Accidental Pregnancy, page 18
“No, we’re pretty far from your apartment, and I’d feel better if you were with Ewan,” Lyle says firmly, already dialing a number on his phone. “Besides, it’s getting late. Taxis are notorious for being slow around here at this time of night.”
I roll my eyes and give up. This is what it means to have a ridiculously rich boyfriend, I suppose. I pick up my bag and slip my shoes back on as Lyle speaks into his phone. A moment later, he hangs up.
“Ewan will meet you at the door,” he says.
“Thanks,” I say.
I kiss him softly again, and he laces my fingers with his.
“See you tomorrow?” he asks,
“Definitely,” I reply with a grin.
It’s hard to walk away from the warm, comfortable room. I would love to stay with Lyle for the rest of the night. But, unfortunately, I do have work tomorrow, and I need fresh clothes for tomorrow.
Maybe, if things continue going well for us, I’ll put some of my clothes in the spare room. Just in case…
I almost miss the staircase and I blush as I fumble down it, hoping that Lyle never realizes that I almost got lost in his huge home. When I open the front doors, the black car is waiting for me. Ewan stands patiently beside it.
“Thank you for this, Ewan,” I say. “I hope I didn’t pull you away from anything important.”
“Not at all,” he says, smiling at me. “My hours are technically from six in the morning to ten at night, anyway, though Mr. Thompson rarely goes out at that time of night.”
I laugh. It does sound like Lyle to pay the driver for a certain amount of time “just in case”. Privately, I suspect that he did it this way so he could pay Ewan more than normal as thanks.
The drive back to my apartment is quiet. As we travel the streets, I began making a list of everything I need to do. I messaged my mother earlier, to tell her that the meeting went oddly well, and I’ll update her tomorrow, so I’ll need to call her at some point. I should probably also message my father… While I’m really angry with him, I also know that it’s been a hard day for him, too.
No… Maybe I’ll just talk to him tomorrow. After all, I probably won’t be able to talk to him without snapping right now, and I’m too tired to argue.
I should probably also look over my notes. While I’m not sure if the alliance will go ahead or not, it will be good to catch up just in case everything works out.
I shake my head as Ewan slows to a stop. I still don’t know how Lyle pulled off this miracle. It’s crazy how everything just seems to have fallen into place.
“Thanks, Ewan,” I say as I open the door.
“No problem, Amanda,” Ewan says with a smile. “Enjoy the rest of your night.”
“You too.”
I watch him drive away and then enter the building. As I head up to the sixth floor in the elevator, I yawn. I’m suddenly incredibly tired. Maybe food and a nap should be first on my agenda.
By the time I reach my door, my yawns are huge. Nap is definitely first. I unlock my door.
And pause.
There’s a light on in my apartment. I know I turned off all my lights last night. I’m really particular about having any lights on at night, and I usually make sure the rest of the apartment is pitch black before I go to bed.
So, why is a light on? I wouldn’t have turned any lights on this morning when it was so bright out.
Cautiously, I enter. There are only two people it could be. Only two other people have the key to my house. It’s either my mother, here to find out what happened in person because she’s exasperated by how I’m dancing around her questions about Lyle and I, or it’s…
As I enter the dining room, my father turns around.
“Hello, Amanda,” he says.
What the hell is he doing here? I try to remember when my father ever used the key that I gave him over a year ago. But I think this is the first time. I snort. If he had surprised me like this a few months ago, I would have been thrilled.
Now, however, I just want him to leave. I’m definitely not ready to see him yet.
“Hello,” I say briskly. “Were you waiting long?”
He shrugs.
“It’s fine,” he says.
I glance at him. That’s not the sort of response I would have expected from him. No complaints, no demands… Nothing. I take a better look at him.
He looks oddly defeated. The expression on his face is weary and his shoulders are slumped. Despite how angry I am at him, I feel my heart soften a little.
“Would you like some coffee?” I offer.
“Yes, thank you,” he says with a small smile.
He sits at the table as I bustle around the kitchen, preparing two cups of coffee. My father is behaving very strangely.
“Something Lyle said today really caught my attention,” my father suddenly says.
I look over warily.
“What?” he said.
“When I told him I was your father, he replied by saying that he didn’t understand why I was standing in the way of you being happy, then,” my father says. He’s looking down at the table, which is another oddity; he always looks at people in the eye when he speaks.
“Lyle was pretty upset,” I say.
“I’d imagine.” My father glances at me. “As were you.”
I don’t deny it. My father’s demands upset me greatly. He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. It’s getting thinner as he gets older. It’s funny, but I’ve never really thought about my father getting old; he’s always seemed larger than life. But now, sitting in my dining room, he actually looks his age for once.
“I had no right,” my father says after a moment. “To threaten you the way I did. I threatened Lyle because I knew it would hurt you.” He grimaces. “And asking you to get an abortion… I knew the moment I said it that it was disgusting.”
That must have been why he folded so quickly when I refused. I do remember thinking it was odd he gave up so quickly.
