I’m caught off guard.
“No, who said that?” I sputter. “We’re always really careful with protection, and I put ketchup on everything I eat. Even dessert.”
Corrie nods again.
“Oh of course. Sorry for bringing it up,” she apologizes. “I just thought …well, never mind.”
I start to nod, but there’s an uneasy feeling in my stomach because what I said isn’t exactly one hundred percent true. Of course, Chris, Chase and I use protection but there were a few times when things got so out of control that they came in me without a condom. I’m not sure if I have double the chance of getting pregnant, but what if she’s right?
Come to think of it, I’ve been using even more ketchup than usual. I’ve even been adding it to my drinks on occasion, and as my mind whirls, I can’t remember the last time I had my period. Oh god, could Corrie be right? Could I be expecting?
Hurriedly, I wrap up my coffee date with Corrie, and then practically run to the drugstore to purchase a pregnancy test. The square box jounces in my bag as I make my way home, and the cool interior of the apartment does nothing to settle my nerves. Well, at least Chris and Chase are still at work so I have privacy.
I set my backpack down on the ground by the door, and then take out the pregnancy test from its box. My hand shakes as I read the brief directions. Okay, pee on the stick and then wait. If I get a blue plus sign, then I’m pregnant. If I get a minus sign, then I’m not. It’s really that simple, isn’t it?
My entire body feeling slightly wobbly, I head to the bathroom and do as the directions instruct. But then panic takes over. OMG, what if I’m expecting? What if Chase and Chris are disgusted by my pregnancy? Unable to quell my fears, I stumble to the kitchen and start fumbling around in the fridge. I want to distract myself from what’s going on, and like a madman, start making spaghetti for dinner. All I have to do is mince some garlic. Yes, where is it? Fumbling, I grab a knife from the block and crack a few garlic bulbs like a kamikaze butcher going in for the kill. Of course, it just gets me in trouble.
“Ouch!” I scream, yanking my hand away from the knife, but it’s too late. A thin red line on my finger is already beginning to drip blood onto the chopping board, and I run into the bathroom for our first aid kit. Of course, at that moment, the test decides to develop, and when I glance down, there’s a big blue plus sign staring at me. Shock rolls down my spine as I stand there motionless, cold water pouring over my finger. What do I do now?
A confusing mix of emotions swirl through my chest. I’ve always wanted to have a baby, and the idea of raising him or her with wonderful men like Chris and Chase at my side sounds like a dream come true. But my excitement is tempered by my worries. I look at myself in the mirror, my eyes asking a question I know I can’t answer. How am I going to tell them?
After all, we’ve never talked about having a family together. Sure, our relationship is comfortable and I get along great with my two men. We even talk about serious things like politics and current events, but a baby is something else. Having a child together would be turning our lives upside down, before turning it inside out.
Suddenly, the click of the front door sounds and I jump before hurriedly stuffing the test in the waste basket and covering it with crumpled paper towels. There’s no need for my boyfriends to find this accidentally.
“Patty?” Chris calls. “The door was unlocked. Are you okay?”
“Oh, yeah!” I say before sashaying outside with a big smile on my face. “I just got home myself and I must have forgotten to lock it. I’m sorry.”
My lover looks handsome with a gym bag slung over one broad shoulder, and his huge form outlined in a tank top and shorts. At that moment, Chase comes in as well, his black hair ruffled and blue eyes gleaming. He's also gorgeous in a t-shirt that highlights his wide chest, and athletic pants decorating those long legs.
“Hey doll,” Chase greets. “How was your day today?”
I laugh and waltz over to press kisses to their cheeks.
“I’m good. I just cut myself, that’s all, so I was in the bathroom.”
Both of my lovers’ eyes grow dark.
“What?” asks Chase.
“Oh shit, you’re bleeding,” Chris growls, lifting my hand to inspect the damage. “What happened here?”
I shake my head. “It’s nothing. I was chopping garlic and the knife slipped. I was just about to put a band-aid on it, but you two distracted me.”