Her grin widened at the memory of that spring afternoon when Ethan had awkwardly approached her desk, his usual swagger replaced with a nervous energy.

“Something I can help you with?” she’d asked absentmindedly, the majority of her focus being given to a tricky seating arrangement.

He cleared his throat. “Actually, yeah. I was wondering if you’re busy tonight?”

Sadie had stared at him blankly, her mind struggling to make the leap between desk dimensions and dinner plans.

“Would you like to go out with me?” he’d sputtered.

“Like on a date?”

“No, to hang at the laundromat and compare detergent. Yes, of course as a date.”

She’d been attracted to the cute software engineer at her current assignment. She’d had a little crush since they’d bonded over Frank Lloyd Wright while waiting for the coffeemaker to brew. But she didn’t want to be appear too eager.

“That depends.” Sadie chewed on the end of her pen. “What did you have in mind?”

Ethan had wanted to take her to a trendy new bistro a few neighborhoods over, known for its wine selection and tapas. But when they’d arrived, they discovered the restaurant was closed for a private event.

It had been Sadie who suggested they duck into the hole-in-the-wall bar next door, an establishment with sticky floors and an abundance of Red Sox paraphernalia. They’d split a pitcher of cheap beer and a platter of chicken wings as they chatted about their hometowns, their families, and their friends. Ethan had called an Uber at the end of the night, and when the sedan pulled up outside Sadie’s apartment, he’d insisted on walking her up the three flights to her front door. He’d given her a swoon-worthy kiss goodnight and left like a proper gentleman.

It had been Sadie’s last first date, and her most favorite.

Now, three years later, she kissed her husband fully, passionately.

“God, I missed you,” Ethan murmured, pulling her toward him. He ran his hands over her stomach and cupped her breasts. He inhaled in appreciation. “I forgot what pregnancy does to these babies.”

A sudden coldness ran through Sadie’s veins. She felt herself constrict, tighten up. Her arms instinctively hugged her belly.

The pregnancy. Their baby. Their child, whose fate was now completely up in the air.

“Sade? You okay?” Ethan stopped the sensual caressing. He propped himself up on his elbow, looking at her with furrowed brows. “What’s the matter? You just completely shut down.”

She stared at him, swallowing hard.

“Whatever’s wrong, you can tell me,” he said softly. “I’m your husband. Your partner.”

She nodded. Again more swallowing.

“Remember how I had my first doctor’s appointment yesterday?” she said.

“Oh my God. Sadie, I am so, so sorry. I completely forgot.” The color drained from Ethan’s face. “I feel so shitty right now. How did it go? How’s our baby?”