Breaking the news to his ex

DASHIELL

I twirled the pen in my hand as I went through the lists for the summer gala.

A knock on the door interrupted me. Lilith walked in with a smile, holding a mug of coffee in hand as she strode over to me. “Hello, Darling.”

“Oh.” I blinked, smiling as I got up from my chair.  “Hello, sweetheart. How was your trip?” I stepped around the table, to her side.

“I'm not happy, you realise that, right???” She dropped the coffee on my desk before turning to confront me, pouting.

“Why?” Puzzled, I watched her walk over to me and wrap her hands around my waist. She placed her head on my chest and peered up at me.

“Why didn't you call me during my trip? I was expecting your calls, you know?” She pursed her lips, sulking like a kid.

“Oh, that?” I smiled as I removed some strands of hair from her face. “I figured you were busy, which was why I didn't call.”

“Busy?” She removed her head from my chest and stepped back, frowning. “How busy could I have been not to pick up your calls?” She asked, folding her arms.

“Come on, darling.” I closed the distance between us and hugged her.  “Don't be sad, okay? You are back, and that's all that matters. The past is… Well, it's history.”

There was no use telling her I spent the entire week acting like the best dad in the entire world — to my baby, of course.

“Promise you won't do it again?”

“I won't.” Breaking from the hug, I took her hand in mine and led her towards the couch, careful so she didn't step on her gown, which was sweeping the ground.

I made her sit on the couch before I sat next to her, smiling.  “So, how was your trip?”

“Good, I guess.”

“How are your parents?”

“Good.” She smiled, sitting up.  “They asked of you. Mum was wondering when you will come to visit. You know, I told them of your proposal, and they were thrilled about it. Dad can't wait to meet you.” She looked excited about that, and I felt bad, knowing I would make her sad with my response.

I rubbed the back of my neck and nervously smiled at her as she told me about her trip and all that happened on her way there.

“Dash?” She frowned.

“Mmm?” I blinked, wondering why she called my name. “What's it?”

“Why are you silent? Are you okay?” She placed her right palm on my forehead, frowning.

“I'm good, it's just….” I puffed out a breath, trying to think of how to break the news to her. I knew it was time to tell her the wedding I promised wouldn't work. At least not for the next nine months. “There's something I have to tell you,” I started, my tone grave.

She must have noticed how serious I looked because she placed her hand over mine as she stared at me. Her expression was one of fear, almost like she could tell what was going through my mind at that moment.

“What's it?” Her voice was almost a whisper.

“Nova is pregnant,” I dumped the bombshell.

“What? Impossible!” She got up from the couch. “How… Didn't….”

“It happened.” I peered up at her.  “I found out a week ago before you travelled and —”

“Why didn't you tell me?” She asked, interrupting me. “Was this the reason you didn't call?”

“No, that's not it.” I got up from the couch and took her hand in mine, peering into her eyes. “I wasn't lying when I told you why I didn't call. As for Nova being pregnant, I didn't tell you about it, so it wouldn't affect your trip,” I explain, hoping she would understand my reasons.

I watched her take a deep breath, waiting for her to say something, but she didn't. She kept silent for some minutes as she glared at me. I couldn't tell what was going through her head because she kept her expression hooded.

“Lilith?”

“What about the divorce? You are going through with it, right?” She peered at me, waiting for my response.

“Not at the moment” I responded, letting go of my hold on her.

“Why?” She stared at her hands before her gaze lifted to my face. “You promised me, didn't you?” Though her expression was neutral, her voice gave her thoughts away. She sounded like she was about to cry.

“I'm sorry,” I apologized. “She has my baby in the womb. I can't do it now. Not until she gives birth.”

“What if me, then? Are you going to dump me all because of that?” She demanded, glaring at me. “Are you willing to forget about me just because she's pregnant?” She closed the distance between us. “If you want kids, I can give you as many as you want. I'm a fertile woman.”

"You are still the one I love, Lilith." I placed a kiss on her left cheek. "She's just a surrogate for me. After she gives birth, I will take the kid and kick her to the curb."

"Really?" She peered up at me, pouting. 

“Of course. I just have a request for you.”

“A request?”

“I still want to make you the mother of my kids. Can you wait until she gives birth? I will divorce her then, and make you my wife,” I promised.

“Why not now?” She demanded, frowning.

“Because I can't. Have you forgotten about the will I told you about?” I reached towards her to caress her left cheek. “All I ask is just nine months. After she gives birth, I will break up with her and marry you. Then you can take care of the kid with me.” I had thought about that and mulled over it for a week before I arrived at this conclusion.

She looked as if she wanted to argue, but she didn't. Instead, she nodded with a smile. “I will stay for you then.”

“Thank you.” Smiling, I hugged her.  “Thanks for understanding me.”

“Anything for you, darling. Anything for you.” She hugged my waist tight. “It's just nine months of my time. I will wait for as long as you ask me to.”

"No, I won't make you wait for that long." I placed both hands on her cheeks and made her look up.  "We will still be together until she gives birth, okay?"

"Mmm!" Nodding, she smiled before leaning in to whisper, "Congratulations on being a father. I'm so happy for you."