Page 37 of Meant to Be

“Are you sure?”

She nods. “I’ve come straight here from the doctors.”

“No fucking way Shelb,” I argue. “It has to be wrong.”

“I’ve done one test, and now the doctor has done another. It’s right.”

Dropping her hand I shoot up from the couch, my hands going into my hair, pulling at it in frustration.

“This is my fault, Jax. I told you to carry on even though we didn’t have protection. I thought the pill would be enough but was obviously not. I was the one in the wrong here. I take full responsibility.”

“I can’t let you do that.” I frown in disbelief. What does she think I am. “It takes two after all.”

She holds out some paperwork towards me. “The doctor gave me these, I haven’t looked at them yet.”

Taking them from her I quickly glance over them, the word ‘abortion’ sticks out like a warning sign, flashing on and off.

“Seriously? You want this?” I wave them around angrily.

“What? What is it? Like I said I haven’t looked at them, I was more concerned with getting here and telling you, so I could get it off my chest.”

He stares at me for a long minute before throwing the paperwork down to the table.

“How far are you?”

“The doctor thinks I’m about four or five weeks…”

“And what about your mum?”

“Oh don’t. I don’t even want to think about her at the moment. She’s gonna go crazy.” She looks up at me again, “Look, Jax, I’m not asking for you to stick around, I’d understand if you don’t want to, it’s a big commitment for anyone…”

“Whoa,” he puts up his hand cutting me off, “I’m not going anywhere. This is my baby too.” Her big eyes concentrate on me as they glaze over with tears.

“Really? You need to be sure Jax, I don’t think I can do this on my own? I need you with me.”

“I’m not sure of anything in my life, but this...?” I drop to my knees in front of her, “This is probably the most certain I’ve ever been.”

The tears she’s been holding back fall over one by one, and like a dam has been removed, they roll down her cheeks. I wipe the tears away, cupping her face in my palms.”

“Let’s see the dragon keep me away now.”

“Don’t doubt her abilities, she’ll find a way.”

“I’d like to see her try.”

Her face lights up with a small smile. “I love you, Jax.”

“I love you too, Shelby Andrews.” I wrap her up in my arms and hold her tightly against me, burying my face into her neck. “Why didn’t you tell me instead of cutting me off?”

“I was scared, and I wanted to be sure.”

I lift my head to look at her. “You scared me.”

Leaning into her, I kiss her tear-soaked lips, the salty taste leaving its mark on my own. I push her down to the back of the couch and make up for the few days I’ve missed.

Chapter Eleven

Shelby

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