CHAPTER 67: SHOCKING NEWS! I (PRESENT DAY)
PRESENT DAY
Sunlight streamed through the window, momentarily blinding Diana as she regained consciousness, revealing a plush hospital room unlike any she'd ever seen. Disoriented, she took in the sterile surroundings – a stark contrast to the warmth of her own bedroom, the white walls and sterile scent assaulting her senses.
A white hospital gown hung loosely on her frame, an IV line snaking up her arm. A lump formed in her throat. Panic surged in her heart as she remembered the events leading up to this moment
Diana looked across the room, James lay sprawled on a small sofa, his long legs hanging off the edge. He was still in yesterday's clothes, a testament to the frantic rush that had brought them here.
She cleared her throat loud. His eyes snapped open, relief flooding his face.
"Hey," he rasped, his voice rough with sleep. He stood up from the sofa and went to sit with her on the bed.
"You had me scared there for a moment. Are you alright?"
"I'm good James", Diana replied, refusing to meet his gaze and be drawn in to those blue eyes and give in to the concern she was hearing in his voice.
James's jaw clenched. He knew she was still mad at him.
A heavy silence descended upon them, punctuated only by the rhythmic beeping of a nearby machine. James ached to bridge the gap between them, but she wasn't giving him any chance at all.
The door flew open, and Harry burst in, his usually calm demeanor replaced by obvious panic.
Relief washed over him as he saw Diana awake, momentarily pushing aside his own turmoil.
"Diana! You're awake!" Harry exclaimed. He quickly composed himself, professionalism returning to his demeanor. "Are you alright?"
Diana managed a weak smile. "Fine, Harry. What's going on? You looked panicked"
James was asking the same question with his eyes as Harry looked at him.
Harry moved towards her, his brow furrowed as he checked her vitals. A beat of silence followed, then a nod. He turned to face them, his expression unreadable.
"James," he began, "Diana's test results are in."
James felt a knot tighten in his stomach. "And?" he forced out, his voice tight.
Harry hesitated. "We need to talk outside."
Diana frowned. "Harry, if this is about me, I need to hear it now. I need to know."
Harry looked at James as if asking for permission. When James nodded Harry said to himself, 'i hope you don't regret this decision'. Then he turned to Diana
"Alright," Harry sighed. "Diana, based on the tests..." His voice trailed off, his eyes flitting between them.
"Based on the tests?" Diana pressed, a sliver of fear worming its way into her heart.
He paused, and took a deep breath, letting the silence build before dropping the bombshell.
"Diana, you're six weeks pregnant."
"What!" James shouted,
Diana looked at Harry. Her expression at that moment was priceless. "What did you just say Harry?"
"I said you are six weeks pregnant". Harry repeated joyously, barely believing it himself.
The room fell silent. The weight of the revelation hung heavy in the air.
James's face drained of color. He looked as if he'd been struck by a physical blow.
Diana, on the other hand, felt her heart skip. She could feel her chest widening with excitement and a surge of joy bubble up within her. Her hand instinctively fluttered to her stomach, a silent acknowledgement of the life growing within.
He stood up and finally turned to Harry, his voice strained. "Harry, run those tests again."
"James, I've already done that," Harry said, his voice firm but laced with concern. "Multiple times. I even sent samples to 5 other hospitals. Two results came back the same and am sure the rest will too. James this is real. Your wife is pregnant and you're going to be a fucking Dad."
A broad smile appeared on Harry's lips, clearly happy for his friend.
James, however, remained rooted to the spot, his expression unreadable. He was still finding it hard to accept the news.
Diana, placed a hand on her stomach, her mind reeling. "Could that explain the nausea and dizziness I've been feeling?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Harry nodded. "It's the most likely explanation."
Diana pressed her hands to her stomach as she laughed happily oblivious of her husbands reaction.
"James?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
James remained frozen, his gaze distant. The joy that had bloomed in Diana's chest began to wilt.
Diana turned to James, her eyes searching for some kind of reaction. But his face remained a cold mask. A tear escaped, tracing a path down her cheek. "James," she croaked, her voice thick with emotion. "We're having a baby."
She reached for his hand, but he flinched away, his eyes filled with a storm of emotions.
"This can't be happening Harry", he said absentmindedly.
"Uhm i will leave you couples to it", Harry said and disappeared before things got out of hand.
The silence stretched on, thick and suffocating. Diana longed to reach for James, to share the joy blossoming within her, but his rejection hung heavy in the air.