Page 5 of Matrimonial Merger

I watched her disappear and let out the biggest breath of relief I could, which wasn’t much given that I could barely breathe in the internal corset within this damn dress. Did it look good? Judging by Cal’s reaction, it probably did. I was my own worst critic.

“I’m serious,” Cal said, closing the door. “You look… amazing. I’d take you back to the studs right now if I didn’t have a mother who is painfully early and you didn’t look so put together.”

I smiled. “I would probably take you up on that offer and stay in if I knew this wasn’t the big party with all the big people.”

He kissed me slowly. “It is. But you look beautiful.”

Cal disappeared into the closet, unusually disheveled for himself. “So, I wanted to send you to the Toys for Kids event to pack things. I have a meeting, but I just thought it might keep you busy and your Dad always volunteered. What do you think?”

“When is it?” I sighed.

“Well, it’s on Tuesday morning. There will be media but it’s casual.”

I winced, debating my next move.

“I will be honest with you, Daphne,” Cal said. “I’m… I’m not in a place where I can do that one. I’m struggling. David?—”

I cut him off. “If it’s in the morning, I just… I can’t.”

“I know Tuesday mornings are your quietest time. Sorry. I just assumed?—”

“Mornings are hard for me,” I said. “And… will be.”

“That’s okay. I will figure something out. I… I’m struggling more than I thought I would. I don’t mean to avoid things, but I’m human, Daphne.”

“I know I am too,” I said, my eyes meeting his in the mirror as he buttoned his tux shit. “It’s okay. Normally, I’d say sign me up, but… I’m not finding mornings easy.”

“Oh? Is this your new assistant? Are they dropping the ball? It’s okay to?—”

“Cal, I’m pregnant.” I ripped off the bandaid.

Judging by his reaction, I couldn’t tell if this was for the best or the worst. What was done was done. There was not fixing it. I couldn’t just benotpregnant. At least I didn’twantto be not pregnant. And he’d have to get his head around it.

Cal

“I’m pregnant.”

The words dropped like a bomb. I struggled to process if she was being honest or if this was a test. Was it a joke? No, Daphnewasn’t much for jokes—or even surprises. She’d never joke about this. I took in her expression as she reacted and spun around.

“Pregnant? Like… really pregnant?”

“I mean, is there another type of pregnant,” Daphne said. “I had old tests in my bathroom at Mum’s. She forced me to take one and yeah… I’m pregnant.”

“Oh… so you just found out?”

“Yeah. And then I had to sit through silence as she did my hair.”

“She wasn’t happy?” I winced.

“I wouldn’t use that word, now. She was supportive, but… it’s certainly not what she wanted. Or me, for that matter.”

I cocked my head, placing my hands on her hips. “Really? I expected you’d be excited, Daph.”

“I am. Well, I would be under any other circumstance. I love you, Cal. I want to have a baby with you.It’s not that. We’re not married. It’s a scandal waiting to happen. Mum is super Catholic. This is her worst nightmare. She loves me and wants us to be happy, so she’s holding her tongue. But if you think this is good from optics?—”

I kissed her, cutting off her words. I took her face in my hands, unsure what to say.

“Cal, I’m being serious!” She pulled back. “This is?—”

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