Scarlett isn't sure her life could fall any further apart. On the morning her husband, Captain James Tamworth admits to cheating on her, she's diagnosed with cancer.
In the midst of caring for their two small children, battling through her health t...
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SCARLETT
As James takes himself to bed, I follow after him, standing awkwardly near the door. He tugs his pyjama top over his head and turns to me, tilting his head with a soft smile.
"You all right?"
I hesitate a moment.
He frowns. "Darling?"
"You might want to sit down," I say, but he's too busy walking over here to listen. "James. I don't know if you're going to be happy about this."
"Hey," he says, taking hold of my hands. "Tell me. What's happening?"
Here goes. I just know whatever happens from here is okay. We can work on it together. However we feel.
I breathe out. "I'm pregnant."
At first it's clear he doesn't know how to react. The shock outweighing everything else. Then the doubt and the worry sets in strong because it's too obvious for him to hide.
"You're what?"
"Pregnant," I whisper.
He blinks. Then he moves back to sit down on the bed, lowering his head into his hands. I'm waiting back to let him have some space, but his reactions aren't all that encouraging.
I look into his eyes and try not to feel disappointed because I already prepared myself for that to happen. "Say something," I whisper.
He swallows. "Money is tight already as it is, Scarlett."
My stomach drops. "I know."
He swallows hard. "I don't think we can afford another child."
I try my hardest to blink back the sudden tears, crossing my arms over my chest. "With my pay-rise we're looking at a couple of hundred more each month after tax."
"Yes, but you'll be back on maternity leave before we see any of it," he replies, pressing his fingers into his forehead.
"Do you want me to speak to my doctor about abortion?" I ask, not able to hide the crack in my voice.
When he looks at me, it sends me cold. I can tell that would be the last thing he wants, but I also see the fear that he thinks it would be the only option.
"You know it would kill me... but... I think it's for the best."
I nod. "Okay."
My heart hurts. I thought we could at least explore our options first. It seems even though he can't say the word abortion, he feels relieved by it. But, what if I don't want one?
"Scarlett, are you okay?" he asks, wearily.
I shake my head. "Not really. I thought you might want to give it more thought first."
