The Next Morning
Eve
Two lines.
There are two red lines on the plastic stick on the counter, and as I stare at it, I realize that life as we know it is over.
“Love.” Adam’s voice echoes and ripples through my skull, like my head is underwater and he’s trying to pull me out. “Talk to me.”
I can’t.
“Look at me, please.” It’s the desperation in him that finally makes me snap my head up.
He’s so beautiful. I don’t often tell him that. He’s bright like the sun, except for his golden tan from working outside all day. His hair is still that bright platinum blonde, but it’s long now, the strands meeting his eyebrows, framing his face.
They almost reach his pale blue eyes.
Our baby will probably have blue eyes, the thought comes to me like a flash of lightning.
Will it have his nose? His smile?
“I’m scared,” I let out and the words feel like such a betrayal to the life developing inside me.
“I am, too.” His hands on my shoulders, my neck, my face. The touch of his skin on mine slowly pulls me out from under the water. “We’ll get through this. Just like we always do.”
“What are we going to do?” My voice is barely a whisper. “Do we…?”
“I don’t know. We need to talk about it. To decide—” He cuts himself off. “But not now, okay? You’re still in shock. There will be time to decide later.”
I can’t talk much, let alone think, so I just nod.
“We’ll get through this,” he repeats and gathers me in his arms, his cheek resting at the top of my head.
“You’re so smart, love. You know so much.
And you’re the strongest person I’ve ever known.
” His murmurs are soothing, even if only a little, and I close my eyes and soak them in.
“If you want to do it, we’ll do it. If not, we won’t. ”
“Okay,” I mumble against his chest.
“I’ve got you.” He tightens his hold until all I can feel is him. “We’re good. As long as we’re together, we’re good.”