“It would be a good idea to know who put a life inside me.”
“We don’t even know if you’re pregnant, Leah. I think we should do the test that Mitch will bring and make our decisions after that.”
She nodded her head. Chase pulled her into his lap. They sat watching the television together. He stroked her hair as she closed her eyes relishing every touch he gave.
“I’ve missed this,” she said.
“It was never gone. You were the one who started to distance yourself.”
“I didn’t know how to handle it. I knew everything was going to change. Pretending doesn’t change the fact something happened.” She looked into his eyes, seeing the old sparkle back.
“Leah Jones, it doesn’t matter if the grass turned blue or the sky green. No matter what changes happen, nothing will be different between us.”
“How do you know? I begged you to have sex with me,” she said. He pressed a finger against her lips, silencing her.
“Until you remember what happened between us, I don’t think you should speak. Leah, we’ve survived kindergarten and the move to high-school. Not to mention puberty and the first day you got your period. Do you remember that?” he asked.
She chuckled, recalling the screaming from his parents’ back garden. Leah had thought she was dying. Her mother collected her and told her everything. Chase and Mitch didn’t tease her about it. They came and played some video games while she was feeling sorry for herself cooped up in bed.
“So, we have puberty and your woman’s bits developing. Then from high-school exams to college, we survived it all. We also survived the boyfriends and girlfriends we’ve all had. Nothing would ever put our friendship in jeopardy, Leah. We’ve missed you.”
Tears were spilling from her eyes at his words. Mitch walked through the door carrying a bag. He tipped the contents onto the coffee table. “They have too many to choose from. I didn’t know which one would work, and I figured if she used all of them, then we’d feel better.”
Leah reached toward the selection and pulled her hand back.
“You need to do this, Leah,” Mitch said.
She nodded her head, picking up the nearest ones, and taking them into the bathroom with her. Mitch followed with the rest. Both men stared at her in the bathroom.
“I’d like to be alone, please,” she said.
They moved away from the bathroom. Her hands were shaking so much.
****
Mitch sat at the kitchen counter drinking his fourth cup of coffee. The only sound coming from the bathroom was the occasional flush of the toilet. He was on edge and wanted to know how it was going for Leah. His hands were shaking with nerves. Chase sat with his back against the wall next to the bathroom door.
From the moment he had looked at the shelf filled with all the different brands of pregnancy tests, Mitch had been overcome by what it actually meant. If any of those tests came out positive either he or Chase had gotten her pregnant. He wasn’t scared. Mitch felt excited. The more he sat and thought about Leah pregnant the happier he got.
He rather liked the thought of a little baby. They’d been friends for so long that a baby would be a piece of cake among the three of them. Splitting up was not the answer. Mitch loved her too damn much to give up now.
Draining his last cup of coffee, he placed his cup in the sink and took his place on the opposite side of the door.
“How are you doing?” Chase asked.
“I wish I was in there with her. It doesn’t feel right being out here while she’s inside.”
Chase nodded his head in agreement. Mitch rested his arms on his thighs, dangling his hands between his legs. Another flush came through the bathroom door.
“What do you want her to say when she comes out?”
Mitch stared at his friend. “I want her to say she’s pregnant.”
“I do, too. Do you think we’re selfish?”
He thought about Chase’s words. Maybe they were a bit selfish, but Mitch knew he’d never abandon Leah.
“We’ve been a family for some time, Chase. I think we’re a bit selfish, but I’d do anything for her. A baby will not change my feelings for her.”