Page 72 of All Your Firsts Without Me

He’s quiet, I don’t turn around, patiently waiting for his response. “Once the person was fully recovered, it would be highly unlikely to affect a woman… I mean…someone’sfertility.

I let out a long breath of relief.

“Are you… are you wanting to have a baby?” he asks cautiously.

“No.” I turn around, leaning against the dresser. “Maybe. I don’t know.”

He pats the bed. I accept his offer and sit down beside him.

“Why don’t you make an appointment with one of my colleagues and let them do a complete work up.”

“Do you think something could be wrong with me?” My bottom lip trembles on its own.

“April,” he places his finger under my chin, forcing me to look at him. “I don’t think anything is wrong. Why do you? Do you have a concern with your health?”

Warmth rushes to my cheeks.

“I’m a doctor. I’ve heard it all. What is it? Are your periods irregular? Are you having any pain? Please, just tell me.”

“No. I just… well… okay.” I stop, sucking in a deep breath. “Westin and I, well, we didn’t think about protection one night and I was thinking I might be pregnant, but I just started my period so…”

“That doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant; it just means you didn’t this time. I’m sure you’re fine, but I think you should make an appointment. Just a checkup.”

I nod, wringing my hands together. “Um, could you tell me what that would entail.”

He takes my hands in his. “Yes.”

Jeff tells me everything that would happen during the exam. He told me I should have been having them already. I guess I didn’t think it was necessary. I wasn’t worried about getting pregnant.

I assure him I’ll set something up with his colleague next week right before Teresa and Kaden walk in.

After supper, Kaden decides to head back into town to visit a few friends. He asked if I wanted to go along but I told him I was going to go down to the pier and sit for a bit. As soon as he pulls out of the driveway, I text Westin.

Me: Meet me at the pier?

Westin: See you there.

I get there first, so I sit down and lean my back against a wooden post, staring out over the ocean. It never gets old. This is where I was meant to be. A smile forms on my face when I hear Westin’s footsteps, I turn my face to watch him approach. The grin he gives me in return lifts my mood.

“Hey.” He sits down beside me, immediately wrapping his hand around mine.

“I’ve missed you,” I tell him.

“How have things been going?” he asks, his eyes roaming over my face.

“Good. We finished up today.”

He frowns. “Something’s wrong.”

His words instantly make my throat tighten. “I started my period today.”

Westin’s expression remains neutral. But his sea green eyes dig into mine, trying to decipher my feelings.

I turn away from him, taking in yet another spectacular sunset.

His arm slides along my shoulders as the first tear escapes my traitorous eyes. “It’s okay, April. It just wasn’t time.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m so sad,” I say tearfully, brushing my palm over my cheeks.

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