Of Lorenz Theory & Love

JHMD: Two Sapphire Lines

46: JHMD: Two Sapphire Lines

7:20 pm, 1 month and 3 weeks before the wedding, Vera Manor, Macy's Bedroom

It was seven weeks after Harry proposed.

Macy knew Maggie had a point. Maybe it was time, after all, to accede the reins to her younger, bubbly, certainly more energetic sister, and realize for once in her life, it was impossible to control every little thing. "Ok Mags, you're officially appointed my wedding planner."

Maggie squealed in delight. "You won't regret this!" Macy shot her a look. "I mean, thanks for the opportunity—this will be the best wedding ever."

"I hope so, Mags. I just want a small outdoor Vera Manor wedding, some dancing, and cake—nothing too complicated, hopefully. I can't stop getting overwhelmed by wedding websites and Harry wants this off my plate so I stop passing out on his watch."

"Yeah," Maggie spoke. "We were really worried when you fell into Harry's arms after blast-barricading the siren, we all thought for a moment that...you were...well," Maggie's voice quavered, "...dead. You really scared us, sis. It reminded Mel and I of Marisol."

"I'm sorry," Macy said, after a momentary pause. "I really didn't mean to scare everyone that badly. It's just that I've been feeling so off lately. I keep thinking it's probably just wedding stress, but Harry wants me to test in case to rule anything else out. I told him I'd take it first thing tomorrow morning—I swear he'll have my head if I forget."

"Makes sense; as for feeling "off"—in what way?" Maggie asked curiously.

"Basically, I get stress-related stomachaches, I get lightheaded, have vertigo, pass out, and I can't remember the last time I had a decent cup of coffee, my taste buds have been downright weird," Macy thought aloud. "I'm approaching 30—maybe it's extremely early onset Alzheimer's?"

Maggie laughed. "I'm pretty sure it's not Alzheimer's. You're only 29, for crying out loud."

"True," acknowledged Macy, finally managing to crack a smile. "Plus I've been unusually hormonal."

"So take the test?" Maggie pointed at the box once more, now sitting upright on Macy's nightstand.

Macy sighed. "If I take this test, and it comes out negative—I might wish it were positive, just to think about what could have been, in a wistful sort of way. But if it comes out positive, that means changing my entire life—I won't be able to work with certain laboratory chemicals anymore. I won't be able to fight battles with sirens and other mythical creatures. My life won't become anything I thought it would be when we first became the Charmed Ones."

"True—having a baby does change things," Maggie said, "but what about the things you can do? Like dancing with your baby to your favorite songs? Seeing the awesome dad skills hidden beneath Harry's sleeve? Or having outdoor family picnics under the tealights, all five of us, baby included? You can still operate your genetics business. Just sit back and have Harry, your lab assistant do all your grunt work, it's literally your 'get out of jail free' card—" Macy laughed.

"I could switch to writing journal articles, I suppose—or do data-driven analyses on genetic samples rather than expose myself to the chemicals themselves," Macy mused aloud, "both for future magical battles and for the field of genetics research as a whole. And maybe I can fight the mythical creatures, once those nine months are up."

"Exactly. Now get some rest—I'm going to go plan us a fabulous wedding!" and with that, Maggie practically skipped out of the room, mentally flipping through her numerous Pinterest boards and visualizing various themes that could incorporate the sparkling tealights and natural beauty of the Vera Manor ivy.

6:50 am, Next Morning, 1 month, 2 weeks, and 6 days before the wedding, Vera Manor, Kitchen

It was seven weeks and one day after the proposal. Harry, unable to sleep, had gone downstairs into the kitchen to brew himself a cup of tea. Earl Grey, steeped for two minutes exactly. Macy had promised him last night to take the test, and he hoped that it would explain exactly why she had been feeling so under the weather lately.

What if she's not pregnant? The thought prickled at him. In that case, he and Macy would marry soon, and perhaps start a family of their own then. There was a part of him that secretly hoped that she was, however much he tried to silence the thought in his brain.

What if she doesn't take the test? Harry hoped, for Macy's sake especially, that they wouldn't have to call on an external medical provider. That would mean needles and drawing blood—not exactly pleasant stuff. He knew Macy could be incredibly stubborn when provoked, and he really did not fancy taking this option at all.

But, what if she is pregnant? Harry pondered this wild thought for a bit while taking slow, small sips of his tea. He wouldn't let himself get too excited at this point, because it was entirely possible that Macy was simply over-exerting herself, fighting battles and going a bit crazy with wedding planning. That must be it—maybe she had anemia, or iron deficiency, or Vitamin C deficiency like those soldiers he'd encountered back on the battlefield in the 1940s. Could this be rickets? Maybe this is rickets...

7 am, Vera Manor, Macy's Bedroom to Shared Bathroom

Macy woke up early and saw that Harry had already gone downstairs into the kitchen to brew himself a cup of tea. She grabbed the test and went into the bathroom to reread the instructions. What if it's a false negative? Or a false positive? She tried to quell these pesky thoughts from her brain. It was way too early in the morning for this. She proceeded to use the restroom, did as the instructions required, and waited for the stick to do whatever on earth it was supposed to.

7:02 am, Vera Manor, Shared Bathroom

Holy. Shit. Macy counted out two minutes exactly and reviewed the results. Two perpendicular intersecting lines—a bright sapphire-colored plus sign.

Pregnant.

Definitely, without a doubt, pregnant.

7:10 am, Vera Manor, Kitchen

Macy threw the paper box and instructions in the trash, rose from her previously seated position on the tiled bathroom floor, and went, as if in a trance, down the stairs to the kitchen, where Harry was nursing his steaming hot cup of tea. He looked up at her, as if in askance. Could this be the moment their lives were going to change forever?

She walked up to Harry, showing him the positive stick. "Happy Father's Day, Harry," she whispered, as he rose, and, tearing up, gathered her in his arms in a quiet kiss.