Olive's P.O.V.
I spent the rest of my time in Ian's house with the thought gnawing away at me. Is there a baby growing in me right now? Am I going to have a baby the same age as my soon to be brother?
What do I do?
I had such a strong urge to run out of Ian's house, buy a test and pee over the damn stick. I wanted to know right now, right this very second. Instead I helped Caterina with dinner. I helped set the table up with Ian, and sat to eat with them, making small talk with Donald. It was a very pleasant evening. One I would have enjoyed a lot more if I wasn't worried about carrying another life in me. I found myself looking at my flat stomach with great curiosity.
"What's up with you?" Ian asked me as we were clearing the table.
"What do you mean?"
"You seemed distracted all throughout dinner." I currently hate that he can still pick up on my emotions so easily.
"I don't know what you mean." I shrugged my shoulders, meandering towards the kitchen.
"Oh come on, Red, talk to me. #1 best friend remember?" He followed me into the kitchen with his own stack of dishes.
I bit my lip as I thought about telling him. It didn't feel right though. This was something I wanted to share with Lucas before anyone else. Although, I guess I should see if there is anything to share before I send him a message.
"Just thinking about my dad and his pregnant girlfriend. I'm going to have a baby brother." I gave him something plausible and true, even though it wasn't the thing that was currently making me feel this way.
"I'm sorry, Red. I can't believe he's managed to convince someone to be with him again. I am sure it's a lot to think about. Don't worry, your little brother will have someone looking out for him...you. You didn't get that growing up, but he will. You're already making his life better." Ian's words hit me like a strong punch.
He's right though. I didn't have anyone looking out for me once mom left. Ian sort of took that role when we met, and then Joe apparently was, but I had no idea. I'm going to make sure my little brother never goes through the same darkness I did. I'll make sure dad doesn't hurt him the same way he hurt me. I'm going to be there for him, even if dad doesn't tell him who I am.
"Thank you, Ian," I whispered through the thick emotion in my throat.
"Any time, Red." He pet my head like I were a dog, so I playfully punched him in the side. He rubbed it, making an 'ow' face, but he was smiling.
I left Ian's house shortly after, racing to my car, and the nearest store with a pregnancy test. I checked for Dad's pick up truck before I got down. There's no way I'm going to let him see what I'm buying right now. I raced inside, finding the aisle I needed, grabbing about 3 different early detection tests. I've never been happier for a self checkout counter in my life. No one needs to know what I'm buying. I double bagged it so it was hard to tell what I had, and left after paying.
I clutched onto that bag for dear life as I mad my way to the car. My stomach was swirling with worry. I've been on birth control for a year now. I'm always very diligent about taking it. I only missed one day, and it was the day after Lucas' accident when I had stayed in the hospital. I mean we didn't have sex for a week at that time. I thought I was fine.
I'm an idiot.
I threw the bag in the passenger seat, of course, having it's contents spill out. The box taunted me from the seat as if it were making fun of me for being so stupid. I grabbed it, shoving it back into the bag forcefully. It didn't take long to reach the Inn. Portsmouth isn't exactly the largest town.
I raced inside and straight into the bathroom. I peeled open one of the boxes, taking the long stick out. I quickly scanned the directions, making sure there wasn't a certain way I needed to pee on this damn thing. My heart was racing and all I wanted to do was pace back and forth. I peed, flipping the test upside down after, so I wouldn't be watching it for the 3 minutes I needed to wait. I decided to call Lucas, but this time I figured I should face time. He can get the news with me.
I set the phone against the backsplash on the counter before calling. I was chewing the side of my thumb nail, pacing, when Lucas answered. His hair was wet, and his body was glistening with droplets of water. He had just come out fo the shower with a towel hugging his hips.
My Adonis.
"Rose what's wrong?" He furrowed his brow as he saw me.
I stopped pacing, turning to face him. I could see myself in the little box on the screen. I looked a mess with a crazy look in my eyes. It was obvious I was stressed the fuck out. I leaned towards the phone.
"I'm late," I whsipered.
"You're late?" He furrowed his brow so hard it met in the middle. I could tell it wasn't clicking.
"Yes, my period is late," I explained, biting my lip after.
"Oh...OH....OHHH!" With each oh his voice got higher as if each oh was making him realizes more and more. "Are you..?"
"I figured we could find out together." I picked up the phone, turning the camera so it was facing the test.
"Holy shit! Okay, I'm ready when you are," he assured me.
I could see the same wild look in his eyes, only there was more. It seemed like he could almost be excited, and it made my heart race more. I picked up the test with shaky hands and a pounding heart. I was surprised Lucas couldn't hear it through the phone. I slowly turned it, reading positive on the front. I froze and I think Lucas did too as we stayed silent.
I'm pregnant...
"I'm coming to Portsmouth right now. I'll be there soon," Lucas said very seriously. "I love you, Rose. Don't panic."
He hung up after that without me saying a word. I was still stunned silent looking at the test like it was mocking me. I opened the other two boxes and peed on those sticks as well. They were all a choir of positives.
I placed my hand over my flat stomach, immediately thinking of Daisy and how she would rub her bump to remind herself my brother was there. I can see why she would does it. My body doesn't feel any different, aside from what I'm realizing is not a stomach bug.
Is that morning sickness?
I finally willed myself to leave the bathroom and the sight of the 3 positive tests. I laid back on the bed with my legs dangling off the side. I stared at the pure white ceiling wondering what exactly I would do. It'll be due around July, probably, so at least I will have graduated. It'll be hard to find someone willing to hire me when they see a pregnant belly. My field isn't exactly a woman led one. I have to prove myself and it's hard to do so as a mom.
I feel like I read somewhere that employers like to hire women that are single, and have no kids, over a married mom. Mom's seem to miss work for their kids or their husbands more. They aren't just one person anymore. Can I still do what I love to do? What I set out to do?
I must have fallen asleep at some point amongst my contemplating, because I woke up to my phone vibrating in my hand.