Page 152 of Carson

I reach up, wrapping my arms around his neck, already feeling the outside world slip away.

“I love that you want to help. But my job is to protect you …” His fingertips brush over my brow. “And your mind.”

His head dips to my neck. And my soul takes flight as his warm lips brush against my skin, taking me somewhere safe. Somewhere far away.

Chapter Fifty

Luna - A Few Weeks Later

My hands shake as I stare at the box on the counter.

I can’t do it.

Maybe I’m just being overly cautious.

I pick up my phone to call Carson, but then I set it down.

I’m just going to do it, then I’ll know.

I pee on the stupid stick. Cap it and then flip it over.

How many minutes?

Okay, no worries.

I take a deep breath, my mind already running through a hundred different scenarios.

But nothing stands out more than my mother’s premonition.

I grab the test and run. I don’t stop until I get over to Dan and Lily’s. No one is home, so I hurry up the stairs and hide in the closet.

What if I am pregnant?

What if she’s deaf like my mom?

I’m not in the closet long before I hear someone come home.

Heavy footsteps make their way up the stairs.

“I know you’re in there. I saw you on the camera. What’s going on, hon?”

“It’s coming true.”

“What’s coming true?”

I can’t say it, because I’m too scared.

So I slide the test under the door.

He takes it, and when he remains quiet, I know it’s positive.

It’s not that I regret not using protection. Carson and I have always been honest about how much we love children. It’s just …

What if the baby is deaf and she never hears my voice … or Carson’s.

The door slowly slides open, and Dan looks at me. He has tears in his eyes and he’s smiling. He holds the test up between us. “Your mom was right again.”

Immediately I burst into tears.