by Knight, JJ
Amanda’s eye makeup is messy from crying, but other than that, she looks radiant in her bridal gown.
“Did you get it?” Amanda asks.
Riley opens the shopping bag and sets out a pile of six different brands of pregnancy tests. I take a step back to steady myself against the wall.
“You’re pregnant?” I ask Amanda.
“I don’t know,” she says. She takes a seat on the edge of the tub, her fluffy white skirt billowing around her. “I thought maybe I just skipped a period because I was so nervous about the wedding, but then my cousin said something about how big my boobs looked in my gown, and now I can’t even think straight until I know.”
“Have you and Caleb been trying?” I ask.
Amanda looks over at Riley, then back at me. “We thought we didn’t want to wait, because…” She trails off and looks down guiltily.
I nod, then finish for her, “Because Dylan and I have been trying for almost a year and getting nowhere.”
Amanda’s face scrunches. “I’m so sorry, Jess. I didn’t want to get pregnant before you did, I swear.”
Tears spring to my eyes, and I jump forward to hug her. I squeeze her tightly. “Don’t you dare apologize. I love you, Amanda. If you’re pregnant, I promise you, I’ll be so happy for you and Caleb, you silly girl.”
She sobs. “I love you, too.”
Riley sighs noisily. “I love you guys, too, but we’ve got a wedding starting in a few minutes. You know I love Caleb, but I’m not going to marry the guy, no matter how sharp he looks in a tuxedo. Amanda, get off that tub, pee on one of these sticks, and let’s rock, already.”
I pull away from Amanda and walk over to the pile of pregnancy tests. I’ve never even used one of these before, because I haven’t even had a late period since we started trying. I pick up a brand that looks as good as any and hand it to Amanda.
“Are you sure?” she asks. “Maybe I’ll wait until after the ceremony. I don’t even have to go, actually. I bet nothing will come out.”
“No excuses,” I tell her. “Let’s find out, and just remember that whatever happens, we’re all in this together.”
Riley drapes her arm across my shoulder. “We’re family, Amanda. Now pee on that stick, because the suspense is killing me.”
We unwrap the packaging, and I read the instructions while Riley helps manage Amanda’s giant gown. When the stick has been successfully wetted, the girls hand it to me.
I count down, worrying that the results won’t be clear.
The results are very clear.
I turn to Amanda with a big smile on my face. “Congratulations,” I say.
She looks panicked. She blinks. Slowly, her expression changes to happiness. Now she’s smiling.
“We’re having a baby,” she says. “Caleb is going to be so happy.”
Riley grabs Amanda by the arm and drags her out of the bathroom. “Come on. We’ve got to fix your makeup and get you ready for your big day.”
I wave for them to go ahead. “Give me a minute to freshen up.”
I close the bathroom door and lean back against it. I am happy for Amanda, but looking at her positive pregnancy test also feels like life is kicking me in the stomach.
The doctor says everything’s okay with me and Dylan, and that it will just take time. I’m trying to stay optimistic, but it’s hard to fight back the tears right now. I’m probably feeling extra emotional because of hormones—my period is about to start any day now.
Actually, it should have started on Monday.
I can hear the girls giggling in the other room while they fix Amanda’s makeup.
I take the used packaging and bury it in the bottom of the waste bin, so that curious family members don’t find Amanda’s positive test and ruin the surprise. There are five tests here that haven’t been used yet.
The thought crosses my mind so quickly, I don’t even doubt myself. I pull up my bridesmaid dress, unwrap one of the other test kits, and go on the test strip.
As I wait for the result, I’m so nervous I can barely breathe. I try to tell myself to be patient. If it’s not this month, it could still happen next month, or the next.
The result comes up. I blink at it in disbelief.
I open the bathroom door and walk out to the master bedroom, which is being used as our changing room and makeup station.
“Guys?” I show them the test result. It’s positive.
Amanda rolls her eyes. “Yes, I’m still pregnant.”
Riley yanks the plastic wand from my hand and gasps. “You brat!” she says.
I take a step back. “Pardon me?”
Amanda says, “What’s going on? Hey, that’s not the one I took. Mine was pink. That means…”
“You little brat!” Riley squeals as she grabs me in a hug. “Congratulations.” She rocks me from side to side, and Amanda joins in.
* * *
We decide that we won’t tell Caleb or Dylan until after the ceremony.
I don’t know about Amanda, but it’s absolute torture for me to stand through the ceremony, only feet away from Dylan, and not tell him. Every time I catch his eyes, I practically start crying from happiness.
He just smiles sweetly at me, like I’m some hopeless romantic who blubbers at weddings. Maybe I am.
After the vows, we’re supposed to gather on the mansion’s lawn, amidst the geometric rows of flowers, for formal photographs. I beg the wedding planner for a short break, and drag Dylan off to a quiet corner.
“Happy anniversary,” he says.
“I have a gift for you.”
His dark eyes twinkle. “Really?”
I would like to tell him in a really clever way, like by giving him a pair of knitted baby booties, or something like that, but I can’t wait.
I take his hand, pull until he lowers his ear to my mouth, and whisper, “I’m pregnant.”
He pulls away and gives me a big smile. “I know.”
I swat him on the arm of his tuxedo. “I’m not joking around. This isn’t a game.”
He grabs me and pulls me into a hug. He squeezes me hard. “I know,” he says again, his voice low and gritty. “Maybe not for sure, but I had an idea. Your breasts felt different this morning, and you smelled better than ever.”
I’m glad he’s hugging me, because my legs feel so weak, I’d probably collapse right now if it wasn’t for him.
“You’re so clever,” I say. “You ruined the surprise.”
He kisses me, then gazes into my eyes. “I love you. And I’m going to love our children so much.” He kisses me again. “How did you find out already? I only noticed this morning.”
“Oh, I took a test in the bathroom. Riley bought six of them.”
“Why?” His eyebrows raise. “One of them is pregnant?”
I nod, but I don’t tell him who. It’s not official, so I’m not allowed to tell him, at least not until the baby’s father knows.
“Which one?” he asks.
It’s not crazy for him to think it might be Riley, because she’s been dating someone for a while, and he’s here today as her date.
I pretend to seal my lips with a key. “Can’t say yet.”
He smiles. “We’re having a baby. Do you know what this means?”
“Lots of things. Wow. It’s just hitting me.”
“I’ll have to write a new song about shoes.”
I give him a confused look. “Shoes?”
“The song will be called… Baby Shoes. It’s a lullaby. I can hear it now.”
I laugh, and he takes me in his arms and rocks me from side to side, humming a gentle melody.
He sings softly, “Baby shoes. Teeny, tiny baby toes… in baby shoes.”
BLUE SHOES by JJ KNIGHT
You've just finished reading Volume #3. BLUE SHOES is a 3-book series about Jess Rivera and Dylan Wolf. Their story began in the 5-book series, REVENGE by JJ Knight.
Look for your favorite characters in other JJ Knight books.
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Love, JJ
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