“First, you need to find out if you’re even pregnant. Then, we’ll figure it out from there.”
I stood from the bed, swaying a little as I went over to the mirror to check my makeup. I smoothed a hand over my pool cover-up, my eyes lingering on my currently flat stomach. Would it look the same in a few months, or would it be swollen with Preston’s child?
Oh god. What had I done?
“Mommy?” Sophia asked, peeking her head in the door. “Are you okay?”
I forced a smile. “Of course. My tummy was just bothering me.”
“Do you need some medicine?” she asked, suddenly concerned.
“No, baby. I’m fine. Let’s get back to the party. What did I miss?” I gripped the banister for support as she led me down the stairs.
“I opened my presents. I got a new mermaid doll, some glitter paints, and come see the awesome float Preston got me.” Sophia dragged me toward the sliding glass doors to the backyard.
She pointed at the pool, even though you couldn’t miss the gigantic pink shell float shimmering in the sun. Kids were climbing all over it, jockeying for the top position. No matter where I went, Preston was there. And now I might be carrying a reminder of him for the rest of my life.
Somehow, I made it through the rest of the party, which was relatively uneventful. At least, if you ignored the hushed whispers and the curious looks. Which I tried my best to. No one said anything to my face, but I knew they were all talking about me behind my back. And I shuddered to think of the gossip if I was, in fact, pregnant with Preston’s child.
Finally, everyone left. The house was mostly back to normal, and Sophia was admiring all her new presents when my phone rang. Gabriela’s name flashed across the screen, and a wave of relief washed over me. Thank god she’d be coming back soon.
“Gabriela, hi.” I grinned, putting her on FaceTime.
“Hola, Alexis. How are you?” Her accent was heavier after an extended visit home. She leaned closer to the screen, squinting. “You look tired. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. We just finished Sophia’s party.”
“Ay,” she sighed. “Yes. I was calling to wish her a happy birthday. Is she there?”
“That’s so sweet,” I said, genuinely touched by the gesture. “Soph,” I called. “Gabby’s on the phone.”
She ran over, excited to see Gabby. I listened to them chatter and catch up. But then Cal asked Sophia something, and she darted off again. Despite the fact that it was almost bedtime, she was wound up thanks to all the cake and excitement.
“I’m so looking forward to your return, to restoring some much-needed order to our lives,” I said to Gabby.
Her smile faded. “That’s actually part of the reason I called.Mi madrefell and broke her—how do you say,cadera?—hip.”
“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you.” She bowed her head, taking a deep breath. “But it means I need to stay to care for her. I’m sorry, Alexis. I know you were counting on me.”
The room spun. This couldn’t be happening. First Preston, and now this? But what could I say? Gabby had been so good to our family, and now she needed to take care of her own.
“I completely understand,” I said, trying to do some mental calculations on how long it would take to recover. “Take as much time as you need.”
“That’s the thing,” she said with a sad smile. “I don’t know when, or even if, I’ll be able to come back.”
My breath caught, and I teared up when she started to cry. “What are we going to do without you?” I asked.
She smiled through her tears. “Hija,” she said, referring to me as she always did—daughter. “You and Sophia will be just fine. I know it.”
I sniffled, wiping my tears as I nodded to reassure her. “You’re right, but that doesn’t mean we won’t miss you terribly. Promise you’ll visit when your mom is doing better?”
“I would love that. I’ll let you go enjoy the birthday girl,” she said.
“Goodbye, Gabriela,” I said, feeling a sense of permanence to it.
“Adios, Alexis.”
