~Brie

“Morning Juanita” I greeted as I passed the kitchen.

“Oh hello, Breanna. You're glowing.”

“If you were marrying the love of your life this weekend I'm sure you'd be glowing too” I beamed.

“Well yes, but I don't think this glow has anything to do with the wedding” She raised one brow at me, giving me a knowing look.

I laughed and shook my head.

“Uh-uh. No. We're not doing that anymore.”

“Whatever you say” she grinned.

I took a seat on one of the barstools.

“Everyone's already gotten their day started?”

“Aiden took Roman to school since today is his last school day before the summer vacation begins. And Iris didn't come home last night.”

Leslie.

I laughed.

“What would you like to eat today? How about I make you some eggs and sausages?”

“Sounds good” I smiled.

“Alright. It'll be ready soon.”

A movement caught my eyes through one of the windows and I craned my neck.

“Hey, Juanita? Where's that gardener.... err Tommy?”

“Timmy” she corrected.

Right.

“He said he had some sort of family emergency and so he left.”

I made a face.

“Explains why I haven't been seeing him much.”

“Oh, it's been a while since he left. But Aiden had me find a replacement for him.”

I nodded.

“But don't you find it weird that we keep changing gardeners? I mean it's either they just disappear or some emergency comes up.”

“Oh, I find it weird, dear. Suspicious even” Juanita nodded her head, “And that Timmy boy was very odd. My gut never felt good around him.”

I hummed in agreement. The doorbell rang and I stopped Juanita and told her I'd get it.

“Hold your horses” I called out when the doorbell rang again.

I pulled the door open.

“Oh.”

“Breanna” she smiled.

“Freda” I smiled back politely at the wedding planner my mother had hired against my will. “To what do I owe this visit?”

“Well you weren't answering my calls so here I am” she replied, letting herself in.

I sighed and closed the door.

“Okay. Can I offer you anything?”

“Oh no, I won't be long.”

That's a first.

I simply nodded.

“I came to remind you that your final fitting is this afternoon. Second, the catering menu. Three menus require your approval as we speak. And also, the bridesmaids' dresses. Then there's the other stuff we need to finalize... music, flowers... very important so we don't trigger anyone's allergies.”

I nodded.

“Okay. Is that all?”

“For now, yes.”

“Alright. Thank you, Freda. But I haven't had breakfast yet so let's do this later okay?”

She furrowed her brows and pushed her glasses further up her nose.

“Later? Later when?”

“After I've eaten and arrived at your office.”

“But your mother—”

“Nothing. Bye Freda” I smiled.

She held her clipboard close to her chest.

“I'll be expecting you. Bye.”

I watched her leave and returned to the kitchen.

“Just in time, dear” Juanita smiled, placing a plate of hot eggs and sausages in front of me.

But when the smell of the sausages hit me, vomit rushed up my throat and I made a dash for the powder room downstairs.

This has got to stop.

The door behind me closed and I looked up from where I was kneeling.

“Juanita...”

“Yes I know” she interrupted. “I won't call Aiden and worry him. I won't tell Iris or anyone else either.”

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

“But only if you do one thing for me,” she said, “Okay?”

“What is it?” I asked, my voice a bit hoarse.

“Go see a doctor.”

I sighed.

“Juanita...”

“Yes, I know how you feel about hospitals, dear. But if you insist you're not pregnant yet, what exactly have you got to lose?” she asked. “Just go see a doctor so he can tell you what's really going on with you. That's all I'm asking.”

“But I'm fine Juanita. It's probably just...”

“A stomach bug which won't go away because all the pregnancy tests come out negative” she finished for me. “Go get a checkup, hm? And if you refuse... I'll have no choice then to call Aiden and—”

“Alright, alright” I sighed, “I'll... go to a hospital.”

She smiled.

“See, that wasn't so hard now was it?”

I chuckled softly and shook my head.

“Now wash up, and I'll make you a chicken.”

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

My leg bounced up and down as I sat at the edge of my bed with my eyes glued to my phone, waiting for the timer to go off.

C'mon, c'mon...

A knock sounded on the door.

“Breanna, you're not going to delay the hospital visit any longer. I'll call Aiden if you do.”

“I'm just getting changed, Juanita. I'll be right out.”

“Hurry.”

Her footsteps faded away from the door and I exhaled.

“How long does it take to—”

The alarm on my phone went off and I shot up. Not wanting to delay another disappointment, I hurried into the bathroom and picked up the test lying on the counter. I easily flipped it over, already expecting the inevitable, and instead, my eyes pooled with what I was seeing.

Two pink lines.

Positive.

I'm pregnant.

I rubbed my eyes and blinked.

I was still seeing two pink lines. There was a life growing inside of me. Right now. Right freaking now.

“Oh my God” I let out, my heart thundering in my chest.

Aiden.

I closed my mouth.

“Shit, Aiden. I have to tell Aiden” I muttered, relief washing over me as a wide grin spread on my face.

He's going to be a father.

