Page 15 of Candygrams

"I'm pregnant. But don't say anything. My family doesn't know about it yet and we want to be able to tell them before anyone else knows - well, we were supposed to tell them first but then you started talking about feeling the same way. And I know this isn't really an ideal time because we just opened the bakery, but I promise this won’t keep me from helping or pulling my own weight, Candy."

"No, nonsense, Bonny! There is never going to be a time when I worry about this bakery more than I worry about you and Lilly. Are you...happy about...?" I twirl my hand around not ready just yet to say the word.

She gives me a happy nod as she smiles and bites her lip. She does look like she has a certain glow about her.

"Then I am happy for you and... Grayson?" I offer it as more of a question than a comment. She nods showing me that it is Grayson, the guy that stops in the store and asks about her all the time even when she's not working. Good for them. They make a cute couple, and he looks at Bonny like she might have been sent from heaven. I hug her close. I am happy for her even as I am going crazy inside my own head.

As soon as I can get away, I drive to a drugstore in the next town over. I'm too scared to buy one in my own town. What if someone sees me and then tells Storm before I can? What the hell am I even going to tell him if this stupid test turns out positive? I go back to his house. The bakery is still open, and I don't feel like running into everyone and their brother trying to make my way upstairs to my room while I'm holding a bag of pregnancy tests.

I won't even have to worry about Mini today either. She has a date with someone she met at bingo a couple of weeks ago. I helped her pick out the dress she's going to wear to their lunch date and let her borrow one of my necklaces that goes perfect with her earrings and shoes. And I might be keeping it a secret from Storm for just a little while until she finds out if she actually likes the guy or not. It's not really keeping it a secret if he doesn't ask me what's going on with her.

My hands are shaking the entire time I rip the box open and take out the little stick I have to pee on. I have to talk myself through the steps, so I don't fuck up somehow and pray I don't drop the damned thing in the toilet. My system is all fucked up. I think I might puke at any moment and all I want to do is run. But this is something I can't outrun. This is something that is going to follow me no matter where I go. This is a baby. Maybe.

I think back to the first time we made love. I told Storm I didn't want to wait. I am responsible for this. If I'm pregnant it's because I pushed him to do this. Fuck! The thought makes me want to run all the more.

Once I'm done and have my hands washed all that is left to do is sit and wait. Three minutes feels like three hours when you are waiting for something that could change your life. The more time that ticks by the more I have to fight that urge to jump up and drive as far as I can before I have to stop. I take a fortifying breath when the timer goes off on my phone. Either way, this is a wake-up call for me. This thing with Storm has been like a dream but I can't keep living in the fantasy world he weaves for me. I'm going to have to remember that I am a grown adult woman who must take responsibility for my actions.

I look down and for just a second, I lose my breath. Then I start to bawl. I cry so hard I have to sink down and sit before I fall. I've never been so scared in my life or felt so alone. The test says I'm pregnant. I have to hide for a few days so I can get my head together and think this shit through.

Chapter Eleven

Storm

I can't seem to get shit done today. My mind keeps going back to my Candy. She wasn't acting right this morning. It’s got me worried. I let myself in and make my way to the kitchen to put stuff away. I'm going to cook her something special tonight to make her feel better if she's had some bad days at work or something.

A sound from upstairs draws my attention and I go to the garage to check for Candy's car. Sure enough, it's there. I know her work schedule pretty well considering she normally stays with me day in and day out. She's not supposed to be done at the bakery for hours yet. With the worry that something is really wrong with her, I make my way upstairs to our room. I've managed to get her to move most of her clothes and things over here piece by piece.

I check our bedroom but don't spot her in there. And then I hear her. She's in our bathroom. And she's crying. My temper flares in a way it never has before. No one hurts my Candy.

"What's wrong? What is it, baby?" She jumps at the sound of my voice. Tears run down her face in little rivers and her nose is a cute red color. She's been crying for a while. I hit my knees in front of her and start to make my vow to kill whoever did this to her. She just starts crying again - this time harder and louder.

It's then I see something clutched in her hand. I can just make out the top of the thing but I have a pretty good idea what it is.

"I...," she starts sobbing now, "I'm pregnant."

Before I can do anything or say something she is pushing up from the floor and making a run for the toilet. She's either cried herself sick or she's started having morning sickness. I come over and hold her hair back for her and utter soft words that are meant to comfort her and make her feel better.

Once she is finished and I help her clean up with a toothbrush full of toothpaste and a washcloth for her face, I pull her into my arms and carry her out. I sit us both down on the bed and wait for her to talk to me. "You want to run that by me again now since you seem to be a little calmer."

She's not sobbing or crying now, "I'm not calmer, I'm just too tired to cry." I wait. "I said I was...am...pregnant."

I run my hand up and down her back to offer her warmth and comfort before responding to her. "I know."

She tenses up immediately and gives me a look that would wither a lesser man. "What!? What do you mean you know?!"

"I could tell last week by the taste of that sweet little pussy something had changed. I started thinking back, counting the weeks and days, and I didn't recall you having a period or needing supplies."

"I could have been on birth control that kept me from having a period. Lolly's sister has an implant and she doesn't have periods anymore. And I did tell you I had a doctor's appointment to get on some."

"The one I canceled?"

"You canceled? I thought...well, I just didn't go so..." She pulls away from me just a little so she can look at my face. "Is...is it bad?"

"Hell no, sweetheart!"

Her lip sticks out a little bit in an adorable little pout, "It's not fair that you knew before I did."

"All is fair in love and war, my sweet Candy."

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