How do you expect me to deal with this?”
I grasp at the anger because it’s easier than dealing with the fear.
A baby in my world?
Anger, violence, and hate. Those are things I can fight, things I can challenge. But the fear in her eyes, the uncertainty in her voice; those are things I can’t push aside.
Sophia’s attention snaps to the doctor, her eyes wide and desperate. “Are you sure? You must be wrong. Check again! I can’t be pregnant!”
The doctor’s face softens, and she places a reassuring hand on Sophia’s shoulder. “I understand your shock, my dear, but the tests are conclusive. The accident was a long time ago, and the human body has a way of healing. Sometimes, when we least expect it, life has a way of surprising us.”
“I didn’t think I could get pregnant, Luka,” she says finally, her voice low and husky. “After the accident, after what they told me, I didn’t think it was possible.”
I ignore her feelings, and the asshole in me snorts. “Yeah, well, apparently, life’s full of fucking surprises.”
Her eyes flare with anger, hurt.
Blyat!
The doctor interjects; her face says it all: this isn’t the joyful surprise announcement she’s used to making. “Mr. Ivankov, Sophia, I understand this is shocking news. It might be considered miraculous, given your medical history. But if this is not welcome news, you should be aware of your…options.”
“Options?”
She hesitates, her voice dropping as she chooses her words carefully. “Perhaps…the situation warrants you both to consider…whether or not you want to keep the baby?”
I nearly snarl, my voice dripping with contempt. “No one’s getting rid of my kid. There are no fucking options.”
Sophia’s eyes widen, and the doctor takes a step back, clearly startled by my outburst.
The room falls into a silence so sudden it’s almost violent. The soft chirping of birds from the TV seems to mock the storm brewing inside me.
“Excuse me,” the doctor says, her voice neutral but professional. “I’ll give you two some time to talk.” She gathers her papers and quietly exits the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
“I want to keep the baby, Luka.” Sophia looks at me, her voice muted after the doctor leaves. “But…you don’t have to be involved.” She looks so fucking lost.
“Did you not hear me earlier?” I choke on my words. “I do not abandon my responsibilities, Sophia, and I sure as hell won’t start now. Not with this.”
“But…what do we do now?” She looks up at me, worry in her eyes, and I feel a sudden urge to kiss those worries away.
“You really have to ask?” I say, a cold edge to my voice in spite of it. “We are keeping the baby. And you and me? We’re getting married.”
Her face goes white, shock written all over it. There’s guilt there, too, in the way she avoids my eyes.
“Married?” she finally husks out.
“Yes, married. You think I’m gonna let my kid grow up without a father?”
She finally meets my eyes, and the shock’s replaced by something else, something I can’t quite place.
