Page 33 of My Mail Order Valentine

"Hey, I missed you guys."

Hunter places Evie in my lap and gives me a gentle kiss on the lips. He glances at the remnants of the food he left for me and appears to relax.

"Are you up to playing with Evie a bit so I can take a shower before dinner?"

"Sure, babe."

He gives me another kiss and goes into the bathroom. I hear the shower start and wish I was feeling sexy so that I could shower with him. Hopefully, once I get over this bug. Three weeks is too long. I really need to go see a doctor.

Hunter comes out of the shower and sits down on the floor with Evie.

"Did she tell you about her day?"

"Yeah, seems like things are hopping at Sandy's daycare. So much drama."

He rolls his eyes at me and plops something in my lap. I pick it up and freeze. It's a pregnancy test.

"What's this?"

"You know what it is."

"It's got to be a stomach flu or something."

"Those go away in a few days. You've been suffering for three weeks. Besides, you're late."

He couldn't have counted, could he?

"You counted?"

"Elena, you're my wife. Of course, I counted. Go and take the test."

I want to get up, but my body is not cooperating.

"It's been two years," I say, trying to give myself some time. The box is back on my lap.

"Then go to the doctor."

I pick up the box again and open it. I try my best to read the instructions, not realizing that my hands are shaking. Hunter sits down beside me on the couch and puts an arm around me.

"I don't know if I'm more scared of it being positive or negative."

"This doesn't change anything."

"It changes everything, Hunter."

He grabs the instructions from my hands and takes the box away.

"Then I'll get rid of this."

I reach out and grab his arm as he stands.

"Wait! I'll take the test."

He turns back to me and hands me the box. I manage to get up and head into the bathroom. Once I've peed on the little stick, I leave it on the sink and open the door. Hunter is standing there with Evie in his arms. He shows me that he's started a timer on his phone.

I go back into the bathroom, lower the toilet lid, and sit down. It feels like an eternity for the damn timer to run out, and I jump when it starts making noise. I pick up the stick and look at the result. Pregnant. It says I'm pregnant.

Holding up the stick for Hunter to see, I wait with bated breath for his reaction. His eyes are gleaming, but I think he's waiting for my response, too. I smile brightly and give him and Evie a big hug.

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