“What kind of question is that?” I furrowed my brows at him.
“Okay. I’m ready. Bye, Dad.” She ran over and gave him a hug and kiss.
“Bye, baby girl. I’ll see you after work. I’ll see you later, Alex.”
I didn’t say a word and walked out the door.
“Guess what?” Lily grinned as we drove to school.
“What?” I glanced over at her.
“My dad bought me a phone.”
“He did?” I asked in shock.
“Yeah, so I can keep in touch with you when you’re not around.”
“That was nice of him.”
“I’m sad you moved out.”
“Me too, Lily.”
“If it makes you sad, then just move back in and you’ll be happy again.”
“I can’t, sweetheart. It’s not that simple.”
I pulled in the school parking lot and dropped her off.
“I’ll see you later, kiddo.”
“Bye.” She smiled as she climbed out and shut the door.
Just as I pulled out of the parking lot, my phone rang, and it was Dr. Kota’s office calling.
“Hello.”
“Alex, it’s Dr. Kota. I got the results of your bloodwork back. You’re around six weeks pregnant. Did you make the appointment to come back in a couple weeks?”
“Yes. I did.”
“Good. I’ll see you then. Make sure to take your prenatal vitamin daily and try to keep stress to a minimum.”
Yeah. Right.
“I will, Dr. Kota. Thank you for calling.”
I pulled over on the side of the road, gripped the steering wheel and cried. Why was I crying? I didn’t know. Maybe because I was pregnant, alone, and the man I loved basically told me to fuck off. I heard a car pull up behind me, and when I looked in the rearview mirror, I saw Simon climb out.
“Great,” I said.
As he walked over, I lowered the window.
“Hey, Alex. Are you alright?”
“Just dandy, Simon.” I pulled a tissue from my purse and dried my eyes.
“I don’t think you are.”
“It’s just my hormones. I’ve been stressed, and I have no doubt you heard.”
“Yeah. I did, and I’m sorry. My brother is an asshole.”
“Yeah, he is. Anyway, I just needed a good cry and didn’t want to do it while driving. I’m good now.”
“Are you sure? We can go somewhere and talk.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it. But I’m okay.”
“Alright. If you need anything, call me.”
“I will.” My lips gave way to a fake smile.
I had a couple errands to run and as I was walking down the street, I passed a baby store. Stopping on the sidewalk, I turned around and went inside.
“Hello there.” A nice older woman smiled. “How can I help you?”
“I’m just browsing.”
“For you or someone you know?”
“For me.”
“Really?” Her brow arched as she looked me up and down.
“I’m newly pregnant.”
“Your first?”
“Yes.” I smiled.
“How exciting! Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“This is a one stop baby shop. We have everything you and your little one will need. If you have any questions, just ask.”
“I will. Thank you.”
I ran my finger along the rails of the different cribs that were set up. Looking at the prices, I nearly passed out. There was no way I could afford anything like this. I let out a sigh as I thanked the sales associate and walked out of the store. I had plenty of time before I had to worry about baby furniture. Plus, I didn’t know yet where I was going to be.
The day flew and it was time to pick up Lily. When the bell rang and she exited out the door, her head was down, and she was walking slow.
“Lily, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t feel good, Alex.”
“Oh.” I placed my hand on her forehead and she felt very warm. “Let’s get you home.”
She fell asleep in the car, and when I pulled into the driveway, I saw Sebastian in his driveway washing his car. He looked over and waved.
“Can you come over for a second?”
He dropped the hose and walked over.
“Can you carry Lily into the house. She’s not feeling well, and she fell asleep.”
“Of course.”
While he grabbed Lily, I grabbed my purse and her backpack and followed Sebastian inside the house. He took her upstairs and laid her on her bed while I went into the bathroom and got the thermometer from the cabinet.
I held it up to her forehead and it read 102.3.
“Poor kid,” Sebastian said.
“I’m going to have to give her some Tylenol.”
We left her room and went down to the kitchen. Opening the cabinet, I pulled out the Children’s Tylenol and read the dosage on the back of the bottle.
“How are you, Alex?”
“I’m okay, Sebastian. Thanks.”
“Are you still working tomorrow night?”
“I am. In fact, if you could give me another day, I’ll take it.”
“Really?” His brows furrowed.
“Yeah.” I poured some Tylenol into the cup.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks.”
“I just want you to know that we’re all here for you despite what happened between you and Stefan.”
“I appreciate it. Thanks for carrying Lily upstairs.”
“No problem. I’ll check in on her later.”
I gave him a smile as I went back upstairs and woke Lily.
“Good girl.” I smiled as she took her medicine.
“Let’s get you out of these clothes and into some pajamas.”
After I helped her change, she fell back asleep, so I went downstairs and pulled my phone from my purse. Taking in a deep breath, I sent a text message to Stefan.
“Lily is sick and you’re almost out of Tylenol. You’ll need to pick some up on your way home.”
“Sick how?”
“She has a fever of 102.3, a bad headache, and a sore throat.”
“Poor kid. I’ll be home early then after I pick up the Tylenol.”
I didn’t respond. The less we spoke, the better for everyone.
Chapter 34
Stefan
I walked over to Sam’s office and opened the door.
“I’m heading out. Alex just texted me and Lily is sick with a fever. I need to run and pick up some more Tylenol.”
“That’s too bad. I hope she feels better soon.”
“Yeah. Me too.”
“I’ll pop over later and check up on her.”
“Thanks, bro.”
I climbed in my car and drove to the store. When I got home, I set the Tylenol on the counter and as I walked up the stairs, I heard Alex strumming the guitar in the bathroom and then she started singing You’ve Got a Friend in Me. I stood and listened as she sang the entire song before opening the door.
“I hear someone isn’t feeling well.”
“Hi, Dad.” Lily pouted as she sat in the bathtub filled with bubbles. “I asked Alex to sing to me.”