Damien and I spent the weekend together. I was amazed at how easy being with him was – somehow, now that everything was out in the open, I felt relaxed and happy just to spend time with the man I adored.
Derek tried calling me twice, but I didn’t pick up, and he didn’t leave a message.
“What am I going to do about him?” I asked Damien nervously. “Do you think he’ll tell Mom and Jack?”
Damien shrugged. “I don’t know, honestly,” he said. “He’s a loose cannon.”
I bit my lip and frowned. “God, I don’t want Mom to know! I’d be so embarrassed.”
Damien gave me an odd look. “Emma, calm down,” he said. “You have nothing to freak out about, okay? We’re both consenting adults.”
I blushed hotly. “But…you’re my stepbrother,” I said, frowning. “That doesn’t look right. It’s like incest.”
Damien burst out laughing. “Trust me, Emma, it’s not incest,” he said. “Everything’ll be fine.” He raised an eyebrow and smirked his trademark smirk. “Besides, they’ll find out eventually.”
I bit my lip. “I guess that’s true,” I said softly. “I shouldn’t worry so much.”
Damien put his hands on my shoulders and pulled me close. “It’s okay, Emma – I get it,” he said softly. “Just try to relax, okay? Take a deep breath for me.”
I sighed. “Okay,” I said. “Thank you.”
Damien raised an eyebrow. “You sure there’s nothing else on your mind?”
I frowned.
“You can tell me,” Damien said encouragingly. “I promise.”
“It’s nothing,” I said hesitantly. “It’s just…I don’t know, on the way over here, Derek said something strange.”
“What did he say?” Damien asked, narrowing his eyes. “I hope you wouldn’t listen to that crazy fuck, anyway.”
“He said you were over here with another girl,” I said softly. I swallowed. “I think that was actually why he brought me here, he wanted you to catch me off guard.”
Damien rolled his eyes and snorted. “No, Emma, I wasn’t with anyone else.” He looked at me. “I haven’t been with anyone else since I started sleeping with you.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” Damien said. “I swear, Em, I wouldn’t lie to you.”
I wrapped my arms around Damien, melting with relief. Hearing him say the words that I’d been praying for felt even better than expected.
“Are you okay, now?” Damien asked.
I nodded. “I’m fine,” I said softly. “Thank you.”
When Damien dropped me off at home, I was hoping to sneak inside and up to my room before Mom could notice me. But I hadn’t even left the foyer when she came out of the kitchen with her hands on her hips.
“Emma, where have you been?” Mom asked. “You’ve been gone all weekend!”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I know I should have called or let you know. I’m fine, though.” I yawned. “I’m just exhausted.” Having sex with Damien really wore me out, I thought. I can’t remember the last time I felt so lethargic!
Mom narrowed her eyes. “I know I shouldn’t be so overprotective,” she said. “After all, you are an adult now. Just remember, while you live in my house, I’d appreciate a little heads’ up.”
I nodded. “You’re totally right,” I said. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
Mom nodded. “Okay, well, are you hungry? I’m making some lunch for Jack and myself – tuna fish, does that sound good?”
I frowned. Normally, I loved tuna…but somehow, thinking about it made me want to throw up. My stomach twisted with nausea and I swallowed hard, breathing through in nose in a desperate attempt to feel normal again.
“I’m fine,” I managed to say. “I’m going upstairs – I’m going to lie down for a while.”
Mom nodded. “Okay,” she said. “But I don’t want you sleeping all day! Tonight, we’re having dinner as a family,” she said sternly.
I flushed. “With Damien and Derek?”
“No,” Mom said with a sigh. “Jack doesn’t want me bothering them right now. Did you know Derek spent the weekend in the office? That was why I was worried about you because I knew you couldn’t possibly be with him,” she added. “Personally, I think they need a break and a good, home-cooked meal. You just know they’re living on pizza!”
I flushed hotly, thinking of my weekend with Damien. “Okay,” I managed to say. “Well, I’ll be down in a little bit. And I’ll have dinner with you and Jack.”
Mom nodded, looking satisfied. “Thank you,” she said. “I appreciate that.”
It felt like our short talk had taken an excruciatingly long time. By the time Mom went back into the kitchen, humming under her breath as she fixed the fish, I bolted upstairs. My nausea was worse than ever, and I went into the bathroom and sat on the lip of the tub, waiting to vomit into the toilet. But frustratingly enough, it didn’t come.
