everyone else’s problem; he just wanted to focus on having a family of his own. Willow suspected that was the reason he was resigning his diplomatic position. His sudden talk of resigning came just days before she’d gone to the doctor to confirm what her body already knew.
“I’m sorry,” she said almost immediately. “I didn’t mean that.”
“I’ll have my lawyers draw up some sort of agreement,” he said.
“I did not mean that, James. I would not hurt our baby because I’m mad at you.”
“I thought when you said you loved me everything would be okay. When I found out you might be pregnant I was so happy. I wanted to ask you to marry me. Hell, I went out and got a ring. I was so close to having it all,” he said. “So fucking close!”
He took a small black box from his pocket and threw it on the bed.
“My lawyers will call you,” he said before walking out the door.
Willow stood there for a long time unable to move. She heard the front door close and he was gone. She picked up the box from the bed. It was an engagement ring. It was stunning. She clutched it to her breasts and cried.
Chapter 13
His lawyers had indeed called her within a day of his visit. By then, Willow was back at her house, deciding what to do. Larry had not called with an offer on the property and she was not at all certain she still wanted to put it on the market. For one thing, if she was going to have his child, the close proximity might help facilitate things better.
She reviewed the legal documents with an attorney. Her attorney assured her the deal was not a bad one. James insisted on such things as obstetric visits, shopping, nursery choices and Lamaze classes. He hadn’t given her an unfair deal. Nancy, while elated she was finally going to be a godmother, wanted Willow to reconcile with James.
Their first doctor’s visit together was three weeks after their argument. Willow had estimated that she was only a week or two pregnant when they had the fight, so now would be the right time to find out if they had a viable fetus. James scheduled them to meet with the same obstetrician that his cousin used. It was part of their signed agreement so she did not protest, even when he showed up to pick her up outside her office.
“You don’t have to pick me up,” she said. “I have a car and I know the address.”
“It’s in our agreement,” he grunted.
“Ah, the agreement,” she said sarcastically. “What a fun way to have a baby!”
“You left me no choice.”
“Do you think a lawyer could force me to carry this child if I didn’t want to? If I wanted to, I could disappear forever. I’ve done it before.”
“I think I have a right to be part of this process, and I want to be a part of the process.”
“I agree, but you don’t have to control everything.”
He didn’t reply. They drove in silence to the doctor’s office. They were ushered into a private room almost immediately.
The nurse gave them the standard talk, and then she was ready for her ultrasound. Willow felt a moment of panic. If there was no heartbeat, there was no baby. She was prepared for the possibility that the previous tests were wrong, but from James’ demeanor, he was already a father. She did not want him to be there if the news was bad. As the even paced rhythm came through the speaker and they saw the lines moving in tune with the thumping of a heartbeat, she reached out and held his hand. When she looked up, he had tears in his eyes.
“Congratulations,” the nurse said.
They thanked her and Willow got dressed while they waited for the doctor. They did not talk to each other the whole time. The doctor came in and talked to both of them. He explained his role and the different examinations she would have to go through for the next eight months, all the way until birth. Willow felt overwhelmed.
“Are you okay?” James asked when they got in the car.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” she said. She wiped tears away from her eyes. “I mean, I’m carrying a life inside of me.”
“You will be okay,” he squeezed her hand giving her some reassurance. “You know I’m here if you need anything.”
“Yeah, I read it from your lawyers.”
He let go off