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“Thanks,” I mumble to Thomas when I’m done.
He smiles in a way that seems so genuine. “It’s the least I can do; after all, you’re the one who is doing all the work.”
This is my chance to tell him to leave, but the words stick in my throat. It’s kind of hard to be mean to someone who held your hair when you were throwing up in the toilet. Instead, I smile at him and lead the way back to the living room.
Everyone stares at us as we sit back down.
Of course, my big-mouthed sister is the first to speak. “Are you pregnant?”
I feel as if I’ve been punched in the belly, and for a few seconds, I can’t speak.
“Yes, we are pregnant,” Thomas says.
A stunned silence fills the room. I’m just as shocked as everyone else. We are pregnant? From Thomas? It’s as if someone else has switched places with Thomas. How can he shift from ‘I don’t want a baby’ to ‘we are pregnant?’
My mother is the first to recover. “But you two barely know each other.”
“We first met three years ago,” Thomas says.
“Three years is long enough to know someone,” Caleb says.
“How is that possible when Cora’s never said anything about you?” Adeline asks. “Are you ashamed of him?”
“Don’t be silly,” I snap.
The conversation shifts to how secretive I am. I should come clean and admit that in those three years, I can count the number of times I saw Thomas. I feel bad at the deceit, but I have to admit that it feels good not to have to explain the whole sorry business to my family. I have a black sheep family tag, but if they knew the whole story, they would label me as a lunatic as well.
“I can’t believe I’m going to be a grandmother all over again,” my mother says. “When are you two kids planning on tying the knot?”
My breath hitches. “We’re not ready for that step yet.”
“But you were ready to sleep together without protection,” Adeline says.
“Stop it!” My mom says surprising me. “Lots of people these days have kids without getting married first.”
“Mom!” Adeline protests.
I’m shocked too. Those are not my mother’s normal views. It seems her opinions have changed along with her hair color.
“Life is short and should be lived to the fullest,” she declares and jumps to her feet. “Anyone for some wine?”
That’s another first. My parents had never been drinkers, and unless I’m mistaken, that bottle of wine will be the first-ever to grace this table.
She returns with a bottle of white wine and glasses, which she hands to everyone except me. We watch in reverence as she expertly pours it.
It’s a weird evening, and I can’t wait to get Adeline alone to ask her what she thinks of this woman who has taken our mother’s place.
Chapter 8
Thomas
“I like your family,” I tell Cora when we leave with promises to have dinner again. “They make mine look tame by comparison.”
“Would you believe me if I told you it’s not always like that?” Cora says.
I laugh. “No.” We reach her car. “I’ve had a really good time, thanks.”
“I never invited you,” Cora quips.
“I know, and I’m sorry for bulldozing my way into your family dinner.”
“I should thank you also,” she says, looking away. “You saved me. I didn’t know how to tell them any of this.” She waves her hands in the direction of her belly.
“I’m glad I helped.” I peer into her face. She still doesn’t look very well. “How are you feeling?”
“A little nauseous,” she says. “I think I ate too much, and even vomiting doesn’t seem to have helped.”
“I’ll drive you home.”
Cora must be feeling terrible because she agrees without a fight. We leave her car outside her mom’s house and take mine.
“The first few weeks are tough, but it will get better,” I tell her when we’re in my car on the way to her place. I try to get into doctor mode, but I can’t think of her as a patient.
Her mumbled response tells that she’s already falling asleep. I peer at her and see that her eyes are closed. I shouldn’t worry about the vomiting, but I find myself eliminating possible causes. I’m quickly learning that being an obstetrician doesn’t exonerate me from worrying about Cora’s pregnancy. I’ve joined the group of fussy dads-to-be that I’ve always made fun of.
But my worry and thoughts stop with Cora. Every so often, I’ll get excited about the baby, but it’s sporadic, and most times, I can’t wrap my head around the fact that I’ve fathered a baby.
When we get to her place, I nudge her awake. “We’re home.”
She pops her eyes open, a look of confusion on her features. “Oh God, I think I fell asleep.”
“Just for a few minutes. Come on, let’s get you in.”
