Page 79 of Something New

There has been a distinct change in her routine, and I know everything is falling into place. The last few days she has been sleeping in the afternoons and looking tired, even after the extra rest.

On top of that her skin is glowing, and she has a beautiful radiance about her.

The changes that are taking place in her body are small, just beginning, but I know her too well not to notice.

Of course, she is going through a lot and the stress of me not being at her side could make her tired too. But I’m certain there is more to it than that. This is more than stress.

She has hardly left the house over the past week - the last two days especially.

Excitement taunts me as I watch her.

I can’t wait for her to realize what’s happening. I’m curious about how she will react. Will she call me straight away?

It’s early in the morning and over the past two days I am spending more and more time near her because it’s going tohappen soon, and I want to be there when she finds out she is carrying my baby.

She’s still asleep up in her apartment and I am parked downstairs watching her window. I haven’t been here long because I know her routine. I arrive just a few minutes before she gets up. This morning, she is sleeping later than normal.

The curtains are open as though she knows I’m here and is inviting me to stay.

I see movement in her home. She runs past the window towards the bathroom, clutching her stomach. I wait, a smile spreading wider across my face. The symptoms have become more obvious.

Not even five minutes later she is rushing out of the building, towards the drug store down the road and my heart is thumping with excitement. It’s happening.

I get out of my car, staying on the other side of the street and a way back from her.

Nerissa looks worried. Her face is strained with a deep frown, and she keeps her head down as she walks. Her fists keep clenching and unclenching. I don’t think she is even conscious of it. Her body is giving away her anxiety. She is panicking.

Inside the pharmacy I see her talking to the lady through the window. They chat for a while, Nerissa nodding at whatever she is being told. She pays for her items and then turns towards the swing doors and pushes them open. She glances up and down the street. I’m right here, little bird. I’m with you.

She comes out holding a brown paper bag which she is clutching as though it might kill her. Her fingers grip the paper, almost tearing it.

I want to grab her and hug her and remind her I love her. But I stay back. Hidden.

She hurries back upstairs, and I wait.

Two minutes.

Three minutes.

Five minutes.

She walks into the living room holding the pregnancy test.

She knows.

She disappears from view for a little while - then, to my surprise, she comes right up to the window, looking up and down the street as though she is searching for something. Or someone.Me.

It takes everything in my power to stop myself from calling her name.

There are tears in her eyes, and it breaks my heart that we couldn’t have found out together. It doesn’t matter though because soon we will be together, and nothing will ever pull us apart again.

Right now - I have to speak to my father. It’s time to tell him that Nerissa is pregnant with my child, and he can no longer deny the fact that her and I belong together.

Reluctantly I start the car, needing to leave but not wanting to go.

“I’ll be with you soon, little bird.” I say, looking up at her window and the lost look in her eyes. It tugs at me, making me protective of her, aching to hold her.

But I have things I need to do. I have to make this right with my family. Then when she is ready to tell me about it, I will be ready to ask her to marry me again.

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