The 30 days of contract

The Secret Pregnancy

3 weeks after the proposal.

The ring on Jessica’s finger hadn’t left her hand once.

Wedding planning. Dress shopping. Picking flowers.

Starling wanted to do it all.

"Mrs. Hale," he’d call her. Every morning. Every text.

And Jessica loved it.

But for 2 weeks... something was wrong.

She was tired.

Nauseous every morning.

Her breasts were sore.

And she was 10 days late.

"Must be stress," she told herself. "Wedding stress."

Until day 14.

Jessica stood in Starling’s bathroom.

At 6 AM.

Alone.

She had bought the test yesterday. Hid it in her purse.

Two pink lines.

Positive.

Jessica dropped the test. It clattered on the tile.

"Oh my god," she whispered. "Oh my god."

She sat on the floor. Staring at it.

A baby.

She was having a baby.

With Starling.

Her heart was racing. Was she happy? Was she scared? Both.

The bathroom door opened.

Starling walked in. Shirtless. Hair messy from sleep.

He saw her on the floor. Saw the test.

He froze.

"Jessica?" he said quietly. "What’s going on?"

Jessica looked up at him. Tears already falling.

"I’m pregnant," she whispered.

Starling didn’t move. For 3 whole seconds.

Then he dropped to his knees in front of her.

"What?" he said. His voice was hoarse.

"I’m pregnant," Jessica said again. "About 5 weeks. I took 3 tests."

Starling stared at her. Then at the test. Then back at her.

"Are you okay?" he asked. "Are you scared?"

Jessica nodded. Tears spilled. "A little. I’m scared you’ll think I did this on purpose. To trap you."

Starling’s face changed.

Anger. Then hurt. Then love.

"Jessica," he said. He cupped her face in both hands. "Never. Never think that."

He kissed her. Soft. Desperate.

"Are you happy?" he whispered against her lips.

Jessica laughed through tears. "I don’t know. Are you?"

Starling smiled. The biggest smile.

"I’m terrified," he said. "And I’m the happiest I’ve ever been."

He leaned down and kissed her stomach. Through her pajama shirt.

"Hey little one," he whispered. "It’s daddy."

Jessica broke down. Full on sobbing.

"Hey, hey," Starling said. He pulled her into his lap. "Don’t cry. This is good news. This is the best news."

"I’m just scared," Jessica admitted. "Of messing up. Of being a bad mom. Of losing you."

"You’re not going to lose me," Starling said fiercely. "Ever. And you’re going to be the best mom. And we’ll figure it out. Together."

He held her until she stopped shaking.

"We’re having a baby," he said, like he was still testing the words. "We’re having a baby, Jessica."

---

*That afternoon*

Doctor’s appointment.

Starling held her hand so tight his knuckles were white.

"So," the doctor said. "About 5 weeks. Everything looks good. Heartbeat in 2 weeks."

Jessica nodded. Numb.

On the way out, Starling stopped. Bought her ice cream. Pickles.

"For cravings," he said. Like he’d already been researching.

At home, he made her tea. Put her feet up.

"Don’t lift anything," he said. "Don’t stress. Don’t—"

"Starling," Jessica laughed. "I’m pregnant, not dying."

"You’re pregnant WITH MY BABY," he said. "I’m allowed to panic."

---

*That night*

They told Jessica’s mom.

Evelyn screamed so loud the neighbors probably heard.

"A GRANDBABY!" she yelled. Then she cried. Then she hugged them both.

"I’m going to be the best grandma," she said. "Knitting. Cookies. Everything."

Jessica and Starling looked at each other and laughed.

For the first time in days, Jessica felt light.

---

*One week later*

Everything was perfect.

Until Jessica opened i********:.

Victoria’s account.

New post. 2 hours ago.

A picture of a bar.

Victoria. In a red dress.

And in the background, blurry but clear enough...

Starling.

At a bar. With her.

Caption: `Sometimes exes come back. And this time, he’s not leaving 😉 #SecondChance #MyMan`

Jessica’s blood went cold.

