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“Humor me,” I try

She thinks over the question for a moment “We had a happy childhood” She finally says “Dad worked a lot, but mom was always here, ya know? She loved the hell out of us” She takes a deep breath “What I’h he acts like a big asshole nant, and you choose to keep it, he will support you and love the hell out of that baby” Gemma smiles “And I for sure will”

I wipe away a stray tear “Thank you”

“I’ll give you a h and leaves me in the bathroom

We stare at the stick for a full three minutes after I pee on it

Two lines

Pregnant

Gio sits behind a panel of glass looking at me expectantly His face holds days of stubble, lassy and colder than they nors to the chair on the other side of the glass separating us and sit down

I wonder e’re separated by the da to hurt ainst ain

In unison we pick up the phone that connects us, and allow us to hear each other's voices

“Annie,” he greets, his voice is hoarse and raw but I still relish the sound “I’lad you came”

My eyes fill with tears as I look at hih, not like the man I fell in love with “I’m sorry” I whisper

“For what?” He asks “You think you should be here instead?”

I have no words so I just meet his eyes We both know the answer, yes, it should be me in there

He looks down, and then back up at aze “No” He tells me “Don’t ever think like that You will never be the one in this chair” His words cut through me like fire “Say it to me now Annie You will never be the one in this chair”