Page 137 of The Baby Twist
“I guess so.” I vomited one more time and was humiliated that he saw me like this.
He grabbed a tissue and handed it to me. Wiping my mouth, I threw the tissue in the toilet, flushed, and stood up.
“You need to get back in bed. Is there anything I can get you?” he asked.
“No. I’ll be okay. I feel better now.”
“I’ll have Dora make you some toast,” he said, walking out of the room.
Putting on my robe, I went into the kitchen.
“Good morning, Stella,” Dora said. “Your toast will be right up. Can I make you a cup of coffee or tea?”
“I’ll have some peppermint tea. Thank you, Dora.”
I sat at the island next to Miles while he ate his scrambled eggs and read the news on his phone.
“Thanks for the massage last night. I really enjoyed it.”
“You’re welcome. You were out pretty fast.”
“You relaxed me to the point of no return.” I smirked.
The corners of his mouth lifted into a handsome smile. “Anytime you need a massage, just ask. I have to get to the office. I’ll see you tonight.” He left the kitchen.
Dora set my toast and tea down in front of me.
“I have to get to the grocery store before it gets busy. Is there anything else you want me to pick up for you?” she asked.
“No. I’m fine. Thanks, Dora.”
I picked up my phone and took a bite of my toast. Looking at the date, something occurred to me. Opening my period app showed that I should have already started. Suddenly, my belly twisted, and I felt sick again. My heart started racing as I began to sweat.
“Nope. I’m not pregnant.” I shook my head. “I’m sick. I have the flu, and that’s why I’m late.” I tried to convince myself, but somehow I knew better.
I immediately called Jordyn.
“Hey, you,” she answered. “I’m on my way into a meeting. Can I call you back?”
“I think I’m pregnant,” I blurted out.
“Stella, are you serious?”
“My period was due two weeks ago.”
“And you’re just now figuring that out?” she asked.
“It’s been crazy here finishing up my other classes, starting my new ones, getting married, and moving into the penthouse. I honestly didn’t think about it. Besides, remember how my pills were screwed up?”
“Yeah, I remember. Shit. What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’ll go get a pregnancy test and find out. Please pray for me that it’s negative.”
“I’m praying hard. I just got to my meeting. I’ll call you later.”
After I showered and dressed, I stepped out of the building and walked two blocks to the drug store. Standing in the aisle, looking at the different pregnancy tests, I placed my hand on my belly as the feeling of nausea intensified. I grabbed the Clearblue box with two test sticks inside. One test stick spelled out the words pregnant and not pregnant, while the other was a plus or minus sign for double accuracy. At least that’s what the box said. Taking a deep breath, I walked up to the counter, paid, and returned to the penthouse. Going into the bathroom, I took the test sticks out of the box. I could feel my body trembling at the possibility I could be pregnant. After peeing on the sticks, I set them down, washed my hands, set the time on my phone, and sat on the floor against the bathtub, hugging my knees.
“Oh! Stella, I didn’t know you were home,” Dora walked into the bathroom with a stack of towels, looked at the sticks on the counter, and stared at me.
