“And what’s that?”
Casey gave her a knowing smile. “A husband.”
The room spun around her, sending Emma’s head slamming back against the mirror. She brought her hand to her forehead to still the maddening spinning. “Don’t say things like that to me when I’m already about to explode.” When Casey didn’t reply, Emma opened her eyes. “What is it?”
“They’re starting to change colors!”
Emma sucked in a breath before leaning forward on the bathroom counter. “And?”
“Holy shit, one has two lines and the others say ‘Yes’!”
Falling off the counter onto the tiled floor, Emma staggered over to Casey and grabbed her by the shoulders. Bewildered, she asked, “But…so does that mean…?”
Tears sparkled in Casey’s eyes. “It means you’re pregnant!”
“Are you sure? You didn’t read the boxes wrong or something?”
“No, I’m positive, and the tests are positive!”
Emma froze as her body desperately tried processing her emotions. They ricocheted through her at warped speed causing her body to tremble. She couldn’t blink, least of all draw breath. All the painful years after Travis’s and her mother’s deaths she had spent hoping, praying, and longing for a child converged on this one moment. It was physically and emotionally overwhelming. Pregnant…she was actually pregnant.
Casey shook her gently. “Breathe, Em, you’ve got to breathe.”
Silent tears streamed down Emma’s cheeks. Her hand tentatively went to her abdomen. “I can’t believe it’s actually happening.”
“It feels good to be right,” Casey joked, as she wiped her own tears away on the back of her hand.
Emma’s elated expression started to fade. “What if the tests were wrong? I mean, what if--”
Casey shook her head. “You could buy ten more tests to humor yourself, but it’s real this time.”
Reaching for a tissue, Emma dabbed her eyes. “Don’t you see? There’s just been so much disappointment and sadness in my life that it’s hard for me to grasp that something I want so much can actually happen.”
“Em—”
“You don’t understand what it’s been like for me. So many times I’ve gotten my hopes up for true happiness only to have it dashed. Travis and I were planning on starting a family right away. He joked about knocking me up, so we could have Shotgun Wedding. I wanted nothing more than to have his child, and then he was gone. Then I lost my mother.” Her lip trembled. “I’m scared this is all going to fall apart, Case.”
“Don’t be afraid.” Casey drew Emma into her arms. “I’m here for you, and everything is going to be all right. It’s finally your time, Em. You’re just going to have to keep the faith and believe it.”
Emma closed her eyes and let Casey’s optimism wash over her. “I want to believe it. So very, very much.”
Casey pulled away to give Emma a reassuring smile. “Well, you better because it’s the truth. Now look in the mirror and say the words.”
“Seriously Case?”
“Do it!”
“Fine.” Emma stared at her pale, mascara streaked face in the mirror. “I’m pregnant, and I’m going to be a mother.”
“Damn straight! Now when are you going to tell Big Papa the good news?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Even though we’ve talked on the phone and skyped since he’s been gone, I don’t want to do it that way.” At the wicked expression on Casey’s face, Emma crossed her arms over her chest. “I know what you’re wondering, and the answer is no. We did not have phone sex!”
“How disappointing,” Casey pouted.
Rolling her eyes, Emma said, “Anyway, to get back to the original point, I think it’s best I wait until he gets home.”
“And when is that exactly?”
“Sometime next week.”
“Good. By then, you will have had time to see your Gyno, and you’ll know without a shadow of a doubt you can tell him the good news.” She held open the bathroom door. “I say we blow out of here at five and go celebrate with non-alcoholic beverages and chocolate!”
Emma grinned. “Sounds like a plan to me.”
***
A week later, Emma stepped out into the waiting room of her OB/GYN’s office to the expectant faces of Casey and Connor. She couldn’t hide her beaming smile. “I’m really, really pregnant!”
Popping out of their chairs, they both erupted with loud cheers and gave Emma a long, excited group hug. On the way to the car, her phone buzzed in her purse. She dug it out and gasped. At the airport. Heading home. Want to meet for drinks at O’Malley’s at six?
She quickly texted Aidan back. Sure. Sounds good. See you then.
At his next response, Emma skidded to an abrupt stop and stared at her phone. Both anxiety and longing gripped her at his words. Good. I’m looking forward to kissing and licking every square inch of that fabulous body of yours tonight.
“What’s the matter, Em?” Casey asked.
“Nothing…just a text I got.”
Connor snorted. “Just a text my ass! From the practically giddy expression on your face, I’m assuming it’s from Big Papa Fitzgerald!” Connor joked.
Emma giggled. “Yes, it is. He’s on his way home.”
Peeking over her shoulder, Connor gasped. “Damn, girl, he’s looking forward to licking every inch of your body? Em’s gone kinky on me!”
“Would you stop!” she shrieked, jerking the phone away from his view. Her reaction sent Connor and Casey giggling like mad as they hopped into the car.
Fumbling for her car keys, she wasn’t quite sure how to respond to Aidan’s text. Finally, she typed a quick See you then. As she cranked up, she had a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach that telling Aidan wasn’t going to be as easy as she thought.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
As his plane skidded across the runway at Hartsfield Jackson, Aidan fought the urge to shout for joy. For him, there was truly no place like home. He tapped his foot impatiently while he waited for the plane to come to a stop. Four weeks away had felt like an eternity. Even though he wanted nothing more than to grab a couple of chili dogs from the Varsity along with a twelve pack from the liquor store, he had very important dinner plans and even bigger nighttime plans.