"We have two weddings this month and a divorce party in between," Veronica stated.
"Divorce party? How rich do you need to be to throw a divorce party?" I complained.
"The type that pays two hundred fifty thousand dollars," Veronica implied.
I waved my hands in surrender, "You just had a baby two months ago, and you're running around like it never happened."
Veronica glared, "While I'm here, I'm not Mom. I'm Veronica; believe it or not, that holds some meaning to me."
"Jeez, calm down," I hushed. I'm just saying you're a badass. Not everyone will insult you for being a working mom; I am myself."
"I know; it just can't be more obvious how most people feel, including my mother."
"What did she have to say?"
"You know, the usual, why don't you be with a man who can care for you and my grandbaby? Why must you work? Why must you make my heart hurt and ache?"
"At least you have a mother who cares."
"Sometimes I just wish I could go spontaneously deaf when she speaks."
I continued to listen to Veronica's rant about her unsupportive mother and her flaws, but the day was over in a flash.
"I wish to see him at some point before he starts walking. They're always the most innocent before they grow," I commented.
"It's Kind of dark, even for you," Veronica commented. Come to think of it, you've been moody these days."
"And?" I groaned.
"My bad," she said, waving her arms in surrender. You're not pregnant, are you?"
"No-" I choked.
I briefly racked my brain. When was the last time I had my period? How long ago was it? I know it was right before Callista's wedding. No. No. No.
"Everything okay?" Veronica broke my chain of thought.
"I just remembered I have to get Aodhan for a thing," I panicked. You sound like you have this all handled. Call if you need me."
Before Veronica could respond, I hastily got into my car and sped to the nearest pharmacy. Getting the pregnancy test made my stomach turn into knots. Just the thought of being pregnant again is not something that needs to happen now. The last thing I need is another baby by Reign or Dinitri.
Pacing back and forth in my bathroom while anxiously nibbling on my nails made my stress and anxiety even worse. What am I going to do? Aodhan has been saying he wanted siblings, but I wrote it off and told him there was a possibility that would never happen. I don't even know who his father is.
"Mom?!" Aodhan called.
"Yes, baby?" I croaked.
"Can we go get ice cream?" he begged.
"Just a minute!" I replied.
I glanced down at the pregnancy test, but no result remained.
"Ugh!" I grunted.
I looked in the mirror, and fear began to build. My breasts were tender and more significant than usual; my breasts grew after having Aodhan, but never this big. Nervously, I started biting my lower lip in anticipation of the results.
"Damn it, just tell me!" I hissed.
"Mom?" Aodhan asked.
"Just a minute, baby!" I tensed.
Moments later, I heard a sound. I was eager to know the results, but now I'm terrified. I don't want to be a mother again. Truth be told, I'm
not sure if I would be where I am if it weren't for Ariel. She's been more of a mother to him emotionally. I was too focused on running my bar to be a mother. How could I be so irresponsible? How could I be so reckless again?
I looked down, trembling with the test in my hand. A silent tear fell down my cheek; a tightness grew in my chest. My knees caved beneath me as I fell to the floor, weeping.
Pregnant.