5. Anna Marie

Chapter 5

Anna Marie

Eight Weeks Later

T he smell of Caity's popcorn makes me wretch, and I rush for the staff bathroom. I've been training under Caity for the two weeks on the night shift since I started working at St. Joseph's Medical Center. She has a habit of making popcorn on her break, and every night, I have the same reaction. I must have developed a sensitivity to the smell because I've never had this reaction before.

"Anna Marie, are you okay?" Caity knocks on the bathroom door.

The cool water feels good on my clammy skin as I splash my face and rinse my mouth out with it before opening the door. "I'm fine. I think I'm just sensitive to the smell of your popcorn."

"You do realize you work in a labor and delivery department—don't you recognize the signs—you're pregnant!"

"No, that's impossible."

"Why? Are you a virgin?"

I count back the weeks, trying to remember when I had my last period. It was before the Elf auction. "No, I'm not a virgin. There was this one guy right before Christmas."

"Here, I went to the pharmacy yesterday morning after work and picked this up for you," she hands me a box of pregnancy tests. "The way you've been reacting to my popcorn every night had me wondering if you might be pregnant."

This can't be happening. Henry said he'd had a vasectomy after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. He said our one night together was a mistake.

"Take the test. At least you'll know for sure what you want to do if you are pregnant." Caity gives me an encouraging smile before closing the door and leaving me alone in the bathroom with a box of pregnancy tests.

I glance at the bathroom counter, five pregnancy tests scattered on the white surface, intensifying the two pink lines from each test glaring back at me, and place a hand on my stomach. "Oh, little love, what are we going to do?" There's no question in my mind, I'm keeping this little life growing inside me. But should I tell Henry?

He's a neonatologist and understands how precious each life is. I can't imagine he would want me to get rid of the baby—but is it worth the risk to tell him?

Jolie moved out of our apartment two weeks after the elf auction, and even though we talk or text every day, I haven't seen her in over a month. Will I be able to keep this secret from her?

Oh my god! I'm carrying my best friend's half-sibling. She deserves to know; they both do.

"Anna Marie, open up. Some guy is looking for you, and he's not taking no for an answer."

I glance down at my watch; it's five-thirty a.m. Who would be looking for me at work at this time of day?

I throw the pregnancy tests in the garbage can, "I'll be right there." I wipe at my suddenly damp eyes. "Tell whoever it is I'll be out in a minute."

The romantic part of me hopes it's Henry rushing here to declare his undying love for me, but the logical part of my brain is telling me it's just a demanding family member of a patient who has questions about their loved one's care.

A queasy feeling starts in the base of my stomach, and I know it's not from the morning sickness. The dread of walking through that door and seeing Henry after all these weeks wreaks havoc on my nerves. My hands are clammy, and my legs feel like rubber as I walk down the hallway to face the truth. I'm having a baby with my best friend's father.

I'd be lying to myself if I didn't admit that I've missed Henry terribly since he kicked me out of his hotel room that morning. Now, finding out I'm carrying his child, I couldn't be happier. I know I'll have to tell him someday. Hopefully, that day isn't today.