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“Forty-six,” Kelli said at the same time he did.
Dr. Dave peered over the top of the chart. “How long since your last menstrual cycle?”
Shock filled her from front to back, top to bottom. She opened her mouth to respond, but laughter came out. “I’m not pregnant.”
“You’re not too old,” Dr. Dave said. “It’s been known to happen. Successful pregnancies too.”
She shook her head. “No. After I had my son, my doctor in New Jersey said I’d never get another baby.” She looked over to Shad, her throat raw from that single sentence.
He took her hand and squeezed. Turning to Dr. Dave, he said, “What else could it be?”
“I’m not sure,” he said with a long exhale. “Let’s get some blood and run some tests.” He scribbled something on the chart, and the next thing Kelli knew, two nurses had entered the room and were taking two thick vials of blood.
Dr. Dave came back in after several more minutes, and he smiled at Kelli and then Shad. “Blood work’s off. We’ll be able to see the enzymes and readings in a couple of days.”
Kelli nodded, wondering if there was anything she could take over the counter to feel better, sleep better. She started to ask when Dr. Dave added, “We ran a pregnancy test, just in case. And Kelli and Shad…” He looked between the two of them, his face practically glowing. “Congrats, guys. You’re gonna be parents.”
Shad made a strangled noise, which was nothing compared to the complete and utter surprise moving through Kelli. She couldn’t vocalize at all.
“Are you sure?” Shad asked.
“Quite sure,” Dr. Dave said. “Your hormones are off the charts, Kelli.”
“I’m not sick in the morning,” she said. “It’s more like lunchtime.”
“Everyone’s different.” He wrote something else on a pad. “Prenatal vitamins. Do you have an OBGYN?”
Did she have an OBGYN? Why in the world would Kelli have an OBGYN?
She couldn’t even shake her head no. Shad said it for her, and Dr. Dave said he could recommend someone. Kelli stopped listening at that point. Rather, her ears stopped taking in information. She’d absorbed too much for the day as it was.
The next thing she knew, Shad was opening the car door for her. They got in the RideShare, both of them silent. Neither of them spoke a word all the way back to their townhouse on Pearl Island.
Shad led her inside and closed the door behind her. He faced her, his smile growing now. “Kelli,” he whispered. She melted into his embrace, her tears flowing hot and fast now.
“I can’t believe it,” she wept. “I don’t—I can’t—” She couldn’t make full sentences, and Shad simply held her. After a few seconds, he pulled away and wiped her tears.
“Are you happy?” he asked.
She nodded, because how could she not be? Worry ate at her. “Are you?” She’d told him she couldn’t have kids. Her age had been a factor, and she and Julian had tried forsolong before they’d gotten Parker. She’d honestly believed she couldn’t get pregnant.
“Yes,” he whispered. “This is a miracle, honey.” He kissed her, the lightest touch of his lips against hers. “Of course I’m happy.” He kissed her again, this stroke becoming deeper and more meaningful.
He pulled away, his smile quickly adorning his face. “Are you going to stand on a chair at a party and tell everyone?”
She half-laughed and half-cried. “No,” she whispered. She leaned her forehead against his. “I love you, Shad.”
“I love you, too, Kel.” He moved into the kitchen. “I’ll make tea and tell you everything you zoned out on.”
She followed him. “Like what?”
“Doctor Dave said if you’ve been feeling this way for over a month, you’re probably already ten or eleven weeks along,” he said. He filled the kettle with water and set it on the electric element. “So that means you’re due in March.”
“March,” she repeated.
“He’s estimating. We’ll go see Doctor Willis, and then we’ll know more.” He got out a couple of cups and draped teabags in them. “I got a prescription for prenatal vitamins and some anti-nausea pills. I can pick them up during my lunch tomorrow.”
Kelli’s mind began to wander again. “What about Whole Soul?” she asked.
