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My mouth falls open. “Oh, I didn’t even notice,” I say, thinking through the last time I had my period.
“I’m sorry if I overstepped.”
“No, no, not at all,” I say, walking toward her. “I wonder—” I look at her and she smiles. “I can’t be already though, right?”
“Should you take a test to be sure?”
I nod. “Yes, I guess I should. I think I have one somewhere actually.” I scurry to the bathroom, dropping to my knees to sort through the items I haven’t really sorted since I moved. I find a few tampons, tossing them aside, seeing a single pregnancy test at the bottom of the basket. I pick it up, remembering when I had taken the other one. I was late with Dane and at the time I remember hoping and praying it would be positive, but now, I couldn’t be more grateful that it was negative.
“Found it!” I say, holding it up as I pop back up to my feet. She stares at it, then looks up at me. “Well, I guess I should take it then, huh?”
“Yes.” She nods enthusiastically, a huge grin already on her face that tells me she hopes that it’s positive.
“Okay, be right out.” I close the door, pulling down my underwear and pajamas and sit on the toilet. I hold the test in place, peeing on the stick and placing the cap back on. I don’t open the door right away once I’ve finished. Instead, I sit and stare at the floor, thinking through if this is a good thing or not.
I want to be a mother, I always have, and Mads has made it clear he wants to be a father. My leg bounces as I think through how this might impact my new job and our life. I know it’s possible to have it all, a career, a loving husband, and a family, but I also don’t want someone else raising my child.
“Are you okay?” Tilly knocks on the door, bringing me back to the present.
I turn back to the door, opening it. “Yes, sorry. Just a little lost in thought.”
She reaches out and grabs my hand in hers. “Miss Emery, I know this might be scary, but I’ve known you for several years. You’re like a daughter to me. I know you’re going to be an amazing mother. And I’ll be right here to help you with whatever you need.”
I fight back the tears but it’s no use. She wraps her arms around me. “Thank you, Tilly.” I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed having a mother figure in my life. “You’re so wonderful. I’m so lucky to have you in my life.”
She squeezes my hands, tears in her eyes as well. “I think it’s time to look at the test.”
I nod, my hands falling to my side as I step away and walk to the sink where I placed it. I take in a shaking breath, closing my eyes briefly before picking up the test and looking down at it.
Positive.
* * *
My heart feels like it’s going to pound out of my chest, my hands fidgeting nervously.
“There’s my beautiful wife.” Mads walks up behind me, his hands on my arms as he leans in and kisses my neck. His arms wrap around me. “How are you feeling today? I hope I wasn’t too rough with you last night.”
I look down to where his hand is pressed against my lower belly, and I instinctively cover it with my own, the soft glow from the setting sun enveloping us.
“I feel sore but in all the right ways.” I turn my face so that our lips meet. “I missed you,” I whisper against his lips.
“I miss you every second I’m not with you, baby.” His lips cover mine, the passion between us something we can never seem to ignore.
I turn in his arms, my hands on his chest as he deepens the kiss. Finally, I break the kiss, resting my forehead against his chest.
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
His movements still. “There is?” I nod my head. His hands press against my upper arms so that he can look me in the eyes. “Emery, is everything okay?”
Apprehension and excitement pull at me so I just blurt the words out.
“I’m pregnant.” My voice is already trembling with emotion.
“Pregnant?” He repeats the word back to me as if it’s foreign to him.
“Yes.” His expression morphs from shock to excitement in a matter of seconds. He picks me up, twirling me around.
“You’re pregnant? This isn’t a joke?”
