Chapter 25
Abigail
“Ohmygod…” My eyes widened as I stared at the little white plastic stick telling me something I’d hoped it wouldn’t. “This can’t be right.” But the blue cross on the stick was telling me that it was indeed right.
Maybe it was a mistake. These things could be wrong. They were only 99.6% accurate. So there was that .4% that was wrong. Digging into the bag, I pulled out another test, this time a different brand.
I was a few days late for my period and was always on time, but that could have been anything. Sure, add in the nausea that started a few days ago and it was looking a little more suspicious. But again, the nausea could also be explained away.
Late period, nausea and a positive on a pregnancy test was all adding up to the same conclusion.
How was it possible, I was on the pill…
The antibiotics. Fuck! How could I have been so stupid? I’d been on antibiotics for an abscessed tooth around the time Devon and I had had sex in the hot tub. That’s all it would have taken. I’d known of a couple girls who had been in that exact situation and ended up being knocked up.
But I’d try one more time. Pulling the stick out of the box, I sighed as I positioned myself over the toilet, attempting to pee while holding the stick under the stream. Once done, I placed the test on the marble bathroom vanity and waited.
“Mommy, I want to swim,” Isabella called through the closed bathroom hotel room door.
“I know, sweetheart. I’ll just be another minute.”
Counting down two minutes, I refused to allow myself to sneak a peak at the result. Once the time was up, I made a silent prayer that it wouldn’t tell me I was carrying Devon’s child. Picking up the stick, I brought it to eye level and my heart stopped.
Another positive.
Oh god, oh god, oh god.
What in the hell was I going to do?
I’d seen the news online. There were lots of rumors about Devon and several different women since I’d left. It didn’t take him long to get back to his old ways. Once a player always a player, wasn’t that how the saying went? I’d made the right decision to leave, and him going back to his old ways had confirmed that. It would take time for my broken heart to heal. I’d hoped a month away to a destination I’d always dreamed of going to would get my mind off him, but it hadn’t. With each day that passed, the pain did get a small fraction less, and I knew one day my heart would be healed.
Leaving had seemed to be the right decision, until now.
Now I had no idea what to do.
After what happened with Isabella’s father, I was tempted to not tell him. I was playing the role of single mother currently to one child and I felt I was doing a pretty good job; I could be a mommy to two. It would mean I’d have to put off going back to school for another year or two, but such is life. Thankfully, I still had the vast majority of the five-hundred thousand that Devon had given me.
I could make it work.
There was only one problem though: I couldn’t do it to him. He’d already had a woman who gave a baby up on him, without his input. How could I have this baby and not tell him, giving him the chance to be the father?
Fuck… Closing my eyes, I sighed and leaned back on the toilet.
What was I going to do?
~*~ TT ~*~
Nice resort, I thought as we approached. The sprawling estate was on the ocean and built in several divided levels. It looked more like dozens of condos than a hotel. The palm trees swayed ever so slightly from the warm, ocean wind.
The cab pulled up to the front of the resort and the doorman came forward opening the door for me.
“Thank you,” I said, stepping out.
“My pleasure, sir.” The tall, young, black man smiled at me. It wasn’t a forced smile like you saw all to often in New York, but wide and seemingly genuine.
So pleasant, everything about this country was pleasant and quaint. I’d only encountered a few natives so far, but all had been very friendly. Even the Customs people had been delightful. If things went bad with Abigail, at least I could spend a few days relaxing by the pool.
As soon as I reached the threshold another worker, this time a woman greeted me. “Mr. Townstead?”
I paused a moment and stared at her.
“We know when our guest flights come in. You’re the last guest for the evening,” she explained.
Chuckling, I nodded. “You’re correct. Very smart.”
“Thank you.” She waved for me to follow her.
Instead of one large, long, general reception desk, there were six desks set up. She led me to hers and motioned for me to take a seat, while she sat across from me, behind the computer.
As much as I appreciated the hospitality, I was anxious to get my luggage in the room and find Abigail and Isabella.
It took close to ten minutes; she insisted on going over all of the resorts amenities – in detail – before releasing me from the check-in process. Fuck, there was some pile of amenities.
“Thank you for staying with us, Mr. Townstead. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to give me a ring.” She smiled at me as she handed me my key card. “Your luggage should already be in your room.”
“Thank you so much. I appreciate your help.” Grabbing the handle of my carry-on, I wheeled it to the elevators. I was booked into a suite on the fifth floor, which also happened to be the highest level in this establishment. Apparently, it had an amazing view of the ocean.
Once in my room, I took a moment to step onto the balcony and look out over the ocean. The water was the most stunning shade of light blue. The wind was rather strong today, causing waves which made the water look like there were diamonds spread across the surface.
Taking a deep breath in, I enjoyed the fresh ocean air. One of the things that made Bermuda so beautiful was the lack of motor vehicles and factories. I couldn’t wait for evening when I could kick back on the balcony and look up at the stars without having to peer at them through a haze of pollution.
With any luck, I’d be looking at the stars with Abigail at my side.
Taking a quick shower, I changed into a fresh pair of jeans and a blue button-down shirt. Giving my reflection a quick once over, I decided I looked as good as I was ever going to look. Sliding the hotel card into my wallet, I shoved the wallet into my back pocket and exited the room. Abby was on the same floor as I was, but she was on the other end of the hotel.
Upon reaching her room, I hesitated at the door before knocking. Holy shit! I was nervous. For a moment I was transported back in time, back to high school, when I had no experience with women and each time I attempted to ask a girl out I’d freeze up and punk out.
There was no punking out this time.
Come on man, you’ve come this far, get it over with. I was no longer in high school and there was one big distinct difference, she was in love with me. Her roommate, Carrie, may not have given me her location, but she’d accidently told me that my assumption was right, Abby was in love with me and scared of being hurt. Not in so many words, but she’d said enough for me to read between the lines.
It was all a matter of not taking no for an answer.
I knocked and waited for a reply. There wasn’t a reply right away, but after a second bout of knocking the door was flung open. Lowering my gaze, my eyes caught the stare of the miniature version of the woman I loved.
“Devon!” she squealed her eyes lighting up with happiness as she ran forward and hugged me.
“Hey sweet girl.” I chuckled as I bent and picked her up. “Miss me?”
“Uh-huh.” She was smiling from ear to ear as I settled her on my hip. “I missed you so much!”