The line dropped into silence.
Xander was stunned—utterly blindsided. “That—no way. That''s impossible!"
It had only been that one night... Well, all right, maybe things had gotten a little out of hand that particr night. But afterwards? Nothing. So how could this be happening?
"Star went through the same thing when she was pregnant.,” Ronald Quinn said, calm as ever. “She was so sick she couldn''t keep anything down-sometimes not even water."
Xander was at a loss for words.
Even water? He stared at the phone as though expecting an answer from it. Was this really what happened to pregnant women?
He stammered, "But—"
The possibility that Yvonne Quinn could actually be carrying his child was almost beyond belief. Pregnant. With his baby.
If Xander was floundering, Ronald sounded unruffled. "Just get her checked by a doctor. I''d say there''s a strong chance."
"So you''re telling me... I might be a dad?" Xander managed, the word ''might'' hanging in the air, heavy with disbelief.
Everything about the word ''dad'' felt foreign now. Ever since the Schultz family fell apart, he''d hardly even said it, much less imagined himself taking up that mantle.
Ronald''s tone sharpened withmand: "If she''s pregnant, you bring her back to Ferrond. Immediately." No matter how fearless and headstrong Yvonne had always been, the second she was carrying a child, everything changed.
Xander could only mutter, "I just... I still can''t really believe it." He was saying it, but it wasn''t sinking in. Yvonne. With his child.
Then a new worry clicked in. "Wait. She still thinks that night was with Dan, not me!"
To this day, Yvonne believed that Dan Murray was the man from that night. He remembered how she''d nearly beaten Dan to a pulp over it. If she really was pregnant would she go after Dan again?
Honestly, that was all too possible. Dan was always the scapegoat. For a fleeting moment, Xander even felt a glimmer of concern for Dan''s safety.
Ronald''s voice grew more pointed. "You two have been stranded in Litamark for this long and you still haven''t straightened it out?"
Xander bristled. "Hey, you think I haven''t tried? Yvonne just won''t listen. Every time I bring it up, she insists I''m just covering for Dan!"
He couldn''t fathom how she''d gotten that in her head—him, Xander Schultz, ying the fall guy for anyone, let alone Dan Murray? Not a chance.
Ronald''s voice softened, shifting to practical concern. "Make sure you keep an eye on her. With her temperament, you know how unpredictable she can get. Steer her clear of anywhere things might get crazy."
Xander huffed. "You say that like she''s definitely pregnant."
"I''m saying it''s almost certain," Ronald replied, matter-of-fact.
Xander fell quiet, torn up inside. Almost certain. The thought made him anxious but, at the same time, almost hopeful. But if it was true-how could he possibly manage the chaos that would follow?
He remembered thest time Yvonne went after Dan-left him in the hospital for weeks. His headache intensified at the thought. A pregnant woman couldn''t afford to have those sorts of outbursts.
They kept the conversation going a little longer with Ronaldying out his instructions concerning the
current disorder at ck Gate
Yvonne really was pregnant, he''d
have to send someone to take over for her and Xander After all, with
Hull stirring up old feuds, Ronald need try his best to help him-Hull''s victory was non-negotiable.
Meanwhile, in the city:
On her way back to the hotel, Yvonne found her car boxed in. Several vehicles pulled up, blocking any exit. She stayed in the driver''s seat refusing to budge, while Ban Murray sauntered over and leaned heavily against the door, a cigarette dangling between his fingers.
"Go back to Ferrond," he growled, voice cold as steel. "Whatever''s happening in
Litamark doesn''t concern you."
The acrid smoke hit Yvonne like a punch in the gut-a wave of nausea rolled through her. Lately, even the faintest whiff of cigarettes turned her stomach. And now with Dan trapping her car, her irritation only escted.