I’m probably just exhausted, I thought as I got to my feet. Maybe I’ll feel better after a nap.
The cotton sheets of my bed felt gloriously cool and relaxing, and my eyes closed like iron doors the moment my head hit the pillow. I’ll just sleep for a few hours, I thought, yawning and snuggling under the blankets. I’m sure I’ll be fine when I wake up.
Hours later, I stirred, waking slowly. I felt groggy and disoriented, and my formerly-sunny bedroom was dark. Frowning, I sat up in bed and stretched before swinging my legs over the side and getting to my feet. I was still wearing the outfit I’d worn to dinner with Derek, days ago, so I quickly changed into a pair of jeans and a clean shirt before running downstairs. My nausea was still growing strong, but I was starting to think that maybe it was only because I hadn’t eaten very much over the weekend – Damien and I had been so busy making love that we’d barely come up for air.
Mom and Jack were at the dinner table, having coffee and cake.
“I’m sorry I overslept,” I said with a guilty smile. “I must have been really tired.”
Mom nodded. “It’s fine,” she said. “I checked on you a couple of times, and you were out like a light. Want me to make you a sandwich?”
“Don’t get up, Nadine,” Jack said. “Emma’s an adult, she can make her own dinner.”
“Definitely,” I said. “Don’t worry about it.” I yawned again.
“Honey, are you coming down with something?” Mom asked. “You don’t look well.”
“Maybe,” I said with a shrug. “It’s fine. I’ll just make a sandwich.”
“Clean up after yourself,” Jack called after me. “I don’t want your mother spending all night cleaning the kitchen.”
I rolled my eyes. “Sure,” I called over my shoulder. “Don’t worry about it.” What’s gotten into him, I wondered as I went into the kitchen and started fixing myself a sandwich. But as soon as I peered into the fridge to look for cold cuts, the overwhelming smell of tuna hit my senses and I gagged. Whirling away from the fridge, I barely made it to the kitchen sink before spewing vomit all over the shiny, stainless-steel surface.
“Emma?” Mom called from the dining room. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine!” I called back loudly, turning on the sink and the garbage disposal. After I’d thoroughly rinsed the sink, I made myself a small plate of plain crackers and peanut butter. I didn’t want to risk opening the fridge and smelling the tuna fish again, so I poured myself a glass of tap water and carried everything upstairs to my room.
Seeing my bed again made me yawn. I’ll just lie down for a second, I thought. And then I can eat some crackers, and I’ll feel better.
As soon as I lay down, I fell asleep.
--
In the morning, I woke up and groaned. The plate of crackers and peanut butter was still there, untouched. I reached for my now-warm glass of water and took a small sip, coughing violently until pain spread through my body. I climbed out of bed and pulled on a robe, then slunk into my bathroom and turned on the water. When it was steaming hot, I undressed and stood under the hot spray. My breasts were surprisingly tender and painful, and I cried out as the pellets of water lashed at my sensitive skin. I turned around and let the spray soak my hair and back, closing my eyes and breathing in the steam.
As soon as I was out of the shower, I called Ana.
“I’m not feeling well,” I said. “I…I think something’s wrong.”
“Like what?” Ana asked. She sounded perplexed. “What’s going on, Emma?”
“I think I need to go to the doctor,” I said. “Can you pick me up?”
“Right now?”
I sighed. “I can call Michael,” I said. “But…I think I might be pregnant.”
“Ohmygod,” Ana gasped. “Emma! How is that possible?”
I flushed hotly. “I…I don’t want to talk about it here, I’ll tell you in the car.”
“I’ll be over in twenty.”
“Ana, you live five minutes away, what’s the problem?”
“I have to pick up Michael, don’t I?”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay. But seriously, get here as soon as you can.”
Ana laughed. “Em, you’ve got a few months to make a decision.”
Her words suddenly made the situation feel even more real, and I shuddered.
“Whatever, just get here,” I said quickly, ending the call and sliding my cell into my pocket.
Thankfully, Mom and Jack were gone somewhere, Mom had left a note saying they’d be back in time for dinner. I scribbled one in return, saying that Ana and I were going out for lunch. No matter what I was going to do, I didn’t want Mom thinking I was sick…I didn’t want to give her any potential reason to worry about me or ask any questions that I wasn’t ready to answer.
Ana pulled up, and I ran out of the house and down the drive. Michael climbed out of the front seat and leaped into the back.
“What are you doing?” I asked with a frown.
“Pregnant lady gets dibs,” Michael said.
