Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
I knew I had a few moments and walked out of the bathroom to the kitchen, deciding to have something to drink. I had a fresh pot of tea ready and stepped up to the counter, staring blankly at it.
Could I have tea? Was it harmful to the baby?
I didn’t even know if I was pregnant yet. Fuck. I rested my head on my hands and began to cry. Tori walked behind me and wrapped her arms around me. “It’s okay, Elyse. What do you want?”
“Can I have a cup of tea? It sounds awful, but I need it,” I replied, and she rested her head on my back.
“If it doesn’t sound good, probably not. Do you want a cup of herbal tea or something?” she asked, and I took several deep breaths.
“Yes,” Tori told me to sit down, and I wandered back towards the bathroom to look at the tests scattered on the counter. I made a note to clean up so thoroughly that he never knew if I wasn’t pregnant. I leaned down and peered at the little boxes before I reached for the box. I read the instructions after looking at the picture on the front and my knees went weak.
“Elyse, what are you doing?’ Tori caught me as I slipped, and settled us on the floor before reaching for a test. I wrinkled my nose at the thought of her touching it but stared at her.
“Oh, girl,” Tori grinned. “You’re having a baby.”
I started to cry again, and she slipped an arm around my shoulder. We cried together as she murmured soothing words to me about how everything was going to be okay. I didn’t think that Ryder would be happy about this, and I didn’t know how to feel. I was young, and starting my career out, and pregnancy could shift everything. I didn’t even know how to be a mom, and the memories of my own were vague.
I cried harder as I missed her and at the idea of doing this without her. My father didn’t care about anything, and he probably wouldn’t want anything to do with his grandchild. He’d throw money at the problem, which would help, but I needed support around me. I didn’t even know if Diana would be a part of this. More than anything, I worried about Ryder.
Tori calmed me, and we walked to the couch. She got my tea and poured some for herself, sitting close beside me as I stared through the windows. “This is a cute place.” Her voice filled the silence, and I smiled.
“It really is. I feel like I’m at home here,” I replied and looked at her.
“He asked you to be here. You weren’t that girlfriend who is bringing stuff over and dropping hints. You weren’t desperate. He wants you here, and he can handle this.” She wiped a tear away, and I breathed slowly. “Think of the wives. They’ll be thrilled and help you with everything.”
“That’s true. They’re kind.” They weren’t family by blood, but didn’t people say that didn’t matter? The person I loved the most wasn’t here any longer.
“Do you know when you’re going to tell him?” Tori asked, and my stomach knotted painfully.
“I think I want to in person. Over the phone is so… impersonal. His birthday is next week, and I could make it his gift. Do you think he’d like that?” I looked at her as she laughed out loud.
“I think he’s going to sense something within the hour of coming home. Have you talked to him much?” Tori asked, making me realize that I hadn’t. “That alone will get him wondering. You should probably talk to him before he comes back in three days. Not about the baby, but to calm him down. Ryder is crazy about you.”
“I will. I’ll plan something for when he comes back. How do girls tell guys about this? I never thought I’d be doing it,” I mused as everything started to settle inside.
“I’ve had friends who wrapped the test up.”
I shook my head. “That’s gross.”
“Not when you’re telling him he’s going to be a father. He’s more than familiar with all of your bodily fluids, and people have had to drink urine to survive.”
I paled as she smiled brightly at me, waving my hand. “I didn’t need to know that. I feel sick.”
“Okay, I’ll stop. That’s an option, or you could do a card or something. Tell him over dinner.” She was thinking fast, and I stared at her, knowing that Tori had my back. “I’m assuming you have dinner together when he’s back alone. I know I do with Justin.”
“Yeah. We always did before, and I think we would with me living here.” I looked around the space and wondered what it would be like raising a baby here. It was big enough and comfortable, but I’d like to have a house in a few months when the baby was getting around more. My old place was too small and cozy to even think about raising a baby there.