Page 203 of The Baby Bargain
I just have to do it.
I take my position. Uncap the stick. Hold it in place.
Five. Four. Three. Two. One.
There. I recap it. Finish up. Wash my hands. Stare back at the mirror. Set a timer on my smart watch.
Three minutes.
Three minutes and I know whether or not I'm going to be a mother.
Fuck.
I pace around the bathroom. It's too small for pacing, but I do it anyway.
Chase moves toward me. He presses his hand to the door. "You freaking out, princess?"
"No… A little."
"Come here."
I shake my head. Not that it conveys anything. There's a door between us. "I just have to…" I run the water until it's cold. Splash my face. It should help. Why isn't it helping?
Deep breath.
Steady exhale.
My future.
No big deal.
"Ariel…" Chase taps on the door. "Tell me you're okay."
"I'm okay."
"Convince me."
"I am." Deep breath. Steady exhale. "Really." I just… "I can't look at you yet."
"Why not?"
"If I'm not… I just can't."
"Okay." His voice is clear. Understanding.
God, he's really understanding. But also good with boundaries. And authoritative.
He'll be a good dad.
A tactful other half.
Not that we're… I mean, we might… God, I hope we are.
Buzz, buzz.
That's it.
The three minutes are up.
