a dead person, all the blood drained from my face. She takes one look at me and points to the bathtub. "Take a seat. We don't want you passing out."
I do as she says, feeling immense relief at the very act of sitting. I remember faintly some piece of information floating through my head, something about how you should lower your head between your knees and try to breathe.
Oh my God
Oh my God.
Stellan and I just talked about this not two days ago. I said that I wanted to start a family. And he countered with the fact that he wants to wait a full year. Simple as that.
I close my eyes and suck in a breath.
What if…
“Um, Margot? This test says that you're pregnant."
At the sound of Pippa's voice, I set up ramrod straight and my eyes fly open. "That's not possible! How… Why…"
My eyes fill with tears. Pippa takes one look at me, sets the pregnancy test down on the sink, and flies to my side. "Whoa, whoa. I didn't realize that you would get upset about this. I thought you wanted kids!”
I sniffle, unable to meet her gaze. "Stellan and I talked about having children and he said that he wanted to wait a year…" My voice breaks on the last word and I bite back a sob.
Pippa pulls me into her arms, shushing me. "It's okay, Margot. It's all gonna be okay. So what if you can't wait a year…"
I hiccup. "He said that it is the tradition in the royal family."
She rocks me gently back and forth. "So? You guys haven't done anything according to tradition. You are the entirely wrong kind of girl for that. First of all, you’re American. You are the opposite of privileged. You were a fricking journalist when you guys met. And yet you won Stellan's heart just by being yourself. Do you think that he will not be out of his mind with excitement when you tell him? Because I think that he is going to be elated."
I wipe at my eyes. Looking up at her, I shake my head. "I don't know…"
Pippa grabs both my hands, looking me directly in the eye. "But I do. I've known Stellan since I was a kid. And I am telling you that he loves you and he will be excited. You were planning on doing this anyway, eventually. It's just a little sooner than you planned."
I suck in a shaky breath, shaking my head to clear it. "Are you sure you read the test right?"
She squints at me. "Yes. But just to be on the safe side, you should go see a doctor tomorrow morning. I can make the arrangement for you if you like. Then you can be sure."
My heart races. I looked down at my body, at my flat stomach. Frowning a little, I manage to center myself somewhat.
A baby.
I know that it's what I wanted anyway, but it's just so much sooner than I had expected…
Pippa draws me to my feet, snapping me out of my thoughts. She looks at me, pulling my hands together. "Tell me you're excited."
I bite my lip. Am I excited?
My pulse is racing. I'm mostly overwhelmed. But underneath all of that, a little spark of joy has been lit.
Slowly, I nod my head. "I think I am. It just… just took me by surprise, that's all."
Her lips twitch. She hugs me then, quick and hard. And I hug her right back, glad that she is my best friend.
"Thank you for making me take that test.” My voice breaks on the last word and I start sobbing again. Pippa pulls me against her chest, rocking her body from side to side. "Come on. Let's get you in bed. Then we can talk about tomorrow and the doctor and everything that comes after that. It will be great, just you wait and see."
I take a deep breath and nod, leaning on Pippa as we head out of the bathroom. I feel so overwhelmed and so stunned by the news, but under it all, I feel joyous…
Chapter Five
It's officially Christmas eve, or Jul as we Danes call it. Normal families gather around the Jul tree and have elite lunch together. But seeing as how I'm not remotely normal, I have to attend the royal banquet during the afternoon hours. Everyone is dressed to the nines, completely glamorous in their tuxes and ball gowns. The scene is every bit as glamorous, the grand ballroom set up with