Chapter 14 Oh Baby #2
“Are you trying to figure out how to tell me to slow down on the ice cream? Don’t worry.
I’m well aware I’ve gained some weight. Eating must be a coping mechanism because I can’t seem to stop.
I was hoping after a few more counseling sessions I’d be in a better place, but with yesterday’s news, I’m not sure about that.
So don’t be surprised if I’m twenty pounds heavier by July. ”
She’s still silent, studying me.
“Lily! Just spit it out.”
“Could you be pregnant?”
What? The? Fuck?
My body jerks back. “NO! I’m on the pill and have been forever. Geez, am I really that overweight?” I look down at my body. “Okay, so I need to cut back.”
“Cici, I’m serious.” She puts her wine down, raising an arm with a closed fist in front of her so she can lift one finger with each of her statements.
“You’ve been an emotional wreck.” The first finger goes up.
“You’re eating things you never used to.
” The second. “Eating more frequently.” Third.
“You have gained weight.” Fourth. She shakes her head before continuing, “And no, it’s not over the top, so don’t go there.
Lastly, you’ve been complaining about being tired lately. ” Her fifth and final finger goes up.
“That’s only because I’ve been sleeping so terribly and crying so much. It’s amazing how much that takes out of you.”
Both her hands flail up in exasperation. “Exactly! All signs of pregnancy.”
“Or… they’re signs of depression, which I’m working on,” I insist.
She ignores me. “Have you been with anyone since Eli? Would it be his?”
“It doesn’t matter because I’m not pregnant.”
She looks at me pointedly and crosses her arms indignantly. “Answer the question.”
I sit back and cross my arms in a huff. “No, I haven’t been with anybody else. How could I when there’s barely a moment he’s not on my mind?”
“So you could be carrying Eli’s baby?”
“I’m. NOT. Pregnant.”
“Then prove it by taking a test. I’ll call to have one delivered right now.”
“Seriously? No. I don’t need to. You’re being crazy.” I grab my empty glass and march to the kitchen with Lily tight on my heels.
I lift the bottle of wine and freeze, staring down at the empty glass. If I was pregnant, I shouldn’t be drinking, right?
“Cici?” Lily stands on the other side of the island, watching me.
I look up. “Order the test.”
Thirty minutes later, I’m pacing in her massive bathroom while Lily stares down, waiting for lines to appear.
“They said it takes three minutes, and it’s been less than one,” I say as she stares down.
“Then if they’re already showing results, that means they must be accurate, right?”
“What?” I run over to look and immediately grab the counter for support—three blatantly positive tests lie before me. My hand instinctively goes to my stomach.
“Oh my God,” I whisper. “Oh my God. No. This can’t be real.
I’m on the pill. I can’t be pregnant… they have to be wrong.
” I turn to the side and lift my shirt, looking in the mirror.
My hand rubs the recently acquired pooch on my stomach that I assumed was from overeating and late-night ice cream binges.
Now that I’m touching it, I notice that it’s not squishy like fat would be but firm.
Am I pregnant? Do I have a baby growing inside of me?
My face crumples, and I crash to my knees. Lily instantly sinks down and gathers me in her arms, rocking me back and forth while I cry.
“Shhh. It’ll be okay.” She continues murmuring soothing words while I let it sink in when something she says gives me pause. “Eli will take care of you.”
I jerk away, frantic. “No! We can’t tell him.”
“What? Why? You have to. It’s his baby too.”
“Lily, please. I’m not ready. He’s moved on finally, and I already fucked him over once. I can’t do it again.”
“He won’t think of it like that. It’s his responsibility just as much as yours. He needs to know, Cici.”
“Not yet. I’m not even sure how this happened.
I’m seriously on the pill. I don’t understand.
I need to see a doctor.” I look up with pleading eyes.
“Will you go with me tomorrow? I don’t fly out until late.
Maybe my regular doctor will schedule me on short notice since it’s sort of an emergency, right? ”
“I’m definitely going with you. And if yours isn’t available, I’ll call mine. Sebastian helped me find a new one, and with our last name, she’ll take you right away.” I nod, too numb to speak. “Stay here tonight, and we’ll call first thing in the morning? I’ll take the day off.”
Stay here. Day off. Sebastian. Doctor.
“Lily, you can’t tell Sebastian! He’ll tell Eli.”
“I can’t lie to my husband.”
“I’m not asking you to lie. I’m simply asking you not to tell him. This is my pregnancy, so it’s up to me who knows, and I don’t want Eli to find out yet. Please, Lily, you have to keep this a secret.”
“You’re going to have to tell him eventually. And what about my driver and security? They tell Sebastian everywhere I go.”
“Then I’ll have to go alone. It’s fine. I’d rather that than either of them finding out. Please, Lily?”
“Ugh, fine—for now.”
“For now.”
The next day, Lily’s doctor sweeps into the room while looking at the file in her hands. My doctor couldn’t fit me in, so Lily called in a favor to hers. Being a Dubree certainly has its perks.
Holy shit, my child will be a Dubree.
“Blood work confirms you’re pregnant, and based on your hormone levels and the information you provided, you’re due September 23. Everything looks great. Labs were normal and right in line for thirteen weeks.”
I nod silently. Thirteen weeks. Over three months pregnant. The safe zone. I’m having a baby.
Looking down and shaking my head, I mutter quietly, “I don’t understand how this happened.” Looking up in embarrassment, I smile. “I mean, obviously I do. It’s just that I’m still hung up on the fact that I was on the pill.”
“You mentioned that, and while there is a small percentage of failure with any form of birth control, I took the liberty of viewing your medical records, and they show you were prescribed an antibiotic in late December. Do you remember that?”
“Yes.”
“Did your doctor explain that those particular antibiotics can interfere with the effectiveness of birth control and tell you to use additional protection until a week after finishing the dose?”
“No.”
“If you engaged in unprotected intercourse during any of those three weeks, I would say that’s your answer.”