Page 29 of Key Lime Kisses
“I hope so,” I said, setting it down.
I held out the grocery store bag and he took it, then peeked inside and swallowed nervously.
“Are these the kind you pee on?” he asked.
“I don’t know if there is another kind,” I said. “You don’t have to do it right away though, if you don’t have to go.”
“No, I do. I might as well get it over with.” Shea pulled one out and turned it over in his hands, then squared his shoulders and started towards the bathroom.
“Hey, Shea,” I said, catching his arm.
He turned to look at me. “Yeah?”
“Before you get the results,” I said. “I just want to say…”
“I know.” Shea pulled his arm free and turned his gaze away from me. “I know that you didn't even want a boyfriend much less…” He rattled the test in the box. “Thishappening. You barely even know me. I won't…” He paused and I saw tears in his eyes. “I won’t hold it against you if you leave.”
“Actually,” I said hesitantl,. “I was going to say that no matter what the result is…” I swallowed hard, suddenly nervous. “I want to stay with you.”
“What?!”
“I mean, if you want. If it’s negative I’d like to keep dating you. And if it’s positive well… I still want to be with you. I want to do this together. I do kind of like you.”
A slow smile crept over his face. “I kind of like you too.”
“Anyway, I just wanted to say it before you took the test so that you know I mean it.”
“Thank you, Weston.”
He hugged me and I kissed him on the top of his head.
“Whatever happens,” I said as he pulled away slowly. “I think you might be stuck with me. I think… I might be falling in love with you.”
His eyes widened and I bit my tongue, concerned I had crossed a line. Then he bowed his head slowly and softly admitted, “Actually, I might be falling in love with you too…” He flushed and then said with a nervous chuckle. “And now I really have to pee.”
“Go on then.”
He smiled at me and headed into the bathroom.
I stayed next door and listening, somewhat awkwardly, to the sound of him peeing. A moment later I heard soft counting. As he kept counting, I started to fidget, wishing that I had read the instructions and wondering just how long he was supposed to wait. I tried to remember how long it took Bernard, but I admittedly hadn't been paying much attention.
Then a soft gasp and a long, agonizing silence.
The doorknob turns and slowly opened. Shea appeared wide-eyed and maybe a little bit pale. He wordlessly held up the small white stick. I saw two distinct blue lines on it.
“Two lines means…” I said, but I already knew.
“Positive,” Shea said softly, watching me almost warily as if expecting me to change my mind.
I took a deep breath. Positive. I was going to be a father. I swallowed hard. It was true, when I told him I intended to stay. I wasn't opposed to the idea of having a baby, although it was a little bit overwhelming. And yet… there was a part of me that almost felt like maybe like it was time… Either way, I didn't have a choice now.
I looked at Shea,reallylooked at him, and it occurred to me that I wasn't just falling in love with him, I was already head over heels, wholeheartedly in love with him. The idea of him leaving me hurt more than the memory of Bernard doing it. I was absolutely in this for the long haul.
I put my arms around him and hugged him. He sagged against me, and then his shoulders crumbled a little bit like he was crying.
“It'll be okay,” I told him softly. “We're going to do this together.”
“Do you promise?” he murmured.
