The tears don’t stop.
My well-constructed life seems to be falling apart ever since Ethan came back into my life.
A pregnancy.
A child.
I don’t know anything about being a mother.
“You’ll be a very good mother.” Mrs. Wilder holds me tight, her voice kind. “And what you don’t know, I’ll be here to teach you. You are not alone in this.”
Her arms are warm, and it makes me realize that this must be what a mother’s hug feels like.
But she’s not my mother.
She’s Ethan’s.
She wipes my eyes with her handkerchief.
A small wet laugh bubbles out of me. “I didn’t know people still carried handkerchiefs.”
Mrs. Wilder folds the small cloth and puts it in my hands. “My mother always told me that a proper lady should always carry a handkerchief around. She was from the South you see. She had a small tradition of passing down her handkerchiefs to her daughters. I have five sisters. All of them got one when they fell in love. I want you to keep this one. It’s clean. I carry it mostly because I want to.”
I stare down at the pale blue silk cloth. “Shouldn’t you give this to Megan?”
Helen laughs. “My daughter won’t appreciate it. Or maybe she will one day. When she gives her heart to somebody, I’ll make her another one.”
“You made this?”
“Yes.”
I look up at her, flustered. “Mrs. Wilder, I couldn’t possibly accept?—”
“It’s not jewelry, Natalie,” she laughs.
“I know.” My hand clenches the piece of cloth. “It’s more precious. This belongs to Megan. She’s your daughter.”
“And you’re going to be the mother of my grandchild. Hopefully one day, I will get the privilege to call you my daughter as well. So keep it.”
My heart trembles, even more so when she kisses my forehead gently. “I’m not going to tell Ethan. It has to come from you. So, when you’re ready, tell him.”
I nod.
“And it’s perfectly normal to be scared. Motherhood is both frightening and wonderful. If you need to talk, my door is always open to you. Know that.”
She’s about to get up when I grab her hand. “I don’t need his money. I don’t. I’m scared, but I want to raise my child using my own money. I’ve always been independent.” I meet her gaze. “Before I talk to Ethan, I want to be able to stand on my feet and face him. No matter what happens between us, I want our positions to be equal.”
I expect Mrs. Wilder to be a little miffed, but instead her smile broadens. “Good. That is exactly how it should be. But remember, Natalie, this is his child, too.”
My hand tightens around her hand. “Why are you so sure it’s his child? Why don’t you have any doubts?”
She laughs now, a soft and musical sound. “Because I saw the way you look at him. Ethan is not the only one besotted, my dear child. Now come. I’m going to take you to my gynecologist. She’s one of the best in the city. And then we’re going to go to lunch and follow that up with some shopping for my grandchild.”
Flustered, I follow after her. “Isn’t it too early for that?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” She gives me a firm smile. “It’s never too early to go shopping for a baby.”
For a moment, she reminds me of Megan, and I shudder.
