Comeback (Sequel to 'Before the Storm')

Chapter 31: Lines

Four days later

Ally's POV

My stomach churned as I stumbled to the bathroom, barely making it before retching into the toilet. Again. This was the fourth morning in a row.

As I slumped against the cool tile wall, a horrifying thought wormed its way into my mind.

No. It couldn't be. We've been careful... haven't we? I closed my eyes, trying to remember.

There was that night after Joe's sold-out show, when we'd both had too much champagne and threw caution to the wind.

The weekend at the beach house where we'd gotten caught up in the moment, not once, but several times.

The quick tryst in his dressing room before a big show.

The lazy Sunday morning in bed where protection was the last thing on our minds.

Who was I kidding? We'd been reckless. Caught up in the whirlwind of our rekindled romance, we'd acted like lovesick teenagers rather than responsible adults.

With trembling hands, I fumbled through the cabinet, pushing aside skin care products and makeup until I found the small box I'd bought on a whim months ago.

Just in case. I never thought I'd actually need it so soon.

The three minutes it took for the test to process felt like an eternity.

I paced the bathroom, chewing my nails raw. My mind racing through all the possibilities, all the ways this could change everything.

What would this mean for my career? I had three major campaigns lined up. The fashion show in Paris, the Tommy campaign launch in New York, the magazine cover shoot.

A baby would change everything. Was I ready to put it all on hold?

And Joe... oh God, Joe. We've only been back together for four months. It felt like we were still finding our footing, learning how to be "us" again.

He already has two kids from his previous marriage. Does he even want more?

We recently talked about having a family someday, but it was always in that vague, distant future kind of way. Not now. Not when his music career was reaching new heights and he was already juggling custody arrangements with his ex.

The timer on my phone chimed, making me jump.

I squeezed my eyes shut, heart pounding as I picked up the test. Taking a deep breath, I looked down.

Two pink lines. Positive.

"No, no, no," I whispered, panic rising in my chest.

This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not when everything in my life was finally falling into place again.

I stumbled to my feet, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

My face was pale, eyes wide with fear. This wasn't the composed, picture-perfect image I usually presented to the world.

This was raw, vulnerable Ally – a side I rarely let anyone see.

I sank to the floor, the test clutched in my shaking hands as tears began to fall.

What was I going to do? How would I tell Joe? Would he be excited? Terrified? Would this bring us closer together or drive a wedge between us? We'd been through so much already!

I thought about the life growing inside me. A tiny spark of possibility. Half me, half Joe. Despite my fear, a small part of me felt a flicker of warmth at the idea. A family of our own.

My head snapped up as Joe's voice broke through my panicked reverie. I hadn't even heard him come in.

"Hey babe, have you seen my—" Joe stopped mid-sentence, his eyes fixed on my trembling hand.

"Ally? What's going on?"