Heart pounding, she made her way to the hotel, both relieved and disappointed that Eric wasn’t there. She locked herself in the bathroom, broke open the first test, read the instructions, peed on the stick, and huddled on the edge of the bath tub, staring at the small square, waiting for her life to change.
The two pink lines lodged her breath in her throat. She shook the stick, hoping it would change, wanting it to stay. Both lines stuck, mocking her attempt to change the truth. Not satisfied, she took the second, then the third.
And found herself, huddled on the floor, staring at the line of test sticks, each one happily informing her that yes, she was pregnant! Congratulations!
She lowered her head to her knees, tears stinging her eyes. And heard the door to the room close, announcing Eric’s presence.
“Annie?” Footsteps approached the bathroom. “Are you okay, sweetheart? I brought some soup—the hotel owner’s wife heard you were sick, and brought it over herself. Annie?” The door latch jiggled. She pulled herself up, sat on the tub. “Unlock the door, Annie, you’re making me nervous.” Using the wall, she stood, still lightheaded, but no longer nauseous, and flicked the door lock. She was sitting on the tub again by the time Eric opened the door. “What are you . . .”
His voice faded as he looked at the floor. She watched his gaze move from the pile of torn boxes, to the neat line of test sticks, and finally, to her.
“The answer is yes.” She stood, panic roaring back through the shock. “You got me pregnant.”
He looked at her, then down at her still flat stomach. “Pregnant.”
“Yes, pregnant—expecting, with child, baby on board. Oh, God.” She lowered herself to the edge of the tub, covered her face. “I’m pregnant, Eric.”
He touched her wrist, his voice quiet, raw. “You’re sure?”
“Last I checked, the damn tests rarely make a mistake—especially three times in a row.”
“We’re going to have a baby.” She peeked through her hands, terrified of what she would see. The smile that lit up his face shook her. He cradled her face, kissed her, so tender, so gentle, tears stung her eyes. “I love you, blondie.”
“Good thing, because now you’re stuck with me.”
“Both of you.” He laid his hand on her stomach. “God, Annie—I thought you were dying. You scared the hell out of me these last few days.” He kissed her again, then knelt in front of her, touching her stomach. “Hey, there. I’m your daddy.” She smiled down at him, tears filling her eyes. “Welcome to the world, little one.” He kissed her stomach. She slid her hands into his hair, hoping their child would inherit the thick, sandy waves instead of her wild curls. She wouldn’t wish those on her worst enemy. His hands moved up, caught her hips, eased her down until she sat in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her, and buried his face in her hair. “Thank you, sweetheart.”
“You’re not mad.”
Leaning back, he met her eyes. “Why would I be mad? I love you, Annie, and we wanted children—”
“Yeah. Someday. Not today.”
He smiled. “I don’t think it’s going to happen today.”
“Smartass.” She laid her head on his shoulder, gingerly touching her stomach. “I don’t know if I’m ready—or if I’m even cut out to be a mother. I had the greatest mom in the world, but I never had her patience, her kindness, her ability to cut through the bullshit I threw at her—”
“Annie.” Laughter edged his voice. “You just described yourself.”
“Are you kidding me? I have so little patience I can hardly stand myself sometimes—”
He laid one finger on her lips. “I’ve watched you maneuver Mildred at the store, without so much as losing your smile. She would test the patience of a saint. And you’re beautiful to watch with Zach. He adores you—and our kids will adore you, as much as I do.”
“Damn.” She slid her hands up his chest, one finger tracing the design on his sweater. “I wanted to be mad at you. My so-sexy-it-was-going-to-make-your-jaw-drop gown isn’t going to fit. Not that I can wear it, since it’s at the bridal shop, waiting to be fitted, and I decided to have an impromptu wedding in a foreign country.”
“I don’t care what you’re wearing—though I’d like to see that dress,” he winked at her, “before it doesn’t fit.”
“I was wrong.” She pushed at his chest, trying not to smile. “You’re just an ass.”
Laughing, he gathered her up, nuzzled her neck. “How about a nap, mama-to-be?”