deliberately put herself in harm’s way. “You’re right. I don’t need any more crap. But I still have to tell him.”
“What if he wants to be part of your baby’s life?”
A brief surge of hope caught her off guard. She would love to be a family again—she and Darcy and their child. She quickly tamped down the hope. Darcy had never been part of Holly’s life in the way Emma had expected when their little girl was born. He was too busy with the pub, with his friends, anything but being a family man. Oh, he played with Holly and took great delight in her but he wasn’t a hands-on dad who changed diapers or fed her or did any of the mundane caring things that led to real bonding—at least in Emma’s opinion. Since Holly died, he never wanted to look at old photos or talk about her, something that would have given Emma comfort and helped her grieve. It was almost as if he wanted to forget Holly had ever been born.
“He can’t be part of my new baby’s life because I won’t allow it,” Emma said flatly. “But that won’t be a problem. You’re right...he doesn’t want a child.”
“Take your lawyer with you when you tell him,” Dave advised. “Make sure he knows he’ll have to pay child support.”
“I’m not going to ask for support. Getting pregnant is something I want—even though this pregnancy was accidental. This baby will be one hundred percent mine.”
“Well, congratulations then,” Dave said. “This could work out well, right, Alana?” Placing a hand on his wife’s shoulder, he turned to Emma. “We’re trying for another baby.”
“Oh, wow.” Emma leaned across the table and hugged her sister. “We might have twin cousins again.”
“Hmm, yeah.” Alana glanced at the wall clock above the breakfast nook. “I’d better get the cake and ice cream ready.”
Emma frowned at her evasive answer. Didn’t Alana want to share baby stuff with her again? This was a real opportunity for them to heal their relationship and bond over a new set of babies. She opened her mouth to speak, but Alana was heading to the counter for the pink-frosted cake and directing Dave to get out plates.
Reluctantly, Emma rose, too. “I’ll go. I’m meeting friends in Summerside tonight. I might drop into the pub and see Darcy after. No sense putting off telling him.”
Alana walked Emma out. Emma paused in the living room to say goodbye to Tessa, taking her away briefly from a game of Pin the Wings on the Fairy. At the door, Alana squeezed Emma’s arm. “I’ll go with you when you tell him if you want.”
“Thanks, but this is something I have to do by myself.” Emma gave her sister a hug and held her for a moment. “I would love it if you would be my birthing partner.”
“I’d be honored.” Alana drew back. “I’m sorry if I wasn’t immediately thrilled for you. If you’re happy, then I’m happy.”
Emma hesitated. Alana didn’t look particularly happy. Now that they’d made contact again she didn’t want to be the cause of her sister’s distress. “Are you worried I’m going to steal your thunder, having another baby at the same time?”
Alana shook her head. She glanced over her shoulder to see if anyone was near then clutched Emma’s hand. “I don’t want another baby. Dave is pushing for it. I want to go back to work. In fact, I’ve applied for a job at the gym, teaching group fitness classes.”
“Oh, but...Tessa’s three. It’s a good time. In fact, you’re behind schedule.” Emma smiled. “You always said you wanted three children spaced two and a half years apart.”
“That was before...”
“Before what?”
A hint of desperation flashed in Alana’s eyes, but she didn’t finish her thought. Instead she took another tack. “The longer I’m out of the work force the harder it will be to get back in. Especially in my field, where I have to be super fit. If I want to move up, maybe get a permanent position at a gym, then I need to think about my career.”
Emma had been under the impression Alana chose to be a fitness instructor so she could teach classes part-time and stay home with her kids. “But I thought—”
“Sorry, Emma, the kids are finished. I’ve got to go.” Alana hugged her. “Good luck tonight telling Darcy.”
“Thanks. I’m sure it’ll be fine. He’ll be relieved he’s not expected to do anything.”
Emma walked slowly to her car. What was going on with Alana? Something