Page 87 of Conception
“None taken. You’re certainly not the first to say so, and you won’t be the last. You’re right, anyway. Wade ’n I are nineteen. Just got hitched a couple of days ago.” She holds up a finger with a simple gold wedding band. “He’s leavin’ for the Army in two weeks, so we decided to take the plunge and then take a quick road trip from Alabama to see our favorite band. So this song makes me a bit weepy, too. I’ll miss the hell outta the big lug.”
“Baby,” Wade whispers. It’s soft, reverent, and damn if it doesn’t make my splintered heart fracture even more. “The girl’s been through the ringer, and this song doesn’t help. Maybe lighten the melancholy.”
I wipe my tears and give them both a smile. A real, genuine smile I feel in my bones. “No, I’m happy for you. It’ll be good to hear this song play on the radio and wonder how the two of you are doing. Where you are.”
“There are you!” Sunny’s voice interrupts us.
She’s eyeing me warily, and I’m sure she can read my face without me telling her about my breakdown. I make introductions all around and the four of us spend the rest of the night enjoying the concert. And I mean it. I enjoy every single second.
Maybe, just maybe, it’s all going to be okay.
The next morning, Sunny’s making omelets. The smell of bacon in the air causes my stomach to revolt. I dash to the bathroom just in time.
She’s instantly behind me, holding my hair back as I hurl the contents of my stomach into the toilet. Tears stream down my face with each heave until I have nothing left to lose. When I’m confident I’m finished, I flush and sit back, resting against the wall.
Sunny’s watching me with curious eyes. “You didn’t drink last night, so I know you’re not hungover. It can’t be food poisoning. We shared plates.”
I stare at her through a watery sheen.
“Oh, Meems.”
A sob escapes me. She draws me into an embrace, her hands rubbing my arms.
“I went to the doctor on Friday.” I pull back and meet her eyes. “I’m pregnant.”
Sunny sits in stunned silence before muttering, “Holy shit.”
I echo her sentiments. “Indeed.”
“I mean, hell, you guys went at it like rabbits, but my gosh. I never… Wow… Fuck.”
“Is it bad that I’m happy?”
She rocks back onto her heels and contemplates my question. “Absolutely not. Babies are a blessing, even if they come unexpectedly.”
“I’d never, not in a million years, choose to be a single mom. At the same time, there’s no way in hell I’m giving my baby up.” Selfishly, I’m thrilled I’ll have a piece of him for the rest of my life. Thrilled at the idea of being a mom.
She squeezes my shoulder. “You won’t be alone, Meems. Not through any of this. I know you have a lot to think about. And probably discuss with your grams, but consider staying in Crystal Cove during your pregnancy.” She leans close and pats my belly. “What better place to get away and focus on your health and the health of this little one. And you’ll have me, Joe, Sam, and my grandma all there to help you along the way, with anything you need.”
I lob the idea around in my mind. “You know, that’s not a terrible idea. I’d have to take off the school year, but I think Grams would understand.”
“I’m going to be an auntie!” Sunny squeals, jumping up and hauling me up with her. She throws her arms around my neck, giving me a tight hug.
I’m going to be a mom.
This time, it isn’t bile rising in my stomach; it’s butterflies. They’re taking flight and swarming ferociously.
I know, deep down, I have to find a way to tell him. I just have no idea how.
Sunny reassuringly squeezes my hand when we drive up to Grams’ house the day after the concert. It feels like a lifetime ago when I stopped by here before leaving for Crystal Cove. And now that my life’s irrevocably changing, I want Grams to know as soon as possible.
It’ll be as much of a shock to her as it was to me.
It started that night, that last night with Knox. I’d been feeling under the weather, but I chalked it up to food poisoning. And when he left the next day, it appeared my appetite went with him. Looking back, I should’ve seen the signs. Hell, I did. I just thought they were signs of grief.
Not pregnancy.
We were careful until that day in the cave. After? Not so much.
