“Lou,” Kate said as she walked into the room, her hands hidden behind her back. A mysterious smile played on her lips, her eyes shining with happiness.
Lucas smiled too, expecting good news—maybe even a little gift.
“What’ve you got there?” He sat forward on the sofa, eager. “Come on, don’t keep me waiting.”
“Here.” Kate held out her hand, something small resting in her palm. Lucas hadn’t quite made it out yet, but his smile faltered slightly.
“What is it?” he asked, leaning back against the cushions as if putting distance between himself and whatever surprise she’d sprung.
“Look!” She stepped closer, still cradling the tiny object. “I’m pregnant,” she burst out, barely containing her excitement. Her voice trembled with barely restrained joy.
“Pregnant,” Lucas echoed silently. His smile vanished. He stared at Kate as if she’d become someone else entirely.
Her smile dimmed too, like stage lights fading before the curtain rises. She clenched the pregnancy test in her palm and slowly lowered her hand.
“You’re not happy?” Her voice shook now, not with joy but with tears she was fighting back.
“Kate, we talked about this—we agreed to wait,” Lucas snapped, finally finding his voice. It rang sharp with anger in the quiet room. “Did you stop taking the pill?”
“I missed one dose, and then—” Kate sank onto the sofa beside him. He immediately shifted away as if repelled.
“What were you thinking? Why didn’t you tell me? Do you really want to be up all night with nappies and baby wipes? You’re practically a kid yourself!” He stood, pacing the room nervously.
“Kate, let’s just talk about this—let’s not rush—”
“I’m not getting an abortion. He’s already here. I know it’s a boy. He’ll look just like you,” Kate whispered. Tears glistened in her eyes.
Her words pinned Lucas to the spot. Kate stared at him, desperate determination in her gaze. A single tear rolled down her cheek. She sniffled.
“Kate, listen…” Lucas sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close.
*Yelling won’t fix this. I need to be careful, coax her gently…*
But Kate shoved his arm away and stood, as if she’d heard his thoughts.
“I. Am. Not. Getting. An abortion,” she said, every word deliberate.
“Kate, I didn’t say that. I was just shocked. I didn’t expect this. I’m sorry for how I reacted. Come here.” He caught her hand, tugging her onto his lap.
“My silly girl. God, I love you,” he murmured, stroking her shoulder. “Don’t cry, darling. You shouldn’t cry—it’s not good for the baby.”
“You really mean it? You’re happy?” She wiped at her cheeks.
“Of course,” Lucas said lightly, already calculating—nine months, almost a year, and anything could happen.
Soon, things seemed normal again. Lucas barely noticed any changes in Kate. He started wondering if there’d been a mistake. Tests could be wrong, couldn’t they? He’d heard that somewhere. But a month later, the morning sickness hit. She turned pale, lost weight, could barely keep food down.
They used to go out every evening—cinema, dinners with mates, drinks at the pub. Now, Kate never wanted to leave the house. She lay around, blaming her nausea. Just the smell of meat made her gag. Lucas was bored stiff. He wasn’t used to being cooped up.
“Kate, it’s Gary’s birthday on Saturday,” he said carefully.
“Go without me. I wouldn’t last five minutes at the table,” she muttered, facing the wall.
Lucas was thrilled. He’d hoped she’d refuse, but he hadn’t expected it to be this easy.
At the party, he savored his freedom—joking, drinking, staying out late. When he got home, Kate was still curled up, turned toward the wall.
Then her belly started growing. She couldn’t get comfortable at night, tossing and sighing, keeping him awake. She got weepy, moody, refused intimacy. His resentment swelled along with her stomach.
“When are you two getting married, then?” his mum asked when he visited. “It’s about time. What’re you waiting for? I never warmed to your Kate, but oh well. Got a name picked?”
“James. After her dad. Mum, who gets married when she’s obviously pregnant?”
“You could just sign the papers. I warned you—”
“Oh, don’t start! I get enough grief everywhere else.”
