Page 26 of Never Really Mine
“As for telling people, we can tell them whatever you want. We can tell them nothing at all. It’s all up to us.”
“Can we wait to tell people? At least for a bit?” Marley bites her lip, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.
“Of course. However long you need.”
“Thank you,” she says, leaning her head on my shoulder. “I guess I need to find a doctor.”
“Yeah,” I say. “I want to come with to appointments, if that’s okay.”
“Absolutely. I don’t think I would want to go without you, anyway.” My heart thumps proudly at her confession. “Promise to stay at my head, though,” she says with a laugh.
“You got it,” I say, kissing the top of her head. I may not have all of her yet, but I’m one step closer. That we are having a baby together makes it that much sweeter. I hold her close as she slips deeply into a sleep that she needs.
17
MARLEY
The click of my camera is soothing, something for me to focus on, as my stomach tries to rebel against me for the third time today.
I can’t keep anything down. Water is even a struggle. Beau has texted me no less than five times today, asking how I’m feeling. I was able to call this morning on my way to work and make an appointment with a doctor in Cinder Valley in a few days. The gal I talked to on the phone seemed to understand my urgency in wanting an appointment.
Beau put up a valiant fight, wanting to stay at my place last night. After I told him I just needed a little space and time to mentally process the new direction that life has taken me, he agreed, but made me promise to text him if I needed anything.
In a weird way, I almost feel more at peace today than I have in months. I have my best friend back, something I haven’t had in a long time. I’ve missed having him by my side, being the person I feel like I can conquer the world with. And not only that, I’m having a baby. Something I’ve wanted, well… always. I always hoped I’d be a mom.
I snap a few more photos of my client, thankfully finishing up the session. It was an amazing session, but with how exhausted and nauseous I am, I’m ready to be done.
An hour later, the studio is clean, the client is gone, and I’m ready to call it a day. The bell on the door jingles, and I cringe. I don’t know if I have it in me to do more small talk today. I plaster on a fake smile, ready to greet the person as I walk toward the entrance.
Beau rounds the corner, wearing his work clothes. He had a few showings this morning, and then we had plans for dinner, and to make a loose plan for things going forward. I guess I’d forgotten that he said he would pick me up.
His long hair is loose around his shoulders, and my belly flutters with just how attractive he is. He’s always been the hottest man in the room, at least where I’m concerned, but now, it’s like my body is hard-wired to want him even more.
“Hey,” he greets. “You look pale.”
“Such sweet words you speak to the mother of your future child,” I say, waving him off with an attempt at sarcasm. I turn, ready to head back to my office and grab my things, only as I turn, my head spins.
“You know I don’t mean it like that,” he refutes. “I’m trying to make sure you’re okay.” I hear his footsteps following closely, and with each step I take, my nausea and dizziness grow.
“I know, Beau,” I say, trying to hold back the vomit threatening to make its appearance. “I’m really not feeling good. I haven’t been able to eat or drink anything all day. I can’t even keep down water.”
A hand clasps around my wrist, pulling me back. “You haven’t eaten all day?” Beau’s gaze is intense, his face etched with worry.
I slowly shake my head, noting that even that small motion makes me dizzy. “I can’t.”
“Let’s go find you something to eat.”
I turn back to the office, telling him I need to grab my bag, but suddenly, I can’t speak. My words are muffled and slurred. My body grows hot and clammy, black spots and stars dance across my vision. My body sways as I lean into the too-warm body of Beau. I hear him shout my name before everything goes black.
18
BEAU
“Marley!” I shout as she slumps into my arms, face ghostly white, eyes falling shut. I hold her tightly to me, sliding us down to the floor. “Marley, wake up, butterfly,” I say over and over, trying to get some sort of response from her. Nothing happens. Her chest rises and falls with steady beats, relieving the slightest amount of anxiety.
With no idea what could be wrong, I panic, doing the first thing I can think of. Without moving Marley, and watching her the entire time, I grab my phone from my pocket and call Thomas, hoping he is on duty.
“Hey man,” Thomas greets, his voice ever so cheery.
