Page 139 of Tell Me What You Want, Or Leave Me

For a while, Eric doesn’t let me go, and together we look at the ultrasound and rejoice.

“Sweetheart, are you OK?”

His joy is my joy.

“Well, actually I feel like shit,” I say as honestly as I can. “I’ve been vomiting nonstop for days and crying, and I can’t stop scratching my neck. I’m scared shitless of Medusa. And if you add that my husband suddenly didn’t love me and accused me of betraying him with his best friend, how do you think I feel?” But before he can say anything, I add, “But...now, in this moment, this very moment here by your side, I’m fine, very...very fine.”

Eric hugs me again.

He’s so surprised by the news, he can hardly speak.

“For the record, and despite my pregnancy, you will still have your punishment for distrusting me,” I whisper in a way I know drives him crazy.

When Björn comes back from the cafeteria, a beaming Eric asks him, “Hey, do you want to be my Medusa’s godfather?”

24

The next day, Björn and Norbert return to Germany. Björn has a couple of court appearances he can’t miss. I call Marta and Sonia and tell them what happened, which scares them. They quickly fly to London.

Seeing the state of her brother’s eyes, Marta meets with the doctors at the hospital. In the end she decides to wait and see if time or the medication resolves it. If not, she’ll schedule an appointment to drain the blood once we’re back in Germany. After this point is clarified, the doctor tells us we can go home soon.

Sonia goes crazy once she knows she’s having another grandchild, and Marta applauds. That the family grows gives them great joy. Frida and Andrés call to check on Eric and calm down when they talk to him directly—and it goes without saying how happy they are to know about my pregnancy.

When we call Flyn for him to talk to his uncle, we don’t tell him or Simona about the pregnancy. Norbert keeps the secret until we’re back.

Then one afternoon when I’m alone with Eric in the hospital room, Amanda comes by.

Her presence still bothers me, but I recognize what she did was a good thing. For an hour, she talks to Eric about work, and I decide to take the time to call my father. I want to break the news.

Excited and nervous at the same time, I leave the room and dial Jerez. After two rings, Luz greets me.

“Tita!”

“Hello, my dear Pokémon teacher. How are you?”

“Well, as Grandpa would say, screwed but happy.”

“Luz, that mouth,” I say, scolding her.

But it comes out of her so naturally, so authentically, I can’t help but chuckle.

“Today the teacher, Miss Colines, gave me a four on homework that deserved at least a seven.”

I laugh. I remember Miss Colines.

“Well, honey, maybe you have to try harder.”

“That rat-faced witch has a thing for me. Tita, I try hard, but they’re really nitpicky at this school.”

“Well, honey, I think—”

But then she does that thing I know so well from my sister and changes the subject.

“How’s my uncle? Is he better?”

“Yes, honey, he’s getting his strength back. We’ll be back in Germany in a few days.”

“That’s cool! And Flyn?”

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