“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!” I squealed, hurrying out of the bathroom.

I grabbed my purse, phone, and car keys, not forgetting the positive pregnancy test... positive... and hurried out.

“Juanita? Juanita, where are you?!” I called out excitedly as I hurried down the stairs. “You're not going to believe it!”

There was no response.

“Juanita?” I looked around as I stepped on the landing, “Juanita you need to—” I stopped at the sight of the figure standing in the living room, her back to me.

I looked around, there was no sign of Juanita.

“How did you get in here?”

She turned around and smiled, lightly touching her pearl necklace.

“Breanna.”

I zipped my purse close and stared at her.

“I asked a question, ma'am. How'd you get in here? And where is Juanita? Juanita?!”

“Oh, your lovely housekeeper? She let me in before leaving.”

I made a face.

“Leaving? To where?”

“Grocery shopping.”

She didn't tell me she was going grocery shopping.

I nodded either way.

“Okay. Well, Aiden isn't here. And I'm on my way out so...” I gestured to the door.

She lowered her head a bit.

“You're not very welcoming like you were the last time I was here” she muttered, “I suppose he's filled you in on our relationship.”

I folded my arms.

“He has. And I don't suppose you blame him for not wanting you around. Besides, like I said, he's not home. So your visit is—”

“I didn't come to see him because I know he wouldn't want to see me” She looked up from fiddling with her hands, “I came to see you.”

And I look like I wanna see you?

“You probably don't want anything to do with me either, Breanna” she whispered as if she was in my thoughts, “And I wouldn't blame you. But I know you've got a good heart and if nothing, you'll spare me five minutes to speak.”

I sighed as her eyes got teary.

“Five minutes” I repeated, gesturing for her to sit. “Would you like me to make you a decaf?”

“No, no. You're so sweet but I don't want to bother you. I'm fine” she sniffed.

I nodded.

“Okay. What do you want to talk about?”

She took a seat, folded her hands into her lap, and sighed.

“I came to say goodbye” she let out.

“You're leaving” I stated.

She nodded.

“I have no business left in this country anymore” She wiped her eyes with a tissue she plucked from her handbag. “I came with the hopes of meeting my grandchild but, Aiden told what happened with the surrogate running away, and well... he doesn't need my help because he's got the whole search under control. And I know better than to not force my way into his life after how I treated him when he was married to my niece.”

I scratched my cheek.

“So I'm leaving.”

If Aiden hadn't told her about there being no grandchild, who was I to say anything? He knew her better than I did and if he felt that she shouldn't know, so be it.

I nodded at Ophelia.

“Well, I'm sorry about how your relationship with Aiden is. And I hope you have a safe trip back.”

She smiled and when I rubbed my knee, her eyes fell to my hand.

“Oh a ring” she let out, a warm smile growing on her sullen face.

I touched my engagement ring.

“Yes, we're getting married this weekend.”

She beamed.

“Congratulations.”

I gave her a polite smile.

“Thank you.”

“You two make a wonderful couple.”

“Thanks.”

She kept her smile intact as she examined my face.

“I saw the way that boy looked at my Jew... my poor sweet Jewel...” she sighed, closing her eyes with emotion as a tear ran down her cheek.

My heart went out to her.

“Ophelia, I'm so sorry for your loss” I whispered, crossing over to take a seat beside her. “I know how much she meant to Aiden and I can see how much she meant to you too.”

She nodded, clasping a hand over her mouth as her tears became hard for her to control.

“She did” she sniffed. “And Aiden cared for her so much. It was foolish of me to be against their relationship and their marriage. And after my little girl died, I shouldn't have taken that course of action with Aiden and his sister. Because they were hurting too... if not more than I was.”

I put my hands over hers.

“No, no, it's okay” she smiled through her tears. “It's all better now. I see the way that boy looks at you Breanna... like you're his entire world. He loves you, and you two deserve to be happy together. I just wish I could have met my grandchild but with the way you look at Aiden too, I don't doubt that you're going to love and take care of them. My little girl knows they're going to be in the best of hands” She squeezed my hands.

My eyes were threatening to water. She wasn't a bad person. Even if she were, she was very regretful of her actions and that's what mattered.

I just wish Aiden was here to hear her out and forgive her before she disappeared from our lives for good.

I cleared my throat.

“Why don't you stay and come for the wedding, Ophelia?” I asked.

She stopped dabbing at her eyes and shook her head.

“No, no. Aiden...”

“Will listen to you. I'll ask him to” I stopped her. “You two need to make peace before you leave... for the sake of Jewel.”

“I guess we owe it to the child too.”

Sure, let's go with that.

“So you'll come?”

“I... I'll think about it” she whispered.

And that was enough for me.

“You were on your way out, weren't you? And I should get going now.”

I nodded and stood up for a second, left the room, and returned with our wedding invitation card.

“Here. It's got the reception venue, time... everything you need to get to the church for the ceremony.”

She smiled.

“I'm so glad Aiden found you. You're good for him.”

