Page 69 of Caught off Guard

“Yes. Should we move the date up for some reason?” His question soothed and frightened me at the same time.

“Only if you want your baby to be in your arms at your wedding.”

My heart dropped.

“A baby?” Cairo’s voice boomed across the room.

“What? That’s impossible.” I shook my head and laughed in Dr. Knowles’s face, startled by her outlandish diagnosis.

“Have you been using protection during sex?” she asked with pursed lips and folded hands, looking like an old-school teacher reprimanding her students.

“Of course. I wouldn’t risk a pregnancy in my position. My life is too busy for that,” I said, looking at Cairo to back me up.

“Every time, Zora?” The doctor furrowed her brow as if I was trying to deceive her.

“Yes,” I repeated, this time with even more confidence. “I hope other tests can give you a better answer.”

“Uh…we didn’t use protection every time.” Cairo shook his head and held his chin in his hands.

My head whipped toward him.

“What do you mean no? I never let you nut up in me without a condom.”

“Remember that time you…” He raised his eyebrows up and down and cocked his head sideways several times as if I could magically recall whatever he tried to tell me.

“No!” I shouted, shaking my head at Cairo’s ridiculousness. “You’re wrong. We have lots of sex, Cairo, and I’m always cautious.”

“Remember the day after my injury? In my bed? When you were angry…” His wide eyes stayed on me until the memory of our make-up sex romp flooded back.

Oh no.

“I straddled you, and you came in me raw. I didn’t get a Plan B because I fell asleep. Damn. Damn. Damn.” I clapped my fist against my palm.

Dr. Knowles clapped her hands and pointed at me.

“That’ll do it. A fertile woman gets pregnant when she doesn’t use protection.” My doctor smiled at me like she said something worthy of her big, goofy grin.

“You know what? This can’t be happening.” I pressed my hand over my stomach and shook my head, tears welling up in my eyes. “Cairo, no.”

He got out of his chair and wrapped his arms around me. I pressed my head in the crevice of his shoulder and chest and placed my hands on his back. I closed my eyes and cried real tears. Cairo rubbed my back until I calmed down. He held my shoulders and stepped back before kissing my forehead.

“Let’s hear the doctor out.” He turned toward Dr. Knowles. “How far along is she?”

“From what you said about the date of your last period, I’m guessing around eight weeks. I’ll refer you to your ob-gyn to get those answers for sure. No matter what you choose, our team is available to support you.” Dr. Knowles smiled and squeezed my knee. “You can make that appointment at the receptionist’s desk. Congratulations to both of you.”

With that, Dr. Knowles said goodbye and exited.

I wiped my eyes with the pads of my fingers and stared at Cairo. His stillness calmed me and made me nervous at the same time. I rubbed my temples.

“What are we going to do?”

“Have a baby.”

I dropped my hands. He grabbed and squeezed them.

“Have a baby?”

He kissed my lips.

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