Page 33 of Loving Josy
She shakes her head slowly. “I don’t need to go to know what’s happening.”
I blink, trying to process her cryptic words. “Did you eat something that didn’t sit right?”
She lifts her head, her gaze steady as she meets mine. “No, Noah. I’m just pregnant.”
The word slams into me, knocking the air out of my lungs. “Wha... what?” I stammer, the room seeming to tilt slightly.
“You heard right,” she says softly. “I’m pregnant. I didn’t plan for you to find out like this, but I’m not going to hide it either. That’s why I’ve been feeling so off. I’ve got morning sickness or, more accurately, all-day sickness.”
“When did you find out?” My voice is barely above a whisper.
“Yesterday,” she admits, rubbing her temples again. “I was at the new place, feeling awful, and then I realized I hadn’t had my period. So, I took two pregnancy tests, and both were positive. Congratulations, Noah. We’re going to be parents.” Her voice is laced with sarcasm.
The words hang between us, heavy and unyielding. My mind scrambles to process them, but all I can do is stare at her, my thoughts a chaotic mess of shock and disbelief.
Pregnant. Josy’s pregnant.
We’re going to be parents.
The words echo in my mind, crashing over me like waves, pulling me under. My thoughts race back to that day, the heat between us, the way I couldn’t think straight when I was with her. No condom. A mistake that’s now a reality. My fault as much as hers, but the consequences feel impossibly big, bigger than anything I’ve ever faced.
I stand rooted in place, my pulse pounding in my ears. The room around me feels smaller, the walls pressing in, but all I can see is her, sitting there, exhausted and vulnerable. Her face is a mixture of fear and defiance, like she’s bracing herself for a storm. And I get it. This wasn’t in her plans; it wasn’t in mine either. But now? Now there’s no avoiding it.
This is real.
My heart hammers in my chest, not from panic but from something else entirely. The woman I’ve been crazy about, who challenges me and drives me insane in all the best ways, is having my baby.
Mybaby.
It hits me like a revelation—unexpected, messy, but not unwelcome.
I should feel terrified, and maybe a part of me is, but that’s overshadowed by something stronger: the knowledge that this, we, are meant to be. This might not be the right time, hell, it’s probably the worst time, but I can’t bring myself to regret it. Not when it means Josy has to see what I’ve known all along.
That we belong together.
Chapter Seventeen
Josy
Looking at his handsome face shouldn’t be this hard. But after I blurted out that I’m pregnant, it feels impossible. Noah just stands there, speechless, staring at me like he’s still trying to catch up with what I said. I don’t know what I expected, but the silence is starting to feel heavier with every passing second.
I guess I have to let him think. I had a day to process this news, plus the half day since I’ve been here. But it doesn’t make this any easier. I keep staring at him, waiting—hoping—for him to say something. Is he mad at me? Or worse, is he thinking that I’m lying, or that I’m trying to trap him? The thought makes my stomach churn again, and I take a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind in my head.
“Look, I’m not expecting anything from you,” I finally say, my voice a little steadier now. “I just thought it was only fair that you know. Whatever you decide, I’ll figure it out.”
The truth is, I’m terrified. I’ve always wanted to be a mom, but not like this—not alone, confused, and unsure of what the future holds. The idea of doing this on my own makes my chest tighten, but if that’s what it comes to, I’ll do it. I don’t have a choice, I am a big girl, I can do it.
Noah’s expression softens, and when he finally speaks, his voice is softer than I’ve ever heard it. “Josy, I?—”
Before he can finish, I hold up my hand to stop him. “No, you don’t have to say anything right now. I get that this is a lot to take in. Just think about it. We don’t have to decide anything right this minute.”
“What? Josy, don’t mistake my silence.” He shifts closer, his brows knitting together. “I’m just stunned and surprised. Don’t think for a second that I’m not going to be there for you and the baby. It’s just… shocking, and honestly, I feel so damn proud. My swimmers did their job.”
He chuckles, and I stare at him in disbelief. Noah actually chuckled like this is some kind of joke. “This is not funny, Noah.”
“I know, I’m sorry.” His face softens, a sheepish grin still tugging at the corner of his lips. “My head’s in the clouds right now. Oh my god, I’m going to be a dad.” His voice drops to a whisper, as it’s just now settling in that he in fact is going to be a dad.
I watch as he starts pacing back and forth across my office, running his hands through his hair. He looks excited, and I don’t know if I should feel relieved or even more anxious. Suddenly, he stops pacing and sits down in one of the chairs in front of my desk, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.
