Harlem’s back was facing Carter. Her eyes closed briefly as she shut the door. She needed a minute. Slowly, she turned around. “Are you sure?”
Frustrated, he raked a hand through his hair. “Elaina took a blood test.”
Harlem pressed her lips together into a firm line. “How could this happen? You said you were always careful.” Her mind was racing. Was my child and Elaina’s really going to be siblings?
Carter was still somewhat in shock. “I honestly have no idea.”
“You’re thirty-two.” Harlem rocked on her heels. “Never thought I’d need to explain this to someone your age, but for most people, when they have unprotected sex, it can lead to a pregnancy.”
“Condoms are not a hundred percent effective, but I wore one every single time.” Carter watched all the different emotions play across Harlem’s face. This was an impossible situation. Still, he had to be completely honest if they stood a chance of being together. “Elaina’s pregnancy is unexpected. Shocking even, but you need to know that I plan to be a real father to this child.”
Harlem sighed and glanced down at the floor as she put her hands in her back pockets. “I wouldn’t expect any less.”
Carter couldn’t help but notice Harlem’s protruding stomach. It had popped, so to speak. Carter didn’t understand how on the one hand, he could be so damn proud and happy. And on the other, the complete opposite. He hoped she wasn’t thinking about checking out of their burgeoning relationship. Carter couldn’t allow that. He wouldn’t allow it. “I don’t want this to change anything between us. I want to be with you. I’m not interested in Elaina other than as the mother of my child.”
His words hit Harlem hard. That spot had been reserved just for her.
His voice was hoarse. “Harlem?” When she didn’t respond, Carter gently turned her face toward him. “I don’t want to lose you.”
She placed the palms of her hands on his chest as she nibbled on her lower lip. “We’ve gone through a lot in a short amount of time. Maybe we should slow things down a little.”
Fuuuuuuuuuuck! Carter wanted to hit something. Things were finally starting to fall into place, and now this?! He didn’t want to slow anything down. Carter knew what he wanted, and it was Harlem. He planned to build a future and family with her. “We have literally gone through hell together. If you can just hold on to me a little longer, we’ll get through this. I promise we’ll get to the good in our relationship.”
“It’s already pretty good,” Harlem admitted. She just didn’t know if it would stay that way. There was no doubt in Harlem’s mind that Elaina was going to use that child as a weapon. Harlem wasn’t sure she could deal with it. “Carter, let’s not sugarcoat this situation. It is a mess.”
“I can’t argue with that. But, we can figure it out.”
Maybe. That was just one of Harlem’s concerns. “What if your feelings change after the baby arrives?”
“Change how? I’m not, nor have I ever been in love with Elaina. Her having a baby won’t change that.”
“C’mon, Carter. You don’t know that. Having a child together changes everything. Look at us? And you being the guy I expect you to be, will want to have a relationship with your baby as you should. That also means, if we are together, I will have to have a relationship with your son or daughter and Elaina. You know damn well, we might kill each other. You’ll end up raising both of these kids by yourself.”
“I’m not going to lose you.” Carter was resolute. “It might be a little rocky at first, but we can figure this out.”
Harlem couldn’t maintain eye contact. “I’ve heard those words before.” She rubbed her hands up and down her arms and glanced around the room. This time, she wasn’t so sure they would. There were too many thoughts running through her mind. Like, how could she not support him after he was willing to literally give her and Damian a baby?
Carter felt like he was fighting for his life. He was still trying to absorb the shock that Elaina was pregnant and the real doubt he saw in Harlem’s eyes. Carter did the only thing he could. He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.
It was easy to melt in his arms. Harlem returned his kiss with all the emotions she felt inside. Then, reality hit. She stiffened.
At the end of their kiss, Carter spoke into her lips, “Don’t give up on us.”
Harlem wanted to trust her gut. “I won’t, but maybe we should take it one day at a time?”
“If that means I don’t lose you? Then, yes. I can agree to that.” Carter had no intention of accepting anything less.
Chapter 8
Harlem needed to see a real therapist, but she would settle for some retail therapy. “I’m so glad you came up.” She said to Mesha as they shopped for baby clothes. “It’s like one damn thing after another. The second I think happiness is around the corner, BLAM, something else happens.”
“I don’t believe Elaina is actually pregnant. Based on what you’ve said, I would get a second, third, or even fourth opinion.”
“Carter chose this doctor, and they had a blood test. She’s pregnant.”
“Is he sure it’s his?” Mesha asked.
“I thought the same thing, but if he believes it’s his, who am I
