Good Start
Chapter 2
A month later, as Christine stared at the pregnancy test, she knew how big of a mistake she had made. She was just graduated with her nursing license with hopes of going to medical school. A baby changed everything. Of course, she could get an abortion. That was the easy answer. But, a part of her had always wanted children and a home.
She just wanted her baby to have a father worth having. Granted, Mike Slattery was not as bad as some, but he was kind of dumb. He got around and had a reputation of being a lady's man. Not who Christine wanted. She threw the pregnancy test away and got ready to go see her sister. Laurie always had the right answer. As soon as she walked into Laurie's, she heard Mackenzie chattering in her high chair as Laurie cooked breakfast.
"I didn't know you were coming for breakfast?" Laurie asked.
"Just needed to talk." Christine said. She kissed the top of Mackenzie's head and stroked her soft, fine hair. Would her baby have the same soft hair?
"Would you like a pancake? I have extra batter." Laurie asked.
"Sure." Christine answered. Laurie handed her Mackenzie's plate and Christine cut the pancake up and gave Mackenzie toddler sized bites.
"She loves pancakes. Loves food in general. Its better than breast-feeding any day of the week." Laurie said from the stove.
"Are you and Pete having another?" Christine asked.
"Yeah. Working on that as we speak. My goal is that Mackenzie and her sibling will be two years apart. If Pete wasn't working so much." Laurie answered.
"What if Mackenzie had a cousin that was born a bit before her second birthday?" Christine asked. She heard Laurie drop her spatula and walk around the island.
"Are you pregnant?" Laurie asked.
"I am." Christine answered.
"Oh…who's the father?" Laurie asked. She was standing behind Mackenzie's high chair and watching Christine closely.
"Mike Slattery." Christine said. She thought about lying but with her luck; the baby would look just like Mike and her very perceptive sister would figure it out.
"You hate each other!" Laurie exclaimed.
"We didn't for twelve hours." Christine said. Laurie disappeared, got the pancakes off the stove, and carried both her and Christine's plates over. Another trip provided silverware and syrup.
"How was it?" Laurie asked.
"That was not what I thought you would ask." Christine remarked.
"I have a toddler. I live vicariously through you." Laurie stated.
"It was amazing. The best twelve hours." Christine answered, knowing she was blushing.
"Did he use anything?" Laurie asked.
"Honestly; yes…the first couple times and then we just forgot." Christine admitted.
"Wow…okay." Laurie said.
"Look…this is not what I planned. And Mike…he is not my sort." Christine remarked.
"Mike is not a bad guy and I promise; he will make a good dad. He is wonderful with Mackenzie." Laurie answered.
"So, my fate is sealed?" Christine asked.
"Once Mom and Dad find out, yes. If you want this baby, your best option is to call Mike and tell him. He will do the right thing. Mom and Dad…well, you know." Laurie said. Their parents were; at best, hard to deal with. An unplanned pregnancy would tip everything over the edge.
"Do you have his number without involving Pete?" Christine asked. Laurie stood up and walked to the hallway, apparently to get Mike's number.
"Yum, yum, yum." Mackenzie said as she ate her pancakes. She tried to hand Christine a crushed up one but Christine just smiled at her niece.
"I got my own, baby." Christine said. Laurie walked back in and handed Christine a piece of paper. There was a number written on it.
"He and Pete work until four. Wait until after." Laurie told her.
"And you won't tell Mom and Dad?" Christine asked.
"Chris, Mom and Dad haven't spoken to me since I married Pete and had Mackenzie. I married below me, remember?" Laurie asked.
"I do. Is that what I have to look forward to?" Christine retorted.
"Probably worse so, because Mike will fly in the face of everything they hold dear, and they will do the math. How far along are you?" Laurie asked.
"Four weeks." Christine said.
"Call Mike this evening. You can get married in a few days and tell them the baby is early." Laurie suggested.
"Married? I hate Mike, remember?" Christine said.
"You are going to have to learn to like him. Even love him. As I said, he is a good man. He will be a good husband and father. Besides, you said that was an amazing twelve hours. You could have that every night." Laurie teased.
"LAURIE!" Christine said.
"Just sayin.'" Laurie remarked as she tried to clean Mackenzie's face up.
"I have to admit; I kind of missed it. That night was amazing." Christine said with a laugh.
"You have a couple months before you won't want to. Take advantage." Laurie warned.
"So, how do I start liking him?" Christine asked.
"Just spend time with him. Not just in bed." Laurie said.
"It wasn't just in bed, you know? Shower…floor…against a wall." Christine answered.
"And just remember, once you have a baby…you'll be lucky to have it once a month in bed." Laurie teased.
"No wonder Mackenzie doesn't have a sibling yet." Christine retorted.
"And at some point, when you get baby fever in a couple years; you will have the same trouble." Laurie answered.
"I didn't have baby fever this time?" Christine said. Laurie had gotten Mackenzie out of the high chair and Mackenzie, as if on queue; Mackenzie cuddled up and smiled into Laurie's neck.
"When your baby does something like this; you will understand a bit better about baby fever. There is nothing better than this. I know that our parents left a sour taste in your mouth and Mike isn't your dream partner, but he is a good man. He will do the right thing for you and your baby." Laurie said.
"Mom-mom." Mackenzie said in a sleepy tone.
"I'll clean everything up while you get her to sleep." Christine offered. Laurie nodded and left Christine to clean the kitchen up while she settled Mackenzie down for a nap.
Hours later, at her apartment; Christine looked at pictures of Mackenzie. Once of which, after she was born, was of Mike holding her. He looked very at ease with a tiny infant. She had also seen him interact with Mackenzie. Laurie was right, as usual. She grabbed her phone and punched in Mike's number. He answered on the third ring.
"This is Slattery." Mike said.
"Mike; its Christine. Laurie gave me your number." Christine said.
"Yeah?" Mike said.
"I'll cut to the chase. I'm pregnant. And before you ask; its yours." Christine said.
"Pregnant?" Mike asked.
"Yes, with a baby. Like Mackenzie." Christine answered, dumbing it down for Mike.
"I know what babies are." Mike answered.
"Look; if my parents find out that I am pregnant; they will force me to have an abortion. I don't particularly want one. I've always wanted a baby. It would be easier if you participated, but I intend on doing this one way or another. Make your decision and call me back." Christine said before she hung up.