The Miami Diaries Book 3

Chapter 3

T/W: Mentions sickness and vomitting.

***
Lex

Man, I really haven't well at all today. Luckily all I had in today's schedule is finishing up some photo prints and going grocery shopping. I'd just finished the shopping and was carrying the bags inside when a wave of nausea overtook me.

I drop the bags, making a mad dash for the bathroom, just managing to get the toilet seat up before losing my breakfast. I lean against the bathroom wall, my stomach still churning.

I lean forward, getting sick once more. Perfect. I probably picked a flu bug at that family reunion. I knew some of some of the food tasted...off. I grab a wad of toilet paper and wipe my mouth.

"Crap," I mutter. Now is definitely not the time to be getting sick. I get to my feet, feeling a little unsteady but I hold on to the sink, moving to bend my head down, twisting on the faucet and splashing some cold water on my face.

There. That feels a little better. As I'm heading back to finish getting the rest of the groceries, a thought strikes me: maybe it's not the flu bug, but a sign that I'm...pregnant.

Quickly I rummage through the sacks, trying to find one of the pregnancy tests I bought. I hurry to the bathroom and do the test. Then I wait for three, long agonizing minutes.

***
Steve actually arrives home before nine o'clock that evening. I still hadn't been feeling the greatest so I didn't make any actual dinner. I hoped Steve would forgive me.

"Baby, you okay?" I swear, Steve can always seem to pick up on when I'm feeling unwell.

"I wasn't feeling the best today," I reply. "So I didn't make any dinner. I'll make you something if you want, though."

"I'll just find something." Steve's eyes are on me and I try to smile, but end up bursting into tears instead.

"Lexie, what is it?" I rush to Steve, holding out the pregnancy test. He accepts it and looks. Steve's mouth trembles as he wraps his arms around me. I press close to him, quickly drying my eyes.

"I'm sorry," I say. "I didn't mean to cry." Steve gently kisses me, looking a little teary-eyed himself.

"When did you find out?" Steve asks.

"This afternoon," I reply, immediately reaching up to touch his beard. It calms me down.

"Are you happy?" I ask Steve. He kisses me again, grinning.

"I am. Are you?" I laugh, feeling better now that I've my news with my husband.

"Yeah," I whisper. "I actually am."

***
Steve

I don't think the reality has set in yet. Lex seems a little...unnerved, but I get that. I kinda feel that way my. Lex has also been a little..ill. She was in the bathroom twice since I've gotten home.

I ended up just microwaving a couple of frozen burritos for my dinner. I hoped it wouldn't make Lex more ill. She joins me in the kitchen as I'm taking the burritos out of the microwave. She'd just gotten out of the shower and I catch a whiff of her lavender body wash.

"How are you feeling?" I ask, opening up the silverware drawer and digging out a fork.

"Exhausted and nauseous," Lex replies, getting herself a glass of orange juice.

"I'm sorry," I cutting into my burrito. Lex just nods.

"It's not your fault. It's just the new pregnancy hormones."

"Do you think you'll get any crazy cravings?" I ask.

"Possibly. Oh."

"What?" I ask.

"I should probably go to the doctor, and see what they say," Lex says.

"I'll go with you," I say. Lex finally smiles.

"Thanks. I'd appreciate it." I lean over, kissing her forehead and Lex's smile widens.

"Hey, everything will be okay," I tell her.

"I'm just kinda...scared."

"I get that. I am, too. This will be a whole new thing for us. But you know what? I think we'll knock it out of the park."

Lex laughs a little, reaching up to touch my beard. That simple act seems to calm her down if she's upset or stressed out. I cover Lex's hand with my own.

"I'm so happy that I have you in my corner, Stevie." I grin.

"Back at you, Lexie."

***
Lex

Once the initial shock of my pregnancy has worn off and I'd been to see the doctor, making sure that the test was correct, Steve and I made our baby announcement.

However instead of having a party, we simply call up everyone and tell them over the phone. Part of the reason we did it that way was because of how crappy I've been feeling and I just wasn't in the mood to be around a ton of food and company.

Of course, Mom, Uncle Grant, Lorna and Jack (Steve's dad), were extremely excited to hear that they'd be receiving a a grandchild and a great niece or nephew.

And of course, Mom had a million questions, including if I was planning on returning to work once the baby was old enough to be away from me.

"Is she kidding?" I fume to Steve. "The poor kid hasn't even arrived yet and Mom's already going into overprotective Grandma mode!" Steve laughs.

"She's just excited," he says. "The first grandchild is always a big deal."

"Who's side are you on?" I demand. Steve pulls me against him and I rest my head on his chest.

"Yours, Lexie. Always yours." I lean back, looking up at Steve. It seems to me that Steve has been calling me 'Lexie' more and more. I guess I don't really mind. Except...Speed often called me that.

So everytime Steve calls me 'Lexi,' immediately I'm reminded of..Speed.

"I just don't want my mother telling us how to raise our child," I tell Steve. He kisses me and I smile.

"Although we can be open to suggestions," Steve says. "We'll raise our child how we choose to." I hug him.

"Have I told you how much I love you?" I murmur, moving to take Steve's face in my hands.

"You have," Steve says softly. "But I don't mind if you want to tell me again."

"I love you, Steve Speedle," I whisper.

"I know. I love you too, Lex."