At fortyjust the right time!
“Izzy, whats taking so long? Did you fall asleep in there? Well be late for work!”
“Coming!” Isabelle flinched slightly, glancing back at the bathroom door. She knew shed been in there longer than usual, but she had her reasons. All week, mornings had left her queasy, and though shed shrugged it off at first, now it frightened her.
She suspected the cause, but the thought of pregnancy terrified her. Shoving the idea aside, she stepped out.
“Sorry,” she muttered to her husband. “Couldnt get my eyebrows right.”
“You do those in the bedroom!” Oliver frowned.
“Ohright.” She didnt argue, hurrying to the kitchen to make coffee. They both loved it, but today, the smell alone turned her stomach.
“You alright?” Oliver asked, concerned.
“Fine. Just not in the mood for coffee.”
“Really? You looked disgusted just now. Are you ill?”
Isabelle wrapped her arms around herself, trembling at the thought of a child. Oliver moved closer, pressing a hand to her forehead.
“Youre not feverish Maybe stay home? Call in sicktake the weekend to recover. Last thing we need is you falling ill. The mortgage wont pay itself”
Once he left, Isabelle sank onto the sofa, lost in thought. She knew what she had to dobuy a test, confirm her fears. But the idea filled her with dread. A child would make it all real.
“I just got that promotion, and Ollies right about the mortgage and we were saving for Cornwall” Theyd dreamed of children once, fresh out of uni, newlywed and starry-eyed. But it never happened. Over time, shed stopped thinking about it, content with their life. Oliver never brought it up eitheras if hed accepted it. Now, a baby would disrupt everything: sleepless nights, endless expenses
Groaning, she dragged herself to the chemist.
The test confirmed it. Pregnant. Her hand drifted to her bellyhad it already swollen? A shiver ran through her. Inside her, something tiny grew, utterly dependent on her. Fear and joy tangled in her chest.
“Youll be the brightest little thing,” she whispered.
Then doubt crept back. She wasnt young anymore. What would Oliver say? What if he was furious? What if he didnt want it? He was older too.
By evening, shed worked herself into a panic. She had to tell himbut when he got home, all she managed was, “Hungry?”
“Starving! What kind of question is that?”
Oliver studied his wife as she busied herself in the kitchen. Something was differenther eyes sparkled. Had she? No, he wouldnt think it. Shed tell him when ready.
“Feeling better?”
“Much. Had a nap. Work didnt mindshort day anyway. The anniversary partys tomorrow, so”
“You going?”
She almost said yesthen remembered. “No. Better skip it. Dont want to risk getting sick.”
“Since when do you miss parties?” Olivers voice was careful.
“Just not in the mood. Fancy a walk tomorrow instead?”
He nodded. “Make us some tea?”
“Of course.” She moved slower than usual, deliberate where she was usually brisk.
Olivers chest ached. There was only one reason shed act this way. She didnt love him anymore.
He stood abruptly, voice rough. “Who is he?”
“What?”
“The man youre in love with.”
“Olliewhat are you on about?”
Her confusion seemed genuine, but he didnt buy it. “Youre glowing! Dancing around! If youve found someone elsefine. Be happy.”
He stormed out. Isabelle stood frozen, then ran after him.
This wasnt how shed planned to tell him. No time to soften the blow.
Oliver was shrugging on his coat when she blurted, “OllieIm pregnant!”
He turned slowly. “What?”
“Pregnant. The test was positive. Were having a baby.”
She took his hand, pressed it to her stomach. “Your son or daughters in there.”
A storm of emotions crossed his face. Then he pulled away and left.
Isabelle stood alone, heartbroken. Once, hed begged for this. Now hed run.
Half an hour later, she sat in the dark, tears drying, when the doorbell rang.
Whod visit this late? Oliver had his keys. Wiping her face, she answeredand was met with a massive bouquet of her favourite peonies. Behind them, Oliver grinned.
“Here,” he said, stepping inside. “Sorry I bolted. I was in shock. Im over the moon, Izzy! A baby! If its a boyTheo. GirlLottie. Well call your mum, book the midwife”
He babbled until he noticed her tears. “Why are you crying?”
She buried her face in his shoulder. “I thought youd left for good. That you didnt want it that forty was too late.”
“Dont be daft. Im not going anywhere. Fortys perfect.”
“What about the mortgage? My promotion? Our plans?”
Oliver cupped her face. “Listen. None of that matters. Well manage. You can work after maternity if you want. My salary covers us. Sleepless nights? Bring them on.”
Isabelle sighed, leaning into him. However scared shed been, hed made it right. Together, theyd handle it.
All three of them.
