Chapter 38

ANNA

~I’m pregnant.~

~Damn, I’m pregnant.~

~Holy hell, I’m pregnant.~

Brittany’s computer pings while we’re still in her office.

“Ah, your blood results,” she says, scanning the screen.

“Anna.” She sighs. “You’re about five weeks pregnant. I’d tell you to take it easy, but with Olivia being sick, that’s not really an option, is it?” She chuckles.

“Just try to stay calm and take breaks when you can. And don’t hesitate to ask for help when things get too crazy.”

I nod at her. “Okay.”

“Becca, you’re also five weeks pregnant,” Brittany confirms.

My mom and I look at each other and burst into laughter.

“Can you believe it? The same day,” she says, still laughing.

“Why did we let our hormones run wild that day?” I add.

“It was quite the emotional day,” she agrees.

James just shakes his head.

“We should totally prank Dad,” I suggest.

She nods in agreement.

“No, no! He’ll kill me!” James practically shouts.

“Shh!” I hush James. “We should! He deserves it,” I insist. I turn to Brittany. “So, due dates?” I ask.

“Looks like you both have the same due date. October 10th. But we’ll need to do ultrasounds to confirm.”

“Okay. When’s the next available appointment? I’m here all the time with Olivia’s treatment, and so is my mom.”

She blinks, probably surprised that I want to keep her as my doctor. I guess I can’t blame her—she was pretty awful.

“I’d like to see you both. How about March 5th? If you want to see the baby or if you have any concerns, just let me know,” she says, smiling.

“When can we see the baby?” James asks, his voice choked up.

“I can schedule an appointment for next week. I don’t have time to do it now. But your blood results look good,” she reassures us.

“So next week then,” James says. He’s eager to see his baby.

“Okay,” I agree, nodding. I understand. He never got to see a sonogram of Olivia. He’s only seen a picture.

We leave her office and schedule our appointments for the next few weeks.

“So what are we going to do about Jack?” Mom asks.

“I have an idea,” I tell her, raising an eyebrow. We walk into the gift shop and I find exactly what I was looking for. Grinning, I grab it.

~This is going to be so much fun.~

~

“Honey, can you get some strawberry juice for Liv?”

“Sure,” someone answers.

“Anna?”

~Who is that?~

~

I recognize that voice. I turn around and find myself face-to-face with Peter. My eyes widen and I shake my head.

“No—”

“I just came to apologize,” he says, raising his hands.

“Apologize?” I ask, my voice shaking. This has to be some sick joke. The universe must really hate me. After such good news, of course something has to go wrong. This can’t be real.

“Yes. I’m really sorry, Anna. I shouldn’t have done what I did. I didn’t realize how much it hurt you,” he admits.

“So what made you change your mind?” I ask, trying to keep my composure. I can feel myself starting to crumble.

“James. And your baby pictures. You looked so sad and scared in so many of them. I only found out about that awful boy after your prom, and I’m so sorry I wasn’t there.

“I’m so sorry I helped your mom kick you out when you needed us the most. I’m just… so sorry.”

I just stand there, barely blinking, as he talks.

“I’m going to leave now. If Ruby doesn’t come to apologize today, let me know. I’ll divorce that cunning woman if she doesn’t,” he says, his voice hard.

“I still have the same number,” he adds. And then he leaves the store.

He apologized. He actually apologized. It’s all I ever wanted from them.

~Holy hell! Divorce?~

~

He’s going to divorce her if she doesn’t apologize.

~Wow, he’s really mad!~

~

Smiling, I leave the store. I still can’t believe it.

“What did ~he~ want?” James asks, his teeth clenched.

“To apologize.”

“About time,” he says, sighing. I nod in agreement.

“Who apologized?” Mom asks.

“Peter! And if Ruby doesn’t apologize too, he said he’ll divorce her. He told me to call him if she doesn’t show up today,” I tell her, still in shock.

“Thank. Fucking. God!” she shouts, jumping up and down with excitement.

James and I can only laugh. I hate to be mean, but Ruby deserves it. She really does. Peter never stood up to her when I was a kid, but I always knew it was her doing.

He was too scared to go against her, or something. She must have manipulated him.

~I wouldn’t put it past her.~

~

We get to the ward and stop at the sink outside Liv’s room.

When a child is in isolation, they have to be in a separate room, and outside that room is another room where visitors and staff can wash and disinfect.

Mom and I pinch our cheeks to make them red and splash some water on our faces to make them look teary.

~We’re so bad!~

~

The door swings open to reveal Olivia, sitting upright in bed with her poppa by her side.

“Mommy!” she exclaims.

I pretend to sniffle.

“Anna?” Dad questions, but I just shake my head, struggling to keep a straight face.

“Becca?” he tries again, but she too shakes her head. She fakes a sniffle and turns to bury her face in James’ shoulder.

“Oh,” is all Dad manages to say.

I glance at him, his face a picture of defeat. He’s always wanted another child. Sure, he has me, but he missed out on so much. I guess it’s not quite the same.

I cross the room to Olivia and pull her into a hug. I whisper in her ear, “Come with mommy to the bathroom—I have a surprise. But you have to pretend to be sad, okay? We’re playing a trick on Poppa.”

Olivia loves pranks. She’s terrible at them, but she’s a fantastic actress. As soon as I tell her the plan, she starts to cry. Dad’s eyes dart from me, to Mom, to Olivia’s tears. James looks like he’s about to burst with laughter.

I pretend to comfort Liv, shushing her gently.

Dad’s discomfort is palpable. He reaches out to me, but I step back.

“Please don’t,” I tell him, adding to the drama. I scoop up Olivia and head for the bathroom.

“Anna?” he calls after me. I shake my head. “Don’t.” I can see the hurt in his eyes, but it’s going to be worth it.

I close the bathroom door and set Olivia down.

“Mommy, what’s happening?” she whispers, her voice filled with excitement.

“I have a gift for you,” I tell her. I reveal a t-shirt that reads “Big Sister” and help her put it on.

“What do the words say?” she whispers.

“Mommy and Daddy are going to have another baby. You’re going to be a big sister, Livvy.” Her eyes go wide with excitement.

“We’re playing a trick on Poppa because he was a little mean to Gigi and me. I’m going to be a big sister too—I have the same t-shirt as you! We’ll walk out together looking very sad and then turn to Poppa.”

Her mouth forms an “o.”

“This is so funny!” she whisper-shouts as I pull on my matching shirt.

“Remember—act sad,” I remind her.

She nods and dabs some water on her eyes. I pinch my cheeks and she mimics me.

We open the door and walk hand-in-hand back to Mom.

“Anna?” Dad tries again. Olivia looks at me and I give her a nod. We both turn to face him and together we shout, “Surprise!”

He looks utterly bewildered. “What?” he stammers.

I point to our t-shirts. His eyes follow my finger and then he gets it.

“Oh shit!”

“Curse jar!” Olivia yells, pointing at him.

“I’m going to be a dad again?” he asks Mom, and she nods.

“Yes!” he exclaims, his face lighting up. “And I’m going to be a granddad again?” I nod in confirmation as James ducks behind a giggling Olivia, who is practically squealing with joy.

He rushes to my mom and pulls her into a tight hug. “I can’t believe it! I can’t believe it!” he cries, causing us all to burst into laughter.

“Why didn’t you just tell me? That was some prank!” he complains.

“You made your bed. You had to lie in it,” I tell him, grinning from ear to ear.