Something Forever(17)

Once inside, Anne became casual and talkative. “What brings you here today, Jenna? Just the annual pap smear?”

I didn’t know why, but I was embarrassed to tell her. It was the fact that I wasn’t married. It was the fact that I was a straightforward type of girl. I had everything planned: the age I would get married, when I would have kids...preferably after marriage. However, this...this was never in my plan.

Unable to look her in the eyes, I said, “I took a pregnancy test. It was positive. I’m here to double check and see what I need to do.” I purposely made sure to flash my engagement ring.

Anne smiled at me. She was genuinely happy for me. “Congratulations. I see that you’re engaged.”

That was not the response I had expected. I should be happy, too, just like her. I was supposed to glow, like how I read in an article. It said that pregnant women glowed, but I was sick...utterly wanting to throw up sick. There was nothing pleasant about this.

“Dr. Howard will be here shortly.” After she jotted down stuff on my file, she closed the door behind her.

When the door opened, I snapped out of my thoughts. “Hello, Dr. Howard.” He looked tired today.

“Hello, Jenna.” He got right to the point. “Why don’t we take a test, just to make sure? Home pregnancy tests are pretty accurate, but we like to confirm.” He handed me a cup. “Urinate up to the line. Lift up the metal door, then stick this cup inside it.”

“Thanks,” I said, and did as instructed.

After about ten minutes, Dr. Howard came back. “Jenna, good news. The test came out positive. Congratulations.”

Dr. Howard and Anne were happy for me—and part of me was, too—but a part of me wished this was a dream.

“How are you feeling?” Max asked, breaking me out of my thoughts. He didn’t let me finish as he continued to stand at a distance. I could tell his mind was still reeling. I knew this from the way his eyes were flickering, searching for words. “You’re weren’t feeling well before you left to Vegas because...I understand now. You should have told me, Jenna.” I didn’t like his scolding tone at all. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me until now.”

“How could I when I needed to come to grips with this news, and I didn’t know how you would feel?”

“How long did you know?”

“Little more than a week.”

“More than a week?” Max gripped his hair in frustration, then took my hands into his. “You should’ve told me right away. We are responsible adults. We created this child together. I have to be honest with you, I want to have lots of babies with you, but not right now.”

Suddenly, my blood pressure shot up and my heart thumped erratically. “What do you mean? You...you don’t want our baby?”

“No, Jenna. That is not what I meant. You know what my plans were.” He paused, running his hand down his face. “I just need some time to adjust. This is a big, life-changing factor. I think...I think we should also get married as soon as possible, but only if you want to.”

“I don’t want you to feel like you have to marry me right away because of this child.”

Max caressed my cheek. “Babe, look at me.” When I did, he continued, “I’m the one who wanted to get married as soon as possible, remember? Everything will be fine. We are going to have many bumps along the road, but we’ll ride them together. I’m just glad you’re fine. For a minute there, I thought you had...cancer. At least we know now you can get pregnant.”

Max took it better than I had imagined. Initially, I thought he was going to lose it and stay that way. However, I couldn’t help wonder if he was hiding how he truly felt. For my sake, I knew he would try. I only wished he had been more thrilled about this news. It would have made it more acceptable for me.

Max knew how worried I was about not being able to get pregnant because of what my mom went through. He was right, though. At least we knew now that I could. I just wished Max was really happy for us. Turning away from him, I couldn’t help the tears as I snuggled against my pillow. It was the first time I’d slept with my back toward him.





Chapter 7

Becky



There was a soft knock at the front door about an hour after Jenna left, which was faster than I’d expected. I knew who it was and I couldn’t wait to see him. I had texted Matthew to let him know that Jenna was going to Max’s place. After looking through the peephole to confirm it was him, I twisted the door handle. Before I even had a chance to open it all the way, Matthew shoved the door open and almost knocked me down in the process.