Book Two: Adaptation

•7•

•Nava•

Sitting on the balcony, I stare up at the stars while I rub my belly in circles wishing this nausea would pass so I can possibly go back to sleep.

It's still hard to believe I'm pregnant but it makes sense with the way I've been feeling lately what with all the mood swings, constant hunger, tender breasts, all the talking to myself, and not being able to keep anything down. It should have been obvious but I put it off because I got my period that last week of July.

Taking a deep breath I think about what my mom said at the engagement party about me looking different. I thought she meant it in a way like I've grown up before her eyes that I looked different but maybe she could tell. Is it possible?

Curious now, I sit up for my phone to call her.

Listening to the dial tone, she picks up on the fifth ring, "Nava?"

"Hi, Mommy. Sorry to wake you up, I know it's late" I gnaw on my lip.

"Are you okay?" She wonders and I look up to the sky again feeling nervous.

"I think so. I just needed to hear your voice; I'm freaking out a little"

"What's the matter, sweety?" She asks, fully awake now.

"Well..." I know I told Abel we'd keep this news to ourselves until after the doctor's appointment later today, but I need to talk to my mom now. "I'm um... I'm pregnant." There's a long pause on her side of the phone which makes me more nervous than I already was to begin with but she was going to find out eventually. "Mommy? Are you still there?"

"You're pregnant?"

"Yeah... I-we found out a few days ago. I've been trying to wrap my mind around it ever since"

"Oh my god, Nava. Abel told me you two were using protection, what happened?"

When did he say that?

"Um, we kind of stopped when we went to Japan." I keep up the lie.

"Are you going to keep it?"

"Of course. I'll admit this is very unexpected, but I want it. I believe everything happens for a reason." A deep sigh on her side I sit up, "Are you mad at me, Mom?"

"I'm not mad, Nava. I had a feeling, but I let it go when you didn't say anything. Even though I do believe you and Abel are rushing through this, I just want you to be happy, baby."

"Did you not want to give him your blessing?" I question knowing she's talking about our engagement.

"I was hesitant at first but when I look at you two I see so much of me and your dad. We didn't know each other long but we fell madly in love very quickly and knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. Your grams felt the same way I feel now but she trusted me to make the right decisions for myself, and I trust you to do the same thing. I wasn't lying when I told you, you found a good one in Abel; I don't know him very well but I know he's deeply in love with you and that's enough for me"

Listening to her talk, tears well up in my eyes. I had no idea she felt this way but I'm happy we're having this talk now because I really didn't know how she felt about Abel and I.

"Thanks, Mom. I really needed to hear that" I wipe a fallen tear away.

"Awe, you're welcome, darling. I'm glad you called, you can call me anytime and I will always answer"

I nod even though she can't see me, "I have an appointment later today and we're going to see how far along I am."

"Be sure to get a sonogram and send me a picture of my grand baby" she laughs making me laugh too.