I lie down and lift my dress.
“Are your symptoms worse at any particular time of day?” He presses in at different points, his hands cold on my warm skin.
“Not really. They come and go randomly. Sometimes after eating, sometimes if I haven’t eaten in a while.”
“Okay, you can sit up now.” He moves back over to the little test strip, and I watch him like a hawk.
I sit up, nervously twisting the ring on my left hand. I feel like my heart is about to stop.
“Congratulations, Sloane, looks like you’re having a baby.” He smiles at me.
I stare back at him, his words rattling round in my head. A baby. I’m having a baby. “Okay,” I respond, not able to find any other words.
“My guess would be you’re between six and eight weeks along, but we would need to do some blood tests and a dating scan to confirm.” I feel his eyes on me, but I can’t look at him. I’m not sure if I’m about to burst into tears or puke all over the floor. “Should I get Orlando?” he asks, unsure.
“No, just give me a minute.”
He gathers his things and closes the door to the media room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I rest my hand on my belly. There is a baby growing inside of me. Then the strangest thing happens. I smile. A small sliver of excitement runs through me. This is not the life I imagined for myself. Not atall. But maybe, just maybe, it’s better. I have four of the most caring protective men guiding me through life, and I know they would all make the best fathers.
A knock comes at the door.
When I don’t respond, the door opens, and Orlando comes into view. “Are you alright? You have been in here a while.” They are also impatient and have massive fucking boundary issues when it comes to me.
“Where are the other boys?” I sigh heavily, knowing this is as good a time as any to tell them.
“We’re here, sweetheart.” Romeo pushes his way past Orlando. And Onyx and Reef appear in the room as well.
“What’s wrong, Sloane? Are you sick?” Reef asks, and I love that he is so concerned.
Onyx takes the seat beside me, hugging me close to him. “Whatever is going on, we’re here for you,” he offers.
I suck in a deep breath, knowing once the words leave my lips, there is no going back, this is real. But it’s already real. There is a small human growing inside of me. “I hope so, because we’re having a baby.”
I feel Onyx tense and then hold me closer, if it’s even possible.
“Holy shit, I fucking knew it.” Romeo high-fives Reef, the two of them grinning, overjoyed with the news.
“This is amazing, Sloane,” Reef agrees.
Orlando is quieter, his eyes coming to mine in silent knowledge. “Are you okay?” he asks more seriously.
“Um. I think I’m in shock. I never considered being a mom. But I also never thought I would end up married and in a relationship with the four of you, and I have never been happier. Please just tell me we can do this.”
“We can do this, treasure. We all love you like crazy. You can do anything, and you have all of us by your side to help.”
The End
