Forty is the perfect age!
«Jen, whats taking so long? Did you fall asleep in there? Hurry up, or well be late for work!»
«Coming!» Jenny flinched slightly, glancing at the bathroom door. She knew she was taking longer than usual, but she had her reasons. All week, shed been feeling queasy in the mornings, and though shed brushed it off at first, now it was starting to scare her.
She had a sneaking suspicion why, but the thought of being pregnant terrified her. Pushing the idea away, she stepped out of the bathroom.
«Sorry,» she mumbled to her husband, «couldnt get my eyebrows right.»
«You do that in the bedroom!» James frowned at her.
«Oh, right!» Jenny didnt argue.
She hurried to the kitchen to make coffee for them both. They usually loved it, but today, even the smell made her stomach turn.
«You alright?» James asked, concerned.
«Yeah, just not feeling coffee today,» she muttered.
«Really? You looked like you were about to be sick! Are you ill?»
Jenny wrapped her arms around herself. The mere thought of a child sent a shiver through her. James moved closer, pressing a hand to her forehead.
«You dont feel feverish. Maybe take the day off? Call in sickyou can rest up over the weekend. We cant afford you falling ill now, not with the mortgage payments»
Once hed left for work, Jenny sank onto the sofa, lost in thought. She knew what she had to dobuy a test and find out for sure. But the idea terrified her. A baby would make it all real.
«I just got that promotion, and James is rightweve got the mortgage, and we were saving for that trip to Cornwall» Theyd dreamed of children once, especially right after their wedding, when everything was still rosy and they were barely twenty. But back then, it hadnt happened.
Over time, shed stopped thinking about it. Shed grown used to life with James, and hed stopped mentioning kids too. It seemed hed accepted it. Now, a baby would just get in the wayextra costs, sleepless nights, endless crying
Jenny groaned. This was the worst possible timing.
But tired of wondering, she finally went to the chemists. To her horror, the test was positive. She was pregnant. Resting a hand on her stomach, she swore it already looked bigger, even though that was impossible.
Suddenly, a wave of awe hit herthere was a tiny life growing inside her, completely dependent on her. She was torn. Part of her was terrified, but another part glowed at the thought of having a child.
«Youre going to be the best little thing,» she whispered.
Then doubt crept back in. She wasnt young anymore. What would James say? What if he was angry? What if he didnt want this? He wasnt young eitherolder than her, in fact.
By evening, shed worked herself into a panic. She knew she had to tell him, but when James came home, all she managed was, «Want some dinner?»
«Of course! What kind of question is that? Im starving!»
He watched her closely as she hurried to the kitchen. Something was off. Her eyes were differentbrighter. He didnt want to think the worst, so he waited, hoping shed explain.
«You feeling better?»
«Yeah, much. Had a nap earlier. Work said not to worryit was a short day anyway. The company anniversary partys coming up. Doubt they even noticed I was gone.»
«Whens the party?»
«Tomorrow. They wanted it tonight, but the restaurant fell through. Boss wants it done properly.»
«You going?»
She almost said yes, then remembered.
«No, Ill skip it. Better to miss one party than risk getting sick, right?»
«Up to you,» James said thoughtfully.
Now he was sure something was wrong. Jenny never missed a celebration, especially not with her girlfriends.
«Didnt you just get that promotion? Dont you want to celebrate with the girls?»
«Not really. Lets just go out together tomorrow, yeah?»
James nodded, then asked, «Fancy making some tea?»
«Sure!» She stood, moving slower than usual.
James studied her. Normally, she was quick, efficient. Now she moved carefully, deliberately.
There was only one explanation he could think of, and it hurt. He loved his Jenny. But if she didnt love him back
He stood abruptly, voice low. «Who is he?»
«What? I dont understand!» Fear flickered in her eyes, confirming his suspicion.
«The man youve fallen for.»
«James, what are you talking about?»
Her confusion seemed genuine, but he didnt believe it. He turned to leave, then stopped, forcing himself to finish this.
«Have you seen yourself? Youre glowing! Practically dancing around! Jen, I love you, but if youve found someone else fine. Good luck to you both.»
He stormed out. Jenny stood frozen, stunned, then sprinted after him.
This wasnt how shed planned to tell him. Shed wanted it to be special. But now there was no choice.
James was pulling on his coat when she blurted out, «James, Im pregnant!»
«What?» Now he was the one in shock.
He stepped closer, watching her wary expression. She was scared of his reaction.
«I took a test today. It was positive. James, were having a baby!»
She searched his eyes, then took his hand and pressed it to her stomach.
«Thats your son or daughter growing in there,» she whispered.
Emotions flashed across his face. Then he pulled his hand away, turned, and walked out.
Jenny stood alone, heartbroken. James had once wanted kids so badly. Now hed just left. She hadnt expected this.
Tears threatened as she mechanically tidied the kitchen. Without James, how would she raise this child?
A tiny hope lingeredthat hed come back, that theyd be a family. But she wasnt sure.
Half an hour later, sitting in the dark, she heard the doorbell.
«Whos there?»
It was late. James had his keys. Wiping her eyes, she forced a smile and opened the door.
The first thing she saw was flowersa huge bouquet of her favourite roses. Then James grinning face.
«Here, Jen.»
He stepped inside, still smiling. «Sorry I ran off. I was just shocked. Im so happy, love! Were having a baby! If its a boyTheo. A girlCharlotte. Well call Mum and Dad, book the midwife, and»
He babbled on until he noticed her tears.
«Hey, whats wrong?»
He pulled her close. She buried her face in his shoulder, whispering, «I thought youd left for good. That you didnt want this that forty was too late.»
«Not a chance, Jen. Im not going anywhere. And dont be daftfortys perfect.»
«But the mortgage, my promotion, all our plans»
James sighed, holding her at arms length. «Jen, listen. None of that matters as much as this baby. Well manage the mortgage. You can go back to work after maternity leave if you want. My salary covers us. And sleepless nights? Bring them on!»
Jenny sighed happily, leaning into him. She was relievedJames knew, and he was thrilled.
Held in his arms, she knew theyd handle anythingtogether. The two of them. Nothe three of them.
