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"You're pregnant, baby," I repeated, this time with a smile, not wanting Toya to take my initial reaction as a sign that I didn't want this. The timing was off, and the circumstances were different from what I would have preferred, but the fact that she was carrying my child filled me with a flicker of excitement I couldn't extinguish as I now stared into her worried eyes.
"I am," she said, finally finding her voice.
"How are you feeling?" I asked, holding on tighter to her warm hand. "You're so tense."
"I... I don't know. I was worried about your reaction." she cautiously revealed. "This doesn't happen to people who diligently take their birth control."
"You thought I'd be mad?" I said with raised eyebrows, realisation prompting me to pull her onto my lap as she nodded in response to my question.
"Baby," I whispered, kissing her shoulder. "I'm not mad. The thought didn't even cross my mind."
"What thought crossed your mind then? 'Cause something did."
"A lot did." I admitted, adjusting my position on the couch so we were both comfortable as she snuggled her face into the crook of my shoulder. "I wondered how long you've been pregnant, and if taking birth control does anything to you or the baby in that time period where you don't know you're pregnant. I thought about your health during the tour. I know how demanding the preparation and the performances can be. I don't want you doing too much if it means you and the baby won't be okay. I'm thinking about getting us a house, upgrading your car, hiring security—"
"Whoa, Towani." she stopped me mid-ramble, her hand sliding up my chest as I ran mine up and down the small of her back. "Looks like the only thing you didn't think of is marriage."
"I did, actually." I admitted through a light chuckle. "Would you rather get married before or after giving birth?"
"I'd rather we slow down and tackle one thing at a time. You're a hundred steps ahead of me, baby." she giggled, her voice back to its usual relaxed tone as she sat up to look at me.
"My bad," I mumbled as I got lost in her eyes, my heart swelling in response to the glow of affection I found there. "Let's start with the birth control thing. Do you know?"
"I'm not exactly sure," she said. "Chey was here and we looked it up together. There was no talk about birth defects, but they did mention that there are other possible outcomes that still sound scary. I'll have to mention it to the doctor when I have my first scan so they know what to look out for."
"Okay," I replied, making a mental note about finding the best doctors to help her in this time. "Was Chey here for moral support?"
"No," Latoya laughed, "I was the one here for moral support, initially. She was here for chicken wings."
"Isn't she vegetarian?" I asked, noting the humour in her voice and just knowing that the story behind whatever happened here today would be a funny one.
