Our Lovely Baby Bump by Dahlia Rose Page B

done.”
    “Sure thing.” He smiled at her, and her heart gave a little jump in her chest again.
    Charlie went upstairs quickly and tried to find her center in the maelstrom of emotions running through her.  Should I sit behind the desk? Nope, too formal. On the couch? No, it makes it seem like I’m ready right now to knock boots. She was still pacing, trying to figure out that small aspect of the very big picture she was about to propose when he stepped into the office without knocking. She missed her step and almost tripped.
    “Charlie, you’re beginning to worry me, what’s wrong?” John said, instantly concerned.
    “Can we sit?” she asked and pointed to the sofa.
    “Yeah, sure.” John frowned and sat down.
    Charlie wiped her damp palms on her jeans and sat down. She took a deep breath and began to speak. “I went to the doctor today, and I got some news.”
    John took her hands. “Ah fuck, Charlie, do I need to call Angel and Caleb? This seems bad.”
    “No, it’s not bad, per se, and I’ll talk to them eventually. Right now I need you,” she answered, and gave him a timid smile.
    “Okay, hit me, I’m ready. You can be sure if you need anything, including one of my big ass kidneys, you got it,” John said.
    She gave a husky laugh. “Thanks, but I don’t need a kidney. You know my mom died of cancer, right?”
    “Yeah,” he said slowly.
    “Well, it was cervical cancer, and today I found out that the trait is in me.” She met his eyes. “My grandmother had it and died, then my mom, and at least we know it’s in me earlier so we can take measures to prevent it.”
    He nodded. “Okay, cool, then what do we need to do?”
    “I have to have surgery to have stuff removed,” she said slowly. “But then I won’t be able to have children. Unless I have them now and then have the surgery.” She rushed forward with her question. “I want to have a baby, John, and I want you to be the father. There’s no one better than you, and I think we’ve got something brewing between us or maybe I’m wrong… who knows. I was never good at reading men and shit, if you say no…. I guess I could go with a donor, but I really wanted it to be you and see if we have a thing and even if we didn’t have thing…”
    “Charlie, shut up,” John cut her words off.
    “Okay.”
    “You’re asking me to give you a baby, and after that you’ll have to have your cervix and stuff removed?” John said quietly. “And that will give you a chance of never having the cancer that killed your mother and grandmother?”
    Charlie nodded. “Yes to all of it. If you need to think about it and say no, I understand.”
    “I do have to think about it,” he said quietly and cupped her cheek. “But you’re right, there is something between us. I was hoping you’d notice me as more than just a friend for a long time now.”
    “Really?” she asked, amazed. “I mean, I see how women look at you, and then I’m just…”
    “You’re freaking gorgeous,” John said, and she saw amazement on his face. “How do you not see this each time you look into the mirror?”
    “Honestly, you’re the first person who told me I was beautiful, and I believed it,” Charlie admitted. “There was usually something behind the compliment, something I didn’t want or like.”
    “I’m honored you’d ask me,” John said. “But yes, I need to think. This is a lifelong commitment, and it would be stupid for me not to.”
    Tears threatened to spill. “I understand.”
    “Don’t cry,” he whispered, she went willingly into her into his arms. “I don’t ever want you to be scared, and I’m here for you.”
    She nodded against his chest. “I know.”
    He lifted her head with his chin. “I promise, I swear it.”
    Charlie smiled. “I do believe you.”
    His blue gaze searched her face, and Charlie felt her breath catch in her throat.  This time it wasn’t about the question that made her body flush. It was the intent on his