Page 58 of Possession

I can’t cry for him every time I’m afraid. I’m becoming much too dependent on him. It wasn’t that long ago that I was able to escape my family, get a job, and enroll in art school all by myself.

“I’m fine,” I blink my wet lashes rapidly. “I think the baby was just mad about what I said earlier.”

“What do you mean? Like the baby kicked you?”

“I guess so,” I say, sitting myself up on the sofa.

“I’m not sure if you’re far enough along in your pregnancy to feel that kind of kicking. Should we call your doctor and maybe get things checked out?”

“How would you know what I’m supposed to feel at this point in the pregnancy?”

“I read a lot.”

I grab a tissue from a box on the coffee table and dab the sweat from my temples.

“I’m going to stand under the shower. I think that will fix everything.”

“Can I help you?” Lena asks as she assists me off the sofa and to the master bathroom.

“Thanks, Lena. After I shower, maybe we watch a little of your show together.”

“Great idea,” she smiles. “And while you’re in there, I’m going to cook you a real dinner. Popcorn is not dinner.”

“Thanks, Lena.”

“No thank you needed, roomie. You and my niece or nephew go enjoy your shower.”

The warm water feels heavenly as it beats along the backside of my body. I’m aware of each breath I take as I lay my hands on my tiny baby bump and try my best to send the baby good energy. I feel wrong about what I said when I was in the middle of my hormonal tirade.

Of course, I want you,I say to myself.No matter how frustrated I am with your father, I want you. I already love you.

A sharp pain ripples through my lower abdomen, very similar to the last one, and I crouch on the shower floor and pray that nothing is wrong with my baby.

Between the oppressive hot steam filling the bathroom and the intensity of the pain, my head begins to feel loopy, and everything becomes increasingly dark…until I see nothing at all.

I’m confused once I awaken.

I’m lying nude in a bed of the softest sheets I’ve ever felt. I blink several times in an attempt to get my bearings. There’s a dark ceiling fixture adorned with crystals on the ceiling that I don’t recognize.

Where am I?

“She’s awake,” a relieved voice from the distance says.

“Lena?”

“Hi, there.” She moves closer to the side of the bed, holding a food tray. “I brought your dinner.”

“This isn’t my room, though,” I say. Things are still a little fuzzy, but not fuzzy enough that I don’t know I’m not home.

“ I know.” Her eyes shoot down to the floor. “I called my brother.”

Of course.

I look around as things start to make more sense. He’s changed a few things around and bought some new sheets, but this is the room where I slept many nights with him. Where I fell into his arms when I was dead tired. Hell, this is the room where the baby was conceived.

“Lena,” I say with disappointment.

“I had to call him,” she offers defensively. “You passed out in the shower, and I couldn’t lift you. You’re freaking pregnant, Megan. You’re lucky I didn’t take you to the emergency room.”

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