The Fighter Pilot’s Baby

Bianca pulled into her tiny garage, shutting the car off. She sat there for a few minutes and didn’t move, the events of the day surrounding her. Taking a deep breath, she collected her things and headed into the house. Monster greeted her with a hungry meow, and wound his body around her legs. Bianca patted his head and filled his bowl with food for the evening. Absently she opened the refrigerator, but her appetite was nonexistent. Closing the door with a sigh, Bianca headed upstairs; she needed a hot bath and possibly a glass of wine. Filling the tub, Bianca pulled her phone from her purse checking her messages and email. Her mom called twice, but everything was so urgent to her mom. She had a few work related emails, which she read and discarded or responded to accordingly. Next she moved on to the text messages. Her mom had texted her two times as follow up to the phone calls. Bianca typed off a quick message that she would call her tomorrow and moved on. The next message made her heart stop. It was from Alex.

Alex: Thinking about you today. Just wanted to see how you were doing.

The message was sent around the same time she was at the doctor’s office. If she had taken her phone out of her purse and gave into her fight to call Alex she would have seen it, and likely called him. Bianca wasn’t sure how to proceed. She had momentarily forgotten about Alex when hit with the news from her doctor. A seed of an idea began to grow in Bianca’s mind, but she pushed it back as soon as it started. It was a ridiculous idea. Ignoring the desire to respond to Alex, Bianca slipped into the tub, setting her phone on the floor mat. She sank back, closing her eyes. The stress of the day began to slip away and with it came more thoughts of Alex. Despite her best efforts she couldn’t get him, or his kiss, out of her head.

A shrill ring sounded in the bathroom, echoing off of the walls and Bianca jumped, removing her hand from between her legs. Her phone was ringing. With an aggravated sigh, Bianca looked down at her phone’s display, fully prepared to cuss her mother out for not respecting her words. But it wasn’t her mom’s name that she read on the screen, it was Alex’s. Scrambling to dry her hands, Bianca snatched the phone from the mat regardless of her brain screaming at her to avoid him. She was done avoiding. After today’s news, she knew life could take time away from you at the drop of a pin.

“Hello?” She answered breathlessly. Hoping that what she had been doing earlier didn’t show in her voice. She was slightly embarrassed that she was so carried away in the moment.

 “Bianca? Are you alright? I texted you earlier but you didn’t respond. I know I said I’d give you some time but…” Alex’s voice trailed off as Bianca cut in.

“No, it’s okay. I’m fine.” Bianca lied. She restrained herself from snorting at her falsehood. Fine was a gross understatement.

“Are you sure? You don’t sound fine.” Alex stated, his voice sounding entirely too sure that he was right.

Bianca sighed; if she wanted to pursue a relationship with this man lying was not the way to begin. But should she pursue it? After the news she received today, a relationship might not be an option right now, unless he wanted to have a baby with her. The thought that had been niggling at the back of her mind came to the fore and she gasped, not willing to entertain it. They had just met, after all.

“Bianca, please.” Alex muttered, all but begging her to open up to him.

Bianca sighed again, “So I wasn’t being completely honest,” She began, wanting to explain everything but not over the phone. “I think we should talk, in person.” Holding her breath she waited for him to respond.

“I’ll be right over,” He barked into the phone. The line went dead before she could even say goodbye. Bianca guessed now would be the perfect time to get out of the rapidly cooling bath.

*****

Alex yanked his jeans on, not taking the time for a belt. He’d been dying to see Bianca for days and finally succumbed to calling her. Now she wanted him to stop by at a moment’s notice but sounded like she had bad news. He was a bit concerned that she was going to break it off with him completely. Alex wasn’t sure what he would do with that news, but he wasn’t going down without a fight. He liked her, really liked her. Insecurity lodged itself in his gut. Alex wasn’t used to feeling so helpless about situations. He was a Lieutenant in the Air Force for Christ sake; he needed to pull himself together.

With a wince of uncertainty, Alex slid his feet into his boots, unlaced, and snatched his keys from the table. Making sure he had his phone, he dashed out the door to Bianca’s house, praying that she still wanted to be with him.

*****

Bianca frantically smoothed her hair with anxiety for the fourth time, nervousness assailing her. How would she tell him about her issue? Would he still want to be with her after he found out she may not be able to have children? Adjusting her oversized t-shirt to cover her leggings clad ass, Bianca looked out the window again to see if Alex’s car was pulling up. It had only been ten minutes but she was getting anxious that he wouldn’t show up. Anxiety bubbled in her stomach and she paced around the room. Why was this making her so crazy? She knew why. Alex was everything she wanted in a man, kind, funny, sexy, and he had a great job. Another thought made her stomach flutter again. What if he was going to re-enlist soon? Maybe this whole thing was a mistake.