I shoved him in the ribs. “Ana, you have such a big mouth!” I said loudly as I got in the car. “I don’t know anything for sure!”
Michael grabbed both seats and pushed himself forward until he was between Ana and me.
“So, dish,” he said. “You have to tell me exactly everything!”
I groaned. “I was so afraid of this,” I said, burying my face in my hands. “I never should have said anything!”
Michael laughed. “Please tell me it was Derek,” he said. “He’s so fine, I swear, I can’t even handle looking at him.”
I bit my lip.
“Oh, god, was it Derek?” Michael asked. “You can’t be serious, Emma!”
“It was worse,” I moaned, burying my face in my hands. “It was so much worse than that!”
“What happened, did someone hurt you?” Michael demanded. “Emma, I’ll kick their ass!”
“Nothing happened like that,” I flushed. “I just…I slept with both.”
“Oh my god,” Michael said. “Ana! Did you hear that?”
Beside me, in the driver’s seat, Ana did a double take. “Oh my god,” she shrieked. “Emma! I can’t believe you!”
“I know,” Michael said. “It’s incredible.” He clapped me on the shoulder and then clasped both hands under his chin, fluttering his eyelashes like a girl. “I’ve never been so proud.”
“Oh my god,” I said. “I actually want to die right now.”
Ana turned to me and raised an eyebrow. “So…the baby could really be either twin’s?”
I flushed hotly. “Stop it,” I said. “You’re making me feel like I live on a daytime TV show!”
Ana giggled. “I’m sorry, Em,” she said. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just…well, I guess I don’t know how I meant it. Are you going to tell them?”
I sighed. “I…I don’t even know that I’m pregnant for sure,” I said quietly. “I really don’t think that’s a good idea, not until I know for sure.”
Ana nodded, “I know.”
“Wow,” Michael chimed in. “Emma, geez. I never would have thought it. Who’s better?”
“Michael!” Ana exclaimed. “I can’t believe you! Emma, you don’t have to answer that,” she said. “He’s just being rude.”
“Noooo,” Michael whined. “Emma, you have to tell me!”
I flushed hotly. “I feel so weird talking about this,” I said. “Is it normal for friends to talk about sex?”
I watched as Ana and Michael exchanged a look in the rearview mirror.
“Yeah,” Ana said after a moment. “We just…never wanted to scandalize you.”
“Yeah,” Michael echoed. “You and your fragile little virgin brain, we didn’t want to break you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Thanks,” I muttered sarcastically. “I feel so much better now.”
“Well, come on, dish,” Michael said. “Who was better? I bet it was Derek – he seems like the type who’d really take his time. Damien always seemed too selfish to care about whether the girl came, too.”
“Oh my god,” I moaned, burying my face in my hands. “Michael! I can’t believe you!”
“I bet I was right,” Michael said smugly. “Wasn’t I?”
I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath. “It was...different,” I said. “Damien was…more intense. Derek was sweeter.”
Michael raised his eyebrow. “Oh yeah? So, Damien was hot and nasty? And Derek was the sweet one?”
I flushed so hotly that I felt like my face was on fire.
“Something like that,” I mumbled.
“Here we are,” Ana chirped as she turned into the local clinic. “Want us to come inside with you?”
I nodded. “I didn’t have time to make an appointment, I have no idea how long we’ll be waiting.”
Ana nodded. “I see,” she said. “That’s fine. We’re not going anywhere – I don’t want you to think that I’d abandon you like that.”
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
Inside the clinic, the three of us waited nervously until I could be called into a room with a nurse. It felt like it took forever, but after an hour so, my name was finally called.
“Emma Rogers?”
I stood up too quickly, and the blood rushed to my brain. The smiling nurse led me into a room where she weighed me and took my blood pressure.
“So, Emma, what seems to be the issue?”
“I think I’m pregnant,” I said softly.
“Date of your last period?”
I pulled out my phone and scrolled through the calendar before giving her the date.
“Hmm, Emma, looks like we’ll only be able to do a blood test. Is that all right with you?”
After I had given my consent, the nurse took blood and then had me sit in a room while she ran the test. I fidgeted and twisted my hands, wondering what the hell I was going to do. When the nurse got back, she nodded at me.
“Emma, yes, right now it looks like you’re about six weeks pregnant,” she said. “Now, depending on how you feel, we can talk about some options.”
I took a deep breath. “I should…speak to the father,” I said. Or, fathers, I added mentally with a silent groan.
