Page 124 of Surviving Slater

I closed my eyes briefly and I leaned my head against his shoulder. I believed him.

"I don't think I've ever held a baby," he said thoughtfully, and I nearly laughed hysterically.

"I don't know how to look after a baby."

"We'll figure it out if we need to. People become parents every day. It's not impossible," he reminded me with a shrug.

I nodded, hanging on to the hope he gave me.

"It should be ready," I said even though I wasn't ready to look.

Together we walked to the counter but I couldn't bring myself to look.

"I'll do it," he said as I closed my eyes. "It's one line. What does that mean?"

Feeling relieved, I opened my eyes and checked the test.

"I'm not pregnant."

I looked up at him and he smiled. "See? There was nothing to worry about."

I was glad we weren't about to become parents, but I had learned something very valuable from it.

For the first time, I truly believed Slater was in it with me no matter what life threw at us. If he was willing to stick it out for an unplanned pregnancy, he was in it for the long haul.

"Maybe one day when we are ready kids might be something we want." Just when I didn't think he could surprise me further, he did.

"Maybe one day," I murmured.

That night I slept beside him, feeling like there was no other place in the world that I belonged.

It was still darkwhen I slid from the bed the next morning, making sure not to wake Slater who slept peacefully on his stomach, stretched out across the bed.

For a moment I hesitated and I allowed my eyes to drift over him before I found his discarded shirt on the floor and slipped it on.

I padded down to the kitchen. I felt the bubble of excitement as I got the ingredients I needed out. I had practiced the recipe with Taylor to make sure it didn't result in a disaster and it had gone well enough for me to attempt it on my own.

Over the past few months, I'd started making some small meals to boost my confidence in the kitchen. I smiled to myself at how nervous Slater got when I decided to make supper. He bought a fire extinguisher just in case, like I was going to set the kitchen on fire at any moment.

My smile widened. This was going to show him I was capable.

After months of splitting my time between my apartment and his place, I felt at home when I stayed over.

I mixed the batter and tasted it. Yummy.

While I made the pancakes, I thought back over the past few months. He was finally making some headway with Shannon. It hadn't been easy but perseverance had gained the trust he'd lost with her. It would take time to build their relationship but he was doing everything he could.

I had burned the letter from my uncle. Revealing what he'd done to me would only hurt the ones I loved. I went to the shrink once a week and was still working through my issues. It wasn't something that was easily fixed but I was determined to find a way to deal with it.

The sun started to rise as I flipped the last pancake. I wiped my forehead as I switched off the stove and placed the last pancake on the plate.

I grabbed the whipped cream from the fridge.

"I thought we agreed you don't make anything in the kitchen unless I'm around?"

I gripped the whipped cream as my heart somersaulted in my chest.

"You scared me," I said, turning to face him.