Evaporate

chapter seven.

Thalia's POV

Most of my day has been normal, other than the fact that I've been dealing with the worst case of sore boobs that I've ever been graced with and now, I'm fully convinced that I'm pregnant again. And to further prove it, the school day was that much more difficult with heartburn and extreme fatigue.

Lisa had suggested that I take a pregnancy test two days ago but I had brushed it off. Now that the school day is over, I'm driving to the drug store not too far from the school and buying two boxes with two pregnancy tests each. I quickly pay and drive to Jean's.

"Thalia! Hey! What a nice surprise!" Jean grins. "I was actually going to call and ask if you were up for a girl's night on Saturday." She smiles. I nervously return a smile. 

"I'll have your answer in about five minutes." I sheepishly hold up the two boxes holding pregnancy tests. Her eyes widen and then she grins.

"No way! Another Dolan baby?" She whispers. I blush and laugh softly.

"Most likely... I mean... Look at these!" I point at my swollen, tender breasts. Her eyes widen.

"Just like when you were pregnant with Theo." She whispers then points to the hallway. "You know where the restroom is."

Five minutes later, I'm still too nervous to pee.

"Jean, I need more water." Five cups of water later and three minutes after that, Jean nods.

"It's been three minutes. Let's go." I bite my lip and nod, leading her back to the restroom. I nervously pick up the tests and hold them, two in each of my hands.

"Holy fuck..." I mutter and feel myself start to get dizzy. I steady myself against the sink and bore holes into the tests. "I'm.. pregnant..?"

"Yes, ma'am. Four bright ass plus signs." Jean grins.

Grayson's POV

I frown and check the time. Lia should've been home just over an hour ago. I sigh and continue to pace, worried.

"Daddy where's mumma?" Theo asks. I pick him up and hug him. Just as I'm about to respond, the doorknob jiggles as Thalia unlocks it.

"Mumma!" "Baby!" Theo and I simultaneously yell. She walks in and I can tell she's been crying causing me to immediately frown. She flashes us a bright smile and that's when I realize it. No matter how terrible she's feeling, she'll always put on the better mask for us.

It's both good and bad. Good because she'll always be a strong and reliable woman for our son and future children. Bad? Because if she doesn't have the physical telltale signs of distress, I won't even notice.

"Hi guys, I need to use the restroom real quick." She heads there  before we can question it, and Theo frowns.

"Why does mumma have red eyes?" Theo asks, curious as ever.

"She accidentally got dust in them bubba. Can you go play while mumma gets out of the potty?" I smile at him and he nods.

"Tell her to come play with me when she done." He smiles brightly, just like her, and runs off when I nod.

Once she steps out, she looks as if she's never had anything go wrong in her life. She's a blank canvas, wiped clean.

"What's wrong?" I immediately ask, pulling her into a hug. She hugs me back tightly.

"I was just really stressed and needed a good cry." She kisses my shoulder before pulling away and smiling. I nod and smile back. I won't press further, she'll come to me when she's ready.

"Alright, are you okay here with Theo? I'm going to help my dad out with those cabins out in the woods today." She looks intrigued.

"Oh? Are they the ones that you family has owned since like ever?" She starts to get ingredients out of the fridge. I nod and make up a lie about fixing them up for the people renting there.

"Okay, babe, just stay and eat first." she smiles.

"Alright, but I gotta get going after that."

By the time I get to the pack houses, I can see the students lounging around in front of the main house. I jog over and smile before dipping my head in a greeting.

"Alright, everyone, please come together." I motion for them to come closer, and they rally up quickly, standing at attention as I survey them. "Everyone who's here for shifting management stand here," I point to my left. "And everyone else stand here." I point to my right. Luckily, only 4 or 5 of the kids stand in the shifting management area.

I explain to the that they're going to have to keep up with training and spend extra time here for shifting management. They agree and I begin with basic strength and stamina tests to see what I'm working with.

By the end, I find the results to be fair, they're all in decent shape. I start the session with stamina training.

Running, some stretching to help and they're good for the day. They'll be sore tomorrow, but we've got to have everyone in the pack able to fight or run when needed.

After training all of them, I dismiss everyone except those in need of shift management.

I walk them through the emotions they can channel to shift and how to control it. From here on out, they just need practice and occasional reminders. 

By the time I'm done with them, it's been four hours and I'm due to meet with my dad to take care of some Delta paperwork and a meeting that should've started approximately 30 minutes ago. I run over and make an appearance, get work done and rush home to Thalia and Theo. It's already 11:43 pm when I shut the door.

The apartment is silent when I walk in and I notice Thalia sleeping on the couch. I smile softly and gently carry her upstairs to our room. I set her on her bed and walk into Theo's room, finding him tucked in and in a deep sleep. 

I return to Thalia and I's room and find her changing into pajamas. She's always been a light sleeper, whereas Theo and I sleep as if we were dead. I hug her and kiss her softly and her nose scrunches up.

"You need a shower." She tiredly giggles and I blush. 

"Sorry, I was sweating most of the time." I grab a towel and pajamas.

"Well, shower quickly, I want cuddles." She smiles softly.

"Of course, my love." She turns and I notice her shirt is tighter on her. I shrug and get into the shower, but I can't help the memories from before I left for university.

The weight gain, emotional roller coasters, nausea, throwing up randomly.

Is she pregnant?