“I’m sorry,” my father says, and I almost fall in shock. “I’ve said and done a lot of terrible things over the years, all in the name of toughening you up when you started to show an interest in business, but this was pointless harassment. You shouldn’t have had to experience that, especially from me.”
I swallow. I can’t believe he’s apologizing to me. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him apologize to anyone.
“I… It wasn’t okay,” I say slowly.
He snorts.
“It was low,” he says, then sighs. “Forty years ago, Tech Square Inc. started getting bigger as the demand for information and different products grew. For a time, we managed to keep up with it all, but then the world started changing so quickly. It’s probably surprising that Tech Square Inc. has remained as large as it has all this time.” He gives me a small smile. “I get so caught up in business, that I forget about anything else. It’s why your mother left me; I still love her and she loves me, but I can’t give her the attention she deserves, and she knows that business will always be my priority.”
Tears come unexpectedly to my eyes. It’s strange hearing my father talk like this. I’ve never heard him be so open to me.
“I guess you and I are alike, then,” I say, taking in a deep breath.
He raises an eyebrow.
“Are we?” he asks. “Today, you stood beside the man you loved to confront me. And when I tried to get you to leave with me, you refused. You knew you were placing your job and everything you’ve worked toward in jeopardy. But you still did it.” He gives me a half smile. “I wish I had your strength of will. You must have gotten that from your mother.”
A tear flows down my cheek. What’s even happening right now? I remember, vaguely, talking to my father like this, when I was a teenager. Before I decided to follow him into business, and he decided to get tougher on me to make me take it seriously. Somewhere along the way, though, I think he forgot why he was so rough on me.
I never forgot, though. It’s why I’ve tried to muddle through with him, despite his shortcomings. I know he loves me, in his own way.
Though…maybe it would be nice if he had come to this revelation a few years ago.
“But, anyway, that’s all over and done,” my father says as I carry the coffees to the table. “I’m happy with my life the way it is.” He glances at me. “Though, of course, we’re going to need some innovative ideas to push forward into the future. I’m not going to be around forever, and it’s getting time for me to start thinking about retirement.”
I snort. He says that, but that just means he’ll retire in another ten or so years.
“So, I guess you’re thinking of a successor, then?” I ask casually. “Anyone in mind?”
He blinks. He looks genuinely confused.
“That’s what I’ve been training you for,” he says.
I stare at him. What?
“I thought you wanted to step into ownership when I retire,” my father says.
“I do… I just thought you didn’t want me to,” I say. Holy crap, is this really happening? “I thought you had someone else in mind.”
“Why would I even look at someone else when you’re right there, and you’ve made it clear how much you want the position?” my father demands.
I stare at him. So, all this time, my father has been “training” me to take over?
“You…are a really shit teacher, Dad,” I say.
And then I burst out laughing. It’s almost too much. My father watches, bemused, as I giggle helplessly. Then he sighs and drains his cup.
“Tomorrow is a new day,” he says, standing and stretching. “I expect you bright and early. After all, you’ll need to take me through the contracts you’ve been creating with Energy Plus Co. I’d like to see if we can improve them any further to benefit us both.”
A large grin spreads across my face. Yes!
“No worries,” I beam.
He hesitates and then leans in to press a quick kiss to my forehead.
“Regardless of anything else…I am proud of you,” he murmurs. He straightens and clears his throat, uncomfortable. “Next week, invite Lyle around for dinner and introduce him properly.” His smile turns wry. “Tell him no shop talk at the table.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I say.
I show him out and, when he’s gone, I lean against the door, grinning wildly. I have Lyle, my father isn’t canceling the deal and, apparently, I’ve been a top contender for succession without realizing it. Things are almost perfect.
I lower my hand to my stomach and smile.
Now all we have to do is wait for this little one.
Epilogue
Lyle
“Lyle.”
I look up at the sound of Amanda’s strained voice. She’s sitting, curled up in bed, a book on her lap. Her stomach is round and full, and I resist the urge to cross the room to press my hand to it, as I have done often. Feeling the baby kick brings me great joy.
“Yeah?” I ask.
She gives me a smile that shakes at the edges.
“I think my waters just broke.”
I stare at her. It takes a moment for those words to penetrate. When they do, panic explodes.
“Shit!” I say, surging to my feet. “Where’s your bag?”
“Cupboard,” she says, pointing. She winces. “On the left.”
“Right.”
I dial Ewan as I go. He picks up quickly; he’s been on constant standby for the last two weeks.
“Sir?” he asks.
“Ewan, bring the car as quickly as you can, we need to go to the hospital,” I say.
“I’m nearby, I’ll be right there!”
He hangs up without a farewell. I’m not insulted; I’d much prefer he move quickly. I find the bag in the cupboard and hook it over my arm.
“Alright, Ewan is on his way with the car,” I say. “Have you had any contractions yet?”
“One,” Amanda huffs as I help her to her feet. “Shit, I’m going to be glad when this baby comes out. Why couldn’t it have come last week, when it was due?”
“Obviously it wasn’t ready,” I say, trying not to smile; Amanda has been very unhappy about the baby being so late.
She groans anyway and huffs at me.
