Chapter Forty-Four

Several weeks had passed and Jason and I visited Atlantis frequently to check on the Brine Kingdom repairs. After about five weeks, the repairs were done and news of Atlantis spread like wildfire on land. There were people trying to say that the creatures in the water were bad while most believed that we could live without the possibility of war. A lot of companies were working on products that would become fertilizer easily and there were people trying to find Atlantis. It became an obsession quickly, but no one could find it yet. My aunt, Uncle, Jason, and I were visiting the city for groceries and other needed products. My aunt sent uncle and Jason to go fetch a few things, leaving us together.

"Blake, when was your last period?" She questioned. I thought for a moment and when I realized that it had been six weeks ago, I looked to her. "You're late, aren't you?" She didn't seem upset. She seemed like she was hiding excitement.

"I thought it was from stress. How'd you know?"

"You ran out of pads several weeks ago and haven't asked for more." Her eyes met mine. "Let's get a test." I only studied her, wondering if she was going to yell or hug me.

"Are you... upset?"

"No! You're an engaged adult and I'll be thrilled if you're-" She looked down the isle and stopped talking. When I met her gaze, I saw Jason holding a gallon of milk and looking at the products. He set the milk in the cart that my aunt pushed.

"If you're what?" Jason looked to us.

"Queen of... Cheetos." I snatched a bag of Hot Cheetos from the shelf. He raised a dark eyebrow as he silently questioned me. "I have to go... do something." I set the bag back on the shelf and walked away quickly. I ran to the other side of the store, finding the pregnancy tests.

"Ironic how they're by the condoms." I muttered. I looked at prices and frowned. "So expensive."

"What is?" Startled, I dropped a box of tests. I looked over to see my uncle holding soap that was found on the next isle. He approached me as I picked up the box. "You're getting a pregnancy test?" Glee filled his eyes.

"Please don't tell Jason. Go distract him. Please. I need to put this in the car without him noticing." I shoved the test back on the shelf.

"Okay. Got it." He grinned like a Cheshire cat as he walked away.

"Don't say anything!"

"I won't!" He replied. I sighed, looking back at the prices. I picked one and left the isle, headed straight for the checkout. As quickly as I could, I paid for the tests and went out to the car. I stuffed it under the passenger seat so that it couldn't be seen then ran back inside. I found my aunt in the ice cream isle with my uncle and Jason.

"Where'd you go?" Jason opened a glass door and glanced at me.

"Bathroom." I lied, pointing to the Moose Tracks ice cream. He took it and put it into the cart. I met my uncle's eyes and my aunt stayed silent. This was going to be a hard secret to keep. It wasn't that I didn't want kids with Jason, I just wasn't ready for him to know it's a possibility. We finished shopping quickly then went home. I snuck the test into my bathroom and hid it behind some bottles under the sink. I planned to take it when I woke up in the morning.

"Blake, I am going to see Pops. Do you want to come?" Jason peered into the bathroom. I was happy that it was already hidden and I was just shifting the bottles.

"No. I'm kind of tired. Will you tell him I said hi?" I closed the cabinet doors and stood.

"Of course. I'll be back tomorrow." He kissed me then left. I really was tired. I went into my room and laid down.

*~~*~~*~~*

The next morning, I woke up early. I felt like I needed to puke so I got up quickly and ran to the bathroom. I threw up as soon as I reached the toilet and once I was done, I brushed my teeth and flushed the toilet. I remembered the test under the sink and pulled it out.

"Might as well take it." I rubbed my eye. The light wasn't on so it was dark, but I could still see. Once I opened the box, I read the instructions then took the test. I paced around my room, trying to wait five minutes. I straightened up my bed, cleaned up any trash, and fixed a crooked picture on my wall. I found myself back in the bathroom, sitting on the closed toilet seat as I held the plastic test in my hands. I could see the plus sign in the little window, but I still turned the light on to make sure. I didn't know how to feel. Should I be excited because it's with Jason or afraid because we aren't married yet? Suddenly, I noticed tears falling from my eyes. I put the test in a trash bag and took it outside to the trash can on the side of our house. I didn't care that I was barefoot or in shorts. When I went back inside, my aunt was in the kitchen.

"You're up? The sun has barely risen." She held a cup of coffee.

"Yeah. I threw up." I went to grab some water.

"Are you feeling alright? Have you been crying?" She felt my forehead.

"I'm fine. I'm... pregnant." I took a sip of water.

"You are?!" She jumped slightly, spilling her coffee. "Oh, this is great news!" I studied her.

"I'm not sure."

"You will be when you tell Jason." She beamed. Tell Jason.... I put the bottle down and ran to my room, changing.

"I'll be back." I left the house and went to the ocean. I didn't run and when I got into the cool water, I changed to my tail. It only took three hours when I swam at full speed and when I arrived, the sun had risen. I jumped up to the dock, leaving wet footprints. I couldn't keep this from Jason even if we weren't married yet. He deserved to know. As I walked up the dock, I heard my name. I turned to see Jason and Earl on the path to town. I joined them without knowing what I was going to say, so I hugged Jason.

"Whoa! Are you okay? What's wrong?" He rubbed my back and I pulled away.

"I have to tell you something." I felt nervous as I glanced from him to Earl. How was he going to react? "It's... it's important."

"Blake, why are you so nervous?" They both studied me. "You're never nervous and you don't have to be. You can tell-"

"I'm pregnant!" I blurted. Jason froze for a long moment then smiled.

"This is amazing!" He laughed, picking me up and hugging me.

"Really?" I leaned back in his arms.

"Of course! How could it not be?"

"Because we aren't married yet." I blushed.

"We get married in two weeks. How far along are you?"

"I'm thinking five or six weeks? I haven't had my period in six weeks." He set me down as I replied.

"I'm so happy." He sniffled. I gazed up at him as he rubbed his eyes. "We're going to be parents."

"Awe." I hugged him again.

"Congratulations." Earl hugged both of us.