Corrode - [Charles Leclerc]

𝙑𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙞

         Joanne had followed up Annemarie's advice. She didn't want to tell Charles about that she threw up, she didn't want to worry him with something that might just be a simple stomach flu and she may not be pregnant at all. They had lunch together and Joanne tried to act as normal as possible, while he spoke about the appointments he had this afternoon and that he'd home before dinner. Charles stood up after he finished his lunch and he looked at her, caressing her face and he kissed her lips tenderly. The gaze in his eyes made the butterflies rumble in her stomach and the brief thought flashes through her mind how great of a father he would be with their baby. "I'll be home again soon, mon amour". Charles muttered and waking her from her thoughts, which made her nod and reach up for another kiss. Charles smiled at her before he took his jacket and moved into the hallway, Pierre following him outside while Mick and Marcus remained at the door.

Annemarie said she would get the pregnancy test for Joanne, so she didn't have to go out while she could possibly get nauseous again. Joanne watched some TV with the kids, but they were impatient to play in the garden and she asked Marcus to watch them meanwhile. She had the living room for herself and she rested back against the couch while she looked up at the ceiling. It was possible that she could be pregnant. Let's be honest, besides the pill she took every day they weren't using any other protection, and the pill had proved more often that it wasn't too reliable when it's not taken according to it's strict rules. Joanne used to take it every day at twelve, during lunch, but she found herself forgetting and then she took it before bedtime. Her cheeks grew hot at the thought of the last time she and Charles had sex, in Australia, which had been intense and honestly, she wouldn't be surprised if that man got her pregnant right there. "Is everything alright, Joanne?". Mick showed up at the door and it made her look over at him.

"I'm fine, but thank you, Mick". She replied at the young mobster who nodded curtly at her response. "If you and the boys want to go swimming, the pool is just cleaned at the beach gate is open. Marcus or I can come with you". Mick said next. "Annemarie is doing some groceries for me, I will wait for her and then I'll see, alright?". Joanne smiled at the polite man. "Of course". Mick bowed lightly before he turned around again. Joanne fiddled with her nails as she grew impatient for Annemarie to return. If she was indeed pregnant, she had no idea how to tell Charles. He was busy this week, so she might had to postpone it and just find a right moment. She didn't want to distract him from his work. Joanne had a book laying on her lap, her finger was holding the page for a couple minutes, maybe fifteen already. Annemarie came home next and Joanne closed her book, laying it down on the table before she went towards the hallway.

The lady was let in by Mick and Marcus. "Shall we head upstairs, Ms?". Annemarie asked and Joanne nodded, appreciating some privacy from the others while she would take the test. "I just want to add, if the test has a positive result, the doctor of the house can check up on you if you feel like that's necessary". Annemarie told her as she closed the door of the bathroom behind her. "Alright, let's take the test first". Joanne forced out a smile while she was a little nervous. "Of course". Annemarie bowed politely and got out of the bathroom to let Joanne take the test on her own. Joanne followed the instructions of the packaging and stripped from her underwear, taking a deep breath before completing all the steps. "Anne? Can you come back in?". Joanne asked, sitting on the edge of the bath after she flushed the toilet. Annemarie came back in the bathroom. "What is the result?". The house lady asked. "I didn't look yet". Joanne laughed softly. "Shall we look?". Annemarie suggested with a smile and Joanne nodded, feeling her heart beating rapidly in her chest.

She looked down at the test, the two pink lines clearly visible. The test was positive. "Can I congratulate you?". Annemarie asked and Joanne nodded, a smile breaking through on her face and her eyes got slightly watery. "You can". She stood up and wrapped Annemarie up in a hug. Annemarie was clearly startled for a second, but she hugged Joanne back. "Congratulations on your pregnancy, Joanne". Annemarie was visibly happy for her. "Can you do me a favour?". Joanne asked, pulling gently back from her. "Don't tell Charles yet. He's busy with work and I want to find the right moment to tell him". Annemarie nodded. "Of course, it's none of my business to tell anyone here". She smiled and Joanne nodded. "Thank you for doing this with me". Joanne was grateful. "I'll leave you alone for a bit now". Annemarie let go of Joanne and left the bathroom. Joanne walked out too, sitting on the edge of the bed and looking down at her flat stomach. She remembered how big she got while she was pregnant with Liam and she couldn't imagine seeing that on herself again, but now she could see it in her thoughts.