Natasha ~ Present
I WAS STILL IN THE bathroom.
I’d heard Millie arrive, then Dru, but I hadn’t yet come out of my cocoon.
As long as I stayed in, and kept the results to myself, then they weren’t a living, breathing truth that I had to deal with.
But, then I heard another knock on the door, this one kind of frantic, and heard Jericho come into my apartment. That’s when I stood and crossed to the door and swung it wide open.
I probably looked a bit crazy, standing in the doorway holding a pregnancy test in my fist like a lifeline, a stick I’d peed on only a little while earlier. But then, I was feeling a bit crazy, after all, I’d just been smacked in the face with another major life change.
“Hey, what’s going . . .” Jericho’s eyes locked on my hand. “Is that what I . . . ?”
Before he could get it out, I ran at him full speed. Past my sisters’ shocked faces, and Tanisha’s smiling face, right into Jericho’s arms.
I was crying and babbling, not really sure what to say or do, but needing his comfort.
“Oh my God, we’re having a baby. We only just found each other again, and said we were going to try and take things slow . . . get used to being in each other’s lives again. But that first night, after Millie’s engagement party, when you followed me here, and we, and we didn’t . . . it happened. Holy crap, this is really happening.”
I took a deep breath and was about to go on another rant, when I felt myself being spun around and the sound of Jericho’s happy laughter registered.
I picked my head up off of his chest and looked up into his smiling face.
“You’re pregnant?” he asked, his voice overflowing with joy.
I nodded, still in shock, then held out the stick that was clutched in my hand.
“According to this stick, and the four others in the bathroom, yes, I’m pregnant. But, I think we can’t say it’s a hundred percent until we go to the doctor.”
“Okay,” Jericho began, his expression changing to his all business face. “First, we will make you an appointment and make sure you’re all good, then, we’ll pack up your stuff and move you out to my place . . . I mean, our place. Once you’re all settled, we can start talking wedding plans.”
“Whoa, easy there,” I choked, pushing free of his arms and standing firmly on my feet again. “We don’t even know for sure that I’m pregnant and you’re already hearing wedding bells.”
“Natasha,” Jericho said, bending to take my face in his palms. “They’re usually pretty accurate, and I don’t want to miss a minute of this pregnancy. If you want me to move into your apartment here, I will, although I think we’d be more comfortable in our house. I want to be there if you’re sick, get you the things you crave, rub your feet and your back, anything you need. I want to experience everything in a way that I wouldn’t be able to if we stay apart.”
I was listening, and although I felt slightly nauseous, what he was saying made sense.
“Tasha, I’m going to marry you, and we’re going to live together. We love each other, and we’ve agreed that we want to stay together and really make this work, so let’s do this. Move in with me. Marry me. Pregnant or not, I want this. I want you.”
I let out a gush of breath with a short laugh.
“Are you really proposing right now?” I asked incredulously, thinking this day had turned out so much different than expected.
“Well, I don’t have a ring, and I know I can give you a much better proposal with a little more time, but yes, consider this the precursor to the proposal,” Jericho said, taking my hand in his.
My heart was pounding, and I felt like I might faint, but I looked into his eyes and said, “Yes, I’ll move in with you, but you don’t get your answer to the proposal until it happens.”
“Fair enough,” he said, then took me into his arms and kissed me.
I heard cheers and clapping and realized I’d forgotten about our audience. Once Jericho broke the kiss, I turned to my sisters and let out a squeal.
“Whoa, we’re going to be aunties,” Dru said excitedly as they rushed toward me.
“Oh, Natasha, I’m so happy for you,” Millie said, her arms coming around me as she pulled me close.
“I can’t believe it,” I cried, because even though I said I needed the official confirmation from a doctor, I knew it instinctively that I was pregnant. “I’m going to be someone’s mom.”
“You’re going to be terrific at it,” Dru said, and I reached over to pull her in for a hug. When I let her go, she turned to Jericho and added, “I guess this means we’re in it together for the long haul.”
“I guess it does,” Jericho said somewhat warily, shooting me a startled glance when Dru gave him a quick hug, then backed away.
“Well, I for one am ecstatic, welcome to the family,” Millie said, hugging him as well.
“Jeez, let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I said with a chuckle. “Let me get used to one thing at a time. Please.”
“She’s never been big on change,” Millie told Jericho, as if I weren’t still standing right next to them.
“This, I know,” Jericho replied, causing me to glare at them both.
“Just for that, you guys are packing and moving all of my stuff,” I told them.
“What stuff?” Millie asked jokingly. “My apartment had more in it when it was empty than yours does right now.”
“As if I’d let you lift a finger in your condition,” Jericho added with a wink.
I stuck my tongue out at Millie and rolled my eyes at Jericho.
“Whatever,” I said then turned to Dru. “Hey, favorite sister, what do you say you take me downstairs and help me find some food for my belly while I find a doctor?”
“Ohhh, favorite sister, I like that,” Dru said, also sticking her tongue out at Millie, who was pouting prettily.
“I want to come, too,” Millie complained.
“Oh, fine, you can both come, but no more ganging up on me with Jericho. Sisters stick together, no matter what.”
Jericho kissed me on the cheek and said, “Let me know what the doctor says and when our appointment is, in the meantime, I’ll find a moving company and get it set up. But, hey, I’d love it if you’d pack a bag and meet me at home tonight.”
“Sounds good,” I replied, then went in search of some nourishment for me and our baby.