The Mafia's Heir

Chapter 19

Four months into my pregnancy, I was getting tired. I stopped working out like I had been doing before. Zach had to force me to walk around the house at least three times a day. I snapped at him, but he never said anything about it.

I still hadn't told Daniel or my father anything. They didn't even notice when we were together for my birthday week. Mom threatened to tell them, but I convinced her not to. I had told Nicky, but she wasn't even surprised. She was more happy than my mother had been. The boys had been excited too. Talking about being uncles and taking turns coming up with the baby's name.

It was fun while it lasted. When I finally worked up the courage to tell Daniel, I was seven months in. The conversation went a little like this:

"Daniel, that's the last time you will be hanging up on me," I growled. "Next time, remember that your wife is missing you sometimes."

"You miss me?" He laughed. "That's the first time I've heard you say that yourself."

"This situation isn't funny, Daniel. Your hormonal wife is missing her husband and he's in the east doing God knows what."

"Sorry, babe. I was just...busy here with your father. You know how he can be about phones."

"Yeah, yeah. What are you doing right now?"

"Nothing. We're on a stakeout. Looking to see what Joshua is up to."

"Why are you guys still worried about him? It's been seven years, he isn't going to be looking for me anymore."

"Yeah, we know that. But, he's been messing with other women and we're putting a stop to it. We won't be back for a long time."

"Danny, that's going to be a problem."

I heard him shifting on the other side. Was he really on a stakeout?

"...Why?"

Well, this was tougher than I expected. No guessing why it's going to be a problem? That's not the Daniel I know. He really must be too busy.

"Because, I'm pregnant," I said.

"You're kidding, right? You want me to come home? All you have to do is say it and I'll be there," he said in a rush. I chuckled.

"I'm not kidding, Daniel. I'm seven months in. I didn't get to tell you when you were here for my birthday, because you were drunk and even after that, you and dad were getting ready to leave again."

"Oh, my God. I can't believe--Cynthia, I'm going to fly back. Say it and I'll fly back."

"It's fine, Danny. Just come when you can. Ryder said that he'd be here if he could."

"What about Zach?"

"Zach had to leave for Italy a couple of days ago. He said he'd try to be back."

"Cynthia, I really want to be there for you."

"I know you do, but I know how bad we need to have Josh behind bars. You do you and maybe you'll make it on time."

"Wow. I'm going to be a father!"

I went quiet. The question of who was the father was running through my head. I didn't want to rain on his happiness and tell him that Zach might be the father. I'll just let him figure everything out on his own. It didn't matter how long it took me.

"Yeah, you are. Now, get back to work."

I hung up before he could say anything. That was...something. I had wished I'd forced Zach to take a paternity test. Maybe I would have been at ease. No one would be looking at me weirdly when I refused to say who the father was. Ugh, now I have to tell dad. No, I don't. Mom would gladly do it.