The CEO's Secret

Chapter Nineteen - Friends

“That's it?” Ashley asked as the three of us inspected the ultrasound picture that now decorated our mostly empty fridge. “I didn't think it would look like an actual baby already.”

“Me either, honestly.” I admitted.

“Looks like you.” Megan joked from the back ground.

“I'm going to keep them. The baby.” I announced. “I'm not sure where we're going to put them, I know you guys said you don't mind, but if we really start looking at the situation and it won't work, I'll think of something else.” I said.

“Taylor, do you really think we would make you leave with a baby and go out there all alone in the world just so we didn't have to rearrange some furniture??” Megan said.

“Really, though, you should tell Colt. Make him help.” Ashley said. I was confused for a moment before I remembered that I had never told them who the father of the baby really was.

I ignored her comment. I had made my decisions. I was keeping the baby, and I was keeping Shane out of it for as long as I could. I truly didn't know how everything would work. I was thirteen weeks now and no one could really tell I was pregnant. I knew that wouldn't last forever, and that eventually it would come to a point where I would have to tell my job I was pregnant. I wouldn't go to Shane himself. I would go to HR when I was ready to plan for my leave, but it would get back to him. Shane was a smart guy, he'd probably figure it out.

If he cared enough to ask, I would tell him. If he wanted to be involved, he could be. He didn't have to be, though. I'd let him decide how to take it. If he wanted to keep it a secret at work, I assumed that was best.

I was having a hard time at work. Every time I saw Shane, I felt my stomach drop. I was carrying his baby. The father of the little alien growing in my womb was right in front of me. I wondered how long I could keep it from him or if I shouldn't bother. It was a strange feeling. I really wanted a happy family, but I had made my choice.

I had started rearranging my room. I was trying to find some way to make all of the baby's needs fit into my bedroom and wasn't sure how it would work. I started looking at basic furniture online. I didn't know the gender of the baby yet, but I knew furniture was usually pretty basic and gender neutral.

Megan and Ashley helped me take measurements and research how much space a crib would take up and what kind of other stuff I may need. I wasn't sure I could fit everything I needed, and we started looking at the living room too.

Eventually, I started looking at apartments. They were way out of my price range and there was no way I could afford it. I thought again and again about letting Shane know. I could probably ask him to help out. I pushed the thought out of my mind.

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Months passed and I was starting to ditch my tighter clothes for things that not only fit over my bump, but actually hid it. I was buying new clothes a lot and trying to hide my pregnancy from everyone at work.

Today was the day I found out the gender of the baby. Megan and Ashley sat excitedly with me. I was nervous and excited all at once. I was sad, though, because I really wanted the happy family. I wanted to have my husband sitting here with me. I wanted to have a husband to lean on during my pregnancy.

I had been keeping any of my worries and anxiety to myself. I'd been keeping the small victories – the baby's first kick, hearing their heartbeat, buying the first few items for them – all to myself. I wanted someone to share with.

Megan and Ashley had been a good support system, but this was a foreign concept to them. It was for me too, but they weren't living it. I appreciated the support they gave me and that they'd both come today.

The ultrasound technician took her time pointing out all of the baby's body parts to me. Finally, she moved her way up from the toes and feet, and asked me if I wanted to know what I was having. Of course I did.

 “Ready?” She asked. I nodded. “Alright, momma, looks like you're having a boy. I bet dad will be happy!”