Total pages in book: 13
Estimated words: 11589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 58(@200wpm)___ 46(@250wpm)___ 39(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 11589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 58(@200wpm)___ 46(@250wpm)___ 39(@300wpm)
I will never, ever get enough of this. Of him.
My last thought on this Earth will be of him and how much I love him.
Five Months Later
December 2023
I groan as soon as I open my eyes. It’s Saturday, the one day I sleep in and instantly know why I’m up already. For the third time this week, I’ve woken up nauseous. I barely make it to the bathroom before throwing up. I knew this was coming. I haven’t gotten my period since just before Matt and I started sleeping together. I noticed the signs but chose to ignore them. A baby with him changes nothing. We did nothing to prevent it. After a quick shower, I called Sierra and asked her to pick me up from campus. She readily agreed and lives nearby, so I walked down to the gate and waited for her. Less than ten minutes later, she picks me up in her new Mommy mobile. She’s six months pregnant now and can’t stand anything but Mexican food, which is great for me.
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out as soon as I open the passenger door and lean my head in. “at least, I think I am.”
“Get in, bitch, and tell me who the baby daddy is,” she says excitedly. I feel terrible that I haven’t told her about Matt and me yet, but I couldn’t. We agreed to keep it between us until it could be shouted from the rooftops.
I get in the car and buckle my seatbelt before she takes off.
“You can’t tell anyone,” I begin.
“It better be Mr. Gilman.”
“Of course it is,”
“Oh, my God. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”
“We didn’t tell anyone. Look what happened to Chris.”
“I know you’re right, but I would never have told anyone, Tiza Marie Montgomery.”
“I know you wouldn’t have,” I say as we pull into the pharmacy parking lot.
“Let’s go get a pee stick, and then you better tell me everything,” she says, opening her car door.
“There’s really not much to tell,” I begin.
“You’re a terrible liar, Tiza.”
“Alright,” I say, grinning. I’ve wanted to tell her since all this began. We go inside, and I buy three different tests. Sierra says it’s cliche, but you really do want more than one answer. While we drive to her house, I chug a bottle of water and tell her everything.
“You are in love,” she says simply as we pull into her driveway.
“Well, come on. Let’s do this. I’m dying to know if we’re going to be pregnant at the same time.”
I get out of the car and follow her inside. She leads me to her guest bathroom, and I go inside. I set the bag on the counter and take a deep breath. I pull the first box from the bag and open it. I carefully read the instructions and do what the pamphlet said to do.
After putting the hot pink cap over it, I set it on the counter. I do the same thing for the other two. After three minutes or so, all three tests reveal that I’m pregnant. I put my hand over my belly and stare at myself in the mirror. This is happening. I knew I’d be a young mother, but the situation is infinitely better than it would have been at home. I say a quick prayer of thanks and pull the bathroom door open. Sierra is pacing in the hallway.
“Well?”
“I’m pregnant,” I tell her, grinning. I’m so happy right now. I can’t wait to tell Matt.
“I knew it,” she says, pulling me into a huge hug. “What is Matt doing today?”
“Watching hockey, probably. At his place.”
“Okay. Go to him. Tell him now. Guys love it when you tell them they’ve knocked you up,” she says, blushing. I laugh. “Here, take the keys to my SUV.” I had taken driver's ed last year and got my license, but I don’t get to drive much.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Bring it back whenever, or just use it until, graduation. I’m driving the mini-van since I don’t fit behind the wheel right now.”
“Oh my goodness, thank you so much,” I squeal.
“Go. Tell him. You’re going to love it.” I nod and turn back into the bathroom. I put the tests back into the bag and follow Sierra to the front door. She hands me the keys to her car and gives me another hug.
“Thank you again. You really are my best friend.” I don’t have to tell her she’s my only friend.
“You’re welcome. Now, get a weekend furlough pass. Tell admin you’ll be staying with me on the weekends. You won’t be, of course, but you can be with Matt more this way, and admin won’t know about it.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. It’s easy. They don’t check and see if you’re where you say you are going to be. Just do it.”
“Okay. I will. Thank you,” I say, jingling the keys at her.