Page 46 of Grand Slam

And I’m sunk, sliding out of my chair, no hope of gaining control. Snorting, getting everyone’s attention and guess what, I don’t care. It’s the best I’ve felt in days, weeks even.

Until my phone rings in my bag and it’s like a cold glass of water, I am instantly alert.

Liz leans in, sees the doctor’s name lighting up the screen and I slide my finger over the green button quickly saying hello.

“Emerson Blake?”

“Yes, this is her.”

“This is Rita, from Dr. Jasper’s office.” I nod as if she can actually see me. “I just wanted to give you a call with the results of your blood test.”

“Okay.” I hold my breath, close my eyes tight and wait for the one piece of information that will decide my future for me.

“The test does confirm you are pregnant.” Again the tears reappear as my eyes start to burn. “We’d like to set you up with an appointment to come in and see Dr. Jasper. We can get you started on the needed vitamins and so forth.”

Again I nod.

“How does next Thursday work for you, say two p.m.?”

“That’s fine,” I say in a whisper.

“Okay sweetheart, and congratulations.”

The call ends but I don’t lower the phone. I am stuck in the same position as her words continue to roll around in my head on repeat.

You are pregnant.

Pregnant.

“Emerson?” Liz moves closer, taking the phone from my ear. “Hey.” She wipes the tears off my cheeks.

“I’m pregnant,” I say. “I’m pregnant,” I repeat a little louder.

“I’m going to be an aunt,” she says with her own tears filling her eyes. “My brother is going to be a daddy. And I already know he is totally going to rock at it.”

She hugs me and we stay like that for a few minutes, forgetting where we are.

“I don’t want him to know yet.”

“Emerson.” Liz sighs in disappointment.

“No, it’s not what you think,” I assure her. “I just think that hearing he’s going to be a daddy should be something I tell him in person, not over video chat or in a phone call. I want to give him the news face to face and I don’t want him to hear it from anyone else but me.”

“Okay,” she smiles, “then it looks like we are planning a trip.”

“I think instead of planning a trip we need to start organizing our move.”

“For real?”

“Yeah,” I nod, “it’s time.”

Thinking I was pregnant and knowing it for sure makes all the difference. I wanted to be with Kelton, and he wanted me there. He’s said it for weeks, and that wasn’t because I’m pregnant, it’s because he truly wants me there.

“We’re moving to Nashville,” Liz singsongs as she wiggles excitedly in her seat and Sara laughs.

“We are moving to Nashville,” I confirm with my own matching smile.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

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