“Yes,” Skylar said instantly. “Please.”
She smiled at him. “All right. If you’d lay your arm open and clench your fist, please…”
Skylar shut his eyes as the doctor drew up the blood. I held his hand the entire time, stroking my thumb in soothing motions. His nerves radiated off him in waves.
I wondered what outcome he feared more--being pregnant, or not being pregnant.
The selfish part of me wished it was the latter. But I knew I’d be there for Skylar no matter what the outcome turned out to be.
“Just a moment, please,” Dr. Lane said, exiting the room with the sample.
Skylar let out a shaky breath. “Oh, god…” He leaned his forehead into my chest like an animal trying to escape a scary situation.
“It’s okay,” I said, rubbing his back. “It’s going to be okay, Sky.”
He let out a trembling whimper, and my heart broke. I hated seeing him so frightened.
“I’m here for you,” I told him. “No matter what, I’ll always be here.”
Skylar lifted his head. Tears filled his eyes, threatening to fall. He clutched my shirt like I’d disappear if he let go.
“Promise?” he murmured.
“I promise.”
He bit his lip, and the tears spilled over the edge.
“Aw, c’mon, don’t cry,” I said gently.
“I’m not crying,” he mumbled, wiping his face.
I chuckled, but our playful moment died down when Dr. Lane re-entered the room. I sat up, my muscles tense as I waited for the news.
“So,” she began, setting down the clipboard with a sigh. “I have bad news.”
I froze. The air in my lungs disappeared. Beside me, Skylar stiffened. He gripped my hand so hard it felt like he might snap it clean off my wrist.
“You’re not pregnant,” Dr. Lane said.
I eased slightly, feeling some of my sanity return. I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding. But I didn’t dare turn to face Skylar to see what his reaction was, despite being desperately curious.
Is he happy? Is he upset?
“Oh,” Skylar said, the word mixed in with an exhaled breath.
“That’s okay,” Dr. Lane said. “Sometimes it takes a few tries before the sperm takes. And if you’re still having problems, you can always try fertility treatments. There’s things both of you can do to increase your chances.”
A blush heated up my cheeks when I realized what she thought. “Oh, we’re not--”
Skylar’s hard squeeze of my hand made me stop talking.
“Thank you,” Skylar said to her. “So my sickness wasn’t, uh, the morning variety?”
“No. It might’ve been something bad you ate, a stomach bug, or even stress.”
“Stress?” Skylar repeated. Something about the way he said it made me think that was the real culprit.
Dr. Lane nodded. “If this persists, you can try antiemetics from any drug store. But do see a doctor if it goes on for too long.”
