The Pregnancy Proposition

by Andrea Laurence

  “I know.” He’d run it through his mind a million times. But a part of him was too scared to push it any further. “I didn’t know what else to say, so I just let her go.”

  “I thought that’s how you liked it. Easy and string free.”

  Mano shifted Hōkū’s harness back and forth in his hands. “It is how I liked it. Until I met her. Paige changed everything...but it’s complicated.”

  “How complicated can it be?” Kal asked. “You either have feelings for her or you don’t. Do you?”

  Mano swallowed hard. “Yes.”

  “Are you in love with her?”

  He hadn’t been certain then, but since Paige left, he’d been miserable. Heartsick. It felt just like when Jenna left. Only worse because then he was a child losing a sweetheart and now he was a grown man losing the woman he loved. “Yes.”

  He could hear Kal sigh and shift in his seat. “Man. This woman really got to you. I didn’t think I’d see the day. Tell me what’s so complicated about it. It sounds pretty straightforward to me.”

  This was the part of the story, Mano knew, that would change everything. “Paige is three months pregnant with another man’s child.”

  “What?” Kal nearly shouted, then leaned in closer and whispered it again. He’d likely drawn looks from the family.

  “You heard me. It’s not as simple as I love her and we can start a life and everything is hunky-dory. There’s things she has to deal with back at home, like the baby’s father. He called her the other day and wanted to talk. I can’t get in the way of her reconciling with the baby’s father. And even if they didn’t, she can’t just move to Hawaii if he wants any kind of visitation. She also would be moving over two thousand miles away from her family and any support system she might need to raise her baby.”

  “That’s true. But what you don’t know is if she loves you. If she does, none of those other things matter. You didn’t tell her. For all she knew this was just a promise of another week-long fling, not a lifetime commitment. And a pregnant woman in her position isn’t messing around. If she does love you, she doesn’t just want another week of romance. She wants your love in return and she wants you to love her baby as your own.”

  That was the other issue he wasn’t quite sure how to address. Paige had been so adamant about not staying, he hadn’t really thought their future through. Was he ready for fatherhood? In one week, he’d gone from being a confirmed bachelor to a man in love. Could he make the leap to family man and raise Paige’s baby as his own child?

  “Could you do that? Raise another man’s child?” Mano asked his brother.

  Kal sat thoughtfully for a minute. “It is just the same as dating a single mother with older children. If I loved the mother, I’d love the child. I don’t think it would be hard since you would be there through most of the pregnancy. You’d be there when she delivered, and you’d get to hold the child in your arms. That’s powerful stuff. I think in that moment, it doesn’t really matter who the biological father is anymore. And besides, you’re blind.”

  Mano winced, following his brother’s logic until the end. “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Well, I would think it would be easier for you to ignore that it isn’t your biological child. If the kid is born with red hair and freckles, that’s a physical reminder that you wouldn’t have to deal with. If you and Paige had children together, there wouldn’t be anything to physically distinguish the child that is yours from the child that isn’t, at least not to you. This is one instance in which being blind is perfect.”

  “Being blind is never perfect,” Mano grumbled.

  “You know what I mean, Mano. If you love this woman and you want to be with her, you have to tell her.”

  Mano hadn’t expected this kind of guidance from his brother. Kal was as stubborn a bachelor as he was, although his reasoning was different. To hear his brother encourage him to throw caution to the wind and chase after Paige and her baby was a revelation.

  “Do you really think I could? What would she say? What if she says no?”

  “You absolutely could. I don’t know Paige, and I can’t guess how she feels about you, but it sounds like something serious happened this week. She might be scared of taking the leap the same way you are. Making a big gesture could make all the difference.”

  “But if it doesn’t?” Mano pressed.

  “If it doesn’t, then you did all you could. You come home content in knowing that you aren’t the first man to fall in love with a woman that didn’t love you back. Then you move forward with your life. Simple as that.”

