Page 46 of Exposed

“Nothing, son,” Sonya replied.

I picked up the glass of water and gulped it down. The waitress came over and started passing menus around and I took one even though I wasn’t hungry.

“You all right? Just ignore my mother. She’s always talking about somebody gaining weight,” Dominic said.

“It didn’t bother me.”

“Tonight, I’ll rub your feet when we get home,” Dominic responded.

“You’ll do more than that, mister.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Lauren

All of the news stations and social media sites were posting the launch of Raven Cosmetics. We had every type of press discussing each product in detail and the interviews I did in Paris finally aired. I finally got a doctor’s appointment two days later and she was taking blood after I finished peeing in a cup. I had Novah drive me today after convincing Emmanuel it was for a girl thing that I didn’t want him to drive me today. Dominic knew I was here for my annual checkup, so I technically didn’t lie.

“Lauren, I have your results and congrats are in order. You're pregnant.”

I sat up off the stirrups and covered my bottom half.

“I’m pregnant with a baby?” I asked.

“You are and I need to get you prenatal vitamins because you're about two and a half months along.”

“OMG! The first time we got back together. We didn’t use condoms. Damn.”

“Do you think the father will have a problem with you being pregnant?” Doctor Carson asked.

“Honestly I don’t know what his reaction would be. I’m in shock and not sure.”

“You’ll be a great mom, don’t stress yourself out. Here’s some pamphlets and prescriptions and be sure to make an appointment to come back in a month. With you being shot and recovering still, I want to monitor you as high risk.”

“Okay.” Dr. Carson passed me the pamphlets and information for first time mothers, and I started to get redressed. Walking out in a daze, I saw Novah drop the magazine and walk over to me.

“What did she say?” Novah asked.

“Pre...gnant,” I stuttered, handing her the prescription.

“You look a little pale, Lauren. Maybe you should sit down.” I shook my head no.

“I’m fine. I just need to think, let's go.”

“So, I'm officially Auntie Novah,” she said, wrapping her arm around my shoulder.

After leaving the doctor’s office, I came home and took a nap, but that didn’t last long so I had Emmanuel drive me to Raven Cosmetics to talk with Danielle about my situation. I shut the car door.

“I won’t be long, Emmanuel, you can park here or come inside.”

“I can wait,” Emmanuel replied.

“Okay.”

Heading into the building I showed my badge and walked toward the employee entrance and went around the corner toward Danielle’s office. I knocked on the door and she waved me inside.

“I was just thinking about you coming in and having a seat.”

“You look happy.”

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