Army Way of Life

Chapter Twenty

"Paige, I need you to come over," I said quietly into the phone.

"What's going on?" She asked, sounding worried.

"I'll tell you when you get here," I told her.

"I'll be there in 10," she assured me. "I'm on my way to the car now."

I didn't bother replying, instead I just hung up.

Ryker was down for his nap and I paced the living room floor, anxious for Paige to be here.

My head swam and my stomach churned.

Paige bursted through my door less than 10 minutes after she had hung up and I suspected she had been speeding on her way here.

"You better tell me what's wrong right now before I completely freak out on you, Quinn Ellis."

"I think I'm pregnant," I said, refusing to look at her.

"You think you're what?" She demanded.

"Don't make me say it again," I pleaded.

"How?" She asked.

"I don't know. We were careful so this didn't happen again."

"Apparently not careful enough," Paige grumbled.

I gave her a flat look.

"Do you have a test?"

"Yes."

"Let's start there," she said, and shooed me toward the bathroom.

After I had peed on the stick, I sat it on the counter and Paige joined me in waiting.

"How late are you?" I shrugged, not wanting to admit how ridiculous I'd been. I'd been so down on myself that I'd pretty much ignored the early signs of pregnancy.

"It doesn't matter," I told her. I was five weeks late at this point. And I'd been nauseous for weeks. My clothes were even fitting me tighter.

When the timer went off and the plus sign was present, I collapsed to the ground.

"How am I supposed to do this again?" I said. "Like legitimately. This is exactly like with Ryker."

"You have to go about it differently this time, though."

"Duh," I grumbled. "But it's not like I can just call him up and tell him. I can't even just drive up and see him."

"The first thing you need to do is go to the doctor to make sure."

"I'm pretty sure," I said flatly. But I called and made an appointment anyway.

"After you see the doctor and know exactly what's going on, then we can figure out what to do next," Paige said calmly.

"I can't raise two kids by myself..." I said.

"You can," she assured me. "You're strong enough."

"When I tell my parents I'm pregnant, my dad will for sure cut me off. I have zero doubts that's how it'll go down."

"Then don't tell them right away. It's not like they're here to see you."

"But my brother is."

"You think he'd rat on you?"

"No. Ugh. I just can't believe this is happening again."

****

Two days later, I walked out of my OB's office with the knowledge that I was 100% pregnant. 9 weeks along, due April 15th. I was going to have another baby. Another baby neither Jeremy or I were prepared for. But I'd have to prepare quickly because that's the only way this scenario would play out.