If Only We Knew by Ancelli Read Free Book Online Page A

not. I would love to be a father someday.”
    “I do care. If the baby isn’t biologically mine, I don’t want it, and since I can’t have a baby, the answer is no.”
    “If we get a surrogate, the baby can biologically be yours. We can go to a fertility clinic and see what they say.” She gave him a crazy look. “Did you ever really want children?”
    She didn’t answer his last question. “Fine, Matt. If this is so important to you, I’ll look into it.”
    I know she’s not going to look into it. I should’ve waited and gotten to know her better.
    The baby was an accident. It wasn’t in her plans. He couldn’t stop his brain from racing with theories. But he kept quiet and continued looking down the highway.
     

Chapter Ten
     
    Matt woke up to the ringing of his phone. “Hello?” he answered, upset.
    “Matt, it’s Sherry.”
    “Sherry, it’s freaking two in the morning.”
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t know who else to call. Shannon’s in labor at the hospital, and she’s all alone.”
    Matt jumped out of bed, waking Karen. “Why is she alone?”
    “She had two more weeks until her due date. My parents went to visit my brother in South Carolina, and I left town, but I’m on my way back. Please, Matt, can you go stay with her until I arrive? I might not get there until tomorrow morning.”
    “You don’t even have to ask. I’m getting ready. I’ll be there.” He headed to the bathroom.
    “Matt, thank you.”
    “Bye, Sherry.” He hung up the phone, brushed his teeth, and hurried to get dressed.
    “What happened, Matt?” Karen asked, concerned.
    “Shannon is in labor, and there’s no one there with her. You don’t mind me going there until her sister shows up, do you?” he asked, pulling up his jeans.
    “No, I don’t mind. She’s your friend. Call me and let me know what’s going on. Be safe driving to the hospital.”
    He walked over to their bed and kissed her before leaving the bedroom.
     
***
     
    Matt ran to her hospital room after hearing her yell.
    “I don’t want to do this anymore! Get it out now!” Shannon yelled at the nurse trying to calm her down. She took a deep breath. “I want drugs!”
    “Ma’am, you said you didn’t want any drugs. It’s too late; you waited too long. You’re almost fully dilated,” the nurse said.
    “I changed my mind. I need drugs now! ” Shannon yelled in pain.
    “Shannon,” he said, coming in the room, catching his breath.
    She looked up in anger. “You’re the last person I want to see, so leave.” She grabbed the railing.
    Matt stopped. “ Mamita .”
    “Don’t fucking call me that!”
    “Sherry left town, but she’s on her way back.” He could see the pain in her eyes.
    “I don’t want you here. Matt, you shouldn’t be here.”
    “You need someone with you.”
    “ Not you .” Another contraction hit her, and she yelled, “I didn’t want this. I hate you for this. I hate you, Matt.”
    He was confused, staring at her because of her outburst. Why would she hate me?
    “Sir, don’t take anything she says personally. Usually, expectant mothers will take out their frustrations on the father. She’s been in labor for eight hours; she’s tired and weak. Don’t take what she says here personally.”
    He was about to tell the nurse he wasn’t the father but thought about it. They might tell me I need to leave. “She’s been in labor for eight hours which means she’s been going through this pain for eight hours. She wants drugs.”
    “Sir, when she came in, she said she didn’t want any drugs, she was going to do it naturally. Now it’s too late because she’s too far along,” the nurse said, going to check Shannon’s condition.
    The contraction was over, and he could see how tired she was. She stared into his eyes. “Matt, I don’t hate you. I could never hate you. I’m doing all of this because I love you.”
    He stared back at her and moved toward her. He couldn’t believe what she was sa id , but then