Slowly, the two of us leaned closer to the test as the pink grew more vivid. We watched as the first line developed before it was joined a second later by another, just as pink and vivid as the first.
I checked the box, looked back at the test, checked the box again, then sighed. “I'm pregnant.”
Janey hugged me, the two of us latching onto each other for dear life.
“I don't know whether to laugh or cry!” I whispered, hugging her tight. “What the hell do I do now?”
Matthew
"Morning, Sandra."
"Hello, Matthew. There's someone in your office to see you."
"Already? It's barely eight."
"I know, but he seemed pretty persistent. Irish fella. Told him to wait in your office."
Sean, I thought as I strode toward my door. He's got news for me already? And it must be big if he's here this early.
Entering my office, I found him sitting in the armchair in the corner that had purely been decorative until now. In one hand he was holding a cup of coffee while in the other he gripped a brown envelope. "Hello, Sean. Good to see you."
"How are you?" he asked, shaking my hand with his calloused fingers after depositing the envelope on the table.
"Good, but by the look on your face my mood's about to drop."
"Perhaps," he said, handing me the envelope. "It's not good news I'm coming to tell ya."
I took the envelope and tore it open. Freshly printed paper slipped out into my hand. "What is this?" I asked, looking at a jumble of computer code.
"I traced the IP address from your nasty emails," he said. "And not only that, but those sneaky photographs of you that you received held a surprising amount of data."
"Really? Please tell me you found out who's behind this." I flipped through the papers and couldn't make heads nor tails of all the letters and numbers.
"Check the last page," he said. "You'll see an address corresponding to the IP."
I did as he suggested and flicked through. My eyes quickly scanned the page as my heartbeat quickened. "Seven-three-five Marlborough Boulevard," I read out loud. "That's where the emails came from?"
Sean nodded and ran a hand over his head and leveled a grim look at me. "I'm assuming you know who resides there?" he asked as recognition dawned on my face.
"Olivia." I was stunned for a second, too shocked to speak. “You’re sure this information is correct?”
He nodded. “Yes sir. I checked and rechecked to be sure. It’s correct.” He slipped his hat on top of his head and aimed for the door. "I'm sorry. I'm sure you weren't expecting someone so close to home to be behind this. But if I'm being honest, I've been in this game long enough to know ex-wives and husbands can be capable of just about anything. This is rather tame in comparison to some of the stuff I've seen."
"Tame?"
Was being accused of basically being a pedophile tame? Was being followed and photographed no big deal?
"Yeah, tame," he repeated. “Anyhow, I best be on my way."
"I suppose I should thank you," I said, shaking his hand although I had no idea what I had to be grateful for.
As he left, I sunk into my seat and tried to process it all. But I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Out of all the people I thought could be behind it, I never once suspected her. I mean, sure, she was a bitch and a terrible wife. But was she really capable of such an awful accusation?
I guessed she was.
But why? What the fuck did she think she was going to get from this?
Then it dawned on me. The divorce settlement. She'd made it pretty clear she didn't think she was getting enough, so what did she decide to do? Blackmail me to get more money.
A gentle knock sounded on the door, followed by a soft voice I instantly recognized it as Becca's.
"Come in."
She entered with a slight smile. With her coat and scarf on, she was still wrapped up for the outdoors, but I couldn't help but notice underneath all the wool her face was glowing.
"Just wanted to pick up those notes you made for our preparation for the investor meeting."
"Sure."
I noticed her eyes land on Sean's findings on the desk and before she could see any more, I dumped a large folder on top. As soon as I handed her my notes, she turned and walked away. There was no denying her urgency to leave my office. Over the last week, she had been distant, almost disinterested in me unless it was to discuss work.
But of course she was disinterested. She was a beautiful, driven and phenomenal twenty-three-year-old. What was I to her apart from some crusty old dude, her boss, her dad's best buddy? She'd probably met someone closer to her own age, someone with as much energy as she had and who at least knew how to work Instagram unaided.
"Catch you later," she said, walking out the door without turning back.
I heard the authoritative stride of her high heels as they smacked off the hallway floor.
She's over you, I thought as I closed the door behind her. She's moved on.
I just wished I could say the same about Olivia.
Becca
The day passed in a haze of meetings, paperwork, and cups of decaf coffee, which was completely useless. But no matter how busy I was, I couldn't get Matthew out of my head. Or rather, I couldn't get what I had to tell him out my head. As I tried to focus on my work, my brain wouldn't shut up.
You have to tell him he’s going to be a father.
But as much as I knew I had to tell him, there was a devil sitting on my other shoulder telling me not to.
He hasn't got time for kids. Not to mention he's probably not interested in you anymore. He's barely looked at you in days or said a word unless it's about work.
As the clock reached six, I grabbed my things and headed for the elevator.
"Good night," a happy though exhausted voice came from behind me. Looking around, I saw Matthew in his doorway with a briefcase in his hand. "I'm just heading home in a minute. I can give you a ride if you want."
For a second, I almost said yes, then I stopped myself. Keep your distance for now. Think before you get close to him again.
