Chapter 0415
“Ma’am, why are you asking so much about my grandpa?” Ethan asked curiously.
“Just curious, little one! I always see you alone, and I’ve never seen your parents or your grandpa around.”
“No, I’m never alone! My grandpa is always with me. He takes really good care of me.”
“That’s wonderful! It sounds like you have a great relationship with him.”
“I do! He’s the best grandpa in the world!”
Valerie smiled at him, finishing the sandwich she was making. She handed it to Ethan along with a glass of juice, then sat across from him with a glass of water in her hands.
“So, Ethan, your mom lives in Spain, your grandpa and dad are here… and what about your grandma?”
“My grandpa says she lives in Argentina. She’s from there.
“Wow, that’s far away!”
“Yeah, I haven’t met her yet. She lives really far from here.”
Hearing that, Valerie tried to push the ghost of Peter out of her mind and focus on dinner preparations. Then, a small voice called out from upstairs.
“Mom! Mommy! Can you help me down?” John called from the top of the stairs.
“I’m coming, sweetheart!“!!!
Valerie went to help John downstairs so he could spend time with Ethan. Meanwhile, she and the cook, Greta, began preparing dinner. The vegetables were a disaster–Valerie, usually a master in the kitchen, was too distracted to focus.
“Ma’am, why don’t you take a rest? I can handle dinner tonight,” Greta suggested kindly.
“Thank you, Greta. I’m really not very focused today.”
“Mrs. Valerie, you’ve seemed distracted lately. You’re also not eating like you usually do,” Greta noted, her tone laced with concern.
“Oh, I think I’ve just had some stomach issues. Food hasn’tbeen sitting well with me.”
Greta studied Valerie’s pale face and faint dark circles under her eyes. She was an older woman with an exceptional knack for cooking, which was why Valerie had hired her despite her age. As long as Greta prepared delicious meals, nothing else mattered
At that moment, Emma walked into the kitchen to grab a glass of water for her medication.
“Mrs. Emma, doesn’t Mrs. Valerie look a bit unwell?” Greta asked, glancing at her.
“Let me see,” Emma said, stepping closer with a curious look. “My dear, Greta’s right. Are you feeling sick? Is something bothering you?”
“No, no! I’m just tired. It’s been a long day. I just need a bit of sleep. Lately, I’ve been feeling drowsy, but a nap usually fixes it. Really, I’m fine.”
Emma and Greta exchanged knowing looks. Valerie noticed and quickly asked, “What are you two thinking?”
“Sweetheart… could it be that you’re pregnant?” Emma asked cautiously.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0115
“Yes, ma’am, you have that glow of a mom–to–be,” Greta added.
“What? No! Of course not! I’m 43! I’m more likely to be dealing with menopause than pregnancy.”
“If I were you, I’d get at
just to be sure,” Emma advised gently.
Just then, Camille arrived with the driver, carrying the groceries they’d bought.
“Camille, doesn’t Valerie look like she might be pregnant?
Camille’s eyes widened. She walked over, took Valerie’s hand, and studied her face intently for a few moments.
“Sweetheart, I think you are pregnant!” Camille declared confidently.
“Camille! You can’t just say that based on a hunch!”
“Call it a trick of experience. Listen to me–go get a test. And don’t tell me you and Marcus haven’t been…. enjoying your time together. You’ve had plenty of alone time!”
Valerie’s face turned bright red. Without another word, she grabbed her car keys and drove straight to the nearest pharmacy. She bought three tests, paid, and headed back home.
As she drove, she thought about the slim possibility of being pregnant at her age. Then she realized Camille might be right–getting pregnant required intimacy, and that had certainly been a constant between her and Marcus lately. They hadn’t used protection, and she wasn’t on any hormonal methods since they’d assumed John was a one–in–a–million case. But pregnant at 43? That would be a shock.
Back home, she rushed to the bathroom and took the first test. It came out defective. Annoyed, she tried the second one. This time, two pink lines appeared in the window. Her hands flew to her face as the test fell to the floor. She quickly picked it up and stared at it, stunned. She decided to take the third test, which showed the number of weeks pregnant. Her jaw dropped: Pregnant +3.
A sharp sensation hit her stomach. She leaned against the wall and slid down to sit on the floor, staring at the two positive tests. How would she tell Marcus? If she was old, Marcus was even older–they’d be parents again at 43 and 55-
This changed everything they’d planned. She felt like a teenager all over again. It wasn’t that she was upset at being pregnant; she touched her stomach and smiled. Memories of how hard it had been to conceive John filled her with gratitude. Tears streamed down her face as she laughed softly. This baby might be unexpected, but it would be so, so loved.
