“Alright. I’ll touch base tomorrow. I’m here to help you work out some talking points, questions, or whatever you need. Once you speak with Ella, I’d like to meet so we can discuss things, and see how you’re feeling.”
I nod numbly as Josh slaps me on the back, then watch as Gianna walks him to the door. When she returns, she collapses on the couch next to me, resting her head on my shoulder. “I don’t care what Ari thought she heard. I know Ella. She wouldn’t have cheated on you.”
“We haven’t laid out any parameters, so she’s well within her rights to be dating other people. I’m the one who assumed we were exclusive.”
“What if the baby is yours?” Gia asks.
I sigh, closing my eyes as I rest my head against the top of the couch. “Then why hasn’t she told me? As fucked up as this sounds, it makes more sense for her not to tell me because it isn’t mine. If it is mine, then I have to start asking why she doesn’t trust me. Maybe she doesn’t see this long term. Or she might not want me in Oliver and Violet’s lives. I’m not ready to find out any of those answers.”
“Whatever the answers are, we’ll get through this, big brother.”
I hum noncommittally as the migraine meds finally take me into unconsciousness.
ELLA
Ididn’t hear from Leo yesterday evening, which shouldn’t be concerning to me, but it is. There have been many days over the last few months where we haven’t spoken. But somehow, my gut is telling me this is different.
I tossed and turned all night. I know I need to tell him about the baby, but I’m damn scared. I finally had my first obstetrics appointment yesterday, and got to see the little kidney bean blob on the ultrasound. How the hell had I never known an early ultrasound like that is done via a massive wand that goes into the vagina? Certainly sent up a silent “fuck you” to my sister, who was undoubtedly cackling in Heaven as she watched me freak out about it.
Taking what Whitley said to heart, I confided in the OB about my fears. She was so encouraging. She explained that tons of miscarriages happen with no real understanding, and it doesn’t necessarily mean I will miscarry again. She recognized my fear over my age, and said I’ll have a few more ultrasounds during the pregnancy to ensure the baby is developing on track. With every passing year, a baby’s likelihood of being born with a genetic condition continue to increase. I couldn’t care less about that, honestly. A baby with Down syndrome or another genetic condition will still be a complete gift.
So, once I was home from work, I’dwaited for Leo to call or stop by. He’d gotten in the habit of eating dinner with us, and more times than not, sleeping over. When I didn’t hear from him at all, I wasn’t sure what to think. My mind spiraled through a thousand possible options. Maybe he’s sick. With family. On a date. With someone else. Having second thoughts about me. Doesn’t want the built-in family I come with. Somehow joined the Army again and immediately deployed. Logical? No. But once my brain starts to snowball, everything is fair game.
After basically no sleep, I’m in a foul mood when I drop the kids off at daycare. I’ve been able to send Violet a few times a week, and she absolutely loves it. As I climb out of my car down the street from the bookstore, I’m unprepared to cross paths with Leo. He looks no better than I do.
“Are you okay? Are you sick? Did someone die? Why didn’t you call me?” I blurt out, pregnancy hormones making me instantly on the brink of tears.
“No, no, no, and because I didn’t want to,” he snaps. His gaze is dark and guarded. He makes a pointed and long look at my belly. “Tell me, Ella. Areyousick? Areyouokay? Do you have anything youneedto tell me?”
I gasp, covering my mouth with one hand. Oh my God. He knows. “Leo. How did you find out?”
“What the hell does that matter? Is it true?”
I nod miserably, noting the pain that crosses his face. “I should have told you.”
“Who else, Ella?” he asks, his voice full of heartache.
“What?”
“Who else have you been sleeping with? That has to be the reason you haven’t told me. Because if that baby is mine …” he trails off, scrubbing a hand over his face, then shakes his head in sorrow, dropping his gaze to my feet. “If it’s mine, you must not want it to be with me. I can’t think of any other reason why you’d keep me out of the loop.”
“No,” I whisper. “That’s not it at all. I swear I haven’t been with anyone else, Leo. The baby is yours.”
When his eyes snap to mine, I’m unprepared for the anguish I see. “Do you not trust me? Don’t you see how gone I am for you and the kids? How long have you known?”
“A couple of weeks,” I admit hoarsely.
“Jesus,” he mutters. “I knew something was up, because you wouldn’t talk to me. You’d redirect my attention, or you’d seduce me. I guess it’s really all my fault. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice …”
“Leo, please,” I beg, reaching out to grab his arm. He snaps back like I’ve burned him. “I need to explain. There are things you don’t know.”
His eyes fill with intensity as he leans toward me. Dropping his voice, he hisses, “Oh, about the other baby you lost? Was that one even mi —? You know what? I can’t be around you right now, Ella. I need some space. I need to clear my head before I say something I can’t take back.”
Speechless, I watch through tear-filled eyes as Leo stalks down the street. Somehow I manage to walk to the bookstore, and as soon as Whitley sees my tear-streaked face, she runs from the café. “What happened? You look like you’ve seen a ghost!”
“Maybe I have,” I whimper, falling into one of the plush chairs I have by the romance book section. One of our regular cats, Honeycomb, immediately jumps into my lap to make biscuits. “Leo knows. He knows everything, Whit.”
“What?” she breathes. “Oh, El. What happened?”
