Chapter Fifty-Nine
Waking up, I stretch and sit up. When I see it's past noon, my eyes widen.
I've been sleeping in a lot lately but not till noon.
I don't sense Axe in the house so I mind link and he tells me he's out with Dash.
After spending the next five minutes scoping out the fridge and pantry, I let out a frustrated sigh.
I can't find anything I want to eat. I've got to go grocery shopping.
Driving into town, I park the car and go in the shop.
I lean against the trolley as I dawdle down the aisles to get the things I need.
After reaching the fifth aisle, I realise there are only a few items in the trolley.
Usually it's half full by the fifth aisle.
When my eyes zero in on the women's products, a theory as to why I can't find any food I want goes through my head.
I take a deep breath and reach out to grab a pregnancy test. Looking at the box, I bite my lip hard in agitation.
I know there is a possibility that I could be pregnant, based on Axe's and my sex life. But I don't know if I want to find out.
I put it in the trolley, pay for my stuff and go straight home knowing I can't put this off. I have to take this test and see what my future holds. Axe still isn't here so that makes me relax. I have privacy to react to this however I want.
The three minutes after I take the test are the most anxiety-filled minutes I've ever felt.
I sit on the toilet bouncing my leg as a nervous gesture.
When I look at the test, two lines appear, making me lose my breath.
I'm pregnant. I know having kids is something I expected to do one day but I'm only eighteen.
Axe does want kids one day. I'm just not sure if either of us is ready now.
I grab my phone to call Carson but then pause.
I can't tell anyone other than Axe first. I debate whether I should tell him today or give myself a couple days to wrap my head around it.
***
I decided to leave myself a couple days to keep this pregnancy to myself.
Dash ran to the border a few nights ago for me and told Lizzy I wasn't feeling well, that's why I wasn't coming to see her.
I told Axe I don't feel well either just to give myself some alone time. I'm telling Axe today, though.
When Axe comes to bed, I sit up and tell him we need to talk. He sits in front of me on the bed.
“Are you feeling better?” he asks softly.
“Actually, I wasn't really unwell. Axe, I... I'm pregnant,” I tell him.
His eyes go wide, his lips part, and his posture slouches. I reach for his hand and feel relief when he curls his fingers around mine.
“That explains it.” He lets out a breath of relief.
“What do you mean?” I frown.
“I could sense something different about you. I didn't know what but I could feel something off about you and your wolf. I'm glad it's nothing bad.”
“We're having a baby,” I murmur.
“Are you scared?” His eyes soften.
“Are you?” I throw his question back at him.
“Elora, I'm thirty. I admit it's scary but after meeting you, I know I can do this, especially with you by my side.” Axe takes both my hands in his.
“I am scared,” I confess. “I'm young and a baby is a lot...”
“We will be okay,” he assures me.
I lean my head in the crook of his neck and let out a sigh. He wraps his arms around my back and pulls me into a sitting position on his lap.
“I want you to promise no matter how crazy life gets with a baby, we will always keep time for just each other.”
“Of course, Elora.” Axe kisses the side of my head.
“And promise me we will raise our baby to know the most important thing is love,” I add, wanting him to know the things I've been thinking about the last couple days.
“You will teach it love and strength. I will teach it respect and honour. Our baby will be perfect.” Axe lays us down, keeping me in his arms. We have a nice night, with a light conversation about our baby. I smile as I drift off to sleep, happy with our approach to this.
***
It's been two days since I told Axe that I'm pregnant.
We have spent the time in bed. Axe hasn't wanted to let me out of his arms. He's being so attentive, it's mind boggling.
He will try and get me food to eat, being incredibly patient when I can't decide what I feel like.
I have a feeling this pregnancy will be a great experience, especially with Axe.
“We should really get up. We can't stay in bed the whole pregnancy,” I say.
“Do you want to tell anyone yet?” Axe asks.
“We can tell Dash and maybe we can visit Carson this month and tell her,” I suggest.
“Yeah, I'll arrange a visit with Carson. How do you feel about telling my parents?” Axe asks, tracing circles on my hand with his thumb.
“Not thrilled,” I mutter.
“How about I tell them? You don't have to be there. I don't want my father to stress you out while you're pregnant like he did to Carson when she told him about her having a baby.”
“Thank you.” I kiss him.
“Okay, I'm going to my office to plan the visit with Carson. Then I'll go to dinner tonight with my parents and let them know. I can invite Dash here for the day if you want company.”
“Axe, Dash is just next door. I'll be fine to walk there or be alone here,” I point out.
“I guess I have to control my protectiveness these next nine months, huh?” Axe smiles.
“I love how you protect me, but I can be alone sometimes,” I say.
Axe does spend a lot of the day in his office so I go to Dash's. After knocking and hearing a 'come in', I'm surprised to see some luggage in the doorway of the living room.
“Hi,” I say to Dash and Ryleigh, who are sitting on the couch.
“Hey Elora.”
“What's with the bags?” I ask.
“Instead of jumping into this moving in thing head first, we decided to do a trial period,” Ryleigh says.
“That's great.” I sit down on the other couch.
“Where's Axe?” Dash asks.
“In his office.”
“About time he does some work. You and Axe are always in bed,” Dash teases.
“It's not what you think.” I chuckle. “Besides, he's not doing work. He's planning a trip for us to see Carson.”
“Oh right. Has she had the baby?” Dash asks.
“It'll be any day now.”
“It's a shame she lives there. It'd be fun to have a baby around,” Dash comments.
“Don't even think about it,” Ryleigh warns strictly and Dash laughs loudly.
“I didn't mean you.” Dash kisses her cheek.
“Well, Dash, I guess you're in for a lot of fun then,” I say.
“What do you mean?” He turns to me with his brows creased.
I smile and look down. I probably should have waited for Axe to be here to tell Dash together but I don't think he'll mind.
“No way!” Dash exclaims, standing up in a hurry. “You're pregnant.” I nod and he lunges and wraps me in a tight hug, making me laugh. “This is crazy.”
“Dash, quit crushing her,” Ryleigh says.
“Oh shit, right.” He lets me go and smiles at me. “Congratulations. Do you mind if I leave you with Ryleigh so I can go see Axe?”
“Go ahead.” I chuckle.
Dash leaves while Ryleigh pats the spot next to her and we dive into detail about the pregnancy and her moving in with Dash.