Chapter 22
LEAH
My eyes flutter open as I stretch underneath the warmth of the blanket.
I roll over to look at Aaden, but he isn’t in bed.
I look at the clock, ten twenty-three. Geez, I slept in again.
I climb out of bed, pull on my sweats, and head downstairs.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Aaden smiles as I walk into the kitchen and pour myself a cup of coffee.
He’s wearing gray sweatpants and a black t-shirt, looking every bit the sex god he is.
“Good morning.” Gidget whines and paws at my legs, and I bend down to pick her up, kissing her soft little head.
“What are your plans for the day?” Aaden asks.
“I’m heading over to Madison’s to exchange gifts. I’ll be back before lunch, and then,” I lift up onto my tiptoes and kiss his lips, “I’m all yours.”
He groans as he wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me against him. I’m sore from our sex-athon last night, but my body doesn’t care. It instantly comes alive, craving more. Clearing his throat, Aaden pulls away.
“Save it for later, baby. If we start something now, you’re not going to make it to Madison’s.”
After a nice hot shower, I throw on a pair of jeans and a sweater.
I grab my coat and purse and kiss Aaden as I head out the door.
Thirty minutes later, I’m sitting on Madison’s couch, trying to figure out how I’m going to tell her my crazy news.
My purse is sitting on the floor next to me.
I keep thinking about that little stick hidden at the bottom of it.
That little stick that’s holding my big secret.
A secret that I have to tell someone, or I’ll go crazy.
I need someone to talk to, someone who can give me advice and hopefully be my support system. Someone like my best friend.
“I love it!” Madison squeals as she pulls her Christmas gift from the box.
“It’s the one you were looking at when we went clothes shopping for work,” I remind her. She pulls the light blue Coach wristlet from the box and loops the strap around her wrist.
“I have such good taste.” She giggles. “Thank you.” She motions excitedly to the present in my lap. “Now, your turn.”
I unwrap it and grin as I read the store name on the box. Coach. With a grin, I open it. “My sunglasses!” I laugh as I slide them on.
“Great minds think alike.” Madison chuckles.
“Thank you,” I say as I remove the sunglasses and place them back inside the box.
My eyes land on my purse, and my heart starts to pound as I work up the courage to tell her my news.
I know she won’t judge, but still, it’s not an easy thing to tell someone.
Not when it’s something that wasn’t planned and has the power to make my world implode.
I’d never want to disappoint her or put her in an awkward position.
With her dating Noah and working for Aaden, I fear that’s exactly what I’ll be doing.
But I have to tell someone. I need someone to talk to.
I need my best friend. I clear my throat as I stare at my hands in my lap. “I have something to tell you.”
I grab my purse and dig down to the bottom.
My fingers close around the box with the little stick inside.
My eyes meet hers as I pull it out and hand it over.
Her gaze widens as she takes the box from me, realizing what it is.
Her head snaps up, and her mouth drops open.
“Oh my God,” she gasps. “You’re pregnant?
” I bite my lip as I nod my head. Tears well up in my eyes, my mouth going completely dry.
“What did Aaden say?” she asks in shock.
“I…I haven’t told him,” I manage to squeak.
“Holy shit, what are you going to do?” she asks as she takes my hand in hers and squeezes it.
“I don’t know,” I say as tears roll down my cheeks.
“I love Aaden, and I know he loves me, but we aren’t ready for this.
We haven’t been dating that long.” A strangled sob comes from my lips as I drop my face into my hands.
Madison scoots closer, wraps her arms around my shoulders, and pulls me into a hug.
I clamp my hands around her back and rest my chin on her shoulder.
“I don’t want to lose him, Madison. I can’t.
I can’t lose him and my mother. I can’t. ”
“Hey,” she says, pulling me away and wiping my cheeks with her thumbs. “Aaden loves you, and he mentioned wanting kids with you one day, right?”
“Yes, one day.” I sniff. “Not now. What if he thinks I’m trying to trap him?”
Madison frowns. “He wouldn’t think that.”
I wipe my cheek as I reach for a tissue. “You don’t know that. I’m sure he’s had women try to do that in the past. He’s wealthy. It’s probably happened a lot.”
She stares at me, her brows drawn together in concern. “Maybe. Have you told your mom?”
I pick up my glass of water, my hand shaking as I stare at it. “No, just you. I found out yesterday.”
“Merry fucking Christmas,” she mutters.
“I still need to call my doctor, too.”