  It didn’t seem simple. None of it was simple. He hadn’t left the islands since before his accident. Getting on a plane with Hōkū, traveling to San Diego, tracking down Paige and confessing his love was anything but simple.

  “Why would she want to love me, Kal? Even if I love her and her baby, she’s still inheriting a broken man. I’m never going to have my sight back. Does she want to raise a family with a man that can’t contribute one hundred percent?”

  “You know what?” Kal snapped. “You’re full of it.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me. You’ve been blind for over a decade. You run the Mau Loa like a corporate shark. You charm the ladies, you take care of yourself and Hōkū. Yeah, things would be easier if you could see, but you’ve learned how to live your life without your vision. You’ll learn how to be a lover, a husband and a father without your vision, too. You just have to want to do it. You’re only a burden on yourself because you allow it.”

  A roar of voices came from Mano’s right. He turned his head to listen and was pretty certain the pig was up and ready. There was a commotion to follow as food was taken out to the long tables on the lawn.

  “It’s time to eat,” Kal said.

  “I know.” His hand gripped Hōkū’s lead. Part of him wanted to act on Kal’s suggestions before he could change his mind. He could walk out the door right now and get a cab to the airport. He could be in San Diego tonight.

  Then he heard his family start to sing to his grandmother. He took a deep breath and steeled his resolve. Kal was right. He would go to Paige, but he wouldn’t rush things. He’d enjoy the day with his grandmother, make his plans and ensure that when he touched Paige again, he’d never ever have to let her go.

  Mano stood and followed Hōkū to join the others in his grandmother’s celebration. Before he could fall into line to make a plate, one of his aunts came up to him.

  “Mano,” Aunt Kini began, “Tūtū Ani would like you to sit with her to eat since she hardly gets to see you. Why don’t you go ahead and I’ll make you a plate?”

  This was the aunt who treated him like he was helpless. “I can make my own plate, Aunt Kini,” he tried to argue.

  “I know that, Mano,” she chided and put a hand on his cheek. “You run a whole empire. You can make a plate for yourself. But why? Today you don’t have to conquer the world on your own. Your family is here. Let me do this for you and enjoy a few moments with your grandmother.”

  Mano couldn’t argue with that. At least this way he wouldn’t have to ask what each thing was in front of him and try to balance a plate in one hand while holding on to Hōkū with the other. He still needed to learn that accepting help wasn’t the same as accepting defeat.

  “Thank you, Aunt Kini.”

  “She’s over to your left about ten paces,” she said before disappearing into the crowd of his family.

  Mano turned and started in the direction she provided, stopping when Hōkū sat down. “Tūtū Ani?” he asked.

  “I’m here, child.”

  He felt his grandmother’s hand grasp his. She guided him to a chair beside her at the table. “Hau’oli Lā Hānau, Tūtū.”

  “Mahalo, Mano. Are you enjoying the party?”

  Mano shrugged. “This is your party to enjoy, not mine.”

  Ani made a thoughtful sound with her tongue, then laid her hand on his knee. “Who
is she, mo’opuna?”

  He perked up in his chair. How could she know there was a woman on his mind? He hadn’t mentioned Paige to anyone but Kal. “What do you mean?”

  “Mano, you think just because you are blind everyone else is, too. You look absolutely heartsick. What has happened? Why didn’t you bring your lady today?”

  “Because she went home Friday.”

  “But you love her. Why did you let her go?”

  Mano stiffened in his chair. Even with his sunglasses on, his grandmother saw everything. He realized then that the problem was his feelings went far deeper than he’d imagined. “I don’t know, Tūtū.”

  “You should go to her. Tell her how you feel. Then give her this.”

  Ani took his hand and placed something cold and metallic in his palm. “What is it?” he asked.

  “It’s my peridot engagement ring. The stone is native to the big island and has been in our family for generations. Your grandfather was given the ring by his mother. And now I’m giving it to you.”

