Page 40 of To Love and Protect
“I think I’m pregnant.”
Isla’s hand froze on Remedie’s back. Silence stretched between them before Isla hopped up and into Remedie’s line of sight.
“We’re having a baby?”
Remedie wanted to laugh. Isla was her only friend. She was one of the three people, one of them now dead, who knew about her desire to have her own family. Of course she would be excited for her. Remedie thought she would be jumping for joy at the thought, too, but that had yet to happen. Instead of excitement and happiness, she felt terror.
“I don’t know, Isla. I haven’t taken a test yet,” Remedie whispered as she stared at the floor.
“Girl, get up.” Isla pulled Remedie up and dragged her toward the bathroom. Remedie watched with dread as Isla dug around under the sink. This was part of the reason she came to Isla. Not just for comfort but because Isla kept pregnancy tests on hand. Taking one on her own seemed scary, and after what happened the night before, she wasn’t ready to sort through these emotions with Nico. There was too much to talk through, and the last thing she wanted was for the previous night to be twisted up in a pregnancy announcement. Isla was her bestoption. She knew her friend would take care of her in this moment. Isla handed her a small box and said, “Take this and we can figure out everything else after.”
Remedie wiped her tears and nodded. She had no words at the moment. Isla shut the door and allowed Remedie time to take the test. As soon as she finished, she washed her hands and rushed out of the bathroom. Though she knew what the results would be, seeing them would make it real.
Isla was in the living room, and as soon as Remedie took her seat beside her, she asked, “Why do you think you’re pregnant?”
Remedie shrugged. “I realized yesterday that my period is five days late. You know I’m never late. Plus, I’ve been throwing up. I just know . . .”
Tears fell from Remedie’s eyes again, and Isla wasted no time soothing her. “Best, it’s going to be okay. You know we can handle anything together. Not to mention, you have a man who is crazy for you.”
“A man who just killed my ex-boyfriend,” Remedie reminded her. It wasn’t even that Remedie was mad that Zayden was dead. He had been a menace in her life for a while. She was just horrified that Nico was the one to do it, and that it happened in front of so many people. “What happens if he gets arrested, Isla? All those witnesses . . .”
Remedie shuddered.
“Oh, girl, you don’t have anything to worry about.” Isla’s eyes lit up as she spoke. “You should have seen it. I really think that Karma chick is real because people kept throwing her name around, and right after you left, this group of men came in and took everyone’s IDs. They spoke the fear of God into everyone, or maybe the devil. Shit, I don’t know, but even I was spooked, and I had no intention of snitching on Nico. A couple people bucked back, and they were dragged away. I have an eerie feeling that they won’t be seen again.
“They threatened everyone that if the police found out, it would be bad for anyone in the room. They told our asses that they had the FBI in their pockets and that Nico would be granted immunity, but if anyone tried to talk, then everyone there would go down for the murder. It was like something out of a damn movie. I seen grown ass men in there shook. That nigga ain’t goin’ to prison, Remedie.”
That gave Remedie a little relief, but since she wasn’t there that night, she still felt a little iffy. She stayed silent with her thoughts for a moment before she spoke again. “I don’t know how to be a mom, Isla. I’ve never had one. I want my own family, but I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Uh uh. We not doin’ this. I’m not about to let you talk yourself out of something you’ve wanted since the beginning of time. Cut it out.”
“But—”
“Aht! I mean it, Remedie.” Isla stood and then crouched in front of Remedie so she was forced to look at her. “Now, you got me up early as hell after a night from hell and then got me excited about being an auntie, and now you want to throw shit on my party.”
“I don’t think that’s how the phrase goes?—”
“Girl, shut the hell up.” Isla cut her eyes at her. “Tighten up. Nico proved he is willing to go to hell and back for you. He loves the fuck out of you, and he will love that baby. You will be an amazing mother because you are an amazing person, and every baby I ever met that gets their baby food homemade is always a genius. We might as well name the baby Einstein because I know you’re gonna be cheffin’ it up for my niece or nephew as soon as they come up off the titty.”
Remedie giggled. If Nico wasn’t there to make her laugh and lift her spirits, she had always been able to rely on Isla.
“There’s just so much on my mind. I feel like I’m drowning,” Remedie admitted after a moment.
“I understand that, but just because there’s a lot going on doesn’t mean this moment doesn’t take priority. I say we take the day to feel our feelings, regardless of what that test says, and then tomorrow, you need to talk to Nico. If I know you, you haven’t spoken to his ass about any of this.”
Isla eyed her, and Remedie shrunk against her glare. “I haven’t.”
“At least text him, Remedie. That man is liable to go crazy over you, and I do not want to be found guilty as an accomplice for aiding and abetting a runaway girlfriend.”
Remedie rolled her eyes at Isla’s dramatics, but she knew her friend was right. Reluctantly, she pulled her phone out and texted Nico. When she finished, Isla stood and reached her hand out for Remedie.
“Let’s go see if we’re having a baby.”
Despite her chaotic feelings, Remedie smiled as she took her friend’s hand. Isla’s energy had always been infectious. Right now was no different.
They walked into the bathroom together, and Remedie’s eyes landed on the test only a second after Isla. While her best friend celebrated, Isla stared at the test with her heart hammering.
Pregnant.
