"He must go through phases I suppose. Tobias likes to pretend periods don't exist and Ben treats me like fine china that's about to break into a million pieces. Boys, eh?" Ivory chuckles. I nod my head, knowing males simply wouldn't last a day inside a females body. Being a female is difficult enough without the added pain and stress of monthly periods.
I pull the box out from under my top, wincing at the uncomfortable twinge it leaves behind. I glance around my room before heading for the wardrobe and opening the doors. I stand on my tip-toes and stash the box behind some jumpers at the far back. Once I move the clothing around a little, the box is cleverly disguised and I stand back, admiring my work.
"There, it's gone for now." I smile, turning towards Ivory.
"What about this?" Ivory asks, pointing at her chest where the used test is hidden.
"Throw it away when you get the chance but make sure nobody sees, especially Jake or Tobias. You know how crazy they can get."
Ivory scoffs in response —
"Amen to that sister."
*****
"Please tell me that's a plate of cookies for yourself and not for Santa. . . " Jake says, his eyebrows raised as I walk into the living room, proudly holding the plate in front of me. I stop in my tracks and frown at him, looking down at the cookies sadly.
"But . . . it's tradition," I say sadly, giving him my wide puppy dog eyes. He groans loudly and slaps his hand over his eyes —
"Aunty Myra, this is what I'm talking about! She's obsessed with Christmas! It's slightly worrying!" He exclaims, pointing at me. I gasp and clear my throat, placing my free hand on my hip.
"Excuse me, she is standing right here," I glare at him.
"Oh leave her alone Jake. I think it's cute," Myra chuckles as she watches the television, sipping wine on the couch. I smile widely at her and walk over to the fireplace, setting the plate down onto the coffee table in front of it. I stand back and admire it, feeling the excitement inside of me almost ready to burst.
"Are you going to get a glass of milk with them cookies?" Jake asks me sarcastically.
"I do that right before I go to bed." I smile back at him, my tone of voice completely serious. He gapes at me for a few seconds before snapping out of it.
"Oh my god, my girlfriend is a Christmas freak!" Jake screams loudly. Myra jumps in surprise, almost spilling her wine in the process.
"Jake! Tone it down! You're screaming like a god damn banshee." Myra scolds him and he huffs, crossing his arms over his chest like a told—off toddler.
"Yeah Jake, tone it down." I repeat, sticking my tongue out at him. He glares at me as I make my way over to him, bouncing backwards into the cushions.
"Don't you two start ganging up on me." Jake mutters unhappily. I turn to laugh at him and find him scowling, his face the definition of adorable.
"God, you're so cute!" I squeal, lunging for him and squeezing his cheeks tightly. Soon enough he begins to laugh along with me, trying desperately to bat my hands away from him.
"Emilyyyy." He whines as I pin him down to cover him in kisses. His low chuckle rumbles down my ear as I place firm kisses all over his cheeks. Despite protesting, the grin on his face clearly shows he's enjoying every second. Myra's words completely catch us off guard and we both freeze, unable to believe we heard her right —
"No foreplay on my couch you two."
"Aunty M! That's no way to speak to your nephew." Jake splutters and I pause before bursting into laughter. A red tint covers my cheeks and I quickly climb off Jake's body, sitting in the corner of the couch.
"Oh please! Like I don't know what you all get up to in this house," she replies, rolling her eyes before turning the page in her fashion magazine. The living room door bursts open and Ivory runs in, her eyes scanning the room wildly.
"You!" She yells, pointing at me.
"Come with me!" She adds lunging for my arm and practically throwing me out of the room.
"Ivory?" Myra questions from the living room as Ivory drags me up the stairs. She turns her head, auburn hair flying everywhere.
"Merry Christmas Eve Mummy!" She yells in response and I frown as she drags me into my room, shutting the door behind me.
"What the hell are you doing?" I splutter, wincing from the pain in my arms. My hand reaches up and rubs it as I glare at her. She didn't seem phased as she stares at me wide eyed, her eyes scanning my body and landing on my stomach.
"Ivory?" I ask uneasily feeling self conscious as she stares me down.
"When was your last period?" She asks me all of a sudden and I frown, giving her a questioning look.
"What?"
"Your last period, when was it? You told me before the last time was a few months ago." She says quickly her words not making any sense.
"Yeah, so? I have irregular periods sometimes," I question, still utterly confused. She gasps and shakes her head, slapping a hand over her mouth before pointing at my stomach.
"I think you're pregnant," she whispers loudly, her eyes widening further. I stare at her my mouth open in shock before I splutter, choking on thin air.
"Oh my god, you're actually crazy," I yell, half laughing and half choking. Ivory shakes her head at me, her face still frozen with panic.
"Emily, I'm serious!" She exclaims, throwing her hands up in the air.
"Are you on drugs?" I ask, narrowing my eyes suspiciously. That
