Page 30 of Nick

Ashley cleared her throat. “Opal will be fine. She forgot to eat today. That’s why she fainted.”

I started to disagree with her, but she looked at me and frowned. “I’ll take care of everything. Opal, come with me. You can rest in my office until they know something about Nick. I’m sorry I upset you.”

Asher was still frowning. “Don’t you have a doctor's appointment?”

“Yes, I have an appointment with Ashley. It’s for a blood test. Maybe we can do that now, and I won’t have to do it tomorrow.”

“Yes, I’ll take care of everything.”

“Do you want me to carry you to Ashley’s office?”

“Oh, for crying out loud. No, I don’t want you to carry me. Thank you for helping me to the chair. Can you please check on Nick?” He nodded and walked away.

“You know he’s probably already talking to Ruby, who will then call Amber? Let’s get those blood tests done,” Ashley said with a sweet smile.

Why is she smiling like that?

I followed Ashley. Now I was worried about this constant fainting. “Why do you think I’ve fainted three or four times now? I don’t feel sick. My body isn’t doing what it usually does. I am tired more often than usual. So I think it’s good I’m getting the test done.”

Ashley looked at me like she couldn’t believe I had just said that. “What is the matter?”

We walked into her office, and she sat down. “When was the last time you had a period?”

“What, why would you ask me that?”

“I’m asking because you have all the symptoms of someone who is pregnant.”

“Pregnant?” My breathing almost came to a stop. My mind was working so fast that I shook my head. Wait a minute.Did I have a period after I came back from Italy? No. That means I’m gaining weight because I'm pregnant, and when I thought something was wrong in my stomach, it was a baby telling me I’m in here. I’m not that stupid. I would know if I was pregnant. I’ve been pregnant before. I put my hand on my stomach and knew I wasn’t getting fatter. It was the baby getting fatter.

“Well, have you worked everything out in your mind?”

“Yes, I’m four and a half months pregnant. Or I will be four and a half months in another week. How did I not realize what was going on? In my mind, I told myself something was wrong with my stomach. I guess I didn’t want to admit that I could be pregnant. I have one child going away for college and a new one who will be here in about five months.”

“Is Nick the father of your baby?” Before I could answer, the door opened, and Ruby and Amber walked in.

“What is going on with you? Asher said you fainted.”

“I’m not sick. It would seem I’m pretty stupid.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I thought there was something wrong with me. My clothes didn’t fit. I was tired. I fainted a few times. I’m having a baby.”

“What!” Both of them shouted. Amber started laughing, and she hugged me. Ruby twirled me around.

“Who is the father? How far along are you?”

“I’m four and a half months. The father is someone I spent a night with once.”

Ruby looked at me. “It’s Nick.”

“Be quiet. Someone might hear you.”

“You have to tell him.”

“He’s in surgery. He was stabbed in the stomach. He might die,” I cried.

My sisters hugged me to them, and I felt better. “Can you believe I thought there was something wrong with me? I’m having a baby. I was so stupid.”

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