Chapter 16 Reality #2
“Here you can see the heartbeat.” She wiggles the wand and points to a tiny, fast flutter on the screen.
I’m in awe—we all are.
“Wow. That’s so cool. You’re having a baby,” Poppy squeals and pumps my hand up and down.
“See? I wasn’t making it up,” I say sarcastically, and she rolls her eyes, smiling.
“Do you want to find out if it’s a boy or girl, or do you want to be surprised?” Dr. Bell asks.
I turn to Poppy and Matt. “I… I feel like I should wait… to share that part.” They understand what I’m referring to, but I can’t be specific since Matt is supposed to be the father. How they’re seated certainly doesn’t back that up, though, so I imagine the doctor has an inkling.
“What do you guys think?” I ask them.
Matt nods in agreement while Poppy answers, “Maybe I should be told, and we can do a fun reveal when you’re ready. They’re super popular these days, and Lily could do it with me. Please?”
I look at Dr. Bell for thoughts.
“How about I put it in an envelope so you have it if you change your mind or want someone else to take a peek?” She winks. “I’ll also print some pictures of the baby. How does that sound?”
“That’s a great idea. Let’s do it. So if everything looks good, what did happen today?”
Finishing the exam, we learned that I experienced something called round ligament pain, which is common in pregnancy and can be more painful in some cases.
She shared some tips to minimize occurrences and things I can do to help when it happens.
The relief I feel walking out of the hospital is indescribable.
I’m still sore when we leave, but nothing compared to on the way in.
The only thing bringing me pain currently is the absence of Eli and the fact that I’m doing this without him.
Matt helped me realize today how unfair I’m being, and with my decision made, I’m eager to call and share the news.
After assuring Matt I could drive, he brought us back to the office to get our cars.
It’s a relief not to keep this a secret anymore.
Part of me was worried about what people would think, but Matt’s support has me hopeful that others might be more accepting as well.
What other people think shouldn’t matter, but I’m only human, so it does.
When I got home, I made myself something to eat while working up the nerve to call Eli.
I’m finishing up in the kitchen when my cell rings.
Glancing at the screen to Eli’s name has my heart pounding immediately.
Did someone tell him about the baby? Who would have done that?
Matt couldn’t have, but would he have convinced Poppy to do it?
I told them I planned to do it tonight, but maybe they didn’t believe me.
I’m in full panic mode and barely answer in time.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Cici. How are you?”
Does he mean how am I after today, or how am I in general?
“I’m good. Why?” I ask suspiciously.
“Because I haven’t talked to you in a while, and that’s usually how you start a conversation?”
I laugh nervously. “Yeah, right. Sorry. How have you been?” Should I tell him about the baby now?
“Good, I guess. That’s sort of why I’m calling. I need to tell you something before you find out elsewhere.”
“Okay… what’s that?”
“Well, your brother or Lily might have told you, but I’ve been seeing Rebecca—the girl who used to work in your office. I met her that day I came in and again at the bar the night you were there. Well… she started frequenting the club, and one thing led to another.”
“Yeah, I know. And you don’t have to explain,” I sigh. “Your private life is none of my business.” Not sure why he feels compelled to share, but I really don’t want to hear more.
“Maybe not, but I still need this off my chest if you’ll listen.”
“Well, hurry up because I have something to get off mine too.” And it’s more important than whatever this crap is.
“I’m doing something tomorrow, and I want you to hear it from me before anyone else. More importantly, please believe me when I say that it doesn’t diminish anything we had together.”
“Eli, you’re talking in riddles. What’s going on?”
He groans in response before pulling the rug out from under my feet.
“I’m getting engaged… to Rebecca.”
What. The. Fuck? My knees buckle, and I sink to the floor.
Seconds pass. “Cici? Are you still there?”
He’s getting engaged. He loves Rebecca. He’s starting a life with another woman. He’s starting a family—oh God, he certainly doesn’t need another one. I’d only be creating problems if I told him now. Fuck!
“Please say something,” he pleads.
Taking a deep breath and pasting a smile on my face to hide my true emotions, I finally speak. “That’s great, Eli. I’m happy for you. The call wasn’t necessary, but since you did, tell Rebecca I said congratulations.”