The ring on her finger suddenly felt heavy.

Her phone rang.

Starling.

"Hey baby," he said. "Working late. Don’t wait up, okay?"

Jessica’s stomach dropped.

"Where are you?" she asked. Her voice was small.

"Office," Starling said. "Board meeting ran late. Love you."

He hung up.

Jessica stared at her phone.

Then at Victoria’s post.

Timestamp: 2 hours ago.

---

*Jessica didn’t sleep.*

At 2 AM, she heard the door.

Starling walked in. Tired. Tie loose.

"Hey," he said. "You’re up."

Jessica sat up in bed. "Where were you?"

Starling frowned. "I told you. Office."

"With Victoria?"

Starling froze. "What?"

"I saw the picture," Jessica said. Her voice shook. "Don’t lie to me, Starling."

Starling ran a hand through his hair. "Jessica, it’s not what it looks like."

"Then what is it?" Jessica stood up. "Because it looks like you’re with your ex. At a bar. At 11 PM."

"It was a business thing," Starling said quickly. "She showed up. I tried to leave. The board was there—"

"You lied to me," Jessica whispered.

"I didn’t lie," Starling said. "I just didn’t tell you because I knew you’d—"

"You knew I’d what? Get upset?" Jessica yelled. "I’m pregnant, Starling! With your baby! And you’re out with her?"

Starling’s face went pale. "Jessica, don’t—"

"Don’t what? Don’t be scared?" Jessica’s voice broke. "You promised me! No more lies!"

"I’m sorry," Starling said. "I’m so sorry. It meant nothing. I swear to you."

Jessica grabbed her bag.

"Where are you going?" Starling asked. Panic in his voice.

"Home," Jessica said. "I need to think."

"Jessica, please—"

"Don’t follow me," Jessica said. And walked out.

---

*The next morning*

Starling called 50 times.

Texted 100 times.

`Starling: I’m sorry`

`Starling: It was a mistake`

`Starling: Please talk to me`

`Starling: I’m scared I lost you`

Jessica didn’t answer.

She went to the doctor alone.

"Everything looks good," the doctor said. "Baby’s healthy."

Jessica cried in the car after.

---

*That night*

There was a knock on her door.

Jessica opened it.

Starling.

He looked worse than her. No sleep. Shirt wrinkled.

"I’m not leaving until you talk to me," he said.

Jessica stepped aside.

Starling walked in.

"I messed up," he said immediately. "I should have told you. I should have left the second I saw her. I was an idiot."

Jessica crossed her arms. "Why was she there?"

"The board invited her," Starling said. "To talk about the merger. I didn’t know she’d be there. And the second I saw her I tried to leave. But the board—"

"I don’t care about the board," Jessica said. "I care about you. And the baby."

"I know," Starling said. He dropped to his knees. Again.

"Jessica, I’m so sorry. I swear on our baby’s life, nothing happened. Nothing will ever happen. You’re it for me. You and this baby."

He put his hand on her stomach.

"I was scared," he whispered. "Scared you’d think I was still her. Scared I’d lose you and the baby."

Jessica’s tears fell.

"Don’t ever lie to me again," she whispered.

"Never," Starling said. "I promise."

Jessica nodded. Then she pulled him up and into a hug.

"I’m scared too," she admitted. "Of being a mom. Of doing this alone."

"You’re not alone," Starling said. He kissed her hair. "You have me. For everything."

---

*Two weeks later*

Ultrasound appointment.

Starling was there. Holding her hand.

The room was dark. The screen flickered.

And then...

_thump thump thump_

A tiny heartbeat.

A tiny flicker on the screen.

"There it is," the doctor said. "Your baby."

Starling started crying.

Openly. No shame.

Jessica cried too.

"Hey," Starling whispered to her. "Hey, we did this. That’s our baby."

He kissed her hand. Then her forehead.

"I love you," he said. "Both of you."

Jessica smiled through tears. "I love you too."

Outside, Victoria posted another picture.

Jessica didn’t see it.

She was too busy planning a nursery.