My mother had forcedme back to bed when she’d found me in my kitchen at four a.m. with a half-eaten pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream open on the counter. As promised, she’d stayed with me and had no plans of leaving until Flash got home.
“Honey, what time did you wake up?”
“I haven’t gone to sleep,” I admitted, taking another bite of ice cream.
She physically removed the spoon from my hand, wrapping her arm around my waist and guiding me to my room.
“Lie down, sweetness. You need your rest. Flash will be home this afternoon and you’ll want to be lucid for your reunion.”
I’d acquiesced reluctantly knowing full well there was no way I was going to be able to sleep, but then I felt the bed dip, and Flash’s voice whispering my name.
At first, I thought it was a dream.
“Baby, wake up.” I forced my eyes open and reached for him, landing a loud slap to his cheek. “Ow, fuck.”
“Oh my god, sorry,” I cried as I sat up and threw my arms around his neck. “Are you really here?”
He chuckled, holding me close. “I’m really here.”
“When did you land?”
“About twenty minutes ago.” He cupped my face, stroking my cheek. “You look really tired, baby, you okay?”
“Um, no, I thought you were dead. I haven’t slept in two days.”
“Fuck, baby, I’m sorry. I won’t ever do that to you again.”
“Promise?”
“Promise,” he said, kissing me. “Why do you taste like mint chocolate chip?”
“I plead the fifth.”
“You really should sleep, honey,” he said.
“Oh, hell no. Not unless you’re coming to bed with me.”
He grimaced. “Mom’s freaking out, so I think she and Poppy are on their way over.”
“My mom’s already here,” I warned. “I’ll just get up and get dressed. I won’t be able to sleep anyway.” The second the words were out of my mouth, nausea reared its ugly head, and I was forced to make a run for the bathroom.
“Jesus,” Flash hissed, rushing after me. “I’ll call the doctor.”
“No,” I rasped, waving my hand.
“Want me to get your mom?”
“No, honey, I’m not sick.” I flushed the toilet and washed up, letting him wrap his arms around me once I was done.
“You’re not sick?”
“Nope. I’m pregnant.”
He cupped my face, meeting my eyes. “What the fuck now?”
I nodded. “Took two tests.”
“Oh my god, baby, that’s fuckin’ awesome.”
