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My question seems to please her. “I’d like that.”
“Then I’ll be there. Just let me know when.”
The driver puts the car into drive and stealthily eases his way into traffic. Liz turns toward me.
“I’m surprised you haven’t asked the sex of the baby yet. Are you hoping for a boy or girl?” she asks.
“Honestly? I’m still trying to get my head wrapped around all of this. I don’t think I have a preference as long as the baby is healthy.”
Liz looks at me and starts laughing. “You aren’t allowed to give that BS answer. That’s what everyone says when they’re scared to give their real answer. You have to choose, boy or girl?”
“Fine. I hope he or she isn’t an alien and doesn’t have a tail. But I also secretly hope it’s a boy. I wouldn’t know the first thing about a girl. Asyou know, there are only boys in my family. My mom, however, would be thrilled with a girl,” I admit. “Although, my mom will be ecstatic with either. She just wants a baby to love on.”
Her eyes narrow in question. “You told your parents about the baby already? What did they say?”
I shake my head at her question. “No, just Jake and Dax. I’ve sworn them to secrecy for the time being. I actually wanted to talk to you about that. I would like to tell my parents soon. And I think you should be there with me.”
She nervously rubs her belly and looks out the window. She doesn’t immediately answer. I wonder what thoughts are going on in her gorgeous head.
Finally, she sighs. Still looking out the window, she asks, “What are they going to think about me when we tell them? When I show up at their door, almost eight months pregnant? I know what people think about unmarried, pregnant women, especially when they get pregnant by wealthy men. They’ll probably think I did this on purpose.”
The vulnerability in her voice pulls at my heart. I put my arm around her and hug her close to me. Liz rarely shows this side. She’s always so strong, so sure of herself. She must be struggling if she’s willing to let down her guard like this. From what I know of her own parents, they live by a strict set of rules. I don’t know all the details, but Jake told me that when her engagement was broken off, she and her parents stopped speaking and haven’t spoken for the last eight years.
“I’m pretty sure my parents will realize you didn’t get pregnant all by yourself. If anything, they’ll blame me, not you. But don’t worry. My parents will love our baby, and they will adore you, just like I do.”
Liz cracks the barest hint of a smile and finally turns her body away from the window to tease me. “Adore? Since when did you get so poetic? Are you the real Ethan Anders?”
“Can’t a man use words like adore without being harassed?” I joke.
“Other men can, but not the Ethan I know.”
“Maybe I’ve turned over a new leaf.”
Her expression turns solemn again. “I just don’t think I can face your parents.” She starts picking at her fingernails and fidgeting with her skirt. I’ve noticed that she does that a lot when she’s nervous. I’m pretty sure I’m one of the few who notice these little things about her. Most people probably only see the self-assured, confident person she shows to the world.
I envelop her hands in mine and squeeze gently. “Liz, look at me.” I wait until she complies. “I won’t ask you to go with me to tell them if it makes you uncomfortable. Okay?”
She nods and looks relieved. “Thank you.”
“Instead, how about this? When we get back to your apartment, I will call them and tell them about the baby myself. Once I’ve broken the news to them and you hear that they are okay with it, we’ll set up a time to get together with them. Deal?”
She cocks her head to the side, then nods as the driver pulls up to the curb. “That’s a good compromise. But what if they aren’t okay with it?”
“They will be. I promise.”
I help her out of the car, and we silently walk into the doctor’s office. We are both aware of the significance of this check-up. Liz is supposed to get her glucose levels rechecked. She’s been doing the blood sugar readings at home, and they’ve been higher than the doctor would like. We’ve both been concerned about what that will mean for Liz’s pregnancy.
Luckily, the doctor is ready to see us shortly after we check in.
When Doctor Landon walks into the examination room, she smiles at Liz and looks questioningly at me. “Well, Mr. Anders. What a nice surprise to see you again.” She dismisses me quickly and focuses on Liz. “And how are you doing?”
“I’m doing great. Baby is doing great, and I’ve been doing everything you told me to do.”
“I’ve been her drill sergeant,” I joke. “She’s not going to fail on my watch.”
The doctor’s shrewd eyes catch mine. “I’m happy to see she has you to help out now. It would be difficult for Liz to go through all this alone.”
I catch the undercurrent in Dr. Landon’s tone. The good ole doctor doesn’t seem to think much of me at the moment. Oh sure, so I’ve been an absentee soon-to-be father. But I’m here now. That should at least be a few points in my favor.
