One Night Only

Chapter 29

One month later...

With my hair tied back in a neat bun, I enter the building with a newfound confidence. It's been a hard year but I am finally doing something for myself and I have high hopes for my future. Stopping at the front desk, I smile at the woman who sits behind the desk in her uniform. "Hi, I'm here to see John and Alizabeth."

She glances at her computer. "They're available. Just head down that hall. It's the first door on the right."

"Thank you," I smile.

"You're welcome."

Walking down the hallway to their shared office, I knock in the open door before stepping inside. "Good morning."

"Good morning," Alizabeth responds with a bright smile. "How are you today?"

"I'm okay. How are you?"

"I'm wonderful," she says, reaching in her drawer for a small plastic cup with a lid. "We'll be doing your drug test today and if all goes well, next time I see you you'll be getting fitted for your uniform. The army will be happy to haveyou."

"Great," I respond happily.

She hands me the cup and nods towards the door. "You know where it is."

Leaving the room, I go into the cup where I do as I'm told. When I return, I hand her the cup. "There you go."

"Thanks. You can have a seat," she says, retrieving something from her desk drawer. I sit down at stare at her expectantly. She sets a small box on her desk then opens the cup. "This is the first thing we test for with females. If it's negative then we send it to the lab to be tested."

My heart drops when I see the pregnancy test. I attempt to remember when my last period was but due to the stress of recent events, I can't seem to remember it. But I'm on birth control so it shouldn't be an issue. "I get the shot," I say, voicing my thoughts.

She dips the test into my urine then places it on the tray. Placing the lid on the cup, she stares down at the stick. "It isn't always effective. It'll take a few minutes. Do you have any questions?"

I shake my head. "I don't believe so."

Even though the chances of me being pregnant are slim, I can't help but be worried. Especially considering the fact that I can't remember when my last period was. It could be stress though. She gains my full attention when her mouth opens then snaps shut. Her eyes meet mine, telling me everything I need to know. "It's positive."

My stomach churns painfully and I feel nauseous. "It can't be. There's no way," I say quickly.

She gives me a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, Madison. I can tell this is unexpected and poorly timed. I suggest setting up an appointment with your doctor. If you decide you still want to join afterwards, then I'll be more than happy to sign you. I wish you the best of luck."

"Thank you," I say softly.

Standing up, I leave the office absolutely devastated. Sitting in the car, I run my chest. There's a knot in my throat but I can't seem to cry. Taking out my phone, I dial Dominic's phone number. He answers on the second ring. "Hey. Is everything okay?"

"No," I say, my voice cracking. "Where are you?"

"At the casino. What's wrong?"

"I'm on my way."

Hanging up, I buckle up then start the car, driving towards the brick building that Michael runs. Part of me fears going there with the possibility of seeing Owen but the odds are small. From what I've heard the two houses aren't on good terms. But that's the last of my worries. All I care about is getting to Dominic. He's the only one I have. He's my support.

When I get to the brick building, I part in back and enter the door that I know leads to the underground casino. A few men stare at me but I don't care. I go down the stairs to the casino where Dominic is pacing. When he sees me, I see the worry in his eyes. It's my undoing. My eyes fill with tears and I sob, throwing myself st him. He wraps his arms around me and I melt into him. "Tell me what's wrong, Madison. I can't help you if I don't know."

"He's not even here and he still manages to ruin my life," I cry.

"What are you talking about?"

I pull away from him, looking into his eyes. "I'm - I'm pregnant," I whisper.

His eyes widen and his jaw drops. Pulling me to his chest, he hugs me tightly. "It's okay. Everything is going to be okay," he says reassuringly. "I'm here for you."

Sobbing into his chest, I wish the past year had been a dream. The time before the pregnancy. Before I had met Owen. Before I met William. I want to be back in my grandmother's house where I knew I was safe from people like this.

But my grandmother is gone and this is my reality. A lifelong of punishment to go along with my pain. It's neverending.

When my sons turn into sniffles, Dominic takes me back upstairs. The car ride is a blur and before I know it, I am back in my apartment. "Are you hungry?" he asks.

I shake my head. There's no way I could eat after a day like today. Hell, it took me a week after being left at the alter to eat and that was after Dominic begged me to. He gives me a stern glance but it immediately softens. "It's not just you anymore."

The thought makes me sick. I never wanted this. Especially with a man like Owen. "I'm not hungry," I say quietly.

Sighing, he runs his fingers through his hair. "Are you tired?"

I nod. Crying is exhausting. He holds out his hand and I place my hand in his. He leads me into my bedroom where I crawl into bed. When it looks like he's going to leave, I sit up. "Please don't leave me."

He frowns. "I don't want to overstep any boundaries."

I shake my head. "I can't be alone. Please stay."

He looks hesitant. "I'll sit in the chair."

"Can you hold me?" I ask, my voice quiet and broken.

Taking a deep breath, he makes his way to the bed where he lays beside me. I cuddle up to his side and he presses a soft kiss to my forehead. "Sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

I believe him because he's the only man who has ever been honest with me. I trust him with my life.

**************************

Vote ★ Comment ★ Follow