Flo Bag

EMERALD

I woke up smiling. That is until I remembered what today was.

I grumbled and rolled over, putting my leg over Tate’s hips and snuggling into his chest.

“Good morning, baby,” he chuckled, voice raspy with sleep.

“Can we stay in bed today?” I grumbled.

“I am not opposed to that,” he said, one hand on my thigh and the other trailing fingertips up and down my side. “But I’m afraid we can’t. There’s a lot of fun things to do today.”

“Lunch with your father and dinner with your mother. Let’s get balloons and a bouncy house,” I muttered and pushed up so I was sitting on Tate’s lower stomach, the sheet falling around my hips.

“I can think of a million things that we can do in bed that are ~way~ more fun.”

“I have a few ideas myself,” he grinned, putting his hands behind his head.

I smiled and leaned forward, kissing him gently.

“We’re still going,” he said against my lips.

“Ugh, fine.” I rolled over and got up, heading to the bathroom. “Killjoy.”

I heard him laughing as I turned on the shower. I caught my reflection in the mirror and stared.

My cheeks were flushed a little, my eyes looked a little brighter, my hair was an absolute mess that could have only come from having a lot of really good sex.

I didn’t even know I was smiling until I saw it on my kiss-swollen lips.

True to his word, Tate made sure I didn’t have a chance to put on clothes for longer than it took to make and eat a meal since he proposed three days ago.

I blinked and looked away as Tate came in and put his arms around my waist, kissing the side of my neck.

“Find something interesting in the mirror?” he asked.

“I look like we’ve had days of marathon sex.” I laughed and stepped into the water.

“I feel like we’ve had days of marathon sex.” He chuckled as he joined me.

“Yoga will be a thing in the near future, I think. I am not nearly as flexible as you think I am.” I giggled as I wet my hair.

“I have no complaints, baby.” He laughed.

“You might not, but I feel like a used-up rubber band after getting hit repeatedly by a truck.” I snorted, moving over to wash my hair.

“Should I take that as you not wanting sex for a few days?” he asked, his tone teasing.

“Do that and I’ll stop cooking,” I glared at him.

“That would be much more intimidating if you didn’t have bubbles on your head,” he laughed and wiped some soap off my forehead.

Once we were clean, I stood in the closet with a towel around my body, debating on what I should wear.

I heard my phone ringing, then Tate answering it, before he came in, using his towel to dry his hair some.

“It’s Macy,” he said, handing it to me. “I think she just threatened to rip my balls off, but I can’t be sure because she’s crying.”

“Oh, this can’t be good,” I muttered as I took the phone and cradled it between my shoulder and ear. “What’s going on?”

“I’m at work, and my period started!” she bawled. “I really liked these pants, too! Emma!”

The last part of my name was dragged out into a wail, and I grimaced as I grabbed an outfit that I swore I’d never wear.

A skirt, blouse, and jacket in a light blue that I swear I saw some European royal wearing in a light pink on the cover of a magazine or something.

“I’m sorry, Mace. Do you need me to bring you a Flo Bag?” I asked, grabbing a matching set of ivory lace undies.

“Please?” She sniffled.

“Okay. On a scale of one to shredding, can you hold on for…thirty minutes?”

“What! Nooooo!” she cried.

“All right, all right,” I said, going to the bathroom and looking under the sink. “Hm. It looks like I have to stop at the drug store, but I have the snacks and hot water bottle.”

“No tampons! My everything hurts,” she complained.

“Yeah, I’m out of pads, too.” I tilted my head as I moved some things around, making sure.

“How are you out? You’re like clockwork, and I’m a week late,” she whined. “How long will it take?”

“Let me get dressed and—wait, what did you say?”

“Obviously, I’m not pregnant, Emerald,” she snapped. “My uterus is ripping itself apart right now!”

~Oh shit.~

“No, no. I’m getting dressed. I’ll be there in a little bit,” I said and hung up, staring at the complete lack of female products under the sink.

Macy and I had always been close in our cycles. I was dependably regular, while she would sometimes be early or late, but if she was off by a week, I should have…

“Fuck,” I whispered.

“Problem?” Tate asked, stepping into the bathroom to put his towel in the hamper and brush his teeth.

“Um. Macy’s having a female emergency at work. Her boss is kind of a dick and doesn’t let her have personal moments for this. I need to bring her a care package.”

I stood up. “Mind if I make a quick run for it before we leave?”

