Page 45 of Under Their Protection

“Alright,” I sigh.

Max kisses me next before we get ready and leave the house. I stay lost in thought on the way to Maria’s house.

They both would make wonderful fathers. I don’t know if I would be a good mother though. I don’t know what a good mother should be. I don’t want to be like mine was to me or even Harper. I want my child to grow up to be kind and compassionate. I don’t want them to be traumatized. I want them to want to spend timewith me. I don’t care who the biological father is, as long as they are healthy. I’m sitting here thinking as though I am. If I’m not, will I be disappointed?

We get to Maria’s house and she pushes past everyone to hug me first.

“Oh, sweet girl! It’s so good to see you,” she says before kissing my cheek.

“It’s good to see you too, Maria,” I smile sweetly.

“You look different. I like it,” she says as she takes my hand and pulls me inside.

“She’s just tired. They’ve had a rough morning,” Mia says and Emma giggles.

“Have you really or is she being dirty?” Maria asks me.

“She’s being dirty,” I laugh.

“Hmm,” Maria says as she looks me over.

“Mom, don’t be weird, please,” Rowan says, kissing her cheek.

“I don’t care about your sex life, son. I’m just trying to figure out why she looks different,” she says with a smile. Rowan sighs and shakes his head.

“You’d be shocked if you did care,” Mia comments as she steals a tortilla chip from the bowl on the counter.

“What does she mean?” Maria asks as she turns to the stove.

“Don’t worry about it,” Rowan says. “Everything smells great.”

“Don’t distract me with compliments, Rowan,” Maria scolds him and Mia giggles quietly. I glare at her and Maria catches me. “I know you won’t lie to me. What is he hiding?”

“Oh, don’t do that to me, Maria,” I sigh.

“Mom, don’t worry about it,” Rowan says. Max nudges me and winks, making me smile.

“Y’all are a bunch of prudes,” Emma says, shaking her head. “She’s in a relationship with both of them.”

“Oh! Well, that makes sense on why she looks tired,” Maria shrugs.

“Jesus, Mom,” Rowan laughs.

“Really?” I ask Emma.

“What? She’s going to find out in two weeks anyway,” Emma says defensively.

“What’s in two weeks?” Maria asks.

“Emma, could you not? You’re going to make her panic,” Max sighs.

“I’m fine,” I tell him.

“Anika, what’s in two weeks?” Maria asks me and I sigh.

“I forgot to take my birth control for four days,” I say simply.

“That’s it!” She says happily and cups my face. “You might be pregnant,” she says happily.

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