Chapter 38
Jordan
My alarm goes off at seven but I’m quick to turn it off so I don’t disturb Victoria.
She’s dead to the world and I’m happy to let her sleep.
There’s no practice today since there’s maintenance going on at the facility so we have the day to ourselves.
The plan is to do some sightseeing since I have the time, but everyone wanted to sleep in and that’s fine with me.
I turn onto my side, taking in the beautiful woman sleeping beside me.
This is the first time we’ve ever actually spent a night together and I’m savoring the moment.
The sex was amazing but it’s so much more than that.
Her smile, the way she looks at me like I’m the only man on earth, it does things to me.
I’d like to think I’m a little more evolved than this, but it makes me want to beat my chest and shit.
I’m so lost in my thoughts I don’t realize that she’s shifting and then her eyes pop open.
“Ugh.” She rolls out of bed and practically runs to the bathroom.
A moment later I hear her heave.
Oh, shit.
I jump out of bed and go after her.
“Babe? You okay?”
“I don’t want you to see this,” she pants, leaning over the toilet.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I grab a washcloth from under the sink and wet it with cold water. Then I reach for one of her hair ties and gently pull her hair back from her face, doing my best to put it in a ponytail.
“Thanks.” She’s breathing hard, and I press the wet cloth to the back of her neck.
“It’s okay. Breathe.”
After a few minutes, she finally turns toward the sink.
“I have no idea what just happened. I had a sour stomach the last few days, but I thought it was stress and the breakup. But maybe I have the stomach flu.”
“Let’s find you an urgent care.”
She wrinkles her nose. “No. I don’t want to waste our day at the doctor.”
“If it’s the stomach flu, it could be contagious. You don’t want to be around Hana and the others.”
Hana is six months pregnant so getting her sick wouldn’t be ideal.
“What about you?” she asks worriedly.
“Well, I had my tongue in your mouth all night, so I’m pretty sure it’s too late for me.” I shrug. “It is what it is. Are you okay to clean up on your own or do you want me here?”
“I’m better. Thanks.”
I leave her in the bathroom and a thought occurs to me.
I’m not sure where it comes from, but I can’t help but wonder if she’s…
pregnant. I’ve been diligent about condoms but there was one time when it came off right at the end.
In the moment, I didn’t think it was a big deal because I’d already ejaculated into it and it was just the last thrust where I felt it move.
We’d laughed about it because I had to pull it out of her but I never thought…
Is this karma coming back around?
Giving us yet another do-over?
My heart is thrumming in my chest and I try to keep my breathing steady as she comes out of the bathroom, crawling back into bed. She moves into my arms, resting against my chest.
“I really hope I don’t get you sick,” she whispers.
If I’m right, it’s not contagious, but I don’t want to say anything. Not yet.
I didn’t realize how much losing our baby impacted me, because, if I’m honest, I’ll be thrilled if she’s pregnant. The timing is all wrong, I have no idea how she might feel about having a baby at this stage of her life and our relationship, but I’m ready. I can’t explain it, I just am.
“You okay?” She lifts her head as if she can tell I’m thinking about something.
“I’m…” I hesitate and then decide I shouldn’t keep things from her. If we’re going to make this work, honesty is of the utmost importance. “Is there any chance you’re…pregnant?”
Her eyes widen and she just stares at me.
“Wh-what?” she asks blankly. “I don’t think—did we break any condoms?”
“No, we didn’t break any but remember that time it came off right at the end? That’s the only thing I can think of. At the time, it wasn’t even on my radar because it was still on when I came, but I guess it’s possible there was leakage after the fact?”
“Jordan.” Her eyes are huge and round and filled with worry.
“It’s going to be okay,” I say quickly, putting one hand on the side of her face.
“I was planning to propose as soon as you graduated, but I’m ready whenever you are.
We’re already talking about looking for a house and even though I know the timing isn’t great, I don’t want you to worry.
If you are, I’ll be by your side every step of the way. ”
“We’re not ready for a baby!” she says, eyes filling with tears.
