Ivy

“ Y ou’re pregnant.”

The words seem to float above my head. Like I could reach up and touch them. I’m lying down in a hospital bed with my arm in a sling, having just survived being hit by an actual avalanche, and yet this news definitely hits harder. After a basic assessment was complete, an abdominal scan was ordered as a precaution to rule out any internal bleeding. Now, I’m lying flat on my back, getting an abdominal ultrasound.

“I’m sorry, what?” I ask in a bit of a daze.

“You’re pregnant. About two months along it looks like,” Mare informs me, staring at a screen and running a little doppler over my still flat belly.

“How? I…” I think back to the first night I was in town, and the very long and extremely pleasant time I spent with Alder all those nights ago. I hadn’t confirmed protection. I’ve been reckless with him in that regard. “Shit,” I whisper. This isn’t at all how I planned the rest of my life to start, but I can’t st op the laugh that bubbles out of me. Shock gives way to something new. Something I'm only just now, after years of suppressing, beginning to feel. I’m—happy. I don’t know how Alder will feel about this new information, but I want this baby.

“Are you alright?” Mare asks me, and I realize I haven’t spoken to her.

“Yes.” There’s water in my eyes, and I’m sure I’m sporting an unhinged smile. “I’m great.” Then happiness is tinged in fear. “Is the baby, okay?” I ask, snapping my eyes to my belly.

“Baby is doing just fine. Strong heartbeat. Do you want to hear?” she asks, and I nod frantically. Then she presses a button on the machine, and I hear it. The strange but beautiful sound of my baby’s heartbeat. My eyes well. Is this real? Then fear tries to grip me.

“I…I’ve miscarried before, I…” I start to feel the panic.

“. Look at me,” Mare says calmly. I lift my face to see her.

“This baby and its mother are both healthy, and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure it stays that way. Okay? Now breathe with me. In through your nose…” I do as she says. “Out through your mouth. A few more times.” I complete the circuit, and at the end, I feel a bit better.

“Good. If you want a specialist, I can send someone from OB in here.” Mare offers, and I nod.

“Can I see Alder first? You can tell him I’m fine and about my arm, but please let me tell him about...” I request, wiping my eyes, and Mare smiles at me.

“I’m your doctor, . Whatever happens here is confidential. I won’t share any of your personal medical information with anyone,” she assures me. “As your friend, though, because I’m really hoping we’re friends…” she hedges. “Congratulations.” She’s smiling at me with such warmth.

I nod and say, “Thank you, Mare. I feel the same way.” She smiles at me and wipes my stomach clean from the jelly. Then she removes her gloves and stands.

“Alright, I’m going to go give Alder and your fan club the all clear now.”

“My fan club?” I ask, puzzled.

“Oh yeah, all the Holloway siblings will be out there by now,” she reports, and I grin.

“That’s ridiculous. They barely know me.” I snort.

“Alder does, and he cares for you very much. That’s enough. You’re in the family now, and I don’t just mean that because you’re having a baby Holloway.” She winks and then leaves the room. I place my hand over my belly. A baby Holloway. I chuckle at that. I’ve already made my decision to stay in Silverthorne, but I do need to iron out some details of my staying with Alder. Like, do I have a job? If he meant what he said, if he wants me to help him run the resort where I can be a part of something there, I might really want that. I’m still mad at him for not telling me about the deals he made with my father sooner. I’m hurt that he wouldn’t tell me that he owns The Edgemont, but I made peace with that when I decided to wait for him at the top of a mountain.

I’m smiling at the absurd turn of events when I hear a knock on the door.

“Come in.” It’s him. He’s here, and any worries I have about the future melt away when he grins back at me. Not because they’re gone but because I know he’ll be there to help me. He’s part of my team. He’s mine. “Hey, Lover Boy.”

“I love you.” He declares it, and I gasp. That’s one way to start this conversation. “I love you, and that’s why I want you to stay. I should have told you that then, but I want to make sure you’re fully aware now. I love you, . I’m in love with you, and I want you here with me. The Edgemont is yours; I’m yours if you’ll have me.” A sob tears out of me at his words. The way they echo what I already know deep inside. I drag air into my mouth. I’m sure I look awful, and now my face will be red and splotchy. “You don’t have to say?—”

“Shut up! I love you too,” I confess, and he’s on me in the next second. He slides his hand around the back of my head, burying it into my tangled hair and tilting my head back. He kisses me like he wants to devour me, like he’s been starved for me. I kiss him deeply, throwing myself into him. My broken arm protests, and I whimper. He pulls back, and I whimper again at the loss of his lips on mine.

“Shit, princess. I’m sorry. You must be in so much pain here.” He starts settling me back into the pillows. “You’re alright though? Mare said you broke your arm in two places, but otherwise, you’re healthy,” he recounts as he pulls the blanket up over me and sits on the end of the bed. I swallow. Well, now’s the time, I suppose.

“I am. I’m fine…” I start playing with the edge of my hospital gown. “More than fine actually. I hope you know that I didn’t plan for this to happen, but now that it has. I’m really happy.”

“I’m really happy too, baby.” Just say it.

“I’m pregnant.” I blurt it out. His eyes bulge, then they move to my stomach. “Only two months. I think some of the times I was nauseous or dizzy may have been because of this, not because of my low blood sugar.”

“You’re pregnant,” he repeats .

“Yes.” I steel myself. There’s one more thing I need to say. An important thing. “I just found out, and I want you to know I don’t expect anything from you.”

“—” he cuts in, but I hold up my good arm.

“Shh. I need to say this. Don’t interrupt me.” He shuts his mouth and pulls his lips between his teeth, nodding. “If you want to be in our lives, then great, but if this changes things for you, I’ll figure it out. I know we’ve only known each other a few months, and part of that I’ve been a little hard to deal with.” He smirks at my rambling, then slides forward on the bed so he’s right next to me.

“Move in with me,” he demands.

“What?” I shriek, and move my left arm too much. I wince, then I have to raise my other one to let him know I’m okay. “Alder, I just told you I’m having a baby. We still have things to talk about. That’s a lot to?—”

“You’re having my baby, our baby .” He halts my words with ones I didn’t know I needed to hear. “I’m gonna be a dad.” His eyes are full of love. He places his big hand on my belly. “I’m going to be here every step of the way if you’ll let me, . I know I hurt you. I should never have kept things from you, but I’m going to make it up to you, I’m going to be so good to you, baby.”

At his words, I feel my nose sting, and I know more tears are close behind. “I’m going to get you whatever you want. I’m going to spoil the shit out of you. Whatever you’re craving. Whatever you need. I’m there. I’m yours,” he says again. “You’re mine too. You’ve been mine, , and this baby is ours, and I’m going to take care of you two, Stormcloud. Let me take care of you, please?” he asks so earnestly, so endearing. I’m done resisting .

I nod. “Okay. But I’m not very good at being taken care of. I may not always get it right,” I say, sniffing. He reaches for my face, swiping the tears from my cheeks.

“You don’t have to always get it right. You just have to let me in.”

“You’re already in, Alder.”

“This is going to be good, . Really good,” he tells me, and as hard as I’ve fought not to let the threat of pain into my life again, I believe him. I’m choosing to trust him. I believe in the life we’re going to have. In the life I was always worthy of. If life this far has taught me anything, it's that even if we were to end in heartbreak, any time I’m gifted with this man and the joy he brings to my life will be worth the rush.