My Valentine

Twenty-Eight

Marshall Valentine

"Excuse me?"

The nurse was obviously annoyed. This was the third time I'd asked her to repeat her question.

"Did you know of your wife's pregnancy?"

I blinked.

"Well, yes. She was pregnant about a year ago, but she had an abortion."

The nurse smiled. She had a nice smile. It almost calmed my hammering heart.

"Mr. Valentine, it seems to me that you and your wife are expecting another child."

The world froze for a second, or it could've been more. I wouldn't have known.
I vaguely heard her asking me if I wanted to sit and I nodded numbly.

Maybe she thought I was overjoyed by the news, or equally as surprised.

I'd had sex with Lisa in my drunken state and now, she was pregnant...with my child.

I assumed it was, seeing as she didn't seem to be involved with anyone else.

"How...how far along is she?"

My large hands firmly grasped the chair.

Please don't let it be mine Lord. I'll do anything. It isn't mine.

What I had at stake was Nightingale and probably my freedom.

If Lisa was pregnant with my child, it ultimately meant that I couldn't leave her. I would have to stay in the relationship for my unborn child.

Had that been her plan all along? Had she wanted to get pregnant on purpose?

"She's about three weeks in. We can't be sure until she's stable enough to do some actual tests."

I was growing weaker by the minute.

I'd had sex with her roughly three weeks ago.

Mentally, Lisa was in no condition to carry a child. She was a hazard to herself. I highly doubted that she'd stop hurting herself because she was carrying a fetus that was quite possibly mine.

So many thoughts were racing through my mind as the nurse continued speaking.

She'd had an abortion. I still wasn't sure if she wanted children, but I sure as hell wasn't going to let her abort this one.

"Is there any way I can speak to her?"

"I think it's best if she gets some rest." She smiled at me apologetically.

I forced myself to smile back.

Shit

Nightingale Phillips

"You're not seriously considering buying that bikini, are you?"

I incredulously watched my best friend check the price tag on a yellow bikini with baby blue polkadots.

"Why not? It's so cute."

"We're supposed to be spending wisely, Tams."

My best friend rolled her eyes.

"When did you become the voice of reason?"

I threw a thick pair of socks into my own trolly.

"I highly doubt that we'll be going to the beach when we get to New York."

"We will be in a hotel, though, won't we?"

I snorted. There was no way I was going swimming in a pool with other people. I'd gained so much weight after the break up with Marshall, it wasn't even funny.