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Charlie walked into my office and shut the door.
“Morning, my friend. How is Willa doing?”
“She’s good. I brought her back to the penthouse, where she’s staying for good.”
“She’s moving in with you?”
“Yes. But I don’t think she realizes yet that it’s a permanent situation. She’s pregnant, Charlie.”
“What?” He chuckled. “You, Damien Blackwood, are going to be a father?”
“Yes.”
“I love a good joke, but it’s way too early, man.”
“I’m not joking. We found out yesterday when she was at the hospital.”
“My God. You’re serious.” He cocked his head.
“You know me, and you know I would never joke about something like that.”
“How do you feel about it?”
“When the doctor walked in and announced it, it was like the whole world froze. Then I looked at Willa, and at that moment, my carefully constructed walls just crumbled into dust.”
“You love her, don’t you?”
I picked up a pen from my desk and stared at it. “Yeah. I do love her.” I smiled. “I fought it, and I’m done trying to convince myself that I don’t. I love my wife, Charlie, and we’re having a baby.”
“Damn.” He shook his head, smiling. “I never thought I’d see the day. This is awesome. When are you telling everyone?”
“I don’t know yet. I’ll talk to Willa and see when she wants to let people know.”
“A little Blackwood running around here is going to be awesome.” Charlie smiled. “Congratulations, Damien. I’m truly happy for you.”
“Thanks, Charlie.”
“So, I guess the annulment is out of the question?”
“I guess it is. I can’t divorce my wife now that she’s pregnant.” I smirked.
“Somehow, I don’t think you were ever going to divorce her.”
Later that afternoon, I left the office, stopped at the florist, and headed to the cemetery to visit my dad. Lying the bouquet of flowers down, I tucked my hands into my pants pockets.
“Hi, Dad. So much has happened since you left us. I’ve got some big news. Willa is pregnant. I’m going to be a father. Can you believe it? I can’t.” I breathed out a laugh. “You taught me many things growing up, and I promise to pass your wisdom along to your grandchild. You were a great father and a role model, and I hope to be the kind of father to my child as you were to me.” I placed my hand on top of the smooth, oversized headstone. “I miss you, Dad.”
When I arrived home from the office, I set my briefcase down and called out Willa’s name.
“In the guestroom,” she shouted.
Walking down the hallway, I found her in one of the guestrooms, trapped between the boxes and products spread throughout the room.
“Wow. Your inventory tripled since I saw it last,” I said.
“I know.” She sighed, placing her hand on her forehead. “I received another thirty orders today. That’s eighty boxes I have to make and send out.”
She looked stressed, and it bothered me. Making my way through all the stuff, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into me.