  Mano didn’t know what to say. He knew exactly which ring she was talking about. She’d worn it every day he could remember. The stone was a brilliant green octagon set in platinum with tiny diamonds around the edge. It was art deco in style, and almost a hundred years old. He couldn’t imagine his grandmother would ever part with such a precious piece of jewelry. “But Tūtū, this is your ring.”

  “No, this is a family heirloom, no more mine than anyone else’s. Give it to your love. Bring her back to Hawaii and begin your life together here. I insist.”

  “I would love to, but it’s not that simple.”

  “What about love is simple, Mano?”

  She was right. Kal was right. He needed to take their advice and act before Paige disappeared from his life forever.

  “Why are you still sitting here, mo’opuna?” Ani asked.

  “It’s your birthday party,” he insisted.

  “Hopefully it will not be my last. You can make it up to me by attending the next one with your new bride. Go!”

  Mano raised his grandmother’s hand to his lips and kissed it. “Thank you, Tūtū,” he said before getting up and making his way out of the house. He slipped the ring into his coat pocket and called the hotel to send a car for him. He was a short drive and a long plane flight away from Paige, and he wasn’t going to waste another second.

  Twelve

  Paige stood with her hands planted firmly on her hips. “Absolutely not,” she said to her stubborn patient, Rick. “If you want a pudding cup, you need to walk with me down the corridor to get it.”

  “Are you a nurse or a sadist?” Rick snapped bitterly.

  “A little bit of both. You’ve been fitted with that new prosthetic for a week now, and the doctor says you’re to walk on it at every opportunity. The more you use it, the less it will hurt. You can even use the walker or the crutches,” she offered.

  “I’m not taking orders from a woman in scrubs with kittens on them.”

  Paige looked down at her purple scrubs and the cartoon cats wearing tutus on it. She had to wear scrubs every day, so she tried to keep it lively with fun designs. “They’re not just kittens, they’re ballerina kittens. They’re tough cats, and they’re not interested in your excuses, either. If you want the pudding, you’re coming with me.”

  Rick glared at her from his hospital bed. She knew it hurt to use his prosthetic, but he had to get past that or he’d never regain an active lifestyle again. She hated being like this, but sometimes with soldiers you had to antagonize them like a drill sergeant to get results.

  “It’s twenty feet, Rick. Just past the nurses’ station. You can totally do it.”

  Rick finally flung his sheets back and sat up, placing both feet on the ground. “Give me the damn walker,” he said, and she scooted it over to him. He pushed himself up, and with a wince they started down the hallway together.

  “You’re doing great,” she said in a bright voice as they neared the snack station. “Chocolate or vanilla?” she asked.

  “For this, it better be chocolate. With a Percocet chaser.”

  Paige smiled. “You got it.” She got the pudding and spoon and started walking with Rick back to his room.

  “Have you seen him?” she heard one of the nurses ask Brandy.

  “No. Who?”

  “He’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen in real life. It’s a shame he’s blind and can’t see how handsome he is.”

  Paige usually tried to ignore most of the other nurses she worked with. Today, however, their words caught her attention. She tried to focus on Rick, getting him the last few steps back to his room.

  “How do you know he’s blind?” Brandy asked.

  “The sunglasses and the service dog. They don’t let just anyone into a hospital with a dog, you know.”

  Paige’s heart stuttered in her chest and she froze in place.

  It couldn’t be. It just couldn’t be. Paige refused to let herself believe that it was Mano. That was ridiculous. He didn’t want to leave the resort; the idea of him flying to San Diego was out of the question. Besides...why would he come chasing after her? He was the one who had used his employee as a bouncer to keep her away from him.

  “Is something wrong?” Rick asked.

  Paige’s eyes widened as she realized she’d stalled her patient on his walk. “I’m sorry. Just a few more steps.” She tried to focus on helping him into bed and getting him settled. That was more important. The minute she rushed out of the room she’d be disappointed, anyway. It was a veteran’s hospital; there were bound to be blind men with service dogs here who weren’t the one she was desperate to see.

  She tugged the sheets up and swung the bedside table over Rick’s lap. She placed two pudding cups and a spoon on it for him.

