Page 37 of When the Leaves Fall
DREW
M om and I are packing our bags before heading to the airport to fly back home after our week in New York.
As I take my morning meds, I make a mental note that I have less than a week’s worth of birth control pills left, which is the perfect amount to get me back to Colorado and refill my prescription in time.
But I never made it back to Colorado. And I never refilled my prescription.
T wo pink lines. Clear as day.
I’m pregnant.
Tears stream down my face as I stare at the results. I’m pregnant. I’m going to have a baby.
Do I want to have a baby?
I gently place my hand on my stomach, and a smile spreads across my face. Yes. I want this baby. And without a doubt in my mind, I know Luca will want this baby too.
I’m having a freaking baby!
I put the test into my purse, pat my face down with cold water, and head back into the store.
The cashier gives me a weary look as I approach her. “All good?” she whispers to me as I hand her the bathroom key.
I smile and nod. “Yes,” I whisper back. “I’m going to be a mom.”
“Well, then, congrats!” she cheers.
“Thanks,” I reply. “Now I just gotta find out how to tell Dad out there.” I point my thumb toward the parking lot.
“Ooh,” she replies with a smirk on her face. “I have an idea.”
I open the passenger door and slide into my seat.
“Hey, there.” Luca smiles at me, leaning over for a kiss.
“Hi!” I lean into the kiss. “I have something for you.”
“Yeah?” He winks at me, eyeing me from head to toe. “What’s that?”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, not that, you perv!” I playfully smack his arm. “Close your eyes,” I demand. “And hold out your hand. ”
His nose wrinkles and his eyebrows furrow for only a second before he does what he’s told. “This isn’t a trick, is it?”
“No, just a fun surprise,” I reply. “Keep your eyes closed or you’ll ruin it.”
“Fiiinne,” he laughs and holds out his hands.
I place a few items carefully in his palms. “Okay.” I inhale deeply, then exhale. “Open your eyes.”
Luca looks down and sees a Baby Bottle Pop, a pink and blue Laffy Taffy, and a small bag of Hershey’s Kisses. A look of confusion crosses his face. “What’s all this?” He looks up to me, where I’m holding out the test.
His jaw drops. “Drew…what? Are you serious?”
The corners of my lips curl as I nod excitedly.
Luca opens his car door, steps out, and drops all of the treats I gave him onto his seat. Shit . Is he not happy? I thought he’d be excited. He walks around and opens my car door, pulling me out of the car and into his arms.
“I’m gonna be a dad?” He asks quietly.
“Yes,” I whisper in reply. “You’re gonna be a dad.”
Luca’s lips crash into mine, his arms wrapping around my waist. My hands rest on his chest, and I can feel his heart beating fast. He pulls back, resting his forehead on mine.
“Happy?” I ask.
He smiles, kisses my forehead, then shouts for the whole world to hear. “We’re having a baby!”
I glance behind him and see the cashier watching us through the store window, clapping and cheering for us.