ManyWriters

I send the ultrasound report to Elliot, "Honey, we finally have a baby."
After ten years of IVF, this day has finally come.
But what I receive is Elliot's cold response, "Desmond, we're not keeping this baby."
The reason is he's afraid his childhood sweetheart, devastated by her recent miscarriage, couldn't bear the news of someone else having a child. He doesn't want to trigger her painful memories.
I can't believe it. Crying, I call him many times.
As soon as he picks up, he's impatient, "Why are you overreacting? It's just a baby. Summer lost hers too, didn't she? Either terminate the pregnancy or get a divorce. Your choice."
Summer's tearful voice comes through the phone, "Desmond, Elliot's just talking nonsense for my sake. It's my bad luck to blame. Don't be mad at him, blame me if you must."
I turn off my phone, laughing weakly. If I have to choose, I'll choose neither.Later, Summer, with her protruding belly, said to me with a smug look, "It was just a joke back then. I didn't expect Elliot to take it seriously. Desmond, you're not going to be a sore loser, are you?"
I smiled nonchalantly, "A leopard can't change its spots. It's not surprising."

You are my only

"Alright, baby, Desmond. Elliot's chased you all the way here. Why don't you just go back with him? You've made your point."


Summer waddled over, cradling her belly. She shot Elliot a playful glare.


"Elliot, why'd you sprint off like that? Weren't you supposed to be taking me to my prenatal checkup? This little rascal must've sensed you were gone and started acting up again."


I couldn't care less about Summer's little act. "What's the deal? You carrying some kind of demon in there? Is it throwing a rave at three months? Or maybe it knows what kind of woman its mama is and it's trying to turn tricks already."


"You! Oh, Elliot, my stomach!" Summer instantly switched into character, her face contorting in pain as she clutched Elliot's arm.


Elliot panicked. "Desmond, why are you picking fights with a pregnant woman? Why are you always so unforgiving? You didn't used to be like this."


Chapter 5