Page 40 of Pieces of Us
Linc
“What?”
“I’m pregnant. It’s yours.”
I have her shoe still in my hand as my ass hits the floor. Thank God I was already kneeling. I feel like my heart is about to beat out of my chest. I sit in silence, staring at her shoe. I startle at the sound of her blowing her nose.
“You’re sure? We used a condom.”
“Well, unless four tests were wrong, I’m pretty sure. And if you remember, we didn’t use a condom the entire time, or maybe it broke. And with all the wedding craziness, I missed a couple of my pills, but I thought we were fine with the condom. Whatever happened, I’m pregnant.”
“Give me a minute here.” I run my hand through my hair.
A baby.
She’s pregnant.
Our baby.
“Come sit on the couch, Linc. You look pale.”
I rise and sit beside her. I lean forward, elbows on my knees, my face in my hands, trying to control my breathing.
I twist my head to look at her. “When can you go to the doctor?”
“I called my OB/GYN this afternoon. I have an appointment in a couple of weeks.”
“Okay. If it’s alright, I’d like to be there.”
“That’s fine.”
I sit up and turn to look at her. Her eyes are red again. I reach over and take her hand in mine. My mind is racing. I need to ask questions, but I need to tread lightly.
I clear my throat. “How do you feel about it?”
She blows out a heavy breath. “Well, besides being in shock and feeling like crap, I don’t know, really. This isn’t how I imagined my first pregnancy would happen.”
“Do you want to keep it?” I fight the tears burning in my eyes. This is the scariest question I’ve ever asked someone. “I mean, you don’t have to answer that if you’re not ready. I feel like I shouldn’t have a say in it—it’s your body—but I’ll support you no matter what. It’s completely your decision, and I will be by your side whatever you choose. But if I can have a say in it, let me know, but it’s totally your choice.” I close my mouth to stop my fear-filled rambling.
She wipes the tissue across her eyes. “Yeah, I want to keep it.”
I tilt my head back and I feel a tear fall. I feel too vulnerable right now. “Thank God.”
“You’re okay with me keeping it?”
“Like I said, I would support any decision you make. Even if you change your mind, I’ll still support you. But if I had a say,yeah, I’m more than okay with it.” I take a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “Shit, you’re pregnant.”
“Yeah.” She stares down at our hands. “I know this is a lot right now. I don’t expect anything from you. You can be as involved or not involved as you want.”
Reaching up, I take her face in my hands, running my thumb over her cheekbone. “I’ll be as involved as you’ll let me. I’ll be there for everything if I can. Iwantto be there for everything.”
Another tear falls from her tired eyes.
“Come here.”
I wrap my arm around her and pull her head to my chest. I think I need this as much as she does right now.
“I’m sorry, Linc,” she says in a broken whisper.