“Of course. Do you want to take the car?” he asked, squeezing toothpaste out of the tube.

“I’ll call a cab.” That way, I could freak out and grab a half dozen tests because there was no way.

“Okay.” He leaned over and pecked my cheek. “I’ll come get you, then?”

“Sure. It might also help if you picked up some of those doughnuts from Spencer’s. Chocolate.

“Macy is not in a happy place right now, and I really need to bring her a care package before she reverts into a toddler with a boo-boo,” I said, rushing to grab my shoes and purse.

“Love you,” he called as I dashed for the elevator, sounding amused.

“Love you, too,” I shouted back as I repeatedly slapped the call button, impatient to get out of there.

I wasn’t one for nervous ticks or fidgeting, like Lance, but this level of anxiety, fear, and unbridled panic deserved a lot more than my nerves were able to handle.

So, when the elevator finally stopped at the lobby, Yuri looked confused as I damn near ran out of the gap when it was only just big enough to squeeze through, then I was off to the races.

“No, no, no, no, no,” I kept repeating under my breath as I frantically hailed a cab and told the driver the name of the drug store a block from Macy’s job.

When I got there, I grabbed one of those hand baskets and rushed down aisles, throwing in the things Macy needed, including snacks and a water bottle since I’d been too freaked out to grab mine before I left.

Then, the dreaded moment came as I entered the feminine product aisle.

Pads for Macy and six different tests for myself. Once I grabbed a pack of undies and some replacement pants, I hit the register and rushed to Macy.

She might have been in agony, but I was ~freaked out~ as I walked as fast as I dared in my pumps.

I bounced on my feet as I rode up to where she worked and hurried to her, seeing the pained look of relief as she saw me, followed by confusion.

“What?” she whimpered.

“Bathroom. Let’s get you taken care of real fast, and I’ll explain,” I said, handing her a bottle of painkillers and a bottle of water.

She led me to the restroom, and I grabbed one of the paper cups from the water cooler on the way. We took stalls next to each other as I opened boxes and peed in the cup, explaining my terror.

“Oh god. Emma.” She gasped, the plastic bag rustling as she changed clothes. “I thought you were on birth control.”

“I was, but my insurance stopped paying for what I was using, like six months ago.

“I never went on something else since I’ve been too busy to even buy new batteries for my vibrator,” I said as I finished my business and took my pee cup to the sink to start the testing and wash my hands.

“Have you not been using condoms, then?”

“We do; that’s why this isn’t making any sense.” I huffed, capping test after test and laying them on the counter. “God, Mace. What if I am? What am I going to do?”

“If you are,” she said, flushing and coming out of her stall to wash her hands as I dumped the pee in the toilet and tossed the cup, washing my hands again, “you have to tell Tate.

“Obviously, it isn’t something you can keep from him for long. However, the likelihood of you being pregnant when you used condoms is very, very low. Could it be stress?”

“I’ve ~never~ missed one before. Dad died, Lance went to the Marines, Mom got sick, the bills, the jobs, the everything that’s happened? Not once have I been late or missed my period.”

I shook my head as I started pacing, checking the time on my phone.

“There’s a first time for everything, right?” she offered.

“You said the likelihood of…this is low, but stress? That’s an even lower chance.” I groaned.

“Okay, so what’s most likely?” she asked.

“Cancer,” I deadpanned.

“Don’t be funny, Emma.” She glared at me and groaned, rubbing her stomach.

“Condoms are only 99 percent effective, and you two have been like rabbits. And everything going on with your mom and Lance having that accident, you’re pretty high-strung.”

“I’m still betting on cancer. Those odds are significantly higher,” I said, biting my nails.

“Stop that.” Macy swatted at my hands. “Look, regardless of what your overkill in tests say, you need to stop freaking out and find that headspace you always have when something crazy like this happens.

“I get that it’s super fucking scary and your terror is wholly warranted, but panic never helped anyone, remember?”

“Okay.” I sighed and shook out my arms to release some tension. It didn’t work. “Okay. Okay.”

“Repeating it probably won’t do much.” She looked at me, her eyes laughing at me.

“It makes me feel better,” I snapped, checking my phone. “It’s time. I can’t do this. I can’t look.”

“I’m not doing it.” She snorted. “Where are those brass lady balls? Chicken shit.”

I groaned as I stepped up to the counter and took a deep breath. I looked down and…

“It’s not cancer,” I whispered, my eyes going from one result window to the next, each one more damning than the last. “Macy. It’s not cancer.”