"No thank you. I have my car," I said, pressing the button for the elevator.
"Oh, okay.”
"See you tomorrow."
If I wasn't mistaken, there was a deeply disappointed look in his eyes, but as soon as I noticed it, it was gone.
Stepping in the elevator, I felt his gaze on me as the doors slid shut. Turning to see my reflection in the mirror, I was surprised but pleased to see what Janey had said was true.
Holy shit, my skin does look amazing.
Downstairs, I hurried to the parking lot and found my car. In the distance, I could make out Matthew's Porsche in the corner. Better get going before he gets down here, I thought as I twisted the key in the ignition.
Driving home, I lost myself in thought as I drifted along the dark road filled nose to tail with impatient rush hour drivers.
“Come on, come on."
My head was in a spin. No matter how much I tried to think sensibly, there was always some chaotic part of my brain telling me to do the opposite.
You have to tell him.
No, never tell him.
Are you even going to keep the baby? Of course you are. You've always wanted to be a mother. But now's not the right time, is it? Is there ever really a right time?
I arrived home exhausted and trudged up to my apartment. Somehow, every movement felt different, every physical sensation putting me on edge. It was as though I was hyper aware of my body and what it contained. Deep inside me, I was carrying something so precious I had to guard it at all costs.
Once inside, I locked the door and did what I always did when my mind was a mess. Ran a bath. I spun the taps and watched the tub fill up as I poured in a generous amount of rose oil.
Just relax, I thought as I peeled off my clothes. There's no rush to do anything right now. There's no harm in taking your time and thinking things through.
What are you doing just lying here? Don't you know you have to tell Matthew about the baby? The longer you wait the worse it's going to get!
"Fuck!"
Unable to relax, I dragged myself out the tub and wrapped a towel around me. Out in the hall, I grabbed my cellphone off the table and dialed Matthew's number. I was a little lightheaded as he answered and held my breath as I thought about what to say.
"Are you busy? I need to see you tonight, can't wait," I said in one frantic breath.
"Umm," he replied. "Sure...you wanna come over?"
"Yes. Yes, I want to come over."
"I'll call you a car," he offered.
For some reason I just knew he was smiling. I could hear it in the tone of his voice. Could almost feel it in my bones.
"See you soon," I said, and before I could change my mind, I hung up.
* * *
"Fuuuuuck!"
I knew Matthew was rich, but I had no idea he was like superstar rich. I'd read about his neighborhood before from celebrity blogs and social media, but I had never been up this way until now.
As the car approached the gates to Matthew's home, I gawped at the size of his house. It looked more like a palace than someone's home. And to think he lived here on his own? It must get lonely.
I fished in my purse for some cash for the driver, but before I could hand it over, Matthew's figure appeared at the side of the car.
"Here, keep the change," he said, handing a hundred dollar bill to the driver.
I climbed out of the car and gingerly approached him. Out of his suit, he was dressed casually in gray sweatpants and a black sweatshirt. Somehow, he was even hotter than usual. If that was even possible.
"Hey."
"Hey."
Now in front of him, I had no idea what to say.
Do I blurt it all out now? Or do I wait until we've gotten comfortable inside.
As I took a deep breath, I could feel my throat close up.
"Come inside," he said. "I'll give you the grand tour."
* * *
"Whoa! You have your own Olympic standard swimming pool in your basement?"
"I have two. One on this side of the house and one on the other."
"That's insane! Why two?"
"Olivia wanted one as well.”
I assumed he was joking for a second, then I realized he wasn’t. "Wow."
"Come on. I'll show you to my favorite room."
As he led me back up the stairs, I struggled to fathom a room better than the one we’d just left. As we climbed up the winding marble staircase, I struggled to comprehend how someone could live in all this space alone.
"It's just so freakin' huge," I gasped. "Do you not get lonely in here?"
"Occasionally," he replied, but his eyes said all the time. “Come on. I'll take you up.”
We reached the top of the stairs and emerged in the center of a large, marble hallway.
"In here," Matthew said, opening a set of double doors.
I wondered what grandeur they could hide, but as I poked my head inside the room, I was confronted with something that wasn't grand at all, but cozy and almost normal.
"The lounge," he announced. "You look disappointed."
"Not disappointed, just... surprised. It's nothing like the other rooms in the house."
"That's the idea. I wanted this place to be like your average family room. Just a nice cozy place to hang out. Except there’s one thing in here no average house has."
Flicking on the lights, he walked to the center of the room to what looked like a velvet pit.
"Is that a couch?"
"It's a sunken sofa," he said. "The largest sofa on the market. Come on, take your shoes off and jump in."
He dived into the center of the pillows like a big kid, and I laughed and jumped in after him. After getting comfortable, I looked at his happy face and said, "This is awesome."
"Nothing better than lying in this thing with a good movie on and a tub of ice cream."
"You? Ice cream?"
"Low fat."
"Obviously."
For a second, I almost forgot what I had come here to tell him. Almost. I tried to get comfortable as he turned on the TV, but I couldn't relax.
