Page 93 of Erik's Redemption
“Great.” Chandler’s typing sounded over the call. “Sending over the job details now. I’ll let Rachel know.”
The call ended and Hannah scooted toward the side of the bed, but before she could stand, he grabbed her wrist and tugged her back to him. “You trying to get rid of me?”
Her lips hovered over his. “If there are bad people who need to be eliminated, you should be the one to do it. After all, you’re the best.”
Finally, she kissed him. And fuck, he got so lost in that kiss, he turned and pulled her beneath him, forgetting every fucking thing that came before this moment.
Hannah watchedthrough the window as Erik’s Corvette pulled out of the garage. Every second that ticked by had more nerves trickling down her spine.
She stood in the living room, fingers shaking as she held on to the window frame. Even after the Corvette disappeared, she didn’t move right away. Something stopped her. A fear that sat so deep in her belly it felt unmovable.
It took her several deep breaths before she could stand. Then another to head down the hall and lift the keys to her house and step outside. The wind was cold against her skin, every hair on her body standing on end. But that chill wasn’t only from the weather. It was from what she was about to do.
The uneven ground crunched beneath her feet, the distant sound of birds barely reaching her ears.
It was early evening, and fortunately, Erik had spent the entire day prepping for his job, so he hadn’t asked what was bothering her again.
God, she could kick herself for not hiding it better. She should have known he’d see it all over her face. He saw everything. Certainly more than she wished he did.
Her fingers trembled as she slotted the key into her front door and slipped inside. Her small home always felt even smaller after spending so much time in Erik’s house. And today, it was cold too. But again, maybe that was just her.
She toed off her shoes and moved down the hall. She didn’t stop to turn on the heat. A part of her was scared that if she paused to do anything else, she might lose her courage again. She couldn’t do that. She had to be strong. She had to know, one way or the other.
She slipped into her old bedroom and straight into the walk-in closet. At the open cubicles, she rose to her toes, reaching into the top one. Her finger reached beneath clothes, feeling the hard edge of the box. She pulled it down.
For a moment, she just looked at the thing.
Breathe, Hannah. Just breathe.
She forced her legs to move. Once she reached the bathroom, she tore open the box and took out the stick. With one final breath of courage, she turned toward the toilet.
Once she was done, she shoved the stick back into the packet and dropped it to the counter like it was a bomb about to detonate. So many thoughts and emotions rolled through her mind. If the test was positive, what would Erik do? She’d brought up the possibility of kids more than once…would he think she’d done this on purpose? Would he leave her? If he stayed, would he resent herandtheir child?
A panicked sob bubbled inside her. It was so consuming, she almost grabbed her chest and keeled over. Erik had become her entire world. Her heart couldn’t take it if he started hating her.
She didn’t think he’d leave, but then…she also didn’t think he had a lot of control over the fear inside him at the prospect of being a father.
Of course, the test could always be negative.
But the thought didn’t bring her peace. Instead, it made an ache cut into her heart. She pressed a hand there. The idea of not being pregnant hurt just as much. Because she wanted to be a mother. She hadn’t realized how much until that option had been taken away from her.
Tears gathered in her eyes. Either way, she lost something. There was no way for her to come out of this unscathed.
When it was finally time, her fingers trembled so badly that it took her three goes to pick up the packet without dropping it, then another few tries to get the stick out. She started to turn it over, but hesitated, courage faltering.
Just do it, Hannah. Turn it over. Read the stick.
She turned it over—and her world stopped.
A wave of emotion passed through every limb, crumpling her to the floor.
Pregnant…she was pregnant with Erik’s baby. A tear trickled down her cheek.
She was going to be amother. She didn’t know the first thing about being a mother, but God, in this moment, she wanted to give this child the world. She wanted to give it every ounce of love. Every bit of comfort and safety that she’d been denied as a child.
She pressed a hand to her belly, taking a deep breath. “We’re going to be okay.”
There were moments in her life when she’d wondered how she’d survive to the next day. But this wasn’t one of them. Therewas no doubt, only determination. She would be okay for her baby.
