Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“Everything is going to be okay. Try to calm down.” She hugs me tighter, and I breathe in and out, trying to get myself to calm down, something that seems impossible to do right now.
Pulling back, she searches my face, then mutters, “Let’s go inside. It’s cold out here.”
“Right.” I move back into the house, and she follows me then stops just inside the front door. “Oh my, what in the world is going on?”
“Zach and the kids are moving in,” I remind her, looking around at the boxes stacked here and there, paint blocks painted on the walls from Aubrey and me trying to decide what colors will go where. The doorbell in pieces on a mat in the living room since Zach is fixing it and a puzzle started on the coffee table.
“I thought they moved in last month?”
“They did, but we’ve been painting, sorting through everything, trying to get rid of doubles of stuff we don’t need, and fixing things up as we go.
“Sheesh, it looks like a bomb exploded. When this drama is over, I’ll come help you sort this mess out,” she mutters, resting her hands on her hips, and my eyes zero in on the brown bag in her hand.
“Is that the test?” I question, as my pulse ramps up speed.
“Yep.” She holds it out toward me, and part of me wants to snatch it from her grasp, while another part of me is way too scared to find out the truth. “You know everything is going to be okay. You and Zach are solid. You’ve already built a family with him. If this test comes up positive, you will just be adding another member to the family you’ve already got. Neither of you are kids anymore. You’ve both got careers and share a home. You have nothing to worry about.”
“I’ve been telling myself that. I really have, but what if he doesn’t want more kids? What if he’s upset about this?”
“Do you know your man at all?” she asks gently, raising a brow, and I pull in a breath through my nose.
“This is one thing we haven’t talked about. We never discussed having more kids. I mean, we’re not old, but our kids are older. How will they feel about this?”
“I don’t know, sweetie, but I do know you guys will figure it all out as a family. You will find a way to make it work. And I know Zach will make sure you’re happy.”
She’s right. Zach will make sure I’m happy. He always makes sure the kids and I are happy, that we all feel safe and loved.
“You’re right,” I agree, taking the bag from her as she holds it closer to me.
“Go on, I’ll wait out here.” She nods toward the hall and I give in and head for the bedroom.
Sitting on the toilet, I hear the door in the bedroom open and assume it’s Joe, but then let out a squeak when Zach opens the bathroom door and steps in, closing it behind him.
“What are you doing here?” I panic, moving to stand in front of the sink, where the test I took is sitting, so I can block it from his sight.
“Tina called me.”
Fuck!
“Oh yeah? What’s going on? Is she okay?” I try to play it off, but I know from the look on his face she told him what she saw in the store.
“Baby,” he says softly, and I feel my bottom lip start to tremble.
“I don’t even know if it’s positive.” I close my eyes and feel him place his hand against my cheek.
“You took a test?”
“Yes, but I have to wait three minutes, and it’s only been about two or so.”
“Let me see it.”
“Zach—”
“Let me see it, baby,” he repeats, holding out his hand.
“I hate when you’re bossy.”
“Too bad, now let me see the test.”
“It has pee on it,” I gripe, not sure if I want him to see it, and his jaw clenches.
“Shel.”
“Fine.” I move aside, but don’t look at the test or him as I see him pick it up off the counter. “Two lines mean yes,” I explain, wishing I was brave enough to look at the it myself.
“You’re not pregnant,” he says quietly, sounding disappointed, and I feel a pain hit my chest. I didn’t realize how much I wanted a baby with him until this moment; I didn’t even realize it was something we could possibly have again. With everything going on, I hadn’t even thought about it.
“I’m not?” Tears fill my eyes as he holds up the test between us and I see there is nothing there. The screen is completely blank. “It’s broken.” I frown, and his head tilts, studying me then the test. “There should be one line at least, but there isn’t. Something is wrong with the test.”