There was a quick knock on the door before the physician came inside. “Good morning!” She strolled into the room carrying a tray and a sealed cup. “I’m Dr. Salizar. I hear that you would like a pregnancy test.”
“I personally do not think it’s necessary, but yes, we do,” Elaina said.
Dr. Salizar looked between the two and could almost immediately determine the situation. She plastered on a smile. “No problem. We can get this done fairly quickly.” She handed the cup to Elaina. “Please put your urine sample in here.”
Carter finally looked up. “I would like a blood test.”
“Really?” Irritated, Elaina pinched her lips together and rolled her eyes. “Is that necessary? My God, peeing in a cup is not enough?”
Carter was adamant. “No. It is not.”
Dr. Salizar looked to Elaina for approval.
“Fine. It doesn’t matter to me.”
Dr. Salizar nodded. “Okay. I’ll go and have the nurse prepare a blood test. I’ll be right back.”
Carter was starting to get a little nervous that Elaina was being so agreeable to these tests. He supposed it was possible that she might be pregnant, just not likely.
He wouldn’t have to wonder long. They would know within the next fifteen minutes.
*****
Harlem was giddy as she talked on the phone to Mesha. She was basically floating around her condo. “I know this is crazy, right? I can’t believe I said yes to moving in with him.” She placed some recently delivered moving boxes on the floor.
“Y’all just skipped over the dating.”
“We kinda did, but it just feels right, you know?”
“Because you’re my girl, I have at least give you the be careful speech.” Mesha thought she would hate to have to posse up and beat Carter’s ass. Mesha didn’t think she would have to, but it was a thought.
“I know that everything between us is moving at warped speed, but I’m going to just go with it. I feel like I’ve already waited so long.”
Harlem’s door buzzed. “Hey, I think Carter’s here. Can I call you back?”
“Yeah. Of course.”
“Great. I’ll call a little later.” Harlem disconnected her phone as she rushed over to the door. She looked through the peephole. Sure enough, it was Carter. Harlem took off her headscarf and put it into the back pocket of her stretchy jeans before opening the door.
Her smile was big. It stretched across her entire face. “Hey, you.” Harlem stood up on tippy-toes and kissed him deeply on the lips.
Carter wrapped Harlem into his arms as he poured all of himself into it. Harlem was the first to pull back. She joked. “We can’t give my neighbors a whole show for free.” Her smile faded as she realized that Carter didn’t return her smile. As a matter of fact, his face looked strained.
She whispered. “Your appointment was today.”
Carter couldn’t speak. He nodded. Carter didn’t know how to tell her. He didn’t have to because his face said it all.
It almost killed Harlem to say the words out loud. “Elaina is pregnant.”
Chapter 7
Elaina walked into her home feeling quite satisfied. “Progress. Slow but coming along quite nicely.” She complimented herself as she kicked off her heels and plopped down on the sofa. Elaina placed her hand over her stomach and caressed it. She marveled at how a child could change things–even Carter’s attitude. It was really amazing. Once the doctor verified her pregnancy, he stopped acting like such a dick.
Even his tone was gentler.
Elaina had chosen wisely when she targeted Carter. It had been a challenge given his status and reputation. She was just lucky to be in the right place at the right time when Damian got sick. Otherwise, Carter might still be a confirmed bachelor.
Elaina wasn’t an idiot. She knew that he had hoped for a different outcome. But by the time the baby arrives, Elaina was confident that she will have won him over. However, thoughts of Harlem had her wanting to pull her hair out, strand-by-strand. That woman had been a curveball. Elaina hadn’t seen her relationship with Carter coming. Had Elaina known, she would have planned differently. She rested her head on the back of her sofa and closed her eyes. That woman had underestimated her. Elaina tried to warn Harlem, but she obviously didn’t listen. It doesn’t matter, Elaina thought. The playing field was now even, and she planned to take full advantage of her pregnancy. I worked too damn hard to make Carter mine. No way will I allow Harlem to mess everything up.
Elaina did not feel one iota of guilt for pricking holes in Carter’s condom packaging. Not. One. Bit. It worked. This time next year, I plan to be Mrs. Carter Owens. She put her feet up on the coffee table as she contemplated phase two of her plan.
*****
Elaina was pregnant. Harlem could see the truth in his eyes.
Her movements were robotic. She managed to stand aside so that Carter could come into her condo.
Carter could barely meet her eyes. His throat felt thick. He had no idea how a man who never wanted to have any children, and was so very careful to make sure it didn’t happen, could have two women pregnant at the same time.
Carter glanced around Harlem’s apartment. Empty boxes were all over the place. Harlem was planning to move in with him. How in the world was he supposed to ask her to