“It’s not ideal, but we can handle anything life throws at us, as long as we’re together. Do you believe that?”
She hesitates but then nods. “Yes.”
“Then let’s go to an urgent care and find out for sure since you’re not feeling great.”
“Okay.”
* * *
The closest urgent care isn’t particularly busy, so we get in right away. Victoria fills out a bunch of paperwork, gives them her insurance card, and then she gets called back. I bounce my leg as I wait, anxious to have an answer.
It’s probably just a stomach bug.
She hasn’t been sleeping and has been under a lot of stress. It would make sense that she’s under the weather.
But I can’t shake the feeling that it’s more.
That we’ve come full circle.
“Jordan?” Her voice snaps me out of my thoughts, and I practically jump to my feet.
“You okay?” I ask. “Are we ready to go?”
She shakes her head. “I need you to be with me when…we get the results.”
“Of course.” I take her hand and she leads me back to her room.
We sit on two incredibly hard, uncomfortable chairs and it feels like a hundred years before the doctor comes in. He’s smiling as he looks at us.
“Well, Ms. Denali, we’ve found the cause of your upset stomach.”
We both sit up a little straighter, and she squeezes my hand harder than I’ve ever felt it.
“Is it a stomach flu?” she asks in a tiny voice.
“No.” He shakes his head. “Based on the information you provided, I’d say you’re about six weeks pregnant.”
Her hand flies to her mouth and she turns wide, frightened eyes to me.
“It’s okay,” I whisper, wrapping an arm around her. “Everything is going to be fine.”
“I understand you’re here on vacation,” he continues, “so I suggest seeing your doctor once you get home. Overall, you’re in perfect health and a little morning sickness is normal. You might try keeping some crackers on your nightstand—that sometimes keeps it at bay. Otherwise, congratulations.”
He’s gone before we can say anything else and Victoria just stares at me.
“How did this happen? I mean, I know what you said, but…”
“Are you upset?” I ask carefully.
She frowns. “Are you?”
“No. Not even a little. To me, this is our love coming full circle. We were always meant to have babies young. I don’t know why I think that, but I do.”
“So…you’re happy?”
“Please don’t be mad, but I am. So fucking happy.” I grab her hands with mine. “But you have to be happy too. If you’re not—”
“No. Don’t say what I think you’re going to say. We both know that’s not an option. There’s no universe where I don’t have our baby.”
“Let’s get married,” I say quietly. “As soon as we get home. There’s no waiting period in Florida. In fact, let’s go ring shopping today.”
She looks a little unsure. “But…I don’t want us to do that just because I accidentally got knocked up. Again.”
“Call Jude. Right now. Ask him how many times I’ve mentioned buying a ring.” I hold out my phone. “For real—he talked me out of it, said not to rush you. But I’ve been chomping at the bit to propose.”
To my surprise, tears puddle in her eyes and spill over, splashing on her cheeks.
“Oh, baby, don’t cry. If you don’t want to get engaged or married, we can wait. You probably want a big wedding, right? And that’s fine. Next year, after you’ve—”
“Stop.” She puts two fingers on my lips. “Please. Stop. Give me a minute to catch my breath.”
“I’m sorry.” I hug her to my side.
“Can we…” She swipes at her eyes. “Can we just meet up with the others and go sightseeing? Have a normal day and give me time to wrap my head around everything?”
“Anything you want. I’m sorry if I’m being pushy. I’m…excited. I love you and I want to marry you, like, yesterday.”
“Really?” For the first time, she smiles. “And I want to marry you too. But first, I need to breathe. Let it all sink in. We can go ring shopping if you want, but later. Right now, I want to enjoy New York and have a little time to think. Is that all right?”
“Yes. But we’re going to be late if we don’t get going.”
“I’m ready.” She stands up and grabs her purse. “Come on. Let’s go have a wonderful day and we can talk tonight.”
“Romantic dinner?”
“Absolutely. I love you, Jordan.”
“I love you too.”