Chapter 5
Chapter Five
T wo weeks had gone by. I’d been feeling horrible in the mornings and was having a hard time explaining to my staff why I was consistently late for work. I finally made the decision to go to the doctor. Up until now, only my best friends knew about my suspicions and positive pregnancy home tests.
Going to the doctor made it real, and I didn’t know if I was ready for that.
I sat in the exam room with Dr. Joy, her black hair cut short and chic. Zoe’s fiancé, Dr. Chaz Anderson, also worked there. But since we grew up with him, it felt weird having him as my doctor. The girls had promised not to tell anyone else, including Chaz, until I figured out what to do.
Dr. Joy had given me a urine test as well as an exam and had just come back into the room. She smiled when she made eye contact with me. “Congratulations, Tiffany. You’re definitely pregnant. Eight weeks to be exact.”
I nodded and sighed. “I guess there’s no denying it now.”
She looked at me with a blank face. “Is this an unwanted pregnancy?”
“Unplanned, yes. Unwanted…the jury is still out.”
“You do have options, you know.” One of the things I loved most about Dr. Joy was that she always remained objective and never passed judgement on her client’s decisions in a town that was full of judgement.
I nodded. “I know.”
“Given your age, this pregnancy will be high risk should you decide to go through with it, but you’re in excellent physical condition.” She scanned her clipboard. “You’ll need to be under the circumstances.”
I frowned. “What circumstances? Is there something wrong with me?” My heart rate started speeding up.
“No, no. There’s nothing wrong with you, but carrying twins isn’t easy for any woman, let alone someone over thirty-five.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. “Wait…did you say twins?”
She nodded. “I heard two heartbeats, but I didn’t say anything until the ultrasound confirmed it.”
I had asked her not to tell me anything until I was ready. My head was spinning. I definitely hadn’t been ready for this. I hadn’t decided if I wanted one baby, let alone two. But the word twins changed everything. I’d spent my life separated from my twin because my parents hadn’t been able to afford to raise both of us. Money wouldn’t be an issue in this situation, but there was so much else to consider.
The thought that my own parents didn’t want me had haunted me my entire life. Thank God for my grandmother who’d always stood by me when even my wayward husband wouldn’t. I hadn’t been enough for him or my parents or even my sister.
I was spiraling.
Dr. Joy was talking, but the words were just mumbles of sound. She couldn’t tell me about all the things I’d missed out on being so alone in the world. But maybe this was a chance to make up for all of that. Maybe this wasn’t a crisis, but a blessing.
Maybe.
My grandmother raised me on her own. Yes, there was only one of me, but I was never one to back down from a challenge, and I certainly had the money and the support. How hard could it be?
“So that’s pretty much everything for now,” Dr. Joy said. “Here’s your script for prenatal vitamins, and I’m here if you have any questions.”
I realized she’d been talking the entire time I’d been lost in my thoughts. I took the paper from her. “Thanks, Doc.”
I left her office and had almost cleared the reception desk when Chaz walked into the lobby. He shook a strand of sandy hair off his forehead, then looked up and noticed me. His hazel eyes brightened, and he smiled wide.
“Tiffany, how are you?” he said with his whisky-smooth voice.
My lower lip wobbled, and I burst into tears. Stupid hormones. Everything was hitting me at once.
His smile slipped. He quickly took my arm and led me toward a chair in the half-full waiting room, felt my hesitation, then steered me down the hall into his office. All sorts of rumors would run rampant within the hour.
“What’s the matter?” he asked. “I haven’t seen you fall apart like this since I’ve known you.”
I shook my head over and over, still processing the news I’d just received. He handed me a box of tissues, and I blew my nose, then blurted, “I’m pregnant.”
He blinked. “I have to admit that’s the last thing I expected you to say.” He blew out a breath and rubbed his forehead, as if trying to find the right words to say. “Congratulations. Do the girls know?”
“I took several at home tests and told them all, but I made them promise not to say anything until I decided what to do.”
“That’s fair.” He nodded, then said gently, “Do you know what you want to do?”
“I didn’t,” I replied honestly, “until Dr. Joy just dropped a bomb on me.”
“A bomb?” He arched a brow high.
“I’m having twins.”
His eyes widened and jaw fell open. “Twins?”
