Page 195 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

Ilooked down at the four positive pregnancy tests lying side by side on the sink, dumbfounded.

“Oh shit! You’re pregnant, too,” Bells whispered over my shoulder.

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “No. The tests must be defective.”

“All four from four different brands, Vi?”

“Yes,” I hissed stubbornly. “It has to be. I took the shot. It doesn’t fail.”

“Are you sure? The tests say differently.”

“Statistics don’t lie!” I insisted.

“Breathe, Vi,” Bells told me, amused that she wasn’t the one freaking out anymore.

“I’m taking another test.”

“Vi—”

“I have the cup. You have tests. I’m taking another test,” I snapped.

“Okay, okay.” She gave in, throwing her hands up in surrender.

I think she was trying to calm me down. I unwrapped four more boxes and brought out my little cup of pee, dipping all eight, one by one. I set the timer and began pacing while she waited on the side with her arms crossed across her chest.

“So, you’re pregnant?” I asked, trying to distract myself from the timer. It was moving so slowly.

“Yep,” she answered.

Wasn’t she freaking out just a few minutes ago?

“You’re very calm about it,” I mentioned.

Bells shrugged and a small smile came over her face.

“I’m having a pup, Vi. I’m... happy.”

“Are you going to tell Cade?” I asked, and hated the way her smile slipped off for a second.

“I don’t know. I don’t think so. He never called me back. If he wants the clean break, I’m not going to ruin that for him.”

“So, you’re going to raise the pup alone?”

Why couldn’t she call him again? And why hadn’t he? Cade loved my sister with all of his heart. I was as certain of it as I was certain of how much Bells loved him.

“I’m not alone. I have all of you.”

I walked over to her and hugged her.

“I’ll be the best auntie,” I promised.

“You already are,” she answered, returning my hug with a chuckle.

The phone suddenly started blaring in my hand, and I looked at the tests on the sink when I turned it off. I took a deep breath and walked forward. My feet felt like lead. My hand started shaking as I reached out for the first one, and then Bells came to stand next to me.

“I’ll help you,” she told me, and I scooted over so she was standing in front of half of them.

“Okay.”

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