Page 148 of Checkmate
“Bob,” Marcus said before he could speak. “I appreciate you have Erica’s best interests at heart here. I’m sure you heard a very similar speech from Alex all those years ago about how much he cared for your daughter.
“Honestly, I expect a very similar reaction from my parents when we tell them. Because you’re right. We’ve moved fast and we’ve made all these leaps together. But I promise you from the bottom of my heart, even if my romantic relationship doesn’t work out with Erica, I will always and forever be her best friend and biggest cheerleader.”
“They won’t break up.” All heads turned to Liv as she spoke for the first time, her voice soft but confident. “I’ve been with Josh since we were kids. I’ve grown up with you all, and for the first time in… oh, eight or nine years, I think we’re finally seeing the real Erica again.”
She turned to Erica with a small smile. “I’m sorry if I’m being rude. You know how much I love you. But I always felt you were trying to be someone you weren’t when you were with Alex. You didn’t let yourself relax. You were always so perfect. I don’t recall you ever cracking a joke while he was around.
“I was so caught up in your whirlwind romance, and I bought every shitty lie that left Alex’s mouth, that I never really noticed just how much he stifled you. The last six months I’ve seen more and more of the old you - the real you.”
Erica felt tears prickle at her eyes, swallowing past a lump in her throat. She’d always felt as though she’d lost part of herself with Alex, but could never pinpoint why. She ignored the feeling, figuring it was part of growing up and maturing. Hearing Liv validate her long-buried feelings was liberating.
“Marcus, I think you’re wonderful,” Liv said. “You’re funny and sweet. And although I’m quite worried my husband would leave me for you, I, for one, am happy to welcome you into this family. If for no reason other than you gave me my sister back.”
“Thank you, Liv,” Marcus said quietly, inclining his head to her.
“Well, I can’t argue with that, can I?” Bob asked. “Nicely put, Liv. Thank you for that perspective.” Turning his gaze back to Erica, her father took a breath. “This is what you want, Erica? Marcus, is who you want?”
All eyes were on her as her father’s question lingered in the air, but it was only one pair of eyes she cared about. Meeting Marcus’ gaze, she spoke directly to him.
“It may be too fast. My divorce may not be final. There may be a million reasons why we shouldn’t.” Smiling at him, she squeezed his hand, delighting at the twinkle in his eye. “But there’s a very important reason why we should. You make life bearable. I’m tired of living in the past and waiting for the next chapter of my story to begin. It’s already here, it’s right now. It’s you.”
“It’s us,” he corrected, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Here’s to the next stage of our story, Erica. I can’t wait to go on this journey with you.”
Chapter 43
Sophie
“I can’t wait to meet you, little baby.”
Sophie glanced at the couple sitting opposite her, trying hard not to stare. The woman must have been at least eight months pregnant, her stomach swollen with the growing life inside her. Cradling that bump lovingly, her husband gently cooed to his unborn child.
Well, aren’t they just the perfect, most smug little nitwits?
Rolling her eyes, Sophie turned back to her magazine, forcing them from her mind. It’s not like Alex wouldn’t be there if he knew. In fact, he’d make sure the best of the best took care of her and that their child had everything it needed.
It just so happened she still hadn’t told him about the pregnancy.
“Sophie Hayward?”
Standing, she waved to the smiling nurse calling her name. She gathered her belongings and left the smug couple behind her.
I hope your baby is ugly.
“No dad today?” The nurse asked, looking behind Sophie and interrupting her vicious thought.
“Not today,” Sophie replied with a strained smile. Why was everyone so fixated on Alex not being here? “Actually, he doesn’t know yet. I’m waiting for the okay before I tell him.”
“You’d be surprised how many women do the same.” She gestured towards the hospital bed, smiling warmly. “Make yourself comfortable.”
Standing behind her computer, the nurse checked a few notes, making a soft noise. “So, you’re around thirteen weeks according to your last period, correct?”
“Yeah, I think so,” Sophie replied, laying back against the hospital bed. “I can be a bit irregular though so—”
“Well, let’s just take a look, shall we?” She said, clicking a couple of buttons. “Pop your shirt up for me, and we’ll get started.” Sophie pulled her shirt up, taking the tissue offered and tucking it into her waistband. Relaxing back against the bed, she felt a frisson of excitement. This was it! After weeks of waiting, she was finally going to see her tiny little baby.
“This might be a tad cold,” the nurse said, squirting some gel on her stomach. Sophie hissed at the chill, staring anxiously at the screen in front of her as the nurse pressed the probe against her stomach.
Nothing.