“Don’t do that, Cici. Don’t make light of this.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Fuck.” He groans in agony before continuing, “I just want you to know that you still mean something to me.”
“Well, I suggest you let that go since you are asking another woman to marry you tomorrow. Congratulations, Eli, and don’t bother calling again.”
I hang up and lie on the floor while my body trembles with sobs.
I’m not sure how much time passes until my phone starts ringing and Lily’s face lights up the screen.
“Hello?” My voice comes out hoarse from crying.
She picks up on it immediately. “Cici, are you okay?”
Not at all. I shake my head as I choke on the next sob, trying to form words to no avail.
“Cici, what is it? Did something happen to the baby?”
“No,” I answer quickly. “The baby’s perfect…. I saw it today…. Got pictures… and everything.” My words come out between gulps of air.
“What? Why didn’t you text me and send me a picture?”
“I was planning on it. Right after calling Eli to tell him about the baby… but he called me first.”
There’s a long pause while I sniffle some more.
“Oh, sweetie. He told you, didn’t he? Sebastian just filled me in, which is why I was calling. I can’t believe they kept it quiet until the day before. Wait! So did you tell him about the baby?”
“Noooo,” I wail. “I freaked out after he said he was getting engaged, so all that came out was congratulations and not to call me again. Lily, I can’t. It’s too complicated now.”
“Cici, you have to tell him—now more than ever.”
“Why? What good would it do? I’m fine on my own, and it would only hurt him at this point.”
“That’s not true. I know you’re still working on your commitment issue, and you may not be ready yet, but don’t you think it’s time to give a relationship with Eli a try? He loves you, Cici. You can’t let him marry her.”
“Lily, stop it. He’s moved on. He loves Rebecca now, and it wouldn’t be fair to come between them. It’s too late for us.”
“I don’t believe that. I’m not accepting this Rebecca woman.”
“You can’t do that. She’ll be your sister-in-law.” Holy shit, saying that hits me harder than expected, and more tears silently fall. I don’t want to lose it again, so I need her to let this go.
Lily groans, “I don’t care. I don’t like her.”
“You don’t know her. She’s not bad. Just give her a chance.” This. Is. Killing. Me.
Thank God she changes the subject. “Tell me more about the baby. I thought your ultrasound was next week.”
Relieved for the distraction, I gladly dive into the events of today, filling her in on my scare and how mind-blowing it was to see the baby for the first time.
“I wish you were pregnant,” I whine when I’m done.
“Trust me, we’re trying. Who knew my husband would have a breeding kink, but holy hell is it hot. I wouldn’t be surprised if I already have a bun in the oven, but I’m okay if not because, man, it’s fun making one.” She giggles.
My eyes roll. “Ha. Don’t worry, with Sebastian, it’ll go from a breeding kink to a pregnancy kink. I doubt he’ll ever not find something to obsess about. I still can’t believe how far you’ve come, from the shy virgin to surpassing my sex life, which is now over for the foreseeable future.”
“It wouldn’t have to be if you’d listen to me and—”
“Enough. Unless I want to show up to Jackson’s wedding at the end of August and shock the shit out of everyone, I’ll have to fess up soon.
Just give me a few weeks to process that my baby’s dad is marrying someone else.
Plus, I’m still considering telling people I had a one-night stand with a tourist right when I got back and have no idea who the father is.
It would be easier that way—for everyone. ”
“I’m not letting you do that. You know I love you and I’m usually on your side, but not this time, Cici. Not only does Eli deserve the truth, but it’s killing me to keep this from Sebastian about his brother.”
I want to be mad at her, but I can’t be because she’s right. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I feel like such a bitch being that woman, interfering with a perfectly happy couple and causing problems,” I groan.
“Well, buck up, buttercup, because you’re all adults. You can’t hide it forever, and Eli’s not stupid—I bet he’d put two and two together—so the sooner you do it, the better. Whatever happens, happens, and I’ll be by your side no matter what.”
“Ugh. Okay, give me some time to formulate a plan, and I’ll make the call, I promise.”
Shit, why did I add that when I haven’t one hundred percent decided? The problem is, it sounds like Lily has for me, and really… I have no choice when it comes down to it because she’s right. Eli would figure it out in the end.