“Call them now, and don’t say anything to Aaden until after you talk to the doctor. You want to be completely sure before you—”
“Blow everything up?” I finish for her.
She frowns. “Before you tell him he’s going to be a father.”
I groan. “It’s the day after Christmas. I don’t know if they’re even open.”
“So, call and find out.” Madison orders as she hands me my phone. I take it and scroll to my gynecologist, Dr. Swafford’s, contact and press call. On the second ring, a friendly voice answers. I shoot a wide-eyed look at Madison.
“Yes, umm, this is Leah Ward, and I need to set up an appointment. I received a… positive result on a pregnancy test.” My voice is shaky and a little panicked.
I grip the phone as I listen to the peppy voice on the other end.
“Tomorrow?” I gasp as I stare at Madison.
She nods her head as she squeezes my hand tighter.
“Yes, that will be fine. 11:30? Okay, thank you.” I hang up and stare at my phone.
“I can’t believe they can see me so soon. ”
“Are you alright?” She asks softly.
I take a deep breath. “Yeah, I just… It will be really…real once the doctor confirms it.”
Madison smiles sympathetically. “It will be okay, and I’ll be there with you.”
“Thanks,” I mumble as I wipe my nose again. “Crap, I gotta go. I have to be back by one o’clock.”
We both stand and walk to the door, where she hugs me again. I feel numb like I’m watching all of this take place from outside of my own body.
“I’m here for you, Leah, no matter what. I love you,” she says as she pulls me into another firm hug. I smile as I hug my best friend, my support system.
“I love you, too.”
***
I wake up to another round of nausea and barely make it to the toilet again.
Aaden has already left the room along with the dogs, thank God.
After a few unpleasant rounds with the porcelain throne, I splash some cold water on my face and drag myself back to bed.
I lie there trying to settle my stomach and think about my doctor’s appointment later this morning and lay my hand on my stomach, gently moving my thumb across it, caressing the tiny life inside of me. My little apple seed.
Once I’m feeling better, I climb out of bed and head downstairs. Aaden is already dressed in a suit and tie and is looking over a few papers as he talks on the phone. He winks at me as I reach the bottom of the stairs. I smile and head into the kitchen for a cup of coffee.
“Let’s just finish this when I get there,” he says to whomever it is he’s talking to. “See you in a few.” He hangs up and follows me into the kitchen. “I have to head into the office for a bit,” he says as he presses a kiss to my cheek.
“Something wrong?” I ask, taking a sip of my coffee.
“Just problems with an account that can’t wait until tomorrow,” he says as he takes my cup from me. He places it on the counter and slips his hands around my waist. I wrap my arms around him as he kisses me. “Yesterday was kind of mind-blowing,” he says with a devilish grin.
“Every night with you is mind-blowing,” I tease. I snake my tongue out and lick his sexy lips.
He smiles devilishly. “I better get out of here before you make me bend you over the table.” He kisses me again, slaps me on my ass, and heads to the garage.
“I’ll be back in a few hours, and then we can pick up where we’re leaving off.
” With a wink, he leaves me standing in the kitchen, smiling and fantasizing about what’s to come.
I have no idea what’s come over me, but I can’t seem to get enough of him.
Maybe it’s because I’m terrified that what we have is about to be ruined.
***
“Stop it,” Madison says quietly. “You’re making me nervous.”
“I can’t help it,” I say as I squeeze my hands together so tightly, they’re turning bright white. The waiting room is a lot fuller than I thought it would be, considering it’s only two days after Christmas. My knee is bouncing uncontrollably, and I’m sitting on the edge of my seat.
“Ms. Ward,” the nurse calls as she opens the door that leads to the exam rooms. I take a deep breath and stand.
Madison follows me as we head back. A few minutes later, I’m sitting on the exam table waiting for the doctor to come in.
I was asked to pee in a cup, and the nurse drew my blood to conduct a more thorough test. Madison is seated in a chair in the corner of the room, and neither of us has spoken a single word in the last five minutes.
I practically jump from the table when a gentle knock comes from the door, and Dr. Swafford walks in.
“Hello, Leah,” he smiles. “How are you today?”
I force a smile, even though I feel like I’m about to puke. “Good, sir.”
He introduces himself to Madison, then leans against the counter and starts flipping through my file. “So, your last period was between six or seven weeks ago, correct?”
“Yes,” I say nervously. “It was about two weeks before Thanksgiving.”