“Yeah, yeah,” she says. “Come on, let’s go. Are you letting them know that we’re on our way?”
“I’ll call as soon as we get in the car,” I promise.
Ewan is already there when we make it to the front door, and the car is running. He springs forward to help me with Amanda and the bag. Between the two of us, we get her comfortably in the car.
“Thank you for being so quick,” I say.
“I’ve been waiting for the call, so I was always nearby,” Ewan replies. “Now, let’s go. Traffic isn’t great at this time of the day, so we need to start moving as quickly as possible.”
I slip into the back seat with Amanda, and then we’re off. Amanda’s hand finds mine and she clutches it.
“This is really happening” she whispers.
‘Yeah,” I say.
It’s hard to believe. Soon, our baby will be in the world. Despite Amanda’s stomach growing for months, despite feeling the baby kick, despite everything we’ve bought in preparation…everything feels most real right at this moment.
“Hospital?” Amanda reminds me.
“On it,” I promise.
I dial the number of the doctor we’ve been seeing. He was a friend of my father’s and he specializes in deliveries. He gave me his number a month ago, telling me to call him directly when the time comes.
“Hello?” Doctor Gregory says as he picks up.
“Doctor, it’s Lyle Thompson,” I say. “We’re on our way.”
“Thank you for letting me know; I’ll meet you at the doors.”
“Thank you.”
I hang up and then open up my messages. I type out a message quickly and send it to Alicia, Maria and Alan.
‘Water broke, on way to hospital. Keep you informed.’
“Who are you messaging?” Amanda asks.
“Your parents and Alicia,” I explain. “I told them I’d let them know when we go to the hospital.”
Amanda chuckles. “You’ve got my parents and your best friend ready, you have the hospital on standby, even Ewan was waiting… You have everything planned down to a tee, don’t you?”
“I just want to make this as smooth as possible,” I say, smiling at her. “It’s going to be a tough few hours, but I didn’t want to get caught unawares to make it all worse.”
Amanda laughs and kisses me.
“I understand,” she says. “I love how organized you are. Thank you.”
I grin at her.
“Soon, we’re going to be parents,” I say.
“Yeah.”.
Her grip on my hand tightens slightly, and I squeeze it back. It’s scary, because we don’t know what’s going to happen next. The last nine months have been completely dedicated to this small life that is finally ready to come out into the world. But what happens after?
I shake my head. No, I won’t think about that right now. Let’s just get over the birth.
Everything else can come later.
A baby’s cry breaks the silence, so sharp and loud that I jump. Amanda jerks at my start, looking up at me with wild eyes. Her hair is a mess, her cheeks are red and she’s panting, absolutely exhausted.
“What?” she breathes.
“Sorry, just startled at the sound,” I say.
I squeeze her hand gently, trying not to wince at my protesting fingers; Amanda squeezed them really hard. I’ll probably have a few bruises on my hand tomorrow.
But it doesn’t matter. It was completely worth it for this moment.
The doctor is returning, a blanket-wrapped bundle in his arms. The hospital still smells like antiseptic, my girlfriend looks like she went through a war, and there are several people anxiously waiting for word of what’s happening, but none of that matters right now as the doctor gently lowers the bundle into Amanda’s waiting arms.
“Congratulations on your new baby girl,” the doctor says softly.
I fall into the chair closest to the bed, scooting forward as much as I’m able. I’m in awe as I gaze at the tiny life that’s now sitting in Amanda’s arms.
“A girl,” I breathe. I pause. “Did we even come up with girl names?”
“Uh…a few,” Amanda says sheepishly. “I was so sure it was going to be a boy, though.”
Amanda was so certain that she had me convinced. Thankfully, we held off buying anything for the new baby before it arrived.
“She’s beautiful,” I say.
Amanda runs her finger gently down the baby’s face. The baby twitches, fussing slightly.
“She’s probably hungry,” the nurse says, stepping forward with a smile.
I watch as the nurse helps Amanda breastfeed. It looks awkward and Amanda has to adjust her arms a few times before she finds a comfortable position to hold them in. The baby girl doesn’t seem to know what to do at first, but then she begins drinking.
“Wow,” Amanda says softly. “I can’t believe she’s really here. These last few months seemed to go so quickly.”
I nod in agreement. Once Amanda hit the third trimester, everything just seemed to speed along. But I knew it, I was taking Amanda to the hospital last night when her contractions started. It’s been a long eight hours, but now, in the early hours of the morning, our baby is here.
“What do we name her?” I ask.
“I’m not sure,” Amanda says. “I think Donna and Violet were on our list…but those don’t feel right.”
“I agree,” I say. “Did we have any other girl’s names?”
We look down at the baby, who is now suckling contentedly. She really is beautiful. So perfect and tiny.
“Rose,” Amanda says suddenly.
“What?” I ask.
“Let’s call her Rose,” Amanda says with a laugh. “I liked Violet, but Rose is much prettier.”
“Rose,” I say, trying the name out. I smile. “It sounds good.”
“You have a name?” the doctor asks, overhearing us.
“Yes,” Amanda says with a soft smile. “Rose Jessica Thompson.”