  “Two?”

  “You earned it. I’ll be back with that Percocet in a few.”

  Rick immediately dove into a pudding cup, freeing Paige to return to the nurses’ station. She made a note in his file and tried to ignore her gossiping coworkers.

  “It’s a big hospital. I doubt he’s coming up here,” Brandy said. “Where was he?”

  “In the gift shop. I ran down for a candy bar on my break a minute ago. He was getting flowers.”

  No. Paige shook her head and logged the dose of pain medication she was about to take to her patient.

  “Excuse me,” a man said from behind her. “Do you know where I can find Paige Edwards?”

  She knew the voice in an instant, but she was certain her mind was playing tricks on her. She shot up and turned in his direction.

  It was Mano. He was there in one of his tailored suits with his Wayfarers on. His hair was slicked back and his face clean-shaven. He was clutching a bouquet of crimson roses in his hands. She almost wanted to reach out and touch him to make certain this wasn’t a hallucination. Mano wasn’t just off the resort property—he was on the mainland. Thousands of miles from his comfort zone. Why?

  “Paige?” one of the other nurses said. There was a noticeable incredulity in her voice.

  “Brandy, would you please give this to Mr. Jones for me?” She handed the cup with two pills to her and walked around to the outside of the nurses’ station.

  When she got closer, she heard the telltale thump of Hōkū’s tail on the wall. Mano immediately turned in her direction. “Paige?”

  He was here. He was really here. “Yes?”

  “I’m so relieved to find you,” he said with a smile. “This has been quite the adventure for me so far.”

  “Congratulations on getting out and about,” she said cautiously. “I’d tell you to check out the zoo, but all you’d get out of it is the smell of elephant dung.”

  Mano didn’t laugh. He was far too focused on her. He took a few steps forward, closing the gap she’d deliberately left between them. “I didn’t come here for the zoo.” He reached out and handed her the bouquet of flowers. “These are for you. I hope they’re as pretty as I im
agined they are.”

  Her heart started pounding so loudly in her chest she was certain he would hear it. She accepted the bundle of bright red roses. “They’re lovely, thank you. I’m confused, though. Why are you here, Mano?”

  “I wanted to tell you that I’m a fool.”

  “A text would’ve sufficed,” she said coolly.

  “No, it wouldn’t. I had to come here in person so you would understand how serious I am about this. I never should’ve let you walk away from me.”

  “It wasn’t really your choice,” she argued, and yet she knew that she would’ve turned and ran into his arms if he’d only asked her to. Hell, she’d tried and was cruelly shut down.

  “Not entirely. You made your decision then and you can make your decision now, but I can’t help but think the outcome would’ve been different if I hadn’t been too scared to say what needed to be said to make you stay.”

  Mano didn’t look like the kind of man who was scared of anything, much less of something as simple as words. Didn’t he know he could tell her anything? “And now?” she asked. She bit anxiously at her lip as she awaited his response.

  He reached forward and sought out her arm. His warm palm glided along her skin to her wrist and wrapped her hand in his own. “I’m still scared. Waking up with you gone was like waking up in the hospital all over again. I’d lost everything and it’s terrifying. But I’ve got to say it, anyway. I came all this way because you need to know that I love you.”

  There was a loud gasp. Paige thought it might have come from her, but when she turned to the nurses’ station, she realized both her coworkers were watching them like a soap opera on television.

  “Let’s go down the hallway and finish this in private,” she said. Paige didn’t really want them in her business. If this ended poorly, the whole third floor would know about it before the shift was over. She loved Brandy, but she was a blabbermouth.

  “I don’t want to do this in private. I want everyone to know how I feel about you,” Mano insisted. “I want to rent a billboard and shout it from the rooftops. I’m not going to push my feelings down anymore because I worry about getting hurt. I realized it hurt more to lose you knowing I didn’t try my damnedest to keep you with me than to spill my guts and have you walk away, anyway. At least then, I would’ve tried.”