Page 40 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 take mental note that I have less than two weeks’ 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.
I inhale deeply, hold my breath while I count to five, then slowly let the air out. Can’t hold this off forever.
I look down at the counter where the test stares at me in all its taunting glory.
Only one line .
That’s negative, right? I quickly grab the directions and scan them for probably the tenth time, just to reassure myself. Yup, it’s negative.
I’m not pregnant.
I had my period the first week my mom was in the hospital, but I haven’t had it since. It’s undoubtedly from all of the stress that came with my mom being in the hospital.
A sigh escapes through my lips. I wasn’t sure what result I was hoping for. I think I would have been fine either way, but I can’t deny there’s a small sense of relief flowing through me right now.
I head out of the bathroom, grab a candy bar and a bag of Chex Mix, and head up to the counter.
“Here’s the key,” I say, handing it to the cashier. “Thanks so much for that.”
“Everything okay?” she asks.
I smile. “Yup. Everything is as it should be right now.” I pay for my snacks and make my way back out to the SUV, and slide into the passenger seat. I put my snacks on the dash, turn to Luca, grab the collar of his shirt, and pull him into me for a kiss.
When we pull back from each other, he wears a large smile on his face. “What was that for?”
“Nothing, really,” I say through pursed lips. I look out the front window. “I just found out you’re not gonna be a daddy.”
“Wait, what?!” Luca gasps. Confusion lines his face .
I turn back to face him, patting his lap. “Not yet anyway.” I shoot him a wink. I watch as his face relaxes.
“You okay?” He asks.
“Yes, it was just a moment of math gone wrong,” I laugh. “I promise, I’m good. You good?”
He nods. “I’m good.”
“Great!” I lean over and plant a peck on his cheek. “Let’s hit the road, Jack.”
“Only twelve hours left to go,” he replies and then puts the car in drive.
“You know, Drew,” Luca says slowly, grabbing my hand and lacing his fingers through mine. “I would have been very okay if you told me I was going to be a daddy.”
Warmth floods my insides. “I know, Luca. And one day you will make an amazing dad.”
He lifts my hands to his lips and places a gentle kiss on mine. She shoots me a smirk. “Looking forward to it.”