A Curve Ball Called Love

“Yeah, you look… what? Four? Five months pregnant?” Ellie went on and Tiffany felt like she’d just taken a blow to her gut. Ellie was standing there with that proud smirk on her face as if she’d just done the world a big favor and as for Tiffany, she didn’t know if it was the hormones or what but suddenly, she couldn’t control her tears. They were flowing freely down her cheeks and her vocal chords seemed to have given up on her. So, she did the only thing she could do and ran out of the break room.

“Tiff…Tiffany!” Douglas called out as she ran out. He looked at Ellie who was grinning widely, proud of what she’d done. The look he gave her spoke volumes because that grin quickly turned into a frown. He shook his head and walked out quickly, practically running after Tiffany. She ran into the ladies’ room and Douglas stood out there wondering what to do.

Screw this, he thought to himself before he walked into the bathroom.

A shocked woman walked past him but he didn’t really pay her any attention.

“Tiffany,” he called out in a soft voice. ”Are you okay?”

“I’m fine… just go. I’ll see you in the parking lot or something,” she said. Her voice sounded strained, almost like she was struggling to speak because she was so overwhelmed with emotion.

“I just walked into the ladies’ room, baby. I’m not walking out without you. I need to make sure you’re fine.”

Tiffany gasped loudly as she choked back a tear. She was trying to fight back her tears as much as she could but it seemed like the more she tried, the more she cried. It took some time before she finally walked out. Douglas was leaning against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Oh God,” she said under her breath when she saw how puffy her eyes were.

She walked to the sink and splashed some water on her face. Douglas got her some paper towels and handed them to her.

“Thanks,” she said in a whisper before she patted her face dry.

Just then, the bathroom door opened and two women walked in. They were giggling as they walked in but they got silent when they saw Douglas and Tiffany in there. Well, their silence had more to do with the man in the ladies’ bathroom more than he and Tiffany being there together but Douglas didn’t care.

“Get out!” Douglas said a little louder than he hoped to be.

“But we’re…” one woman started.

“Use one of the other bathrooms in the building or the men’s room,” he said as he walked to the door and slammed it shut behind them. He locked the door and turned around to look at Tiffany.

“Ellie Cavanagh had no right saying that to you,” he started as he walked back to where she was. “What she did was body shaming. Let’s just call it what it is.”

Tiffany leaned against the counter and bit her lip. She still had tears rolling down her cheeks.

“She was right,” she whispered.

“Please, what does she know in her little skinny butt?” he asked. “You’re gorgeous.”

Tiffany shook her head.

“No… Ellie was right about me getting heavier lately.” She looked up at Douglas who was standing right in front of her. “I am pregnant…” her voice trailed off when she saw the surprise written all over his face.

“What?”

“I took a test because I was feeling a little weird and I was late… they were all positive and I didn’t know what to do. So I went to my doctor and he confirmed it.” Another tear rolled down her cheek. “I’m so sorry.”

Douglas shook his head and held her face in his hands.

“Why would you be sorry about that? Why didn’t you tell me?”

She shook her head.

“I didn’t know how to tell you… you’re a high profile person and I work for you and now I’m pregnant… this is a scandal waiting to happen. Plus, there’s also the fact that you and I are so different. Terrible pasts when it comes to our relationships…” she shook her head. “I had so many reasons not to say anything.”

“Baby.” He gently wiped off her tears with his thumbs before he leaned in and kissed her softly. “Having you in my life is the best thing that has ever happened to me and now you’re about to give me something else that I didn’t even know I was missing.”

He was smiling.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“You asked me about having a family and I told you that I’ve thought about it but at the same time, I’ve never really considered how real the possibility was… but now that I know there’s a little human growing in you that has the best of you and the best of me,” he shook his head. “I don’t want to live in a world that doesn’t have that little person.”

Tiffany laughed as another tear rolled down her cheek.

“I don’t know what’s happening right now. Are you happy or sad right now?” he asked and she shook her head.

“I’m just happy. I didn’t know how you would take this… I thought I was going to lose you,” she said in a soft voice.

He gently stroked the side of her face before kissing her again.

“Why would I ever let go of the woman who gave me back a family?” he asked. “I love you.” He put his hand on her tummy. “I love both of you.”

He pressed his forehead to hers and exhaled loudly.

“Now, let’s go home. I think we’ve had enough of this office already.”

“We can’t walk out together…” she started and he smiled at her.

“That ship sailed a long time ago when I walked into the ladies’ bathroom. Besides, I think it’s about time people found out that you’re mine and I’m yours,” he said, smiling.

He pulled her away from the counter and led her out of the bathroom in full view of people watching. He did not care so much that he put an arm around her shoulders as they walked towards the elevator.

***

When they got to Douglas’ house, they went straight to the bedroom.

“You are…. Simply divine,” he whispered.