The suspense waiting out the recommended two-week window before a pregnancy test was killing us both. The bar resumed its regular hours, both to get some extra cash and also to help Scar get his mind off constantly worrying about it.
Logically, I knew there was nothing to be anxious about. Dr. Lynden pronounced us both fertile and fit to conceive. Scar’s heat had indeed ended the first night we had sex, even though we continued to try for good measure.
So what am I so worried about?
“Do you think Angel knows she might have a little sibling soon?” Scar asked that night when we got home. Angel sat in his lap while he fed her a spoonful of peaches-and-cream oatmeal. “I mean, I know she can’t talk yet, but she’s so smart, y’know?”
I shrugged. “She is very observant. But I still think she might be a bit too young to realize.”
Angel patted Scar’s prosthetic arm in an off-beat rhythm. He didn’t seem to mind at all when she did that—in fact, I think he thought it was cute.
“You’re probably right,” he said. After a pause, he asked in a concerned tone, “Do you think she’ll mind?”
“Mind having a sibling, you mean?”
“Yeah.” Scar frowned. “She’s gonna know, when she’s older. That she’s adopted. If she has a sibling that’s our biological child, do you think she’ll feel… You know, sad about that? Like she’s not wanted?”
I looked at him seriously. “Look at that child and ask me that question again. You and I both know we would die for her.”
Scar sighed. “I know…”
“It’s probably going to be a tough conversation,” I admitted, “but look at us. We’re not exactly a picture perfect couple in the first place.”
A wry smile crossed Scar’s lips. “Yeah, you’re right.”
But suddenly his smile faded, and it wasn’t due to the gravity of the conversation. He clutched his stomach with a wince.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Don’t feel so good,” he mumbled. “Take Angel. I’m gonna hop to the bathroom.”
Worried, I took our daughter while Scar shuffled away. When he wasn’t back within five minutes, I placed Angel in her seat and knocked on the bathroom door. “Are you okay?” I asked.
Scar responded with a groan.
“I’m going to come in,” I warned.
He didn’t stop me. I bust inside to find Scar sprawled over the toilet, still clutching his stomach and looking miserable.
“Oh!” I kneeled next to him, rubbing his back. “What happened? Did you get sick?”
“Sort of,” Scar muttered, not looking at me. “I dunno what it was. I didn’t eat anything weird, and I haven’t had a single drink since Angel came into our lives.”
If it’s not something he ingested, and he probably doesn’t have a virus… Then it can only be…
“Scar,” I began, “you haven’t tried the pregnancy test yet, have you?”
He frowned. “No.” Then his brows raised. “Do you think that’s why this happened?”
“It might be related,” I said. “Do you feel well enough to take the test?”
“Yeah, I’m not feeling so gross now that it’s over. Hand it to me,” he mumbled. As I did so, he asked, “Isn’t it a bit too early to be feeling sick, though?”
I shrugged. “I know pregnancy is different for everyone. This is the only way to be sure.” I paused as he set up the test, then asked, “Do you still want me to leave?”
Scar grunted. “Nah, just turn around while I pee on this thing.”
After he finished, it was more waiting. I briefly peeked out to the living room to see Angel had fallen asleep in her chair. I smiled, then returned to Scar.
