Legacy of Healing

Chapter 33: Expecting?

The next day, Anastasia woke up with a mix of anxiety and determination. The conversation from the day before replayed in her mind, and she knew she needed to confront her fears. As she got ready for work, the idea of a pregnancy test loomed heavily over her, a weight she could no longer ignore.

After a quick breakfast, she decided to stop by the pharmacy on her way to the office. The bell jingled as she entered, and she felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach. Glancing around, she spotted the aisle with pregnancy tests, her heart racing as she walked toward it. She picked up a box, feeling its weight in her hands, a symbol of the uncertainty that had settled over her life.

After a moment's hesitation, she grabbed a couple of other items to make it seem less obvious—some snacks and a new magazine—before heading to the cashier. She tried to keep her expression neutral as the cashier scanned her items, but her heart was pounding in her chest.

"Hope you have a good day!" the cashier said with a bright smile, handing her the bag.

"Thanks," Anastasia replied, forcing a smile as she exited the store, clutching the bag tightly.

As she continued her commute to work, she felt a mix of apprehension and hope. What if the test was negative? What if it was positive? A million thoughts raced through her mind, and she struggled to focus on anything else as she entered the office.

Throughout the morning, she went through the motions of her job, but her mind kept drifting back to the test waiting in her bag. She felt a growing urge to take it, to finally get some answers.

When lunch rolled around, she decided it was now or never. She quickly made her way to the restroom, her heart pounding with each step. Once inside, she locked the stall door, pulling out the pregnancy test and reading the instructions with shaky hands.

Taking a deep breath, she followed the directions, her anxiety building as she waited for the result. Each passing second felt like an eternity, and when the time finally came, she hesitated before looking down.

Her heart raced as she glanced at the test, and her breath caught in her throat. Two lines. Positive.

Panic coursed through her veins, and she felt the ground shift beneath her. "Oh no," she whispered, her hands trembling as she dropped the test back into the box. Tears pricked at her eyes as she leaned against the stall wall for support. She hadn't expected this.

The implications swirled in her mind. How would Elijah react? Would he be excited or overwhelmed? What about her own feelings? She didn't even know if she was ready for this.

After a few minutes of steadying herself, she composed herself and exited the restroom, her heart still racing. She tried to focus on work, but every time her phone buzzed or someone called her name, she jumped, the anxiety consuming her thoughts.

As the day dragged on, she found it increasingly difficult to concentrate. By the time she finished her shift, the sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the office. As she gathered her things, she felt a surge of determination. She couldn't put this off any longer.

When she finally walked through the door, the mouthwatering aroma of spices wafted through the air. Elijah was in the kitchen, busy stirring a pot on the stove, a look of concentration on his face. "Hey, babe! How was your day?" he called out, glancing over his shoulder with a smile.

"It was fine," she replied, trying to sound upbeat as she walked further into the kitchen. "What are you cooking?"

"Just something special for us," he said, stirring again before turning back to her. "I thought we could have a nice dinner together. It's been a while since we've just enjoyed a meal."