As we try to catch our breath, we lie there the smell of sex heavy in the air.
Nico reaches over and flips on the lamp.
He pushes my hair out of my face. “It’s time to tell our families we’re together.”
My heart races in my chest. Fighting the tears I swallow past the lump in my throat. My fingers reach up and caress his clean-shaven face. “Baby, I can’t give you what you want. If I hadn’t went through that terror at fourteen and watched a man kill my unborn sister in my mother’s womb, I could. I can’t have children.”
His brows raise. “What do you mean you can’t have children?”
“Nico, I refuse to bring a child into this shitty world. Especially our mafia world.” Another tear escapes. “I love you, Nico. But I’m sorry I can’t be the woman who sits beside you on the throne. Mr. Nico Pitucco, you’re a ruthless mafia boss.”
He flashes that devilish smirk. “You’ll be my wife, Serenity. Even if I have to drag you to the altar.”
“You’re crazy,” I say.
“That makes two of us doesn’t it?”
Nico pulls the blanket over us and dozes off.
A week later, I sit in the exam room on the white paper, dressed in the ugly blue gown. My doctor insisted I give a urine sample since I missed my period. I told her there’s no way I’m pregnant. I always take my birth control pills.
There’s a knock at the door. “Coming in, Dr. Laurel” announces before walking in.
She steps closer, smiling as she takes my hand in hers. “You don’t have the flu, Serenity,” she pauses. “You’re five weeks pregnant.”
My eyes widen. “That’s impossible. There must be a mix up.”
“No mix up,” she says.
I rub my forehead. “I’ve always taken my birth control.”
“Birth control is only ninety-nine percent effective.”
“All right, I need to figure out what I’m going to do,” I say.
“Come back next week and you can hear the baby’s heartbeat.”
I smile. “Thank you, Dr. Laurel.”
“You’re welcome. I hope to see you next week,” she adds before leaving the room.
I learn this a day before my birthday. What am I going to do?
Choking down more tears, I scream into my hands.
There’s a knock at the door, then it opens. “Are you all right?” Fitz asks.
“Yes, yes. I’ll be out in a moment.”
He nods and closes the door.
I pick up my phone and tap the contact.
The phone rings.
“Hello Serenity.”
I push back the sobs again. “Hello Grandmama. How are you?”
