A Chance at Love

Chapter 6

#Luna's POV

The first few weeks after my initial visit to the doctor passed in a blur for me. I made Clara promise to keep everything confidential, arranged for Becca to perform a thorough examination and sonogram, and then spent the majority of my time simply resting on the couch. I was completely shocked and speechless—not only had my birth control failed, but I was also pregnant with the child of a man I would never see again. Honestly, I felt uncertain about how to process this situation or what emotions I was supposed to have. It was a confusing and overwhelming time, filled with a mix of disbelief, fear, and uncertainty about what the future might hold.

For a brief instant, I considered the possibility of not keeping it. However, that was just a passing thought, mostly driven by my own anxieties about not being able to be a mother to anyone. Then my mind shifted to the idea of motherhood itself. I thought about my own mother and what it meant to be a mom. Still, that didn’t make the prospect of being a single mother any less daunting. It wasn’t as if discovering who Marcus truly was would change much. Given my luck, he was probably already married, or he simply wouldn’t care. Or maybe, what if...

I was in my second week of hiding from everyone to sort out my thoughts when Clara showed up with her cousin Marshall. They brought me a six-pack of Coco Rico, a box of chocolates, and a chocolate brown teddy bear with green glass eyes.

“Look, I get it, you’re jealous of all the attention I’m going to get because of the wedding,” Clara teased as she barged into my apartment, shoving the bear at my chest. “But don’t worry, I’ll throw you the best baby shower this side of the Hudson.”

Marshall kissed my cheek as he came in, rolling his eyes. His red hair was shaggy, and his blue eyes sparkled. If I didn’t know him, I might find his lean, muscular frame attractive, but Marsh and I both preferred tall, dark, and handsome types. “You know she’ll be pregnant before the honeymoon, just so you two can raise a baby together.”

Clara laughed and flopped onto my couch, kicking her feet straight onto my messy coffee table. “As if.” She glanced around and frowned. “You’ll need a bigger place, Lu. This spot’s way too crowded for one person.”

I shut the door behind me and squeeze the bear tight against my chest, taking in my humble one-bedroom kingdom. It was just right for me—an open-plan living area and kitchen, a bathroom with a standing shower that didn’t judge me, and a bedroom spacious enough to fit my full-sized bed and desk without too much elbow-bumping. But, oh boy, was it a mess! The bookshelf in the living room looked like it had hosted a book tornado, the coffee table was buried under a mountain of notepads and books, and even my tiny kitchen table was playing host to a pile of half-folded laundry that seemed to multiply overnight. The kitchen itself was just big enough to whip up meals for one, but don’t expect me to host a dinner party anytime soon—unless it’s a party for one, of course!

Sighing, I settle in between her and Marshall on my couch, still hugging the bear. I shrug. "I've got time to think about that later, to think about all of it." I lean into her and rest my head on her shoulder. "Now, open those chocolates and stick a can of Coco in the freezer for me, and lets go over the wedding plans."

Marsh pats my knee and stands, taking the soda's to the kitchen to put one in the freezer and the rest in the fridge. Clara wraps her arms around my shoulder and squeezes. "I was thinking, maybe we'd change the Vegas girls trip, to something a little more enjoyable for you. You're going to be almost five months-"

I sit up, shaking my head. "No, it's okay. I don't want you to change things for me. I can still have fun there and honestly, maybe one of us should be sober there, keep all you wild women at bay."

She frowns but nods. "Okay, but I'll cancel the strippers at least."

"The hell you will." Marsh growls playfully, walking back over to us. He grabs the chocolates from Clara's hands and opens the box. "Mama here can still enjoy a good show, baby bump or not. Besides, aren't pregnant woman notoriously horny?"

My hand slaps his arm playfully as he settles beside me again, but he just grins and pops a chocolate in his mouth before passing the box to me.

#Marcus's POV

The meeting with my father’s new caretaker proceeded quite well, much to my surprise. She appeared not only fully capable of delivering the level of care my father currently required but also adept at managing the challenges posed by a cantankerous elderly gentleman. Remarkably, Mrs. Cartwright did not react at all when my father snapped at her over the manner in which she had poured his tea; instead, she calmly placed the cup before him, assuming the role of mother, and deliberately disregarding his outburst. The next morning, I arranged a meeting with my associate to complete all necessary paperwork and attend to other essential matters. Afterward, I took my leave from my father’s study, entrusting his butler with the responsibility of assisting him back to bed.

My phone rang, my mother, just as I was walking out of the house towards my waiting car. I answered, reluctantly.

"Mother. I'm on my way back into the office now, just got finished with fathers new caretaker." I say, tone flat.

Her voice, flat and blunt, slices through the call like a hot knife through butter. "Hopefully, you hired someone with nerves of steel. That guy was unbearable even on his good days."

I stay quiet. My parents haven't exchanged a word in over a decade, despite both owning our company. After their divorce, Mom kept her shares but mostly stayed out of the picture. Because of Dad's situation and my brother's complete lack of help, she recently dragged herself out of her self-imposed retirement to help me muddle through until I can find a replacement and take the reins properly.

"I just talked to Jordan's mom." Her tone shifts to annoyed. "She wants us over for dinner in two weeks. Jordan's bringing his fiancée from the States for Elizabeth and Richard's anniversary party." She sighs dramatically. "Honestly, Marcus, you should drop being Jordan's best man. With everything going on, you barely have time to breathe."

I settle comfortably into the backseat, offering a subtle nod to my driver as my fingers nervously play with the phone resting in my hands. "Mother, Jordan is my closest friend, and he asked me to do this. I can certainly carve out time for both him and the wedding. Besides, in just a few weeks, someone will hopefully step in to take over my duties, so it won’t be a problem." Truthfully, even if I were swamped and stretched to my limits with no time left for anything else, I would never let Jordan down. He has always been the unwavering presence in my life, the steady force that keeps me grounded and sane, despite the vast ocean that now lies between us. His friendship is a beacon of strength and comfort, reminding me that distance cannot diminish the bonds that truly matter.