“How long do we have to wait?” I ask, sitting down on the end of my bed with the stick in my hand.
“It says to wait for one to three minutes.”
“Specific,” I mutter, already feeling like it’s been a year.
“It’s been two,” Bailey says, looking at her watch. “You wanna look now, or—”
“Wait until three. We’ll know for sure then.”
“For someone who didn’t want to know a few minutes ago, you suddenly seem a little keen.”
“I’m not keen, B. I just need to know now that this has happened,” I say, waving the pee stick around.
Silence falls around us, and I can almost imagine the ticking of the clock as it counts down.
“Okay. Three minutes. You can look now.”
“I don’t think I can,” I admit, my hand beginning to tremble.
“Shall I…?” She steps forward and holds her hand out. But as much as turning the stick over might terrify me, handing it over and allowing her to see it first is worse.
“No.”
My stomach turns. My hands shake and my mouth goes dry.
I drag in a long, slow breath and close my eyes.
When I pull them open again, I’ve spun the stick and the result is staring right back at me.
Fuck.
The trembling of my hands gets more violent as the room starts spinning.
“Well?” Bailey asks, getting impatient now that I know and she doesn’t.
“F-four weeks.”
“You’re pregnant?”
I swallow, trying to force the lump down that’s blocking my airway. “It would seem so.”
Closing the space between us, she drops down beside me.
My eyes are still locked on the confirmation as she wraps her arm around my shoulder and pulls me into her body.
“H, are you okay?” she asks after I don’t respond. “I kind of expected you to react.”
She’s right. I’m not crying, screaming, or even feeling a slither of happiness.
“I… um… I’m not sure I can deal with this right now.”
“Okaaay.”
“I’m just gonna…” I stand, placing the test on the dresser before slipping my shoes off and crawling into bed.
“Harlow, you need to come and eat something.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“But—” I cut her with a look that stops any argument falling from her lips. “Okay. I’ll… um…” She starts backing out of the room and I allow her to go.
I need to be alone.
I need… I’ve no idea what I need.
After a few minutes, Bailey heads downstairs, but it’s not long before I hear the hushed sound of her voice as she talks to someone. A little bit of panic erupts that she might be talking to Corey, but then I remember how loyal she is, and I know she’d never do that to me.
I lay there, curled up in a ball as I run through all the things I need to do. I’ve got a funeral and a wake to plan. I need to make arrangements with the funeral directors, choose flowers, songs, readings…
I must drift off to sleep, because when I wake again, the sun is setting outside, casting an orange glow around the room.
Sitting up, I look to my clock and my eyes widen seeing the time. I knew I was tired, but Christ.
My stomach grumbles and I pull my aching body to sit on the edge of the bed.
When was the last time I ate?
I shake my head, because everything is hazy. I don’t even know what day it is.
Looking around my room for signs, my eyes land on the white plastic stick on the dresser and everything comes crashing down.
I’m pregnant.
The sound of the doorbell drags me from my nightmare and my heart rate picks up. I really, really don’t want to see anyone. But after only a few seconds and a couple of muffled words from Bailey, the door is closed and everything falls silent.
Risking a look out of the window, I breathe a sigh of relief when I watch a delivery man head back to his van.
After visiting the bathroom to freshen up, I drag in some courage and head downstairs.
As I descend, the scent of flowers hits me.
“Jesus,” I mutter when I come to a stop in the living room doorway. Every surface is covered in flowers. No wonder the scent almost knocked me on my ass.
“You’re awake. How are you feeling?” Bailey asks after placing the newest addition to my floral collection on the sideboard.
“I’ve been better. Where the hell are all these from?”
Flowers of all colors, size and design cover the room. They’re pretty, sure. But it’s a little over the top.
“Everyone. I haven’t opened any of the cards. Rylee brought these. The bigger one’s from everyone at work, and those are from her and Colton. These sunflowers are from Mom and Dad—they hoped they’d make you smile. I have no idea about the others. I thought you’d want to open them.”
I nod, feeling totally out of my depth and overwhelmed that people took time out of their lives to do this. I know I’m surrounded by kind people, but I really didn’t expect this.
My stomach grumbles once again, so loudly that Bailey doesn’t miss it.
“What do you want? I’ll cook or order anything.”
“Chinese,” I say without a second thought. “And cheesecake.”
“You got it.” She pulls her cell from her back pocket and starts tapping away. “Is there anything else you need while I’m at it?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
Ignoring her, I take a step into the room and run my fingertip over the soft, bright yellow petals of the sunflowers. They really are beautiful. I pluck the card from the center and flip it over.
All our love and thoughts,
We’re here for whatever you need.
Sarah and Neil
Xxx
My heart aches, reading their words.
I move to the next ones and find similar messages from Teddy, Rylee, my aunt’s best friend, and a couple of others including neighbors. But it’s the final bouquet that makes me pause. I have no idea why—there’s nothing that really makes it stand out against the others. Just
