Short stories

Betray

She stood in front of the large window in the living room, arms crossed over her chest. She looked forward to her boyfriend’s return. Her heart was pounding as she shivered with fright. She finally walked away from the window. She went to the kitchen to prepare tea. She needed to relax a bit. The door suddenly opened.

“Miranda? Are you there?”

She went to meet him. He took her in his arms, visibly worried. He could feel her shaking. He let her into the living room where he sat beside her on the sofa. He took her hands.

“Can you explain to me what’s going on?”

She lowered her eyes.

“Patricia phoned me to tell me you weren’t feeling too well.”

“Did she mention anything else?”

“Don’t hide anything from me, please! You know very well I don’t like it. Tell me what’s wrong.”

She suddenly freed herself from his grasp, hating when he was acting like he was doing right now. She was no longer a child! She sighed before answering she left work early because she wasn’t feeling very well. He frowned, watching her curiously. He knew she was hiding something. He knelt before his girlfriend and took her hands.

“Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Josh… You know I love you, don’t you?”

He nodded, anxious.

“Well, I’m pregnant.”

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Pregnant? Finally she looked up at him and she was under the impression of having committed a big mistake. He didn’t want a child and she knew it for a long time. This is the end! He will dump me and I’ll have an abortion! She hid her face and sobbed. She managed to articulate she was really sorry. He smiled, touching her hands.

“I know it’s not your fault.”

She rose when he passed his arms around her hips, pressing his face against her belly.

“There’s really a baby in there?”

He kissed her belly before raising his eyes to her. The young woman didn’t know how she would react. She just nodded, not daring to touch him. He unbuttoned the last buttons of her shirt to kiss and caress the skin of her stomach.

“We’re having a baby!” he cried, clasping her very tight.

* * * * *

Months passed quietly. The baby was growing normally and he was in perfect health. Josh spoke to him every day. A small room was transformed into the room for the future baby. The desk, the computer and the futon were now in the living room. Miranda had begun to paint the room in pastel green and royal blue. Josh helped as best as he could when he came home from work. By cons, he complained she wasn’t resting enough. The doctor had strongly advised to rest as much as possible since she had a fragile health.

The end of her pregnancy came quickly. A small bag was always close to the front door. She had her real contractions while Josh was at work. When she phoned to warn him, he hung up and jumped into his car. Then they went to the hospital when the contractions were much more intense. A nurse took Miranda in a large room where the doctor was waiting. The child’s head was already visible. Josh quickly put on a blue blouse to attend the birth. He took the hand of his girlfriend and whispered in her ear that he loved her. The nurse pulled out a syringe.

“I’ll give you a sedative to help you,” she said.

“You need to start pushing,” the doctor ordered with an encouraging tone.