Page 60 of Nanny for the Firefighters

"It is," Will offers. "And we've all been burned before."

"But now, there's a child in the mix." Ethan frowns as he meets Marcus's gaze.

"What do we do?" I ask.

Cap straightens up and squares his shoulders. "We keep an eye on her and hope she trusts us enough to come clean."

28

ELLA

Iwake with a gasp, sweat clinging to my skin. My head throbs like a drum, and a wave of nausea hits me like a rogue wave. Ugh.

To top it off, it's raining. And not just a gentle drizzle, but a full-blown deluge. Normally, weather like this is my version of a perfect day. From the windows beside my bed, I can see the sky completely overcast, as if God was handed a paintbrush and a palette of gray and decided to throw a melancholic masterpiece. It's pretty dramatic, if I'm being honest.

I groan and press my palms into my eyes, willing away the dizziness. I throw back the covers and swing my legs over the side of the bed, wincing at the cold shock of the wooden floor against my bare feet. I pad over to the window, wrapping my arms around myself for warmth. The city below is a gray blur, rain washing away any semblance of color or joy. "Looks like someone spilled their morning coffee all over the sky," I comment dryly, trying to find amusement in the dreariness.

I'd give anything to curl up under a soft quilt with a hot beverage and reread Jane Eyre for the hundredth time. But no, today's schedule has other ideas.

With a sigh that could rival the tempest outside, I shuffle to the bathroom, wincing as my bare feet patter over the cold floor. I catch a glimpse of my disheveled reflection and think, Yeah, Rochester would definitely run the other way.

After a quick shower, I throw on some comfortable clothes and head to the kitchen. The coffee machine gurgles happily, blissfully unaware of my reluctance. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee almost tempts me to abandon my plans, but the thought of the python—and not just any python but a scantily clad, make-up loaded python—brings me back to reality.

I take a sip of coffee and grimace. It's stronger than usual, but I'll need it. Who thought this was a good idea? Oh, right, me. With the enthusiasm of a snail on a treadmill, I gather my things, mentally preparing myself for what's to come.

My stomach rumbles, and a craving hits me so hard it almost hurts. Oat milk latte… a big spinach salad with avocado and chickpeas. The mental image makes my mouth water, but a second later, bile rises in my throat. I swallow hard, my heart pounding a panicked rhythm in my chest. This isn't right.

I force myself to sit down on a chair, suddenly thankful that Marcus and Lily are both asleep. My fingers trace the engravings on the kitchen table in front of me.

I'm late. Two weeks late. And it's not like me to be careless, but every time I think about picking up a test, a cold dread settles in my stomach. "Denial. it's not just a river in Egypt," I quip, trying to lighten the mood. But the joke falls flat.

I glance at the calendar over the fridge. I know I should just do it, find out for sure, but the fear of disappointment is crippling. What if it's just stress, or some weird hormonal glitch? Maybe I'm just turning into a werewolf.

Suddenly, my phone rings, shattering the silence. I jump, my heart leaping to my throat. It's the doctor's office. My fingers tremble as I answer, my voice barely above a whisper. "Hello?"

"Hi, Ella? This is Dr. Foster's office calling with your test results."

My breath hitches. Okay, here it is, the moment of truth.

Should it matter so much? Maybe not. But maybe yes, because I have wanted to be a mother for as long as I can remember. I have ached for the purpose, the fulfillment, and the sheer unfiltered, limitless love it will bring. If only.

I squeeze my eyes shut, bracing myself for the worst. "Okay," I manage to say, my voice barely audible.

"Your HCG levels are elevated, which means…" The nurse pauses, and I can hear the smile in her voice. "Congratulations, Ella. You're pregnant."

The world seems to tilt on its axis. I'm pregnant. A wave of emotions crashes over me—joy, disbelief, terror. Tears well up in my eyes, hot and stinging. I'm going to be a mom. "Well, this is unexpected," I blurt out, my voice thick with emotion. "Guess I won't be needing that gym membership, after all."

I wipe away the tears with the back of my hand, a nervous laugh escaping my lips. "I'm pregnant," I whisper to myself, the word feeling foreign and surreal. A smile spreads across my face, a warmth blooming in my chest. I'm going to be a mother.

"Thank you," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome, Ella. The doctor will want to schedule a follow-up to discuss next steps and ensure everything is progressing well. Can I book that for you now?"

I nod, then realize she can't see me. "Yes, please. That would be great."

We set a date and time, and I hang up, the phone slipping from my grasp onto the table. I sit back, staring at the ceiling, my hand drifting to my belly. Pregnant. I'm going to have a baby. A fresh surge of happiness floods through me.

It is fleeting.