Mason’s expression softens. “Okay.”
My eyes sweep over his face. “Do you believe me?”
He nods. “I do.”
“Good, then just hold me. Let’s sit like this for a while.”
Mason nods and pulls me onto his lap. Little by little, my sobs quiet, and I relax against Mason, drained and spent. A bone-deep exhaustion settles around me as I watch the flames of the fire dance.
They cast long shadows across the walls, lulling us into silence.
“I need to tell you something,” I say finally.
Mason doesn’t say anything.
“I want to tell you why I’ve been sneaking out in those disguises,” I begin, drawing back to look at him. “But I can’t tell you just yet. I’m sorry that I can’t. It’s not because I don’t want to…”
I suck in a harsh breath. “There is something else that I’ve been wanting to tell you. It’s about my trip to the clinic the other day.”
Mason stares at me. “When you were sick?”
I nod. “Yes. I’m not sick. Well, not that kind of sickness…”
Mason blinks. “I don’t understand.”
“I didn’t plan any of this,” I say, before climbing out of his lap and rising to my feet. “Sure, I want a family of my own, but we haven’t talked about that, and I don’t even know how that would work with… everything.”
Mason frowns and folds his arms over his chest. “London, what are you trying to tell me?”
My mouth moves soundlessly, but the words still won’t come.
Just do it, for heaven’s sake. Spit it out. Get it over with. Whatever happens, at least you’ll deal with it together.
“I’m pregnant.” The words settle around us like lead.
Mason stiffens, and his expression goes slack.
“What did you just say?”
“I’m—”
Mason takes two steps back. “I heard you the first time. I just… fuck… are you sure?”
“Yes. I took a pregnancy test, and I did a blood test.”
Mason scowls and rakes a hand through his hair. “Did Doctor Shepard do a blood test?”
“Yes.”
Mason steps past me and begins to pace, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. “Is it… are they… is it viable?”
“Yes.”
I’ve never seen Mason so agitated, pacing like a caged animal.
Look at me, Mason. Stop and look at me. I’m right here.
Suddenly, Mason stops pacing and stares as if he’s seeing me for the first time. “Is it too late to take care of it?”
