“Thank you!” Sophia practically ran toward the door, dragging me with her. She locked it, ripped open the box, and handed it to me. “Pee.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
“You will. You need to know if you’re pregnant. We should call Connor—”
“No.”
We both gasped. Questions swirled in her eyes before she cupped my face, her voice soft.
“Laney, I am with you. No matter what happens, we are friends for life. We can talk after you find out if you’re pregnant, okay?”
My eyes welled up as I nodded. She stood in the corner while I did my business with shaking hands. I set the stick onthe counter, washed my hands, and hung my head as I fought with what answer I wanted.
Connor and I talked about having kids years ago, but we agreed we’d try once we felt ready. Settled. Which, we were neither right now. Plus the memory from three years ago remained in my mind, where he told our neighbor that he didn’t want to be a dad. I wasn’t meant to hear the comment, but the way he had said it, the tone, the implication that he didn’t have time for a family, stuck with me all this time.
Work would always come first. Hell, I tried divorcing him two fucking weeks ago! We weren’t stable!
But I could be carrying his child.
A burst of love so strong, so powerful hit me that my knees buckled. I slid onto the floor, not caring that it was probably disgusting. I wrapped my arms around my knees and waited.
“Two minutes. Then we’ll know.” Sophia patted my knees, her face twisted with worry. “My sister found out she was pregnant by being dizzy. She also craved jalapeños. This girl won’t even put pepper on eggs because it’s too much. The spicy thing was a sure sign. That’s why I even suggested it. You being dizzy could be nothing related to it.”
“I was on antibiotics the week we went away. I haven’t had my period since early November, Soph. I blamed the stress of leaving, of moving home. But I’ve been throwing up a lot, random times.” A weight settled in my gut, like this pregnancy theory answered a lot of my questions.
She sighed and stood, walking over to the stick. Before reading it, she faced me.
“Are you sure you don’t want to call him?”
I nodded. “I’m sure.”
“Okay, momma. You’re pregnant.” She sighed and burst out in tears. “You’re having a baby, Laney.”
A sob choked me as my best friend pulled me up and hugged me, keeping me upright as I struggled to breathe. This was unreal. A baby. I’m going to be a mom.
“You’re going to be the best mom, and I’m gonna be with you the entire time. My sister has all her old baby stuff. You can have it. Oh my God, Laney.” She gave me a watery smile before hugging me again. “How are you feeling? You’re quiet.”
“Happy.” I nodded, burying my face into her shoulder. “I want to be a mom, and I didn’t even realize it until right this second.”
She lifted my face up, happy tears falling down hers. “We need to get it together and talk out your next steps.”
“I don’t know what to do.” My tears fell even harder. “Connor and I just found a rhythm. If he learns about this…”
“He’ll be happy. He will be fucking thrilled. He’ll do anything you need, drop everything to help you.”
“That’s the thing. I know he will. He’d do everything for the baby. He’ll be the best dad in the world. But, oh God, I sound selfish.”
“Good. It’s time you put yourself and this baby first. No judgment from me, ever.” She sniffed too as she laughed. “Wait. I’m godmother, right?”
I burst out laughing, more tears following as I nodded. “Obviously.”
“Okay, now that’s settled. Talk to me. What’s going through your head?”
I swallowed the ball of emotion. “Let’s… walk back home. I want the fresh air to clear my head.”
“Deal.” She threw the box in the trash and wrapped the stick in toilet paper. “You’ll want to keep this. Trust me.”
I pocketed the dangerous stick and wiped my face. A part of me was relieved to learn all the sickness, the dizziness, the feeling different were due to being pregnant. I obviously needed to see a doctor, to confirm and ensure things were okay. I inhaled the cold, icy air as we walked outside and let the coolness settle me down.