Why did he bring me in here? What is he expecting?
"You okay?" he asked, settling on what looked like an old horror movie.
"Yeah. It's just that I have to tell you something."
Here it comes. Just blurt it out. You have to tell him.
Opening my mouth slightly, I prepared myself for telling him those two magic words that were going to change everything.
I'm pregnant.
Just spit it out!
But as I was about to speak, I felt his hand move toward my leg. It wasn't a sleazy gesture, but rather a soft, kind touch because he seemed genuinely happy I was there.
"I know I'm going to sound soft," he said. "But I've missed hanging out with you. I mean, I know we've been in the office together, but it's just not the same."
"No. It's not."
"That night out we had. It was great to talk and eat and have fun. I've wanted to do it again for a few weeks, but I guessed you'd moved on."
"Moved on? What? You think I got bored of you or something?"
"Got bored. Found someone else. Decided you didn't want to hang around with some old guy like me anymore."
"You're insane!" I gasped, leaning closer to him. "Matthew, there is nobody else. How could there be? You're my first. I can't just move on from that so easily." I leaned against him, holding my hands against his chest.
"You're young, you're beautiful, and you're fiercely intelligent," he said. "I wouldn't blame you."
"And you're Matthew Banks. The man I’ve wanted since I knew how to want a man."
He smiled and rested his hands on mine, holding them closer to him. His lips met mine tenderly. A soft groan escaped him as I brushed my tongue against his.
Okay, you can't let this go any further without telling him. He has to know about the baby.
But my body was overriding my brain, and the more I tried to pull away, the harder I kissed him.
Soon, we sank into the velvet abyss, our bodies melting into one another. I pulled him down on top of me, felt the weight and strength of his body on top of mine. Beneath him, I felt protected by him, almost owned by him. I wanted to give him everything.
Tearing at his clothes, I pulled his shirt over his head and kissed the muscles of his chest, relishing the chance to taste him, to feel the heat of his skin again.
His hands glided down me slowly but firmly, his fingers finding their way into the waistband of my jeans. With his lips caressing my neck, he pulled them down over my hips before tossing them to the side. I could feel how hard his cock was as it pressed into my thigh.
My panties were soaked through as he pulled them off, and he looked between my legs with a slight smirk on his lips. He knew how wet I was and what power he had over me.
Releasing his cock from his boxer shorts, he stroked it gently for a moment, his eyes scanning my body. Then he lowered himself and held me close in his strong arms. I had never felt so surrounded in warmth and safety. And as his lips met mine again and his cock pushed its way inside me, a thought entered my brain that eclipsed all others.
I love him.
I tried to push it out of my head, but as he thrust into me, his muscular arms holding me in place, I looked up at him and knew I could never force my feelings away. I was in love with him, and I couldn't deny it.
With a low moan, he fucked me gently, his eyes boring into mine as I surrendered my body to pleasure. Pure bliss washed over me in waves with every thrust, and it wasn't long before I could feel my first orgasm start to burn low in my belly.
"Cum for me," he whispered in my ear, sliding his hand down to my clit. He rubbed it gently, his ton
gue flicking over the lobe of my ear. "Cum for me, Becca."
I reached an instant, hard, brain melting orgasm that left my body shuddering beneath him until I was weak.
"That's my girl," he said, his breath hot on my neck. "You're so fucking hot when you cum like that. Shit Becca, I’m gonna cum.”
He clenched his eyes shut and grit his teeth hard until his jaw looked ready to snap. Then he pulled himself taut from head to toe, a roar escaping his mouth as he came.
“Oh, God!” he breathed with a shudder, laying on top of me.
I spread my legs wider and wrapped them around his waist, pulling him closer to me.
I love you, I wanted to say. I love you and I'm going to have your baby.
But I couldn't get the words out. So I just closed my eyes and held him tight, wishing he would never get off me. Wishing he could hold me forever.
Slowly, he rose off me, but his eyes never left my face. He stared at me like I was made of gold. As if I was the most precious thing on Earth. His lips twitched as he moved to speak, his eyes filled with admiration.
“Becca, I...” He paused for a second, as though he wasn't sure if he should finish the sentence. Lifting my hand to his face, I caressed his jaw, urging him to continue.
“What Matthew?”
He stared deep into my eyes with an intensity that took my breath away. “I think I love you,” he revealed, tracing a line with his finger down between my breasts. “I do. I really love you.”
His eyes flicked back up to mine expectantly.
“I love you too,” I whispered back. “I always have.”
* * *
I opened my eyes and saw pure darkness. For a second, I thought I was still in bed in my apartment, but as my eyes adjusted to the shadows, I remembered where I was.
From the lounge we had made our way upstairs before sinking into the luxurious comfort of his king size bed. Feeling a raging thirst, I sat up and could vaguely see the outlines of the furniture.
There was an antique wardrobe at the back of the room, something that looked better suited to housing muskets and swords rather than sweaters.
Knocked Up by Daddy’s Best Friend Page 15