I looked down, focusing on my currently flat stomach as I once again tried to wrap my mind around the fact that a life was growing inside me. It was impossible.
“What next?” Trevor asked.
I shifted my focus to him. “I’ll have an ultrasound and genetic testing at ten weeks.”
His head bobbed slowly. “And your due date?”
“February twenty-sixth.”
“Well,” he said, “at least you won’t be super pregnant during summer.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “True.”
“And it will be a good excuse if there are holiday parties you want to get out of.”
“Also, true.”
“And if you’re having a bad day, you can be as rude as you want, and you’ll be able to blame it on hormones.”
This time, my laughter was genuine. “Another good point.”
Trevor took my hand, and I looked into his eyes. “And I’ll be there for you. The whole time. No matter what.”
Emotion clogged my throat, but evidently, I was all cried out, because no tears filled my eyes.
“Thank you,” I replied, and gave his hand a squeeze. “For everything.”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
Even though Teresanever would have asked how my appointment had gone, I felt compelled to tell her the news and headed straight to her office when I arrived at work the next morning.
As usual, her door was open, so I rapped my knuckles against the frame.
My boss looked up from her computer, her brows pulling together at the sight of me. “Ara.”
“Have a second?”
“Of course.”
I stepped into the room, and this time, she showed no surprise when I pulled the door shut behind me.
The click of the latch was loud in the otherwise silent room, as was the exhale I let out before saying, “It was positive.”
Teresa blew out a breath like I’d punched her rather than told her I was expecting. “Oh, Ara, I’m so sorry.”
Like Trevor, she seemed not to know what else to say. Which I got. I was also thankful she didn’t congratulate me or act like I was lucky.
“Thanks.” I wrapped my arms around myself the way I had the day before. “I just wanted to let you know in case I get sick or something and have to miss work.”
“Whatever you need,” Teresa replied. “And know that even if full compliance wasn’t the law, you would still have the total support of the office.” Her mouth twisted into a bitter smile. “Of course, it is the law, though.”
“Yes,” I said, slumping slightly, “it is.”
There was a small pause before she asked, “And how are you feeling so far? No sickness yet?”
“No, although I just missed my period a few days ago, so I’m not sure if it’s too early for that.”
“I think everyone is different,” she replied. “It started quite early for me, as I recall.”
