Chapter ten Aubrey
Chapter ten
Aubrey
The next Virgin Mary…
~ Four Days Later ~
I’m late…
I’m two days late… I’ve never been late. My period comes at the same time every month; I’ve never even been one day late. Yesterday when I realized, I thought maybe the fact that I started having sex had messed with my cycle, but after some research, the internet claims that doesn’t happen…
So now I’m sort of freaking out.
But maybe it’s nothing. It’s probably nothing.
Yeah, I’m just stressed, that’s it. I mean, I don’t feel different.
I’m not nauseated or tired like Morgan and Emma.
And things don’t smell funny or taste bad, which is how Cecilia had found out she was pregnant.
Nothing aches or feels sore. It’s probably just a coincidence that I’m late.
Yet I can’t help the nagging feeling in my brain, in my stomach, the one that has been popping up for the past two hours, telling me to check.
I could just run out to the drugstore and get a test, like that I’ll be able to settle my nerves and concentrate on these new recipes I’m trying to make for my recipe book.
Yeah, that’s what I’ll do. It will be negative, and everything will be fine. And later during the day, my period will show up while I’m at work, and I’ll laugh about my little scare with Octavia.
I slip into my boots and pull on my jacket, quickly picking up my purse and heading out the door.
I’m not really dressed to impress, wearing black yoga pants and a pink camisole with my hair up in a bun over my head.
But I don’t care, I just need answers so that I can go on with my day.
Well, I just need one answer, because the other can’t happen.
Luckily, there’s a drugstore just down the street.
But with all the ice on the pavement, I opt to take Shane’s Porsche Cayenne Electric, the one he insisted I kept using because it was much safer than Ronnie’s old Mazda.
I also think he specifically wants me to keep using it because I have no choice but to spend the night at his place if I want it charged.
I knew I should have taken the Maserati instead or even the Jaguar. But I won’t lie, I like having a reason to go back to him almost every night. Which reminds me that I need to give Ronnie her car back since it’s just sitting there on the street.
Pulling up near the store, I walk inside and head to the pregnancy test aisle, grabbing a pack with two inside.
I go to the register, pay for it, and ask to use their bathroom.
After reading the instructions and performing my task, I set it aside and put my timer on for three minutes, then take my time washing my hands and looking at myself in the mirror.
I don’t want to think about what will happen if it’s not what I’m expecting. I’m only twenty-four, I barely have my life together. I had plans—saving as much money to open my own bakery in the next five years.
But saving with a baby won’t be possible, and would I even be able to run a bakery with a child?
I’d need to take some time off after birth, which means less money-making.
I know Shane would help me along the way, but I still can’t depend on him.
I’m not like that, and we never know what could happen in life.
I won’t freak out, everything’s going to be fine. It will be negative. It has to be negative. We just started dating. No one even really knows yet that we’re together. A baby will change everything…
My timer goes off and I take a deep breath. One last look at myself in the mirror, then glance down at the test.
“Oh God…”
I manage to maintain my composure as I make my way out of the drugstore and back into the car. I somehow stay calm the whole drive over to Shane’s office. I know I’m supposed to see him tonight after work, but I don’t think I can wait that long.
It’s just past noon, and I know the boys had practice this morning since they have a home game tonight. But I’m hoping they’ve all gone back home by now, mainly my brother. I can’t run into him, not right now.
My meltdown starts hitting hard the closer I get to Shane’s office. I’m praying he’s alone, that he’s in there and not stuck with the media or in a meeting with the coaching staff. I lift my trembling fist to the door and knock.
His voice comes through immediately. “Come in.”
I turn the knob and push the door open as I feel myself start to hyperventilate. I quickly close it behind me, leaning my back against it.
“Angel? What are you doing here?” He smiles, but it drops when he notices the panic on my face. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
I begin to pace the room, taking deep breaths with every step.
“I’m late. I’m never late, Shane. I took a test. It’s positive.
” I glance his way quickly, afraid of his reaction but only find him staring at me with wide eyes, so I continue pacing as I spill every thought in my mind.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen. We… we were careful… right?”
