Page 102 of That: Taylor & Brooks

“Brooks, I’m pregnant,” she said with a shriek, then covering her mouth. She hadn’t planned to blurt it out, but standing here, facing him, all her carefully rehearsed speeches disappeared.

Brooks went completely still, his expression unreadable as he stared at her.

“You’re sure? You’re foreal?” He asked finally, his voice carefully neutral.

Taylor nodded, “I did a test at the hospital. I came straight here to tell you. Are you upset?”

Her question offended him slightly.

“Are you? Are you ok?” He knew this wasn’t a part of her plan right now. They were still living apart, she wasn’t his wife yet, and so many other things. He’d stand with her on whatever her choice or feelings on it were. Brooks stood, eyes never leaving hers.

For a second, the air between them felt too full.

“Yes, I’m ok. Tired, nauseous. But I’m ok. In shock but not upset.”

“A baby,” he muttered, the words seeming to roll around in his mouth like he was testing how they felt. “My baby, Our baby.”

“You’re not upset?” She asked, searching his face.

He looked at her like he’d known this moment was coming, like he'd been waiting for it. “Upset? Taylor, are you serious right now?”

“I don’t know!” The emotion she’d been holding back spilled over. She was crying now. Balling in his arms. “This isn’t exactly planned. We briefly talked about kids and marriage. This changes everything.”

Brooks’ hands came up to frame her face, “Taylor, listen to me. Yes, this changes things. But not how you’re thinking.”

“What do you mean?”

His thumbs brushed away tears, “I mean, this doesn’t complicate anything for me. It just makes clear what I already knew you’re it for me,” he said simply, his voice rough with emotion.

“I want everything with you, the house, the family, the whole damn future. I’ve been holding back, giving you space, letting you set the pace because I knew you needed that. But Taylor...” His hands slid down to rest on her neck, his eyes never leaving hers.

“I’ve known since we had dinner at the Diner where this was heading. I was just waiting for you to catch up.”

A laugh bubbled up through her tears. “So you’re saying you’re okay with this?”

Brooks shook his head, a smile spreading across his face. “I’m beyond okay. I’m fucking ecstatic.”

The sincerity in his voice, the joy lighting his eyes, made the fear subside but not disappear. There was still so much to figure out, so many conversations to have but it could wait or maybe she’d just pop up with a baby, like the celebrities.

“I was worried,” she whispered, needing to be sure.

In answer, Brooks pulled her into his arms, lifting her off her feet in a gentle spin that made her laugh through her tears. When he set her down, his expression had turned serious again, his eyes searching hers.

“You let go of the rope, Tay. That took strength. Now let me hold what you’re not meant to carry alone.”

“Ok, you’re right.”

“You wanna tell your parents?” Brooks softly asked, as usual reading her mind.

Taylor sighed, leaning into his chest. “I don’t know. My mom will probably be okay, eventually. My dad...” She trailed off, unable to predict how her father would react to the news that his newly divorced daughter was pregnant by a man he barely approved of.

“I love you, Taylor Bradshaw. I love you, and I’m gonna love our child. And anyone who’s got a problem with that can take it up with me.”

Taylor knew he meant it, knew that Brooks would stand between her and any judgment, any negativity, with that same protection he’d been showing from the beginning. But she also knew there were conversations to be had, plans to make, realities to face.

“We’ll face that together,” Brooks promised, his arms tightening around her. “Just like everything else. I told you, you wouldn’t do this alone and I meant that. I’m here.”

Taylor nodded against his chest, she found comfort in his presence. There would be challenges ahead, telling her parents, figuring out living arrangements and future plans. But in this moment,with Brooks’ heart beating steady against her cheek, their child growing securely between them, she allowed herself to feel something beyond the fear.

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