I’m pregnant.
Launching myself off the toilet seat where I’ve been sitting, I pump a fist in the air and whoop. We’ve actually done it. Created a new life. My cheeks feel wet and I realize I’m crying. I was so afraid we’d never get here, and there’s still a lot that could go wrong, but we’re on the way to becoming parents.
I can’t wait to tell Seth. He’s going to be so happy. Even better, I don’t have to pay for another round of IVF, or suffer through the injections and hormone swings—although being pregnant comes with enough of those as it is. My hand falls to my belly, and I smile so widely my face hurts.
“I’m going to take good care of you, little one. Thank you.” I send my gratitude out into the universe.Thank you.
Everything I went through to get here feels worth it. All the vitamins and healthy eating. Abstaining from alcohol. Taking a chance on Seth. It’s all worth it because of the tiny human who’s utterly dependent on me.
“I love you,” I tell my baby. “I love you so much.”
The squeal of the electronic bell drags me back to reality. I’m in a toilet cubicle, clutching a pregnancy test, and due in class two minutes ago. I shove the test back into the box and dump it in the rubbish bin, then wash my hands and rush out.
Hours later, I know I taught those kids something, but I can’t for the life of me remember what. All I recall is making plans in my head and wondering how best to break the news to Seth. In the end, I opt for the direct approach, and head straight to Crown MMA Gym. It’s off a busy street, and I swerve into the parking lot and circle twice before finding a space. Then I hurry inside, kicking off my shoes in the doorway because Seth has a weird thing about people training barefoot. He’s standing beside the ring with his back to me, supervising a pair of guys as they spar. One of them I recognize as Jase, who lived with Seth and me briefly during the early days of our relationship until he got established as a professional fighter. He was a good kid, and it seems like he’s grown into a good man, with great taste in women. I met his girlfriend, Lena, the other night, and she reminds me of Harley in a lot of ways. Feisty, but more upper crust.
Pacing across the floor, I pay no attention to the men who check me out. Some will remember me from before. Many won’t. But MMA gyms are testosterone-fueled environments and I’m used to the glances.
“Hi,” I say as I arrive behind Seth. My instinct is to launch myself at him, but I don’t want to shock him if he doesn’t realize I’m here. Unexpected physical contact is dangerous in a place like this.
He turns, and his face creases in a smile. “Ash. What are you doing here?”
“Can I talk to you in private?”
His smile drops away. “Of course. Is something wrong?”
“The opposite.” I take his hand and lead him to his office. Once inside, I study my surroundings while he closes the door. Near the back wall, there’s a table that looks like the kind an executive would use . It’s almost empty, except for a couple of framed photos. Curious, I circle it, and my breath catches in my chest. The largest photo is of us on our wedding day. He’s handsome in a tux, and I’m leaning into him, gazing up as though he’s the center of my universe.
He was.
I look up and find him watching me. “I can’t believe you kept this here.”
He shrugs. “In my heart, I always felt like I was still married to you. Getting divorced didn’t change the promises I made that day. At least, not in here.” He taps his chest.
I study the other photo. It’s newer. One of him and Harley side by side, with his arm around her. She’s in her fight gear, sweat glistening on her skin, and he’s got a proud gleam in his eye.
“I love this.”
“It’s a good one,” he agrees, placing his hands on his hips. “What’s going on?”
Taking a deep breath, I circle back to him. My chest fizzes with excitement.
“I’m pregnant.” The words burst from me more forcefully than intended. “We’re having a baby.”
His sharp intake of breath cracks through the air between us. “You sure?”
“Yes.” I step closer and tilt my face up. “I took a test.”
He shoves a hand through his hair, eyes fixed on me, breath growing erratic.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“Fuck, yes.” He grabs me by the waist and starts to lift me up, then stops and kisses me instead. His tongue invades my mouth, but the kiss doesn’t last long. “That’s the best news I’ve had all year.” He caresses the flat of my stomach as though he can already sense the curve where my belly will expand. He kisses me again, swiftly, then buries his face in my shoulder. “What did I do to get so lucky?”
I press closer, loving the feel of him. “We’re going to be parents.”
“I know,” he murmurs into my hair. “I love you, Ash. Fuck, I love you so much. Thank you for giving me this.” He places a soft kiss on my neck. “I know you didn’t plan for it to work out this way, but I hope you’re as happy as I am.” When he draws back, his eyes are shining, and the emotion in them matches my own.
“Thankyoufor agreeing,” I counter. “If you’d called me crazy—which you’d have had every right to do—we’d never have gotten here.” I clutch him close, snuggling into his broad chest. “I’m so happy.” My eyes start leaking again, the moisture soaking into the fabric of his shirt. “You’ve made me so happy.”
