Chapter 13

JAYDA

“You’re amazing with your nieces. I have no doubt you’ll be a good mother. I know this is all sudden and crazy, but I want you to stay calm. Whatever your decision is, I’ll be here for you.” Lilian patted Jayda’s hand.

“Part of the reason why Zach left me was because I wasn’t ready to start a family. Now, look at me, pregnant by accident.”

“You said you never felt for Zach what you felt with Sebastian. It might be that you and Zach were not meant to be together.

“You’re stronger than how you see yourself, Jayda, and I know you will be a great mom. I also believe the universe cannot make you go through what you cannot survive.

“I know you’re worried about your job. You’re wondering why this is all happening when you just got your promotion. You will be fine, and I’ll be here to support you. I don’t mind moving in with you.”

“Thanks, Lily,” Jayda mumbled.

“So, will you tell Sebastian?” Lilian asked.

“I don’t know!” Jayda replied immediately. “He will probably think I intentionally trapped him because of his wealth. Besides, I don’t think I have the strength to face him. Maybe it’s better he doesn’t know about it.”

A sad smile appeared on Lilian’s face. “Sebastian’s father was still pestering him for a grandchild on the night of his birthday. Uncle Albert and Aunt Vanessa will be happy when they hear you’re expecting their grandchild.”

Lilian paused. “I never thought I would be saying this, but Sebastian is into you, Jayda.”

“Did you tell him about me? I told you not to.” Jayda groaned.

“I told him a little story about you being with someone else, and he got furious,” Lilian revealed.

Jayda frowned. “But I haven’t been with anyone else.”

“I just wanted to see what he’d do. Clearly, his jealousy means he can’t stop thinking about you.”

“Perhaps he was mad because he didn’t get the chance to throw his shoes at me like I did to him. I really do ~not~ want to think about him right now. I don’t expect anything from him. I want to focus on myself and what’s next for me. I’ll know what to do after my visit to my doctor.”

“Should I come with you to the appointment?” Lilian offered.

“Tomorrow is Tuesday, what will happen to your meetings?” Jayda asked.

“I can make an excuse. I’ll tell them something came up.”

“Don’t worry Lily, I’ll be fine,” Jayda assured her.

“Are you sure?” Lilian asked with a sad face.

Jayda nodded.

“Okay, my work clothes are in the guest room. I’m crashing here tonight and maybe for the rest of the week. Hopefully, nothing will come up that will make me go back to my apartment.”

JAYDA

“Thank you! I’ll appreciate your company. I really need to be pampered.” Jayda hugged her, grateful to have such a good best friend.

“So, did you call your mom to tell her she was right all along?” Lilian asked.

“Mom knows. She knew the moment she saw me, but she didn’t push the matter because of how reluctant I was to accept the fact that she could be right. But I will call her tomorrow.”

“Everything will be fine, you’ll do just great,” Lilian said calmly.

“I guess talking to you about it made me feel better. I’ll begin to look at the positive side of everything and try my best to cope,” Jayda confessed.

LILIAN

Lilian decided to cheer Jayda up by teasing her. “I’m so jealous of your unborn child right now. He is not even born yet and he’s richer than me. You and Sebastian are both intelligent, not to mention that he’s drop-dead gorgeous, and you’re beautiful. Just imagine how perfect your baby will be.”

Jayda blushed.

“Whatever! I don’t just want my baby to have Sebastian’s attitude.”

***

JAYDA

The next morning, Jayda woke up with the need to throw up. She rushed into the bathroom and emptied the contents of her stomach.

She felt dizzy after she was done, so she sat on the floor for a few minutes to regain her lost energy.

Feeling a little better, Jayda cleaned up, did her usual morning routine, and got ready for work.

Jayda considered today to be one of the days she woke up on the wrong side of the bed, so she was not in the mood to do anything extra. She settled for a simple knee-length dress and brushed her hair. She decided to go without makeup. She grabbed her purse and laptop bag, and then went to the kitchen.

“I was about to call you down for breakfast,” Lilian said, pointing to the pancakes on the table. She was already dressed for work too.

“You look pale this morning.” Lilian closed the gap between them.

Jayda nodded. “I just had my first morning sickness. I feel so weak.”

Lilian pulled out a chair for Jayda and then took a seat beside her.

“Are you sure you will be fine going to the doctor alone? I don’t think you should drive in this situation.”

“I’ll be fine. I guess I won’t take my car today. You can drop me off at the hospital, and I’ll take a cab to the office from there.”

***

DR. DAVIS

As soon as Dr. Davis approached the reception, she saw one of her favorite patients, Jayda. Jayda had been a patient of Davis for almost nine years, so she considered her a daughter.

She pulled Jayda into a side hug and ushered her into her office.

Dr. Davis was quite tall, in her early forties, with long dark hair. She always wore a friendly smile.

She took a seat behind her desk while Jayda sat opposite her.

“So, let’s get to business. What brings you here?”

JAYDA

Jayda tried to find the right words as she fiddled with her fingers. “I took a pregnancy test two nights ago, and it came out positive. I’m here so you can tell me what to do next. I’m so confused, I don’t even know where to start.”

Dr. Davis gave her a reassuring smile. “Let’s start with the basics. What changes have you noticed?”

“Lack of appetite. I now dislike most of my favorite food, my boobs are sore, and I threw up this morning.”

Dr. Davis nodded, scribbling something down on her chart. “All very common early symptoms. First, let’s get you an official test, and then we’ll do an exam to see how far along you are. Do you know the date of conception?”

It was a night she’d never forget. Jayda nodded. Dr. Davis reached across the desk to pat her hand.

“We’ll take care of you, Jayda.”

Dr. Davis knew how hardworking and successful Jayda was, and she was really concerned about her. Jayda was so clearly unhappy about the whole thing.

She moved around the desk and sat beside Jayda.

“You want to keep this baby, right?” Dr. Davis asked, looking into her eyes.

Jayda nodded. “When the tests I took at home came out positive, all I did was cry because I knew my life was going to change forever. I’m not ready for motherhood, but I have no choice but to prepare for it.”

Dr. Davis took one of Jayda’s hands in hers. “You’ll do just fine. Is the father aware?”

Jayda shook her head.

“I know you have a lot on your plate, but I want you to look at this pregnancy as a blessing in disguise. A little girl or boy has chosen you to be its mother, and I want you to be proud of that. “You are going to have a child of yours who will call you mom and look up to you. I promise you, it is the most amazing feeling in the world.

“I want you to worry less. Put yourself and your baby’s health first. Work can come later. Eat well and on time, use your medicines, avoid stress, and stay hydrated. I want you to enjoy this pregnancy as much as you can.”

Jayda smiled sadly. “Thanks, doc, you gave me the motivation I needed.”

“You’re welcome.” She smiled. “We’ll get you set up with your next appointment in about a month, and I’ll see you every month after that until closer to the end.”

Jayda and Dr. Davis talked some more before she took her leave. She made a stop at the hospital pharmacy to get all the prescribed medications. After that, Jayda hailed a taxi and gave him the address to her office.

As soon as she got settled in the taxi, she took out her phone and googled Sebastian Miller. She read a few things about him and, most importantly, noted his office address.

He worked at the headquarters of Millers Inc., a tech company. There was a lot of relationship gossip about him, but Jayda restrained herself from reading it.

Deep down, she knew his reaction wouldn’t be a good one when she told him that she was expecting their child, but she wanted to fulfill her duty as a mother. He had a right to know, and now that she was sure, she was going to inform him today.

“I changed my mind,” she told the driver. “Take me to this address, instead.”