I nodded. “The girls don’t even know that one yet. I’m still processing everything. All I know is whether I planned this or not, I will never make my children feel what I felt when my parents gave me up.”
“Okay, well, you know you have a big support system here. Your friends love you. We all do.” He cleared his throat. “Is the father in the picture?”
I hesitated, then finally admitted, “The father is Matt McGinnis.” It felt good to tell my secret out loud. Freeing somehow. “I haven’t told him yet because I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. But now that I’m keeping the babies, he has a right to know he’s going to be a father.”
Chaz nodded. “Matt’s a great guy. I’m sure he’ll step up and do the right thing.”
“I don’t want him to do anything. I just want him to know. If he wants to be in their lives, I would never deny him that. But I don’t need any help providing for my family.”
“We’re talking about a proud Irishman here.” Chaz chuckled. “Good luck with that one.” He stood. “I’ve got to get back to my patients. Are you okay to leave on your own? Should I call Zoe to take you home?”
I shook my head. “No, I’m good. Thanks, Chaz. You really helped.” I stood and picked up my purse. “I’m not going home. I’m going to see a proud Irishman.” I held my head high and took the first step towards my new life.
It was lunchtime, and I was starving. I’d been having morning sickness that was awful, but by lunch, I more than made up for it. McGinny’s Pub was packed as usual. Great atmosphere, great music, great food, great hospitality…
What more could anyone want?
The hostess seated me at a table in the bar, and I ordered enough food for three people. Then I waited for Matt to make eye contact with me. He finally did, and I motioned for him to come over. He gave me a nod, then said something to the bartender before slinging a cloth over his shoulder and heading my way.
“What’ll it be, lass? A martini? Champagne?” He grinned as he reached my table. A big, strapping, dirty-blond, curly-haired Irishman. He was so tall and ruggedly handsome I had to remind myself we were just friends.
I tore my gaze away from his bulging muscles and tossed my long, golden-blonde curls over my shoulder. “It’s a bit early for that.”
He shrugged. “It’s five o’clock somewhere. Besides, lots of people have a drink on their lunch break.”
“True, but I’m not much of a drinker these days. I already placed my lunch order, but I’ll have some water, please.”
He nodded once then walked away to pour me a glass of ice water himself, not above serving his customers even though he owned the place. He carried it back to me and set it on the table then looked around. “Ye here alone?”
I nodded, taking a big drink as I gathered the courage to say what had to be said. “Do you have a minute to sit? I wanted to talk to you about something.”
He eyed me curiously as he sat. “I always have time fer a friend.” He watched me as if testing his words to see if that term still applied.
“Good.” I smiled slightly, trying to reassure him, but I felt like it was more of a grimace. My heartbeat sped up, and I suddenly felt warm. I fanned my face.
“Are ye alright, lass? Ye look flushed.”
The waitress came out and set all my entrees on the table in front of me. Matt’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline.
“I’m fine. Just a little lightheaded. Low blood sugar and all that.” I grabbed a turkey sandwich and took a big bite.
“I see.” He chuckled. “I like a woman who knows how to eat.”
“Then you’re gonna love me.” I dug into my soup.
He leaned back and folded his arms, watching me in awe as I shoved a heaping spoonful of macaroni and cheese into my mouth next.
“Sorry,” I managed to get out. “Hungry.”
“By all means eat first. We can talk after. I wouldn’t want yer food to get cold.” He watched me, waiting patiently as I worked my way through all three entrees plus dessert. No need for a doggie bag for me. “I’ve been having some stomach issues lately, so when I finally feel good, I take advantage of it and eat my fill.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” His eyes softened. “I have to say I’m glad to see ye again. I know ye said we could be friends, but I haven’t seen ye around town at all over the past two weeks. I thought maybe ye’d changed yer mind.”
“No, I still want to be friends.” I wiped my mouth with a napkin. “I, um, just had some thinking to do.”
“I’m sure yer still grieving yer grandmother’s passing. That has to be difficult.” His voice filled with sympathy. “I’m here if ye need to talk, lass.”
My heart warmed. “I appreciate that.” Then my jaw hardened. “I’m also dealing with my ex-husband. He found out my grandmother left everything to me, so now he’s threatening to sue me for more alimony.”
