were all silent again. I fought the urge to pace up and down the hall, knowing it would just drive my anxiety higher.
Bell’s phone let out a cascading set of dings. “Time.”
I swallowed against my suddenly dry throat. “I don’t know if I can look.”
Caelyn moved in close. “We’re with you. No matter what. You’re not alone.”
Bell nodded. “You’re never alone.”
Tears burned the backs of my eyes. “Thank you.” The two words came out on a hoarse whisper. I moved into the bathroom and picked up the first test with shaky hands. A bright pink plus sign. I moved to the second. Two distinct blue lines. And the last. A very clear pregnant in black lettering.
My breath left me in a whoosh, my hand instantly going to my stomach. Pregnant. There was a child growing inside me. My brain and heart jumped from emotion to emotion, not knowing where to land. Fear. Hope. Panic. Joy. They all clawed for dominance inside me.
“Kenna?” Caelyn asked tentatively.
The tears that had been gathering spilled over. “I’m pregnant.”
Bell looked slightly panicked. “Are those happy tears or sad ones? I can’t tell.”
“Happy and terrified out of my mind tears,” I said on a choked laugh. I was going to have a second chance at being a mom. How could I not be overjoyed at that? Something I worried might never come. Doctors had told me I might have trouble getting pregnant, but apparently, Crosby had super sperm.
I froze. “Crosby.” I said his name on a whisper, my chest constricting in a painful squeeze as my hand went to my still-flat belly. He didn’t want children. But would he still feel that way when he knew we’d created a human being together? My eyes fell closed as I sent up a silent prayer that he would love this child as much as I already did. That he would want to be in his or her life.
“Come on.” Caelyn gently guided me into the living room and helped me settle on the couch. A few seconds later, she pushed a glass of water into my hands. “Take slow, small sips.”
I did as instructed. The cool water tasted like heaven on my abused throat. “I have to tell him.”
Caelyn eyed me cautiously. “You do…but you have time. You don’t have to run over there tonight. Take a few days to process it yourself first.”
She was right. I needed to get my head on straight before I told Crosby. And what if I lost this child like I had before? My chest constricted in a tight squeeze. I wasn’t sure I would survive it. Because I knew one thing for certain…I already loved this baby beyond measure.
Bell’s gaze hardened on me, misinterpreting the fear in my eyes. “If he’s an asshole about it, screw him. We’ll be the best aunties this little bub has ever had. We’re so awesome, there’s no need for a dad.”
I choked on a half-laugh, half-sob. “I’m so lucky to have you both. Thank you for everything.”
Caelyn eased down next to me on the couch. “We’re here for you. Always.”
And I would be forever grateful for that fact. But it didn’t stop my heart from hoping that Crosby would find a way to be there, too.
47
Crosby
Grant Abbot looked smug. Too smug. And the smarmy smirk on his face set my nerves on edge. I didn’t think Judge Moore could be bought or threatened into a particular verdict, but everyone had a breaking point.
I glanced back at the gallery. Kenna’s eyes were shut as if she were praying or meditating or just trying to find a moment of peace before the chaos that was to come. God, she was beautiful. Even without being able to see those amber eyes that pulled at my soul, she was the most gorgeous creature I’d ever seen. It wasn’t her smooth, golden skin, or her rich, mahogany hair that hung in loose waves around her face. It wasn’t the perfect cheekbones or those luscious, berry lips. It was the way she glowed from the inside out. The light that radiated from within called to me, smoothed all my hard edges and calmed the frenetic pace of my internal energy. She balanced me in the best possible ways. And I knew I did the same for her.
Emotion clogged my throat as Kenna opened her eyes, those amber orbs staring straight into me as if she knew it all and accepted me anyway. I loved this woman. And she loved me. Just