Page 7 of Through the Storm

katy

DISSOCIATE

If I breathe too hard,I might throw up.

Or cry. Or both.

Declan’s driving slower than my grandma. He’s probably getting premature gray hairs from dealing with his trainwreck of a little sister. I fully concede I’ve been a nightmare. After going through this by myself for so long, I turned bratty the second I had Declan around. Demanding muffins every day, not lifting a finger around the house.

“Everything will be okay,” he says softly. “You’re not sick, just pregnant.”

“Wow,” I mutter, “you’re so great at pep talks.”

He glances over, smiles reassuringly, then goes quiet again. The silence between us hums with all the things we’re both pretending not to think about, mostly the fact that I’m barely twenty, single, and haven’t told our parents that there’s a baby baking in me.

A baby whose father might be Ben.

Or not.

Please God, let it be Ben. Our baby would be so freaking cute. Not that I’ve ever pictured our babies.

Okay, fine. Maybe I have. Once or twice.

We pull into the parking lot of the hospital where the fancy OB office is. Declan parks carefully, like sudden movement might somehow hurt me.

Inside, the nurse explains what today’s appointment will cover, and then Dr. Meier comes in, calm and confident.

“We’re running a study on nutrition and pregnancy, and I believe Katy would be an excellent candidate. It includes a personalized meal plan developed by our top nutritionist and her team. If needed, we’ll coordinate a meal delivery service to help you stick to the plan.”

That sounds great. I don’t want to keep being such a burden to Declan.

“I do want to disclose that the person assigned to your case for this study is someone you know. Ella Winters. She’s only on the research arm. She’d be here to observe and collect data, not to give medical advice or official recommendations. Would you be comfortable with her joining us today? We can assign someone else if you’re not. It’s not a problem.”

The room tilts.

Ella. Ben’s cousin, and my brother’s ex-girlfriend. They were together literally since kindergarten. She was basically an older sister to me.

I haven't seen her in years, not since they broke up, when I was stupid and picked sides. I've missed her every day but never had the guts to reach out. She texted me a few times over the years, but me, queen of petty, I never answered.

Suddenly I’m crying. Like, ugly crying. “Yes,” I choke out. “I’m comfortable.”

Declan’s hand lands on my shoulder, awkward and gentle. I can’t even look at him because I know he’s trying really hard not to freak out, and I don’t need to see that.

“Okay. And if at any point either of you is uncomfortable, just say the word and Ella will be reassigned.”

“I only want Ella.”

Dr. Meier nods and leaves to grab her.

I wipe my face with the tissues Declan gives me.

The door opens, and there she is.

Ella.

Still all sunshine and warmth, like someone bottled comfort and gave it freckles. The second she sees me, she crosses the room and wraps me up in this warm, impossible hug, and the tension I’ve been carrying for months finally eases.

“Hi, Katy. I got you,” she murmurs against my hair. “I’ll do anything you need, okay? This is a good thing. I promise.”