~Pregnant.~

***

I shoved the tests into my purse and went to the staff room with Macy so she could heat some water while I panicked.

I had no idea what to do now. I couldn’t even think properly. I mean, I wasn’t supposed to get pregnant. I didn’t ~want~ to be pregnant. Eventually, maybe, but the thought of kids never really crossed my mind.

“Oh god,” I whispered, my hand covering my mouth. “Tate. What am I going to tell him?”

“The truth.” Macy shrugged, motioning for me to come with her back to her desk. “It’ll become obvious eventually, so it’s not like you can keep it a secret.”

“How did this happen?” I groaned as I flopped into a chair.

“When a man and a woman feel physical attraction,” she began, sighing in relief when she sat down and put the hot water bottle on her stomach.

“I know the mechanics, smart ass,” I snapped. “We are so careful. I don’t understand how this could have happened.”

“Condoms aren’t fail-proof,” she reminded me with a shrug. “And the way you two go at it, I’m not entirely shocked you found the one single percent.”

“You aren’t helping.” I rolled my eyes.

“I love you, Em, but right now, my higher brain function is pretty low.” She sighed.

“I know. I’m sorry. Want to trade places?”

“Ha. Hell no. Considering the only guy I’ve been with recently ended up married with kids, I think I’ll take Mother Nature’s revenge, thanks.” She chuckled, then she sat up straighter and cleared her throat.

“Tate just got out of the elevator.”

“I can’t tell him,” I whispered furiously, panic swelling up once again.

“You have to, Em.” She looked at me. “I won’t say a thing, but you should, sooner than later.”

“I just need to process it first.” I shook my head.

“Process what?” Tate asked, putting a hand on my shoulder.

“Selling the crap in her storage room,” Macy blurted out. “It’s costing her money every month to hold on to junk she has no use for.”

“You do know that Lance will eventually have his own place, right?” I lifted an eyebrow but was grateful for the cover. “He’ll need most of that furniture and junk.”

“Then he should pay for the fees.” She shrugged.

“I’m not putting that on my brother.” I rolled my eyes. “I’ve been paying it for nearly a year, so it’s not like I can’t keep doing it now that I don’t have other expenses eating at my account.”

“Is that box from Spencer’s?” Macy said, eyes lighting up.

“I was told it would be helpful.” Tate smiled and handed it over.

“I know it was Emma, but I could kiss you,” she said, taking a huge bite.

“Sorry, Macy, but I’m completely spoken for.” He laughed.

“Damn right, you are.” She nodded.

“We need to get going, baby.” Tate chuckled and gave my shoulder a light squeeze.

“Thanks for the Flo Bag,” Macy said absently while she licked chocolate glaze off her fingers.

Tate and I left, and he drove us out to his father’s place. The entire time, we were silent as I held his hand in both of mine, staring out the window.

“Are you okay?” he asked me after about twenty minutes.

“Hm? Yeah, I’m fine.” I smiled at him. “Just distracted.”

“You look a little pale,” he pointed out, his face slightly pinched with worry.

“Do I?” I asked, flipping the visor down to look in the mirror.

I absolutely looked pale. Fuck me, Casper would look tan next to me. “I do. It’s probably just being tired. Neither one of us has had much rest lately, you know.”

“I am very much aware.” He chuckled as I flipped the visor back up. “You sure you’re okay?”

“In the current situation? I’m as okay as I can get,” I said truthfully.

“My dad is probably shitting himself right now.” He laughed. “And Nancy might be a snobby bitch, but I have complete faith you’ll put her in her place if she steps out of line.”

“Your faith in my ability to intimidate is impressive and slightly unfounded, Tate.” I gave him a look.

“You keep me in line.” He shrugged. “Always have, actually.”

“It’s not that hard. You’re shockingly easy to boss around.” I smirked. “And I find it hard to believe that I intimidate you.”

“No, but I am scared,” he admitted. “Scared you’d quit and I’d never get to see you again, you’d change your mind about our arrangement, dating me, marrying me.”

“That’s not happening, Tate.” I looked at him.

“I’m beginning to get that.” He smiled.

“I love you, and I’m not changing my mind. Who would get custody of our goldfish?” I smiled.

He laughed, and I smiled, glad that even if I was still freaked out, I’d made his insecurity go away. Maybe, just maybe, this was going to be a good thing. Right?