Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
It takes another ten minutes, then Miro says, “Done. You know the drill, right?”
I watch as he covers the tattoo with something that looks like a transparent dressing.
“Yes,” Dominik replies.
I get up, and when Dominik is done paying for the service, we leave the store.
The moment we step out onto the sidewalk, he takes hold of my hand and squeezes it. “Tell me.”
“I don’t even know if I’m right.” I glance up at him and watch his reaction closely as I say, “I want to get a pregnancy test.”
His eyes snap to mine, and I see the moment the shock hits. He tugs me to a stop.
“You think you’re pregnant?”
“I don’t know for sure. Don’t get your hopes up until I’ve taken the test.”
Suddenly, he starts walking fast, and I’m dragged to the pharmacy. When the doorbell jingles overhead, Dominik looks at the counter, and I assume he asks the cashier where the tests are.
When she answers, I’m pulled forward as he hurries to an aisle, and I watch as he grabs two pregnancy tests, then he pauses and looks at me. “How many do we need? Should we take five? Maybe ten. Just to be dead sure.”
“I’m not peeing on ten sticks. Three will do.”
“You’re right,” he replies, looking a little flustered while he grabs another one.
I’m dragged back to the counter, and after Dominik pays for them, he asks the cashier something.
She points to the back of the pharmacy, and before I know it, I’m hauled into a small restroom.
Dominik shuts the door behind us while I stare at him as if he’s lost his mind.
“You want me to do the tests here?”
“Yes. Pants down and start peeing,” he orders, already taking a test out of a box.
I undo the button on my jeans and lower the zipper. Grabbing the test from him, I sit and pee on the stick.
“We probably have to wait a few minutes,” I mention.
“Pee on the next one.”
“I’ve read it’s better to take the tests first thing in the morning.”
“It’s still morning,” he grumbles while staring at the stick he just took from me.
When I’m finished with all three, I quickly wipe off and pull my jeans up.
While I fasten the button, Dominik asks, “How do we know if you’re pregnant?”
“Two lines,” I reply as I lean closer, and when I see two lines, shock vibrates through me, closely followed by one of the most intense emotions I’ve ever felt.
Tears instantly jump to my eyes as I whisper, “It’s positive.” I grab the other tests, and when they all show two lines, a sob bursts from me.
“We’re pregnant?” Dominik asks, sounding dumbfounded.
I throw myself at him as I cry, “We’re having a baby!”
His arms lock around me, and he squashes me to his chest. We hold each other for the longest time, and when he speaks, his voice is hoarse with emotion.
“I’m going to be a father.”
He pulls me back and kisses me hard before staring into my eyes, and when I see unshed tears shining in his, my heart fills with so much love it might just burst open.
“Thank you, Grace.” He frames my face with his hands and gives me a tender kiss. “Thank you so much for being the mother of my child.”
Feeling completely overwhelmed, all I can do is whisper again, “We’re having a baby.”
DOMINIK
When we get home, it takes more patience than I have to unpack everything we bought for the coming winter.
Every now and then, Grace stops walking to stare down at her stomach in awe.
I pull my cell phone out of my pocket, and when she stops again, placing her hand over her stomach, I take a photo because it’s a moment I never want to forget.
My wife is carrying our child.
Jebat. I’ve never seen a more beautiful vision.
She glances up, and a breathtakingly stunning smile spreads over her face. “I’m going to be a mother.”
“An amazing one,” I add while walking to her.
Just wanting to hold her all the time, I can’t resist pulling her to my chest.
As I glance at our surrounding area, I begin to see all the dangers of raising a child here.
“We’re going to have to move,” I murmur.
“What? No!”
Looking down at Grace, I say, “The nearest hospital is two hours away. If something goes wrong while you’re pregnant and those two hours could’ve made a difference, I’ll never forgive myself.” I shake my head. “And the winters are harsh.”
“But this is our home,” she argues.
“No. It’s just a house, moja láska. You’re my home, and I’m yours.” My mind races a mile a minute then an idea pops into my head. “How do you feel about Chile? In case trouble comes knocking, we’ll be close to the island and Santiago.”
While she thinks about it, I add, “We can stay on the island until our child is ready for school and only then move to Chile.”