AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Take care,” Alec says when we reach the front door.
“You too.” Our formal exchange reminds me that we are strangers caught in a horrible situation.
In the house, I find Peter pacing in the living room. “Hey, are you okay?”
He stops pacing and takes a deep breath. “There’s something I’ve been thinking about, Ivy, and I’ve reached a decision.” He looks so intense that it’s scary.
“What is it, Peter?”
He comes and stands in front of me. “Do you remember when I said that I’ll support you in every way I can?”
“Yes?”
“Well, I’ve made a decision.” He suddenly goes on one knee, taking my breath with him.
My jaw drops.
“Ivy Martin, will you marry me?”
I blink rapidly. “What?”
“With you as my wife, I can take care of you and the baby and really be there for you,” he says earnestly.
“Peter, this is crazy. We’re friends. Friends don’t propose or marry each other.”
“I’ve always liked you more than a friend, Ivy, and know that we can have something really beautiful with time. We can be a family. I mean, we already live together, and we know that we get along. It’ll just be a continuation.”
“Oh, Peter.” I know he had a crush on me when we first met, but I thought he got over it. “I don’t want to get married for those reasons. You’re my friend, and I love you, but I don’t want to use you to sort out my issues.”
“I want you to use me,” he says.
“Oh, Peter.” I sink to my knees and hug him. It’s the sweetest offer anyone has ever made to me. “Thank you, but a baby is not a reason to get married, Peter. Lots of single women have children. I’ll be fine, I promise.”
He cups my cheeks. “Just think about it, okay?”
I smile. There’s nothing to think about, but I nod anyway. I love Peter like a friend and nothing more. I would never misuse his infatuation for me by having him marry me just so that I could have a safety net.
6
Alec
I check Ivy’s message again. She said her appointment was for ten-thirty, and it’s now twenty past, and she’s not here yet. I pace the hallway of Brown’s office while glancing at my phone every few minutes. I hate tardiness. I’m relieved when I hear footsteps, and when I check, I see Ivy hurrying down the hallway.
“You’re late!” I snap when she gets within hearing distance.
“My car stalled,” she says. “A problem with the alternator. It’s an old car, so I guess that’s to be expected. I’m here now. Let’s go in.”
I make a note to get her a new car. A comfortable, safe, small car is what she needs. I follow her to the reception desk, where she’s given some forms. As she fills in the forms, I make a note to myself to speak to my insurance company to have her included in my coverage.
We wait for a few minutes longer, and then it’s our turn to see Dr. Brown. I place my hand on the small of Ivy’s back as we enter. It feels as if we are a real couple, but that fantasy is soon destroyed when Dr. Brown starts asking questions.
“Congratulations,” she says with a smile after we’ve introduced ourselves. “Is this your first baby?”
Ivy looks at me with panic in her eyes.
“Yes,” I say.
“How exciting,” Dr. Brown says and launches into a talk about how special the first baby is.
