Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“Here you go.” Cynthia hands me the stick. “It’s digital, so it will read pregnant or not pregnant.”
“Thanks.”
I take it from her and head into the bathroom. Once I’ve peed on the stick, I wash my hands and then remain in the bathroom alone, waiting for the results to pop up on the blank screen. First, the word PREGNANT appears, but like an idiot, I keep watching and waiting for the NO to pop up as well. Only, after several minutes, it doesn’t.
“Sunshine,” Mom says through the door. “Are you okay?”
When I don’t say anything, can’t say anything with the ball of emotion clogging my throat, the door creaks open, and she comes in.
“You’re pregnant,” she whispers.
“Maybe the no just hasn’t appeared yet,” I croak out.
“Oh, sweetheart.” She pulls me into a hug. “It’s been enough time. If it were going to appear, it already would’ve. Do you want Declan here?”
“No.” I shake my head, pulling back. “I don’t want to get his hopes up. I can’t be more than six weeks along if I’m even pregnant.” Jesus, if my clothes are already busting at the seams at only six weeks pregnant, how big will I be at nine months?
“Does that mean he’ll be happy?” Bailey asks.
“We haven’t talked about me getting pregnant, but he said he wants a family.” Although, that was just hypothetical. He never actually said he wanted to start a family now.
Oh, shit. He’s still so young. What if he’s not planning to start a family for several years?
“Kendall, you’re breathing heavily,” Mom points out.
“What… What if he doesn’t want to start a family now?” I ask, my chest rising and falling in quick succession. I’m on the verge of having a panic attack, but I can’t stop the freak-out that’s building. “What if he freaks out like…” I swallow thickly. “Like Freeman freaked out on you. What if he doesn’t want this baby the way Freeman never wanted me?”
Mom’s eyes widen, and I immediately regret my words. She hates speaking about my sperm donor. “Don’t you dare compare Declan to that monster. He might be shocked, but he would never treat you the way he treated me. Not every man is like that. Look at your father. When he found out I was pregnant with Cam, he was shocked but still excited, and he barely knew me. That boy has been in love with you for years.”
Okay, yeah, that makes sense, but…
“What if I’m a shitty mom?” I blurt out, moving on to my next fear. Declan might not be anything like Freeman, but half my DNA matches that monster.
“Oh my God, Kendall, stop it,” Bailey demands. “Take a deep breath.” I try to do what she says, but I’m having trouble catching my breath.
“Sunshine, calm down,” Mom adds. “Declan is going to be happy, and you’re going to be an amazing mom.”
She’s right. I know she is, but I’m already chin-deep in freak-out mode, so I’m not thinking clearly. I’m drowning in what-ifs, and I can’t come up for air. Suddenly, it all becomes too much. The room spins, and everything turns fuzzy.
“Mom,” I mutter. “I don’t feel so good.”
And then everything goes black.
“There she is,” Mom says with a tight smile.
“What happened?” I rasp, my throat dry.
“You blacked out.”
“What?” I gasp, my hand going straight to my belly. “Is the baby okay?”
Mom’s smile widens. “It was only for a few seconds. You were sitting, so you didn’t fall. You worked yourself up and passed out.”
“You sure you don’t want us to get Declan?” Bailey asks.
“No. I don’t know for sure that I’m pregnant. I know the stick said I am, but I would rather have it confirmed by a doctor first. Then I’ll tell him.”
The women all give me various looks that say they don’t agree, but I’m sticking to my decision. If this is just a coincidence or something is wrong, I don’t want to get him worked up for nothing. Once I know for sure, I’ll tell him when we’re alone.
“Can I ask you something?” Bailey says after a few minutes.
“Of course.”
“Is it possible that the baby could be Kyle’s?”
“What?” I shriek. “No! We haven’t had sex since… I don’t know when. At least since before the accident.”
Cynthia quirks a brow, so I explain, “After I woke up, I felt off. I knew in my heart I wasn’t in love with Kyle, so even though he tried, I never once went there with him. The only person I’ve had sex with is Declan.”
“Okay, good,” Bailey says. “I’m sorry. I just had to ask.”
“It’s—”
I’m cut off by a knock on the door, followed by Declan’s baritone voice. “Kendall, are you okay?”
“We better get out there,” I say, walking over to the door. “Please don’t say anything.”
My mom and sister both pretend to zip their lips while Cynthia nods.