Chapter 36: Chapter Thirty-Six

Olivia looked at her belly again. Can it be true? she thought. Am I really having a baby? She took a step back so that she could have a full view of her body in the mirror. She turned sideways and tried to envision her belly growing bigger and bigger as time went by. Then she started thinking of holding a tiny baby in her arms and wondered if it is a girl or a boy and if it would look more like her or Owen. She smiled at herself. She always felt that she would be a good mum one day and that given the right circumstances, she would want to have a big family, but she never thought that it would be so soon in her life. She was still in her early twenties, after all.

Am I ready to be a mum now? she wondered. Her original excitement started fading, and panic rose in its place. What if Owen didn’t want this child? He obviously objected to his ex-girlfriend’s child. What if he didn’t want children, after all? Sure, he told her that he loved her, and he wanted to be with her, but what if he thought it was too soon for a child?

And what about Jude? she thought. Who will take care of him if I also have to take care of a baby?

And what about work? How will I manage that as well, especially if I have to be a single parent?

Thoughts swirling in her head and anxiety rising, she started feeling dizzy and sat down on the bathroom floor. What am I going to do now? She buried her face in her hands in an attempt to calm her racing mind. She needed to tell someone about all this or else she would go crazy.

She got up slowly, making sure she wasn’t dizzy anymore, and after washing her face to freshen up a bit, she went back to the bedroom to find her cellphone. Touching the screen, she let out a sigh of relief seeing that there were no messages from Owen. That meant he was still sleeping. Good, she thought, I’m not ready to face him about all this yet. She dialed her best friend’s number quickly.

A few rings after, a croaky voice said, “Hello?”

“Jacky, did I wake you up?”

“Yeah.”

Olivia made a face. She hadn’t really thought that it would be too early for Jacky to be up. After all, she was working the night shift at weekends. “Sorry, darling, I really didn’t mean to, but I’m having an emergency here.”

“What happened?” Jacky said, suddenly sounding more alert.

“Well, remember I told you a couple of days ago I was having an upset stomach and vomiting a lot?”

“Yes?”

“I don’t think it was a bug, after all.”

“What then?” Jacky asked, curious.

“I think I’m pregnant.”

The long moment of silence made Olivia look at her phone to check if the line was cut off. “Jacky, are you still there? Did you fall asleep again?”

“I think I’m in shock,” she replied. “Did I hear you well? Did you just say you’re pregnant?”

“I said I think I am.”

Olivia had to remove the cellphone from her ear to avoid Jacky’s squeals.

“My God, Olivia. Tell me everything. Screw sleep. I’m making coffee. Keep talking.”

Olivia laughed. “Coffee would be nice now. I should call room service too.”

“Oh, you’re still at that conference thing?”

“Yeah, I am. Owen is here too.”

“Owen? What’s he doing there?”

Olivia sighed. “I forgot to tell you that, didn’t I?”

“Girl, you’d better spill.”

“Give me a sec.” Olivia walked to the bedside table and picked up the receiver to call the receptionist. She threw her cellphone on the bed, Jacky still on the line.

“This is Olivia Kensington, room B210. Can I have breakfast served in my room please?”

She took a moment to reply after the receptionist told her the menu options. At home, she usually had a bowl of cereal with Jude, but now she said, “Yeah, send me the full thing.” Hanging up, she wondered if she would actually be able to eat that much, with her stomach being so upset, but then she reminded herself that she should be eating for two from now on.

Jacky’s distant voice brought her back from her reverie, and she lay on the bed. Making herself comfortable, she picked up her cellphone and said, “Still here.”

“When did you find out about the pregnancy?”

“Eh, like twenty minutes ago, Jacky.”

“So, it’s confirmed? You had a test?”

“I did. It turned positive.”

“Just one?”

“Yeah, why?” Olivia wondered.

“Tell me you bought a second one, right?”

“Actually, I did. I didn’t want to, but the pharmacist insisted that I should get two different brands because it’s not always accurate. I thought she was just trying to sell more stuff honestly, but she was such a sweet old lady, and I was in a hurry that, anyway, I gave in.”

“Well, she is right, and you should take the second test too before we say anything more. It’s best that we know for sure before we start planning or what,” Jacky said in a serious tone.

Olivia hesitated. “Oh, room service is here. Let me call you back with the results then, okay?”

“I’ll be here. On my second cup or third or whatever,” Jacky said.

***

Twenty minutes later, Olivia was back on the phone with Jacky. Both tests lay on the bed next to her. She took a sip of her coffee. “So, second one is a yes too.”

“Olivia… that’s wonderful news, isn’t it?” Jacky said hesitantly. “You do want that baby, right?”

“Well, I don’t know what to think right now, to be honest. I mean…”

“It is Owen’s, right?”

“What kind of a question is that? Of course, it is Owen’s!”

“Okay, okay, no need to get upset. I was just checking,” Jacky said. “Have you told him yet?”

“No, and I don’t know if I should.”

“Why not? I mean, if he is there too… Aren’t you guys back together?”

Olivia thought for a moment. She wasn’t sure herself what the answer to that was. “We slept together last night.”

Jacky laughed. “I knew you two would get back together, eventually. How was it?”

“Jacky!” Olivia protested.

“Oh, come on! You woke me up. The least you can do is give me the juicy details as well.”

“Amazing, as always, but can we get back to the important stuff now please?”

“You’re such a prude,” Jacky teased. “What are you going to do then?”

“I’m not sure. I mean… I want to keep the baby, but… can I really do this, Jacky?” She took a deep breath. “What about Jude? How am I going to take care of him and the baby and go to work as well?”

“I’m sure Owen will help you when you tell him, Olivia?”

“Jacky, what if he doesn’t want this baby? I told you what happened with his ex and how badly he reacted.”

“His ex is his ex, and you are you,” Jacky said. “Owen loves you, Olivia.”

“He did say so last night, but still…”

“Look, I know this is all too much right now, so… just let a few days go by. Give yourself some time to think things through. I really think Owen should know about this, but of course, everything is your call, and I will support any decision you make.”

Olivia smiled. “Thank you! You always make me feel better.”

“Hey, what are best friends for?”

“Go get some more sleep, will you? I promise to call you as soon as I return home.”

“Okay, see you soon then.”

Olivia heard her yawn just before she hung up. She felt sorry for having woken her friend up so early, but she was pleased she could tell someone about all this. Talking to Jacky certainly calmed her down.

She grabbed a piece of toast from the tray next to her and took a bite. Her phone rang again, though, and she quickly put the food down again. “What did she forget?” she said before seeing the caller ID.

The mirth in her voice faded when Dr. Roberts’ name appeared on the screen. “Good morning, doctor. What’s wrong?”

“Sorry, to be calling on a Sunday, Olivia, but I just found out myself and wanted to let you know immediately.”

“What about?”

“Everything has been scheduled now, so Jude’s surgery will be on Wednesday.”

“I hope it all goes well, doctor,” Olivia said. “I’m out of town right now, so I will call you first thing tomorrow morning for more details.”

“That’s fine. And Olivia, don’t worry. I will do my best for Jude.”

“Thank you, doctor. I’ll see you soon.”

Olivia took a deep breath. Everything seemed to be happening all at once in her life and she needed to be calm. For Jude… for her baby…

“One problem a day,” she reminded herself. Everything would resolve in time.