Spring [Completed]

THIRTY-SIX

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HIM

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"Unplanned does not mean unwanted or unloved. It simply means life knew what I needed before even I did."
—Unknown
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"You're pregnant?" I ask, eyes growing wide as I uncross my arms and take a seat beside her on the couch.

"Yes," she whispers, glancing at the floor as she wipes her eyes quickly.

My heart pounds heavily in my chest as I try to make sense of everything she's told me so far. I place a hand on her thigh and give it a reassuring squeeze. "Imani, this is... this is—"

"Crazy, I know." She glances up at me with a worried expression. "What am I gonna do—"

"First of all." I wipe the moisture from her eyes with the pad of my thumb. "Imani, I'm here for you. You don't have to do this alone if you don't want to," I say, meaning every word.

I'd never tell her this, but when we were younger I always hoped that I'd get her pregnant. I know it's bad to say, but I loved her and I wanted to start a family with her. It's crazy to think that all these years later, I'm finally getting my chance.

"Thanks, Ethan," she says, letting out a breath of relief as she closes her eyes.

"Second," I continue, smiling softly as her soulful brown eyes meet my gaze. "Imani, this isn't crazy. This is a blessing...our blessing." I cup her cheek in my hand. "Imani, you're having my baby." Tears well up in my eyes as I think of how happy we could all be together. Her kids, my kids and our kid all under the same roof. My heart swells at the possibility. "That's the most beautiful thing you could ever do..."

"Ethan," she frowns as a soft sob escapes her lips. "I...I don't know who the father is..." Her voice comes out in a broken whisper as I suck in a shocked breath.

"Oh." I don't say anything else. I don't want to make her feel bad, but I'm disappointed.

Imani pulls away from me, her curls falling into her face as she shakes her head. "Ethan, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

She's crying heavily now, her body shaking with every sob that escapes her mouth.

I panic, not wanting her to feel embarrassed and make a choice. Instead of expressing my disappointment, I place a hand on her back and pull her into me. "It's okay, Imani. It's not you're fault. We'll figure it out..."

"How can you do that?" She pulls away from me, eyeing me quizzically.

"Do what?"

"Be s-so nice to me...I don't deserve this—"

"Yes you do," I say, frowning at her slightly. "How can you not see how much you mean to me, Mani." I pause, sighing deeply as I gather my thoughts. "Look, this situation isn't perfect, but neither of us are perfect, okay? We do stupid shit, say stupid shit, but at the end of the day you're still the only woman I want." She glances away from me and I take her hand in mind. "It baffles me that you still think that you're unworthy of common decency and kindness, no matter how I feel—"