Page 80 (1/2)

We walked up to the cashier, a young teenager She looked at the basket of tests as she blew bubbles with her chewing guratulations,” she said, swiping the boxes “Or ative,” she said “Or my condolences if it’s positive, too I don’t know Whatever”

We didn’t reply to her commentary Damian simply paid for the tests, and ent on our way He didn’t sayHe simply drove, then opened the door for me e arrived home, and he walked inside with me beside him

“Should I take one now?” I asked

“Do you want to?”

“I don’t know I guess Maybe? Christ I don’t knohy I’m so nervous”

“You’ll be fine Take t, and then you can take some later if you need to” He held two of the randorabbed theainst my forearm “Stella”

“Yes?”

“Whatever happens, whatever the outcome, I’m all in”

I parted my lips to reply, but no words caivefor I unwrapped two tests, peed on the sticks, set theainst the counter, then called Damian into the bathroom

I set a tis bent up His arm was looped with mine For ten minutes, we sat still and didn’t speak a word Every now and then, his hand would rub gently againstme bursts of comfort

The tied Damian looked at me

“Can you check? I’ sick to my stomach

He stood, looked down at the two tests, and held them up in the air His mouth parted, and he spoke, “Baby”

“Baby?” I scrambled to my feet I took the tests from his hand and felt as ifout of my chest “Baby”

“Yes”

I looked at Da if he was okay, wondering if this was all right “Happy or scared?” I softly asked

He placed the tests down on the counter, laced our fingers, and ainst ainst my cheeks, but they weren’tfrom his eyes as he held me closer “So happy”

As our eyes locked, I saw a ht ently kissed my palm “Happy or scared?” he asked