Against All Odds

Chapter Thirty

I walk into the kitchen, close to dinner, hoping to find Mrs. Ike there. When I find her chopping carrots into small slices, I close my eyes, relieved, closing the door behind me.

She smiles in surprise, seeing me. "Mia, hi."

I take off the cap I had been wearing outside, out of breath. "Henry thinks I'm getting gloves."

"And why aren't you?"

"Because I need to speak with someone I trust. I-I can't trust anyone but you with this. But I need help."

"Tell me," she says, setting down the knife to devote me her time. I walk close to her, breathing in deeply.

"I think... I may be pregnant."

Her eyes widen like saucers. "Oh my goodness!"

I grab her hand. "Please, Mrs. Ike, you can't tell anyone."

"I swear it, Mia. I won't tell a soul... you haven't told Henry?"

"No. Not yet... not until I know for sure. Which is why I was wondering if you could... get me a test."

"Absolutely, dear. I will... how late are you?"

"Only a week but... that's unusual for me."

"Well, I'm sure Henry will be delighted. He's always loved children."

"That the woman he loves is pregnant, yes. That the mistress the world perceives me as is having a baby unmarried to him... no, I don't think he'll be happy."

"Yes, that will be a problem..." she whispers. "But you still have time to marry. I'm sure he will marry you after hearing it."

I press my lips together. "I don't want him to ask me for that. After everything we've been through, I can't have him propose like that... under obligation."

She rubs my back gently. "This baby will be a blessing and when you choose to tell him, I'm sure he will be overjoyed... I will get you the test tonight and have it for you in the morning."

"Oh, thank you so much, Mrs. Ike," I breathe, kissing her cheek quickly. I swallow, looking around. "Do you know where gloves are here?"

...

I open the door, smiling nervously when I find Arnold at the threshold.

"Arnold," I utter happily, moving forward awkwardly to hug him. I pull back quickly, chuckling to myself.

"Mia, you look- wonderful," he says, breathing in deeply. "It feels like it's been a lifetime since I saw you last."

I'm beginning to try and form an answer to that when I become distracted by two figures moving by the car.

"Be careful with that," Angie says, pointing at her luggage. "My creams are in there."

I gape, ecstatically.

"They tagged along for the trip. I hope you don't mind," Arnold says, smirking. I hit his chest, excitedly before running out to them.

"Oh my god!" I gasp, embracing Angie tightly. "I've missed you."

She pulls back grasping my shoulders. "Royce, isn't she so tan? It suits her. It suits you, Mia, truly. You're just glowing."

"Isn't she?" I turn, hearing Henry's voice. Having just come back from the vineyard, he's taking off his dirty gloves. Arnold takes a deep breath and sticks his hand out towards Henry.

Henry smiles, taking it firmly. "Pardon the dirt. I've been on the fields."

Arnold smirks. "I truly never thought I'd ever hear you say that."