I nod, the blood draining from my face and then hang up. Could my friend be right? There’s only one way to find out, and slowly, I put on my jacket before heading out to find the nearest lab. There’s one a few blocks away, and fortunately, they’re able to take me immediately. After drawing my blood, the technician promises to call with the results within an hour. Then with slow feet, I return to my apartment, my brain firing in all directions.
After all, what happens if I am pregnant? There’s no way it’s Danny’s child because we didn’t have sex for the last part of our relationship. Which means that this would be Max’s baby. But what would the gorgeous CEO say? He’s been a bachelor for five decades now, and while he hinted at wanting some change in his life, an unexpected pregnancy would be too much. So what next?
Suddenly, the phone rings, and I fumble for it.
“Hello?” I pant.
“Hi, may I speak with Ms. Champion?”
“This is she.”
The voice on the phone buzzes in my ear.
“It’s still very early, but your blood work shows elevated hCG levels. The egg was likely fertilized earlier this week and implantation has occurred. Congratulations! You can expect to start seeing several early signs of pregnancy over the next six weeks.”
I swallow hard and try to speak, but no sound comes out.
“Hello? Hello?” the voice on the other side repeats.
“Yes, thank you,” I mumble. “I appreciate the quick turnaround.”
“Of course, Ms. Champion. You have a good day.”
“Thank you. You, too.”
Then I hang up with trembling fingers and look around. Holy shit, I’m pregnant! And the father of the baby is my dad’s gorgeous, very single best friend.
“Laure?”
“Yeah? Is everything okay?”
My best friend gazes at me from the video screen with a concerned look on her face, likely because I’m pale and trembling.
“I’m pregnant,” I say without any preamble.
Her jaw drops. “The test results came back!”
“Yes, they did. I am absolutely, one hundred percent pregnant. They did a blood test and all that.”
Laurelin’s eyes go wide as she bounces her baby on her knee.
“Holy shit, Rach. Do you know if it’s Danny’s child? Or Max’s?”
I let out a slow exhale.
“It’s Max’s for sure because Danny and I didn’t have sex for months before we broke up.”
She lets out a big breath. “Oh, thank God.”
“Small favors, right?”
She nods.
“So have you told the father yet?”
I take a deep breath.
“No, not yet. I mean, it’s just so unexpected! This whole thing, I don’t even know how to describe it. We were only at the cottage together because of a scheduling mistake by my parents!”
Laurelin nods.
“Yes, but Max knows how babies are made. And you did say you guys were going at it like rabbits.” I nod, biting my lip.
“But still!” I’m losing my mind, slowly but surely. I’m going to deliver my child in an insane asylum, this is so crazy. I begin to hyperventilate, but then my friend steps in.
“Breathe, Rach. You know all that stress isn’t good for the baby.”
I look down. “Yes, Laurelin, I’m aware of that. But never fuss at a pregnant lady because I’m living in chaos now! This is so crazy, and I’m freaking the hell out!”
My blonde friends nods thoughtfully.
“Well, have you thought about telling Max?” she asks in a reasonable tone. “You know, he could be really supportive.”
“I will. I’m going to, and oh god, I hope he wants the child. I’m just really nervous, you know?”
She makes a clucking sound as baby Jamie coos.
“I know, but it’ll be okay. Just do it and get it over with, and see what he says. Honestly, I think it’s going to be easier than you think. Breathe, girlfriend, breathe.”
With that, I nod.
“Okay, I’m going to do it now then.”
Laurelin smiles.
“Good luck Rach, and let me know how it goes.”
With that, we click off, and before I lose my nerve, I dial Max quickly. My heart’s thumping at a million miles an hour. What will he say? Will he be disgusted, and ask me to terminate? My soul shrivels a bit then, because suddenly, I know I want this child. This baby was made with love, and I want to keep and cherish him or her because of that. My maternal instinct is strong, and nothing would make me happier than having my man’s child growing in my belly.
With that, things are a tiny bit easier. I wait a few more moments as the phone rings, and finally, someone picks up. But to my surprise, it’s not Max’s face that fills the screen. It’s a pretty blonde girl, and she’s flushed and sweaty with her hair slightly mussed.
“Hello?” she asks.
“Um hi,” I say, surprised. “Is Max there?”
“Um,” she says. “Hold on.”
Then, there are some grunting noises, and her eyes roll back into her head, showing the whites. But instead of turning to find Max, the phone camera drops a bit, and I’m faced with the sight of her large breasts, bumping up and down, the nipples stiff.