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We lay together peacefully for a while, content to enjoy what we had so long denied ourselves, when Amelia unexpectedly murmured, “I have something to tell you, Josh.”
“Mm?” I hummed, eyes closed as I drew lazy patterns on Amelia’s bare skin.
“I—” Amelia started and then she sat up abruptly, blurting, “I need a minute.”
Jostling herself out of bed, I had barely enough time to put my own feet on the floor before Amelia turned around and clutched her stomach as she commanded, “Stay there! I’ll be right back!”
And I did as she asked, brows knitting together in confusion when she scampered into my bathroom and I heard the sound of the faucet running. There was the clank of both toilet lids being lifted and then, the faint sound of Amelia getting sick.
Even though she had told me to stay in bed, I decided that the least I could do was get her a glass of water for when she returned. So I made my way to the kitchen and took my time filling the cup, wanting to give Amelia as much privacy as I could.
When I returned, setting the glass down on my nightstand, I heard the toilet flush. After turning off the sink, Amelia appeared in the doorway looking pale and sheepish. “Sorry,” she whispered, doing her best to cover her nakedness as though I wouldn’t find her attractive anymore after that.
“Don’t be,” I replied gently, waiting for her to sit on the edge of the bed before handing her the cup. “What’s wrong? Did you eat something weird yesterday?”
Once both my hands were free, I yanked the blanket from the edge of the bed and wrapped it around her shoulders, watching as Amelia sipped the cool liquid silently. I was about to assure her that this wasn’t a big deal again when she said, “It’s because of what I wanted to tell you about.”
Shoulders hunched and her coppery hair limply framing her face, Amelia met my eyes and told me what I should have guessed in the first place, “I’m pregnant. And it’s yours.”
For the first time in my life, I was hearing the words I’d been longing to ever since I felt ready to be a father. Laila had never wanted children and after many discussions we’d agreed it was best to forget the idea entirely, and I had always made sure to wear protection whenever I slept with girls from the clubs. Even with Amelia, I’d done my best to finish on her thighs or stomach.
But there had been that night before she left when I’d been so consumed with grief and confusion that I’d filled her properly. And now she was here and mine again and telling me she was pregnant like I’d be angry.
I realized I’d been quiet for too long—just enough time for Amelia’s eyes to start filling with tears and for her to start looking around for her clothes. Before she could stand, I scooted over to sit beside her and took her hand in mine.
Gazing down at her lower stomach first and then her watery eyes, I said, “I won’t lie to you, Red. This is…this is something I’ve been wanting to hear for a long time. I’ve always wanted a kid or two running around the place and at my age, I thought I might have completely lost that opportunity.”
But because I knew I couldn’t be selfish about this, I calmly asked, “how do you feel about it?”
Amelia took a deep, shuddering breath, answering, “At first I was scared because I had no idea what I was going to do. And I didn’t…don’t want to take advantage of you so I’d been planning on raising it on my own.”
My mouth opened in shock and I protested, “No, of course you wouldn’t have to do that. Especially not now that we’ve figured things out.”
“But there are still consequences to this,” Amelia argued, her voice firm but faraway, “don’t you think it would cause a scandal if the press found out you knocked up someone who was basically your employee?”
Her gaze turned fiery then. “And I’m not the kind of girl who would force a man to be with her just because there was a baby. I don’t even need child support—"
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Red,” I interrupted, raising my free hand in surrender. “This is getting pretty heated and I think we’ve had a rough couple of days already. Maybe we could just talk about this later after we’ve had the chance to shower and get some breakfast?”
Amelia grimaced like she wanted to continue, but nodded anyway, muttering, “I feel like crap so I think I’m going to call out sick today.”
My heart leapt at the thought of spending the entire day with her since I didn’t have any meetings today. Handing Amelia her phone, I stood and pointed to the bathroom. “I’m going to get cleaned up while you call them, but let me know if you need anything, okay?”
“Okay,” Amelia sulked, clearly not enjoying being treated so delicately, but now that I knew she was carrying my child, I couldn’t help it.
Smiling at her pout, I made a beeline for the shower, wanting to get in and get out as quickly as I could so I didn’t get in her way. As steam fogged up the mirrors, I couldn’t keep the grin off my face at how drastically my luck was starting to change.
Amelia
Once I had gotten all the sick and sweat from the night before off, I felt much better. Thankfully, Josh let me dress and brush my teeth without peppering me with a thousand questions; I caught him staring at me fondly once or twice and returned his smile with one of my own.
When we were sitting down at a café a couple blocks away I apologized for my earlier mood. “I think I’ve been preparing myself for a negative reaction so I didn’t know how to react to a good one.”
“I get it,” Josh said through a mouthful of eggs which he covered politely with his hand. “I’m just glad you told me and that you want to keep it.” He stopped himself and eyed me curiously. “You do want that, right? I didn’t just mishear you or something?”
“You did,” I teased, picking up another piece of plain toast. “You aren’tthatold.”
“Clearly”—he winked, gesturing playfully to my stomach—“I’m still young enough to dothat.”