On the way home, Lucas stopped at a pub for a drink. He’d barely fallen asleep when Kate shook him awake.
“Lou. Lou! Wake up!”
“What?” he mumbled, eyes still shut.
“I feel awful. My stomach’s cramping… my back hurts.” He finally cracked his eyes open to see her worried face.
“Should I call an ambulance?” He fumbled for his jeans, digging for his dead phone. “Yours is on the nightstand—”
“I already tried. The line’s busy.” She winced through another wave of pain.
“Right.” He grabbed her phone. “I’ll book a taxi. Get dressed.”
When he reached the hall, Kate was waiting on the bench, her coat thrown over her nightdress. A packed bag sat at her feet.
“Got your ID? Let’s go.”
They shuffled downstairs, stopping every few steps. The taxi was already waiting.
“St. Mary’s Maternity, and step on it,” Lucas ordered, sliding in beside Kate.
She panted, hands braced against her belly, which seemed enormous in the cramped backseat. She bit her lip, muffling groans.
“Almost there, love,” Lucas muttered, hiding his own fear.
The taxi pulled up to A&E. Lucas half-carried Kate inside, arm locked around her like a medic dragging a wounded soldier.
“Anyone here? Help!” He banged on the glass door.
“What’s all the noise?” A midwife’s tired face appeared. The lock clicked. “Come in, sweetheart,” she said, ushering Kate in and taking the bag. “You, Dad—go home. There’s a number to call when it’s over.” The door snapped shut in his face.
Through the glass, he watched the midwife lead a hunched-over Kate away, one hand clutching her belly.
“Kate!” he called, but she didn’t turn.
Four hours later, she had a boy. Dazed, Lucas went to his mum’s.
“Congratulations. Right, Dad, let’s go shopping for your son. We’ll celebrate after,” she commanded.
They bought half of Mothercare, barely squeezing everything into the taxi. That evening, Lucas sat in a pub with his mates, drinking heavily. They traded horror stories about sleepless nights and nappy disasters.
“And what exactly are we celebrating?” a familiar voice purred behind him. Soft hands landed on his shoulders. “Hello, handsome,” the woman said, resting her head against him. Wavy blonde hair tickled his cheek.
“Nat?” He turned, surprised but pleased.
“Easy there, love—he’s a dad now. Seven pounds, hefty lad!” One of his friends handed Nat a glass of bubbly.
Lucas remembered nothing after that. He woke up disoriented, the room spinning when he lifted his head.
“Rise and shine, Daddy,” Nat said from beside the bed.
“Your place? How—?”
“Drove you here. Was I supposed to take you home?” She smirked. “Didn’t fancy seeing your happy little nest.”
“Why am I naked?” He licked dry lips.
“Relax. You stayed faithful to your Kate.” She rolled her eyes.
“Why strip me, then?”
“People sleep naked, genius. I missed you. Expected a little gratitude.” She leaned in, lips brushing his bare chest. Lucas twisted away, sitting up too fast. The room swayed.
“Breakfast, or are you leaving?” She crossed her arms.
He yanked on his jeans.
“I’ll wait,” Nat said bitterly, locking the door behind him.
Three days later, Lucas arrived at the hospital with flowers, his mum, and Kate’s mum.
“Here you go, Dad.” The midwife handed him a bundle. He expected a cherubic face like in adverts—instead, a tiny, red, wrinkled thing peeked out from white lace. He felt nothing but vague distaste.
The ride home was quiet, but the moment they set the bundle on the bed, it mewled like a wind-up toy. The women flocked around the squirming baby. Lucas felt useless.
That night, neither he nor Kate slept. Exhausted, she rocked James endlessly. The second she set him down, he wailed.
“Do something—I’ve got work,” Lucas begged.
It became routine. Lucas couldn’t fathom how something so small made so much noise. He stumbled through work, fantasizing about sleep. Kate grew gaunt, more ghost than mother.
The next morning, as Lucas watched Kate and James laughing over spilled cereal, he realized he was exactly where he was meant to be.
