Page 130 of Through You
“Everything okay?” Artemis comes in and puts the bag down on the small table next to the couch. The doctor smiles at him then looks back at me; his eyes appear to be asking if he should keep talking and I shake my head.
“Well, I’ll leave you to get some rest.” The doctor adds, “I suggest you spend the night here so we can get some nutrients into your system via IV and monitor your progress. If you feel better tomorrow, you can go home.”
“Thank you very much, Doctor.”
Artemis comes closer and leans over me, kissing my forehead.
“You can’t imagine how scared I was,” he whispers before he pulls away. And I’m still speechless.
I can’t be pregnant. I’ve been careful, and I’ve always been very responsible. I’ve always had in my head a clear list of items I want to achieve in life, and when I want them to happen. An unplanned pregnancy is something I never envisioned. I’m not exactly sure how I feel, what I think, or what I should do. I’m stupefied.
I don’t know why, but I feel the urge to cry. My emotions are a complete mess.
“Claudia?” The sound of Artemis’s worried voice next to me makes me look up. I look at him standing there, so handsome with his light beard marking the outline of his chiseled jaw, and those beautiful eyes that give off so much warmth anytime he looks at me.
Gin comes to my rescue. “She’s been a little groggy since she woke up.” She lies because she can tell I’m still processing.
“Oh.” Artemis walks back to the table. He empties the contents from the bag and arranges the food containers.
Gin and I exchange looks, and she mouths something to me without making a sound.
What happened?
I’ve been careful, I reply.
Artemis puts a container of white rice and chicken in front of me. Everything’s going well until I see a few pieces of bacon on the side. Oh no, no, no. Bacon. I press my lips together as I cover my mouth with one hand, shaking my head. Gin seems to understand and removes the container from my sight as fast as she can. Artemis looks at me, confused.
“I’m very sensitive to smells,” I explain as soon as the nausea wears off. “It’s because of the—”
“Anemia,” Gin finishes for me. “The doctor told us that Claudia is anemic.”
Gin explains what the doctor said without telling him about the pregnancy. Of course I know that I have to tell him, but first I need time to think, and figure out how to best share the news. I still can’t believe it. As soon as night falls, Gin says her good-byes and leaves after giving me a tight hug, assuring me everything will be fine. I’m lying on the bed and resting on my side, and Artemis is sitting on the couch that’s just a few steps away from the bed.
“Rest.” His soft voice invades the silence of the room. “I’ll be here all night.”
“I’m okay.”
“Sure,” he murmurs. “So okay that you ended up in the hospital.”
I don’t reply and keep watching him. He sits resting his elbows on his knees, clasped hands in front of him. Always looking so handsome.
And then it happens—I imagine him with a baby, holding a boy or a girl, and I feel my heart tightening because, in my head, it’s a beautiful sight.
You’re going to be a father, Artemis.
How can I tell him when I don’t know how he’ll react? It’s not something that we planned. We’re in the early stages of our relationship. It’s true we’re not teenagers, but we’re still young.
He has responsibilities, as do I. What if his reaction isn’t the one I expect? I’m terrified that he might take it badly or somehow blame me. We were equal participants in the sex but I did let him finish inside me. I thought we were safe and protected. One way or another, he trusted me.
“What are you thinking about?” The curiosity in his eyes is obvious.
“Lots of stuff.” I sigh. “Thanks for being here.”
“You don’t have to thank me for anything. Supercat will always be your personal hero.” He winks at me, and that makes me smile.
“You’ve been acting really cheesy lately,” I tease him. “There’s no trace left of the iceberg.”
“I guess that’s what happens when you get too close to fire,” he replies playfully.
