You stare at the doctor in disbelief as she informs you that your run of the mill stomach bug is something else entirely. Eric’s breath catches when she finally says the word: pregnant. Despite your precautions, you were somehow pregnant.

Between the two of you, no one would expect your stocky husband to be the softy. You had some idea of the life he lived before you met and that it prevented him from having a family, or any weakness that could be used against him.

You never wanted kids, shied away from holding babies and preferred child-free events. With your career, you’re not sure a family will ever fit into your life. Eric turns to you as the doctor gives you some privacy, his smile barely dimming at your expression. He knows you’re dumbfounded, trying to work out how this happened.

You were so focused on your writing that you never noticed his desire for a family twist into something darker over the years. Enough to reach out to some shady acquaintances for a convincing placebo for your birth control and innocently imply you forgo any barriers on your most fertile days; memorizing your ovulation cycle had been worth it.

Eric puts on a convincing performance, hugging you to his chest as he reassures you that you’ll both get through this, your career won’t have to suffer one bit— he’ll take care of everything.

“Don’t worry, liebling,” he coos. “We’ll make a wonderful family.”