Page 65 of Beyond Enemy Vows
"How long have you thought?" she asks finally, her voice low.
I exhale slowly, staring at my hands. "My app told me I would have been in flow when I wasn't, and then in Athens I started getting a little nauseous in the mornings. I thought it was stress because of Niko and my brother being close, and…" I trail off. "What the hell am I going to do?"
Keira hugs me. "Whatever it is, we'll handle it together."
Twenty minutes pass like twenty hours. When my name is called again, they lead us right into Dr. Vina's office.
"Thank you for waiting," the doctor says and pulls up a chart on her computer for us to see. "The blood test confirms you're pregnant. Based on your last period and hormone levels, I'd estimate you're about six to seven weeks along."
It's not a surprise. Not really. But the words still hit like a punch to the face. My stomach drops. My fingers tingle, and a sudden cold spreads through my chest. For a second, I feel like I'm sliding off the chair.
Keira's hand closes around mine instantly. "We're okay," she says firmly. "We're gonna figure this out."
Dr. Vina continues talking, her voice fading in and out like a bad radio signal. Prenatal vitamins. Follow-up appointments. Options. Pamphlets for me to take. I nod automatically, unable to process anything beyond the single word echoing in my head.
Pregnant.
I'm fucking pregnant.
Keira takes over and finishes with the doctor while I sit in a shocked state. We leave, and the drive home is silent. When we get back to my place, as soon as she shuts the door, she turns to me.
"You have to tell him, Cal," she says.
"I know. I know. I just… what am I going to do? My brothers hate him. Our families?—"
"Are going to learn to deal with it," Keira says and sits down. "I know our world is different, but fuck all that. It's a baby, and like I've always said, our brothers hate all men for us. They'd rather have us become nuns," she says and laughs. "Shit, being Irish Catholic, my father even brought me to a nunnery when I turned sixteen, remember? If Lady Constance didn't tell him it had to be my choice to truly be accepted in God's eyes, I'd be doing rosary prayers right now and saying things like, 'It's okay, my child.'"
I start laughing. "And the world wouldn't be able to see your beautiful hair," I say, leaning against her.
"Exactly," she says, flipping it over her shoulder. "A tragedy."
We both stop laughing as reality sets back in.
"Okay, what are your options to tell him?"
I think for a moment. "Rome. That women's retreat we're using as cover to meet."
"Then Rome it is," she says. "You tell him there, or I will. I'll do it for you if I have to. I'll do anything for you, girl."
"Okay," I say, nodding. "Rome. He's going to freak out."
Her eyes narrow. "Do you love him?"
I can't answer. Not out loud. My throat tightens, and I nod instead.
"You think he loves you?"
I shrug, tears swelling in my eyes.
"I bet he does," Keira says firmly. "You don't do all he's done if you don't. And if he reacts badly, I'll come kick his ass myself."
A laugh crosses my lips, easing my tears. "You do remember he's like six-foot-three, Keira."
"And? I'd still win." She smiles, but her eyes remain serious. "And he'll learn that if he hurts you."
She shifts a little and looks at me. "So what are you thinking right now?"
I take a moment to collect myself.