She nodded. “That’s a good idea.” The nurse pulled some papers from her pocket and handed them over to me. “Here are some phone numbers of centers you can call, and a free counselor. None of these people are biased, they will only tell you about your available options.”
“Thank you,” I said shyly.
The nurse showed me out into the waiting room. Ana and Michael stood up and rushed over to me.
“What happened?” Ana asked.
I pressed my lips together and gave a brief shake of my head. “I am,” I said softly.
Ana took my hand and squeezed it. “What do you want to do?”
I bit my lip. “Can you…can you drive me over to Damien’s condo?”
Ana narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure?”
I nodded and took a deep breath. “Yeah,” I said. “I…I have to talk to him.”
Ana nodded. “Okay,” she said. “Let’s go.”
Twenty minutes later, I stood nervously and shaking at Damien’s door. When he answered, he leaned down and kissed me.
“Hey,” Damien said. “I wasn’t expecting you – everything okay?”
I took a deep breath. Just get it out, I thought. Like ripping off a band-aid.
“I’m pregnant.”
Damien stared at me. “Are you kidding?”
“No,” I said softly, shaking my head. “I just got back from the clinic. They did a blood test. I’m about six weeks.”
Damien took my hand and pulled me into a hug. “God, Emma, are you doing okay? Do you want to sit down?”
Why is he so calm? I wondered nervously. Why isn’t he freaking out and screaming at me and calling me a slut?
“No,” I said. Tears filled my eyes, and I blinked, spilling hot salt water down my cheeks.
“Don’t cry,” Damien said fiercely. He led me to the couch and had me sit down, then sat next to me. “What’s wrong?”
“I…I don’t know if you still want me,” I said, my chin trembling. I could feel that I was blushing hotly and I suddenly hated myself. This was all my fault – if only I’d been careful!
“Emma, of course, I still want you,” Damien growled. He pulled me close and kissed me. I melted against his frame.
“But…what if it’s Derek’s?” I asked softly. “I…I have no way of knowing.”
“Well, we used a condom the first time,” Damien said. He raised an eyebrow.
“The only time I slept with Derek, we used a condom,” I said meekly.
Damien shrugged. “Well, then it’s probably mine, and if it’s not, I don’t care. I love you, Emma. And I’m sorry I wasn’t able to say it until now.”
My jaw dropped. “You…love me?”
“Very much,” he nodded. “I know, it surprised me, too. But I love you, Emma.”
I stared at him in shock.
“And I want to stay together, as a family, and raise the baby with you,” Damien said firmly. “If that’s what you want.”
I nodded weakly. “That’s…what I want more than anything else in the world,” I said. “I…can’t believe it, Damien! I can’t believe you’d do that for me!”
Damien smirked. "Well, that’s how it’ll be,” he said. “I love you, and I can’t wait to raise this baby with you. But you have to do me one favor, okay?”
I frowned. “What’s that?”
“Come with me,” he stood up and grabbed his car keys. “I have a surprise for you.”
I blinked. “We’re…we’re not going to Derek’s, are we?”
“No,” he laughed. “Come on. The sooner the better. This is something I should have done days ago.”
Summoning my courage, I followed Damien outside into the bright sunshine. We climbed into his sports car, and he drove into town. We didn’t talk much – I could barely think; my mind was racing. How were we going to tell Derek? And what about Mom and Jack? What would happen to Damien’s job – would Jack kick him out of Empire Mesa? What would we do for money?
I shivered.
“I’m frightened,” I cooed “I…this is all happening really fast.”
Damien reached for my hand and squeezed my fingers reassuringly. “I promise, Emma, nothing bad will happen.”
“What…what about Derek? And Mom? And Jack?”
“Who knows,” he shrugged. “But we’ve got each other, and that’s what counts, right?” He grinned, and I flushed, licking my lower lip.
“Okay, I’ll try not to worry.”
When he parked in the lot of the biggest jewelry store in Rolling Hills, I gasped. My heart thumped wildly as Damien led me inside.
“Pick any ring in the store and then marry me.”
My jaw dropped. “Are you…are you serious?”
Damien dropped to one knee, and everyone in the store burst into applause.
“Emma Rogers, I love you, and I know I’ll love you until the day I die,” Damien said. “Please, make me the happiest man in the world and marry me.”
Fresh tears came to my eyes. All I could do was nod as the tears streamed down my cheeks.
“Yes,” I whispered. “Yes!”