Dear Ex Husband, You Lose!

“Congratulations, Mrs Henson, you’re pregnant.” The doctor declared with a friendly smile on his aging face. Delia blinked a few times before she found the words to respond. She pushed a stray strand of her brunette curls from her brown eyes. 

Pregnant? 

Was he joking? 

That had been the last thing she would have thought her pains and sickness would be, after all she had been married to Thomas for five years now and not once had she managed to fall pregnant. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at his announcement. 

“Are you ok?” The doctor leant forward across the desk with concern etched across his face. Delia forced a smile and grabbed her handbag, placing it carefully over her shoulder. She was in shock from the news. 

“Yes, Doctor Finn, thank you. I’m just in shock.” She finally managed to speak. The doctor smiled and nodded his head in understanding. “Yes, it’s very normal for women to feel that way when you’ve tried for so long, I will let you go now so you can let your husband know the good news. Take care.” Doctor Finn continued to beam as he showed her politely to the door. Delia felt wobbly in her legs as she stood up, his words were still processing in her mind. 

“Thank you,” she shook his hand as she stepped out of the office and back into the waiting room. 

Delia decided to surprise her husband with the news when he got home from work that evening. She didn’t want to disturb him at work. As she got into her car and drove home, she kept thinking what their future would look like with a baby. She felt a protective urge wash over her as she touched her tummy. 

“I’m going to have a baby.” She mumbled to herself and started to smile. The news had sent her into a state of shock. She could only imagine how her husband would feel when he found out. Stopping off at the bakery for a celebratory cake, Delia practically skipped as she made her way across the busy street. The sound of other people’s conversations mingled with music from street musicians and laughter of children. It was getting later into the afternoon and slightly colder as October had arrived. 

“Good day, what can I get for you?” The lady behind the counter greeted Delia as soon as she entered. The delicious aroma of freshly baked cakes and croosaints along with strong coffee hit Delia. 

“I would like some jam tarts and two big slices of chocolate cake please.” Delia pointed at the things she had chosen while the lady expertly bagged them up for her. Delia paid and left the shop, looking both ways she crossed the road and got back into her car. Checking her phone she saw she had no messages or missed calls from her husband, assuming he must be busy with his next meeting, she smiled to herself. She was going to surprise him tonight with a meal and the news of becoming parents. She knew how excited he would be to finally be a daddy. 

When she finally pulled up to their driveway, Delia was surprised to see a red bmw parked up but nobody inside it. Frowning she thought maybe it was their cleaners new car. Grabbing her things and locking up her car, she walked across the pebbled driveway and up to the pathway. Delia pulled out her key but noticed the door was already ajar. Rolling her eyes she chuckled as she realised that perhaps their cleaner had just been forgetful when putting the rubbish out.

“Flora? Are you here?” She called out in a sing song tone. Slipping her shoes off and placing them on the shoe wrack, she put on her favourite fluffy pink slippers that Thomas had bought her as a gift last year for Christmas. 

Delia paused for a second and shook her head thinking that she had gone crazy. “Baby brain.” She laughed to herself. The house was immaculate but no sign of Flora. Delia made herself a cup of coffee and went in to the living room, she placed her hot steaming mug onto the white coffee table and threw herself onto the huge corner sofa that she had convinced Thomas to buy when they moved in together. Putting her feet up, she reached for the remote control and flicked through the options before choosing to catch up on her favourite programme desperate housewives. 

A loud thud and moaning stopped her in her tracks. She paused the tv and froze, listening carefully. It sounded again. More moaning. Getting up from the sofa, she felt her heart pounding in her chest as she made her way to the stairs. Creeping up she wondered what was happening. Was Flora here after all? Maybe the tv or radio had been left on by accident? Delia was certain there was a reason for it. 

But as she got to the second floor of the house, she couldn’t deny the feeling of dread that suddenly overwhelmed her. The door of her bedroom was wide open and the sounds were getting louder as she got closer. 

Delia held her breath as she glanced into the room and the colour drained from her face, at the sight of Thomas thrusting into a blonde haired woman who was groaning loudly with pleasure. 

“Oh I want you so badly. Keep going, don’t stop.” The woman begged through her panting. 

Delia felt as if her world had come crashing down on her. Her heart was in her mouth and her legs were barely able to hold her up.  Was this really happening? 

“Thomas?” Delia gasped as she stood in the doorway, unable to believe what she was seeing. “What the hell is going on?”