I smiled, my heart warming. She looked around my shoulder.

“Is... Roman here? I know we're strangers but he's a sweet boy and I'd like to say hello to him.”

“Oh, he's at school. It's their last day before their summer vacation and they usually take longer to close. I would have asked you to stay and wait to see him but I... I have an appointment...”

Her eyes briefly flicked to my stomach.

“Dress fitting” I quickly added and laughed it off like it was nothing.

“Oh,” she looked up from my stomach.

“But you're going to see him at the wedding. The more reason you should try and come.”

She nodded.

“You've convinced me. I'll come.”

I smiled.

“I'm so glad to hear that.”

Her eyes pooled again.

“I'm sorry” she tried to brush it off.

“No, no, please. It's okay.”

She sniffed.

“Can I give you a hug?” she whispered.

A hug?

I chuckled softly.

“Of course” I nodded, moving closer to let her give me a motherly hug.

She smelt like spices.

“Thank you so much for listening to me, Breanna.”

I nodded as she let me go.

“Of course” I smiled.

“I'll get going. Goodbye.”

I nodded and watched her walk out.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

My leg involuntarily bounced as I waited impatiently in the office. The door closed behind me and I jumped, standing up and then turning around.

“It's very unusual to see a bride to be here two days before her wedding.”

“Doctor Seagate...”

“Calm down Brie” he chuckled. “Take a seat, take a deep breath, try to relax. Would you like some water?”

I sat down and shook my head.

“No. Just tell me what you have.”

He smiled.

“First, I'd like to express how proud I am of you for coming here, all on your own... without any calvary. I know how much you hate hospitals, and so I'm very proud of you.”

I gave him a polite smile.

“Now your blood work is back—”

“Is it positive?” I cut him off, reaching into my purse for my pregnancy test. “Because I took a test not long ago and it said positive, see?”

He chuckled.

“Everything looks normal. And based on your quantitative HCG number, you’re pretty far along.”

I run a hand through my hair, trying to stop the excitement running through my fingertips.

“Congratulations, Breanna. You're pregnant.”

I grinned.

“Yeah?”

“Yes,” he smiled, getting up because he knew I'd hug him.

“Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you thank you!” I exclaimed before letting him go.

“Just doing my job” he smiled down at me. “Now in the meantime, I recommend that  you get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, and avoid alcohol or any medications that haven’t been cleared with my office.”

I nodded.

“Done.”

“And considering you're here alone, I won't tell your father. I'll leave that to you.”

“Thank you so much Doctor Seagate. I know how you and Dad are close.”

“Would you like me to order an ultrasound?”

I grinned.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Come on then.”

Still smiling, I followed him to an empty room where I waited for an ultrasound technician to wheel in a mobile machine and attend to me.

The woman draped a blanket over my lap. She lifted the hospital gown I was now wearing to just under my breasts and squirted ultrasound gel all over my belly.

Cold, cold, cold.

And then brought the probe over to the area just below my belly button. When she pushed the wand onto my small stomach, my heart fluttered when a fetus appeared on the screen.

I held my breath.

“Oh, the baby is wide awake right now,” the tech said happily as she moved the probe and took measurements. “This little one is going to make it hard for me to hear the heartbeat, but you can see the flutter right there in his or her chest. Looks good and strong.”

I stared at the screen.

“That’s... my baby?” my voice croaked.

The woman laughed.

“I know they look like tiny aliens at this stage, but this little one will grow into its head. Don’t you worry.”

My breath came fast and hard, and my belly shook as I began to cry happy tears.

“I’m pregnant.”

The woman’s eyes moved to me.

“Congratulations.”

I nodded my thanks, trying to keep my tears under control. The tech zeroed in on a measurement and added, “This baby looks to be about thirteen weeks old.”

“Thirteen weeks?” I sobbed. “How? I don't... I took a test and it wasn’t—”

“Well, you can’t even test positive on a pregnancy test until you’re about four or five weeks along. If you tested after that and it was negative, I'm sure there was some sort of misinformation with the results.”

I should have come to the hospital earlier.

But it didn't matter now. I was going to have Aiden's baby and that's all that mattered.

“There’s a baby— inside me” I sighed happily.

The woman smiled.

“Would you like to hear the heartbeat?”

I turned wide-eyed to the tech as she twisted a knob on her machine and a rapid fluttering heart rate echoed in the room. I soaked it in for a good one minute.

“Nice and strong. Perfectly normal. I'll get your full report in shortly.”

I nodded and the tech cleaned up her stuff. But before she left, she put a hand on my shoulder and handed over a photo.

“The baby looks healthy. Great heart rate, great movement. You’ve got nothing to worry about, okay, honey? Congratulations again.”

I nodded, clutching the photo to my chest while my chin trembled.

“Thank you,” she croaked happily as I watched the woman leave the room.

This is it.

What we'd been waiting for for so long.

“I'm going to be a mom again.”

And it was going to be the perfect wedding gift for Aiden.

Thank you so much for reading! ✨