Matt’s deep dimples disappeared as his smile slipped. “He sounds like a real piece of work.”
“You have no idea. And there’s also my parents and sister who insist on hanging around town until I hear them out.” I knew they lived close, but I’d never seen them around as much as I had lately.
He studied me with his penetrating blue eyes. “I take it ye don’t want to do that.”
“I don’t know what I want.” I shook my head, forcing my mixed emotions down so they wouldn’t consume me.
“That’s fair.” He nodded. “Having family come back into yer life is a big change. I know family isn’t always easy, but they are still yer flesh and blood. Maybe just keep an open mind, lass. Hear what they have to say. What can it hurt?”
Plenty , I thought.
I’d been hurt enough by my family for one lifetime, thank you very much. I wasn’t ready to deal with any of them. “I don’t do well with change.” I took a deep breath. “My life has changed in a lot of ways since my fortieth birthday.”
“It sounds it.” He shrugged. “Change doesn’t have to be bad; ye know. It can be a good thing, too.”
“I, um, I’m glad to hear you say that because I am not the only one who’s life is about to change.”
His brow puckered. “What do ye mean?”
“You said that family means a lot to you, right?” I watched his expression go from confused to beaming.
“Absolutely. Family is everything.”
“Right. And one day you want a family of your own, correct?” I bit my bottom lip, keeping my eyes locked onto his.
His expression grew guarded. Suspicious. “Yes, but ye made it clear that ye didn’t want marriage or a family. Did ye meet someone else?”
I was already shaking my head. “No, it’s nothing like that.”
“Then what could have changed that has to do with me?”
I couldn’t take it anymore, so I blurted, “I’m pregnant.”
He blinked and sat there for a full stunned minute. “Are ye saying I’m going to be a father?”
I nodded slowly, relieved he didn’t question if he was the father. Because that would imply that I slept around. I might be a modern woman, but I still only slept with one man at a time.
I cleared my throat. “Yes.”
He rubbed his jaw. “From our one night in the Pub?”
I nodded again. “There’s more.”
“More? What more could there possibly be?”
“We’re having twins.”
His jaw fell open and the rag slung over his shoulder fell to the table. He gaped at me and scrubbed a hand over his smooth-shaven jaw. “Are ye sure?”
“Dr. Joy confirmed it just this morning.” I still couldn’t believe I was responsible for growing one human being, let alone two. Then I had to raise them and try not to make a train wreck of their lives. “I’m eight weeks now.”
“Twins….” he breathed the words out, sounding more in awe this time rather than in shock. He slapped a hand down on the table and grabbed the rag then slung it back over his massive shoulder. “Well, that settles it, then.”
This time I frowned as an uneasy feeling filled me. “Settles what?”
“We’re getting married.” He gave me a wide-toothed grin.
“E-Excuse me?” I sputtered.
“Ye heard me, lass. I’ll call me mum and make all the arrangements. Ye won’t have to do a thing.” His accent thickened with his excitement.
“But you said they won’t accept me,” I managed to get out, as my own level of shock set in. This conversation had taken a turn I wasn’t prepared for.
“I was just mad at ye because ye used me over a stupid bet, when I really liked ye. Besides, ye said ye didn’t want marriage or children, and I did, so what was the point of starting something? Me mammy will be thrilled to be a grandmammy.” He beamed. “As thrilled as I am to be a daddy.”
I threw up my hands. “You’ve lost your mind, Matthew McGinnis.”
He hoisted a shoulder. “Can’t a fella do the right thing?”
I was already shaking my head. “Give me some credit. I would never get married just because I’m pregnant.”
He rubbed a hand over his smooth-shaven jaw. “Then why did ye tell me?”
“Because I was trying to do the right thing.” I tossed down money on the bill. “I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself and my children.”
He threw my money back at me. “Yer money is no good here from now on. And I plan to take care of me children, too.”
“I would never deny them their father,” I said carefully to be sure he understood me, “but that doesn’t mean I need your help.”
“Ye may not think ye don’t, but mark me words, yer going to get it.” He thrust a finger in my direction as he stood up. “A McGinnis never breaks his word.” Then the stubborn man stormed back over behind the bar.
I could be stubborn too. I blew out a frustrated breath…
What the hell had I gotten myself into?