Page 78 of Family Bonds: Coy & Angel

He opened the door and saw her sitting on the closed toilet, her head between her hands. He realized the noise was crying.

He was going to rush to her side until he saw what was on the counter and walked over to pick it up.

The word “pregnant” hit him in the gut like an iron fist.

First with shock.

Then with happiness.

But her tears told him they weren’t feeling the same.

“I’m so sorry,” she said. Her blue eyes were filled with tears that just cascaded down her cheeks.

“Hey,” he said, walking over. “Don’t be sorry.”

“I don’t want to be pregnant?—”

He felt sick to his stomach. “You don’t want our child?” he asked. He knew his voice was loud and harsh.

Her face turned red. “I didn’t say that! You didn’t let me finish. I don’t want to be pregnantright now. I didn’t plan it this way. How could this happen?”

He took a few breaths. He was more emotional than ever and knew he was just feeding off of her tears.

“I wore a condom every time,” he said. “Not everything can be as planned.”

“So I’m seeing,” she said.

“How late are you?” he asked, reaching his hand out for hers and pulling her up into his arms. He had to hold her. To calm her. To soothe the racing of his heart.

“Just a few days. I’m never late. I’m not even sure what made me take the test, but there was this feeling in my gut that more or less wanted to rule it out.”

Again, not what he wanted her to say.

“But it didn’t work that way,” he said.

“No,” she said, sniffling again.

“Come sit down,” he said, pulling her out of the bathroom and to his room. They sat on the bed.

“I’m so sick to my stomach over this,” she said.

“Why?” he asked.

“Why?” she asked, throwing her hands in the air. “The list of reasons is endless.”

“Let me be the judge of that.”

“You’re not mad?” she asked, frowning.

“Do I look it?” he asked. “I want kids. Lots of kids. Why do you think I’ve got this big house?”

She paled and maybe he should have kept that to himself. “I’m not sure lots of kids have ever been on my radar, but I do want them. Just not now.”

He was having a lot of mixed emotions over this.

“Why?”

“For one, I’ve spent a lot of years in college and racking up a crap load of debt. I just started working. I’m going to be out of work for at least two months. I’m not going to be a stay-at-home mom. I hope you aren’t thinking that and won’t suggest it. I’ve worked too hard to get here.”

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