I look at him again as he nods slowly. “I don’t know what to do, Shane. I’m kind of freaking out right now. We just started dating, this makes no sense. God, we’re going to have to tell everyone.”
I press my hands to my face then fan myself as my body begins to overheat from the stress.
“And I know, I know that was the plan. I just… I thought we had more time… but now we don’t.
We’ll have to tell them soon because in a few months, I’m going to start showing and they won’t believe we just started seeing each other.
” I grip my hair at the sides, gasping for air.
“Oh my God, my brother’s going to freak out.
Shane, Greyson is going to lose it! It’s one thing to tell him we’re dating; it’s an entirely different thing to tell him I’m pregnant with your baby. ”
I crouch down on the floor, needing a moment as my brain spirals and I pant louder. I feel the tears welling in my eyes as I picture my brother’s reaction to this news, how much change will come to my life with this baby on the way.
When I look over at Shane, I find him still seated in his chair with a huge grin on his face. I get back to my feet, throwing a hand out his way. “How are you this calm when I’m freaking out over here?” My voice breaks as the tears begin to fall.
“Come here, Angel,” he says softly as he opens his arms for me. I don’t hesitate as I walk up to him and sit my shaking body down on his lap.
His arms circle my waist as he kisses my temple. “I’m not freaking out because we’re having a baby, and there’s nothing I want more than to have a family with you.”
“But I don’t understand how this happened. We used protection every time. No?”
He wipes my tears away and pushes the strands that have fallen out of my bun behind my ears.
“Yes, we did… Well, I think so. Did you remember to put one on when you jumped me in the middle of the night after the wedding? Because if I’m being honest, I don’t remember taking one off after.
But then again, we did go right back to sleep, so maybe it just slipped off and ended up under the bed or something. ”
My eyes widen as the dots connect in my brain, and suddenly, it all makes sense how I got pregnant. “Oh my God… I… I didn’t. I didn’t put one on, Shane. I didn’t even think about it.” I press the heel of my palms into my eyes. “Jesus, how could I be so stupid!”
“Hey.” He grabs my wrists, taking my hands away from my face. “Don’t call yourself stupid. Accidents happen, Angel. I understand you’re worried right now, but everything will be okay. We’ll deal with your brother when the time comes.”
He kisses my forehead as I close my eyes and breathe him in.
I love his smell, sandalwood mixed in with something else I can’t quite figure out.
“I know you’re scared, Angel. But remember that this is our life, our story.
Nothing your brother can say or do will change that.
I believe everything happens for a reason, this baby included, and I can’t wait to see what else life has in store for us. ”
I nod my head. “You’re really okay with having a baby together so soon? We’ve only been dating for barely a month…”
He smiles and chuckles. “I’m more than happy about it.
And maybe it’s only been a month, but I feel like I’ve always been yours, Aubrey.
Ever since the moment I saw you. And if I had it my way, you’d already be moved in and changing your last name.
” My eyes widen at his comment and my cheeks flush. “One thing at a time, I know.”
I giggle, leaning my head on his shoulder. “Well, you did pretty much convince me to spend every night at your house already by lending me the Porsche.”
He laughs. “I did no such thing; I simply told you it was the safest one. The fact that the charging dock is at our home is simply an added bonus.” He kisses my forehead again. “So… when would you like to tell people? It’s your choice. If you want to wait, I’m okay with that,” he asks quietly.
“No, I think it’s time to do it. There’s no point on putting it off any longer…” I feel my anxiety rushing through me, but I focus on Shane and how safe I feel in his arms.
“Okay, and do you want to do it one at a time? I think starting with your brother might be the best thing.”
“Actually, my parents are coming down next week and will be staying until Emma gives birth. I think we should tell them all at once, and maybe having more people around might help settle Greyson’s reaction faster. I really don’t know how he’ll take this, but I can’t imagine it will be pretty.”
I bite my lip, not at all prepared to do this, but it’s not like I really have a choice.
“I could get everyone over for dinner and have you join us, like that we can tell them together.” I feel my face flush harder, the tips of my ears burning at the thought that maybe Shane doesn’t want to be present when I tell them.
“I mean, if you want to be there… If you don’t, it’s okay… I understand.”