Mil SO (Military Significant Other)

22. Without You

I woke to someone shaking me gently. I looked up to see Hadley shaking me awake with tears running down her face. I sat up and opened my arms for her. She curled up on my lap. There was no need for me to ask what was wrong; I already knew. I felt my own tears welling up in my eyes. We sat there and cried for a while until Hadley fell asleep again. The door creaked open slightly to reveal Piper. She looked between Hadley and me. She moved Hadley off of my lap and took her to her room before coming back to me. She got in the bed and pulled me into her side

“Are you okay… really okay?” she asked me. I shook my head and welcomed her embrace. I halted as my stomach became uneasy.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” I muttered before I rushed to the bathroom. I heaved into the toilet for minutes until I could finally relax. I sighed and closed my eyes briefly. I noticed that Piper was in the bathroom with me. My hair had gone up into a ponytail.

“Honey, are you okay?” she asked me. I shook my head.

“I haven’t been feeling well,” I replied honestly. She sighed and touched my cheek gently.

“Sweetie, you’re burning up. Let’s get you to a doctor,” she said. I shook my head.

“It’ll pass,” I said. She shook her head and helped me off the ground.

“You need to see a doctor,” she said anyway. She helped me out to the door and into the car.

“What’s wrong?” Kaden asked as we got in.

“I don’t know, that’s why I’m taking her to the hospital,” Piper said.

“I’ll call Nash,” Kaden said. Before I could protest, we were off. I sighed and slumped in the seat. I seriously felt like shit. I sighed and closed my eyes. When we got to the doctor’s office, Piper signed my in and we waited. The doctor saw to me quickly. He pulled some blood and took a urine sample as well as my weight, height, and the rest of the works. I waited in a room with Piper as we waited. There was slight knock on the door before it opened, revealing the doctor.

“Well, Ms. Morgan. We found the cause of your sickness,” he said, looking over my charts. “Your tests came back positive… you’re pregnant,” he said.

It felt like the air was just knocked out of my lungs. I subconsciously placed a hand on my stomach before my eyes shot to Piper. She had tears in her eyes with a small smile.

“I’m going to be a grandma,” she whispered. I was still in too much shock to react. The doctor prescribed me prenatal vitamins and instructed me on what to do if I was going to keep the baby.

Like the opposing was even an option.

This was Heath’s baby. I knew it was going to happen eventually, I was just hoping that I would be graduated before this happened. I was only 17 years old. I sighed and finally snapped out of my shock. I looked to see that Nash was with Piper now. I still had a hand on my stomach. I was going to be going into my junior year pregnant with my Marine fiancé’s baby.

“Iris, are you okay?” Nash asked hesitantly. I shrugged.

“I don’t know,” I answered hoarsely.

“This is good news,” Piper said softly.

“It’s great news… just bad timing,” I sighed, closing my eyes briefly.  “I’m going to be a pregnant junior and Heath is going to miss everything,” I tried to explain.

“We’ll be with you… all of us,” Nash said, taking me hand in his. Piper nodded in agreement.

“I’m sure Ivy, Brooklyn, and Kaden are all going to help as well. Heck even Hadley will help. Heath isn’t here, but you’re not alone in this,” she promised. I tried to cover my sob with my hand but it was no use. Nash hugged my shoulders and Piper joined in on the hug as well.

“We all love you, and we’re going to love this baby the same,” Nash assured me. I sighed and tried to stop crying.

“Can we get out of here please?” I asked. They both nodded and we went through the proper channels to be released from the office. Piper took me back to their house where she took care of me for the rest of the day. I rarely left Heath’s bed. Eventually, I did get up to write Heath a letter as I promised.

 

June 23, 2012

Hey Heath,

I promised I would write, so… here goes nothing. Even though you only left a day ago, so much has happened. It seems I have begun to take up residence in your home. I don’t know why writing letters makes me sound like an old woman. I can’t wait for you to get back. I have big news for you. We have big news. Your mom and I have bonded. Nash has been over as well. We all miss you greatly.

I hope everything is going well over there. My uncle might come and visit just to mess with your training. All I can advise is to sound off, move fast, never quit, and the position of attention is your safe zone whenever speaking to a drill instructor. But you’ve probably already learned that. I know that it’s tough mentally, but be strong. I’ll be waiting for you.

I love you,

Izzy

 

I looked over the letter before putting it in an envelope and addressing it to my uncle. I knew he would give it to the proper channels to reach Heath. Sighing, I looked out the window to see it was way past nightfall. I stood and walked downstairs. Brooklyn, Kaden, Ivy, and Hadley were in the living room with Nash. They were talking and laughing, but stopped when they saw me.

“Iris, what are you doing up?” Nash asked, coming to my side. I chuckled and held up the letter.

“I promised I would write… Plus, I ‘m kind of hungry,” I said. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly and chuckled.

“Sorry about that. I can’t help that I’m worried,” he admitted.

“You shouldn’t be. I’m pregnant, not cancer stricken,” I reminded him. Brooklyn shot up and so did Ivy.

“Wait, what?!” they said almost simultaneously. I looked at Nash questioningly.

“You didn’t tell them?” I asked. He shrugged.

“It wasn’t my secret to tell,” Nash answered. I sighed and Ivy and Brooklyn rushed over to me and started putting their hands on my stomach. They immediately started gushing over me. Piper came in and rescued me.

“Guys, stop it. Iris, come, I made dinner for you,” she said, leading me to the kitchen. I ate my food thoughtfully. I would have to tell my aunt and uncle. I would have to tell the general. I knew for a fact that Curtis and Clara would be over the moon. I would wait to tell Heath. I would tell him when he returned.

~