Forty is the perfect age, dont you think?
«Liz, whats taking so long? Did you fall asleep in there? Were going to be late for work!»
«Coming!» Liz gave a little start, glancing back at the bathroom door. She knew she was taking longer than usual, but she had her reasons. Shed been feeling sick all week in the mornings, and if shed brushed it off before, now it scared her.
Liz had a hunch why this might be happening, but the thought of being pregnant terrified her. She pushed the idea away and stepped out.
«Sorry,» she muttered to her husband, «couldnt get my eyebrows right first try.»
«You do that in the bedroom!» James gave her a look.
«Oh, right!» Liz didnt argue.
She hurried to the kitchen to make coffee for them both. They loved their morning brew, but today, just the smell made her queasyno way could she drink it.
«You alright?» James frowned.
«Yeah, just not in the mood for coffee,» she mumbled.
«Right. You looked like you were about to be sick. Coming down with something?»
Liz wrapped her arms around herself. Just thinking about a baby made her shake. James moved closer, pressing a hand to her forehead.
«Dont feel feverish Maybe take the day? Call in, say youll be back Monday. Last thing we need is you illgot that mortgage to pay.»
Once James left, Liz sank onto the sofa, mind racing. She knew what she had to dobuy a test and find out for sure. But she didnt want to. That would make it real.
«I just got that promotion, and James is right about the mortgage and we were saving for that trip to Spain»
Theyd dreamed of kids once, right after the wedding, when everything was rose-tinted and they were barely twenty. But it never happened. Over time, Liz stopped thinking about it. She loved their life as it was. James never brought it up eitherseemed hed made peace with it. Now? A baby would just complicate things. Extra costs, sleepless nights, noise
She groaned. Terrible timing.
But tired of wondering, she went to the chemist. The test confirmed her fears: pregnant. Liz pressed a hand to her stomachalready imagining it rounder, though it was too soon.
Then it hit hera tiny life growing inside her. Her heart swirled with fear and something like joy.
«Youre going to be the best little one,» she whispered.
But doubt crept back. She wasnt young anymore. What would James say? What if he was angry? What if he didnt want this? He was older too.
By evening, shed wound herself into a panic. She had to tell him, but when he got home, all she managed was, «Dinner?»
«Course! Starving here.»
James watched as she darted to the kitchen. Something was off. Her eyesbrighter somehow. He didnt want to assume the worst, so he waited, hoping shed explain.
«Howre you feeling?»
«Fine. Had a nap earlierhelped loads. Work said not to worry, its a short week anyway. Party tomorrow for the company anniversary Doubt they even noticed I wasnt in.»
«Partys tomorrow?»
«Was meant to be today, but the restaurant fell through. Boss wants it perfect.»
«Going?»
She almost said yesthen remembered. «Nah, think Ill skip. Better to miss one do than end up poorly, right?»
«Your call.»
Now he *knew* something was up. Liz *never* missed a partyor her girls nights.
«Thought youd want to celebrate the promotion with the girls?»
«Not feeling it. Fancy a walk tomorrow? Just us?»
James nodded. «Make us a cuppa?»
«Sure.»
She moved differentlyslower, softer. Usually, she was all sharp efficiency.
Only one thing made sense. His chest ached. He loved her. But if she didnt love him anymore
He stood abruptly. «Who is he?»
«What? Jameswhatre you on about?»
Her confusion seemed genuine, but he didnt buy it. He turned to leave, then spun back.
«Seen yourself? Glowing, practically dancing! Liz, I love you, but if youve found someone else best of luck.»
He stormed out. Liz stood frozenthen bolted after him.
This wasnt how shed planned to tell him. But now, no choice.
James was shrugging on his coat when she blurted, «JamesIm pregnant!»
«What?»
He staggered back. Liz searched his facehopeful, terrified.
«Did a test today. Positive. Were having a baby.»
She took his hand, pressed it to her stomach. «Your son or daughters in there.»
His expression flickered through a dozen emotionsthen he pulled away and ran.
Liz stood alone, gutted. Once, hed *ached* to be a dad. Now hed fled. Shed expected joy or horrornot this.
Half an hour later, she sat in the dark, crying silently, when the doorbell rang.
«Who?»
Too late for visitors. James had his keys. Wiping tears, she forced a smile and opened the door.
First, flowersa massive bouquet of her favourite roses. *Then* James, grinning.
«Here you go, love.»
Inside, he cupped her face. «Sorry I ran. Justshocked. Im *happy*, Lizzie! Boy? Theo. Girl? Emily. Well call Mum and Dad, book the midwife»
He babbled until he saw her tears. «Whyre you crying?»
She buried her face in his shoulder. «Thought youd left for good. That you didnt want it that forty was too late.»
«Dont be daft. Im not going anywhere. Fortys *perfect*.»
«But the mortgage, my promotionour plans?»
James sighed, holding her gaze. «Liz, *listen*. None of that matters. Well pay the mortgage. You can work after maternity if you wantmy salarys enough. Sleepless nights? Bring em on.»
Liz melted into him. However scared shed been, hed made it right. Together, theyd handle it.
Togetherall *three* of them.
