FIRE & BLOOD • EVAN 'BUCK' BUCKLEY / 9-1-1

68.

My hair was sticking to the back of my neck and forehead. I was drenched from head to toe, my body shivering from the Florida rain. Typical weather of the sunshine state. With this rain, I'd expect a cold front to come in the morning. I readjust the strap of my bag over my shoulder, waiting for the door to open. The door to my mother's house. A small click and a moment later the door was swinging open, followed by a loud shriek full of excitement.

"GRANT, LOOK WHO'S HERE! OH" My mother lunges forward, rushing me inside and out of the rain, "Oh, my darling you're completely soaked! I am so sorry I had you waiting. Goodness." My mother shuts the door behind us. She grabs both of my bags from me. I look around the house that was once my home. Everything still looks the same. The wooden stairs to my right that I'm sure still creak with each step you take, making it all the impossible to ever sneak out. The walls were still painted a warm beige color. Grant's favorite brown leather couch was surprisingly still in decent shape in the living room accompanied by both brown reclining chairs on either side. I could still see all the plants hanging above the small kitchen window straight ahead, the spices atop the black stove. Grant appears at the small archway that leads into the kitchen.

"What! My goodness kiddo, what a surprise!" He says, his glasses sitting on the bridge of his nose. "Christmas came early!"

"Thought I'd come and see you guys for a few days if that's alright?" I say.

"Of course it is, kid. You know your always welcome to visit anytime."

I smile at Grant, shrugging off my jacket. Before I could even hang it up on the coat racket that hid behind the door, my mother snatched it out of my hands. "Stella, this thing is drenched in water. Here, go on up and take a shower. I'll throw this in the washer for you." My mother squeezes my cheek the way she would when I was a child. "I am so happy you are here. We were getting ready to make dinner, it's lasgana night!"

My stomach growls at the sound of dinner. I have been surviving off gas station food the entire trip and would do anything for a home cooked meal right now. "I came right on time then" I reach for my duffle bag. My mother watches my walk up the stairs, every step whinning the whole way up. I stop by my room first which was the first door to the right. I reach for the doorknob and twist. A sensation washes over me as I step into my room. It looks exactly the way I left it. The pale pink comforter and white throw blanket were still on my bed. My white vanity sat to the left of my bed and my small nightstand on the right, next to the window. The rooms were the only areas that had carpet in the entire house. There was a slight chill in the room, and I could hear the water beating against my window, my white curtains drawn open. That's when I noticed the window was cracked open, the windowsill wet. I stride across the room to close it shut, another shiver running down my body. I needed a very hot shower and warm clothes ASAP. I drop my duffle bag ontop of my bed, opening it and reaching for the small plastic bag that sat ontop of my clothes. My hands trembled as I reached for the contents inside the bag, inhaling deeply as I look down to the Clearblue box. I grab a matching set of pjs and clean underwear and hurry across the hall to the bathroom before my mother could see what I held in my hands.

Christmas definitely threw up in my bathroom. The shower curtain was red with silver snowflakes all over, white towels hung above the toilet, the shower rug white againts the marble floor. And it smelt like bergamot and sandalwood in here with a small hint of sage.

I turned the shower faucet on all the way to hot and let the water run for a few minutes as I took the pregnancy test. My hands trembled slightly as I set the stick on top of the counter, waiting for what felt like ages. I sat on the toilet, my leg shaking uncontrollably as my mind raced at a hundreds miles per hour. What am I going to do if it comes out positive? What is my plan? Kids weren't a part of my plan for another couple of years after I finish my residency. Oh, god. I blew out a long, shaky breath as I rest my head in my hands. Breathe.

I grab the stick off the counter, mentally preparing myself as I look down at my results. My body goes completely still as I look at the test...

At the two lines staring up at me.