Page 82 of Nanny for the SEAL

“Baby, I’m nervous. Are you okay?”

It’s a few moments, but then I hear the lock on the door flipping over, and Ivy slowly pulls the door open.

“Are you okay?” My brows knit together with concern as I take in her pale face and shaking hands. “What’s going on, Ivy? You’ve been acting weird all nig?—”

“I’m…”She looks up at me, too many emotions crossing over her face. “I’m…pregnant. I’m so sorry, Xaden. I know it’s insane. It shouldn’t have happened. I still can’t believe it, and I…”

Her words trail off as I stand there, frozen like a deer in the headlights.

“W-What?” I shake my head, literally trying to comprehend what she just said.

I couldn’t have heard that right. Did Ivy just say she was…no, that can’t be right. We’ve been careful—like a lot. She can’t be…

“I know, I know. It’s a total shock. But I’m not messing with you, and I don’t expect anything from you. I just…you had to know. I mean, you’re kind of involved with this too, you know?” Ivy chuckles with a nervous smile. “So, yeah. Not sick. Pregnant.”

The world is still spinning off its axis, but I manage to eke out a single question. “How?”

“Umm, I’m not sure. I’m on the pill, and we’ve used condoms. I’m about three or so weeks along, so it was probably that first time. I was slightly late on taking my pill then, but not by much! Apparently, it was enough. You don’t have to deal with this if you don’t want to. I completely understand.”

Ivy’s words spill out of her like a monsoon. The tears in her eyes don’t fall, but I can see them there, waiting for the chance.

“You’ve already got so much on your plate. I don’t expect anything from you. And I understand if you’re angry. I know I should have taken the test sooner, but I just didn’t think it was possible. I mean, clearly. I’m really sorry. If you want me to stop seeing Daisy, I get it. I can see about putting the house up for sale again.”

Put the house up for sale? Leave Daisy? Ivy thinks she has to leave?

“I don’t know…I just…I won’t ruin your life. I promise that I?—”

But I don’t let her continue.

Actions have always worked better for me, so I pull Ivy forward and press my lips against hers. Framing her face with both hands, I give everything to the kiss, and I feel Ivy relax into it after the shock fades.

After a moment, I pull back, staring down at her. “You’re not going anywhere. You’re not leaving Daisy. You’re not leaving me. Okay?”

Ivy smiles, and the tears finally slip free, spilling down her cheeks where I wipe them away with my thumbs. As she nods, she sniffles against the emotions.

“Are you sure?”

I tip my head down, touching my forehead to hers. “I’m not going to lie to you and say this isn’t a total shock. It is. The last thing I expected you to tell me was that you’re pregnant. I honestly thought you were breaking up with me.”

“What?” Ivy laughs, shaking her head. “No, no. I donotwant to break up.”

“Good.” I kiss her gently. “I don’t either. I want this—us. And apparently…”

I step back slightly, glancing down at her lower belly and covering it with one of my hands. Smiling, I let out an exhausted chuckle, the burn starting in my own eyes.

“This makes it the four of us.”

Ivy sucks in a shaky breath, clearly trying to hold back full-blown sobs. I vaguely remember how hard that can be for a pregnant person, and I pull her into my arms.

“I’m going to be right here, Ivy. We’re going to do this together, and I’ll be by your side the entire time. I…I'm actually…excited. I get to be a dad again.”

“Oh, Xade.” Ivy buries her face in my chest, and I feel her shoulders shake as the crying wins out.

I just let Ivy fall apart. I don’t mind. Looking out and down the hall, I hear the sounds of the movie playing in the background and picture Daisy asleep on the couch.

I have no idea how I’m going to explain all this to her, and I’ll admit that I’ve been dreading the “dating” conversation I need to have with her.

But it’s fine. Sure, it’ll be hard. Still, I know Ivy and I can handle this. Together, we can handle pretty much anything.

---