Chapter Seven
Belinda
Six Weeks Later
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I pick up the pregnancy test off my bathroom vanity with trembling hands and prepare to read the result.The world stops spinning and for a breathless moment I feel like I’ve fallen off the face of the planet, like gravity no longer has any sway.Two strong pink lines stare back at me.Glancing at the two other tests I’ve already taken, there can be no denying the truth.After one incredibly hot night with a sinfully gorgeous lumberjack, I’m pregnant.My mind races and my stomach lurches.Well, this is a hell of a way to start the New Year...
Binning the tests, I wash my hands and bite my lower lip as I wander to my kitchen.A crumpled fuel receipt waits on the benchtop, a phone number scrawled with a name:Max.I hold the receipt with a trembling hand, and my heart begins to gallop.There’s no way I can terminate this baby.I’m single, turning thirty-one, and haven’t had a promising, long-term relationship in years.This might be the only chance for a family I’ll ever have.If I turn my back on this opportunity, this miracle, I might find myself alone and miserable, the fat chick no one wanted.The thought has bile surging up my throat and I shake my head.No, that’s not going to be me.Some women might enjoy total independence and not want children, but I don’t, and I do.
My free hand wanders to my belly and I close my eyes, imagining what the future might hold for us.A part of me is scared shitless, I can’t pretend otherwise, but the bigger part of me is filled with a small, flickering fragile whisper of hope, one born on the wings of butterflies and secret heart wishes.I want this baby.Not just because it might be my only chance, but because I’vealwayswanted a family.With my parents gone, and having been raised an only child, I’ve dreamed of a big, loud, messy, loving family for years.
I spent my entire childhood imagining a life of uncles and aunts, cousins, and countless little siblings to play with.Maybe I could give that precious dream to my child?A family.So, that they’ll never be alone in the world, even long after I’m gone.Sucking in a deep breath to buoy my courage, I pick up my phone and dial Max’s number.I don’t have to be alone anymore.There’s a sexy salt-and-pepper-haired lumberjack out there still waiting for me.“Call me when you’re ready,”he’d said when we parted ways and at the time I hadn’t understood.It wasn’t until I remembered our game of Russian Roulette—the sex edition—that I did.
“It’s time to share the news, I guess,” I say aloud to myself as I steel my nerves and wait for him to pick up.The phone rings just a couple of times before it’s answered.
“Hello, Max speaking.”
“Hi, Max, it’s me, Belinda,” I say, my voice pitched higher than usual.
“Princess?It’s been a hot minute.How are you?”
I lean back against the bench, my heart hammering in my chest like a drum.His voice is just as I remember and it sends a thrill right to my very core.“I’m okay,” I answer vaguely, toying with the paper in my hand.
“I’ve been hoping you’d call,” says my snowed-in lover.
Taking another deep breath, I can’t help the anxious smile that stretches my lips as I stare at the floor and lick my lips.“I’ve been wanting to...”I say.“I guess I just needed a reason to find the courage to call.”
Max’s chuckle sounds over the line, and I can almost hear the smile in his tone.“Was our epic, festive fuck-fest not enough of a reason, sweetheart?”he drawls, causing a wave of gooseflesh to manifest.
“Our night in the cabin was amazing,” I admit, blushing fiercely.“I just...”I let out a shuddering breath and try again.“I just wanted to let you know ...I’m pregnant and it’s yours.I haven’t been with anyone else.”
Max growls deep in his throat.“And how do you feel about that, beautiful?”
Adrenaline zings through me and I tuck a lock of hair behind my ear, smiling like a fool in the privacy of my own home.“I want to keep it,” I breathe.“I want to have our baby, Max.”
“What’s your address, princess?”
