First Kiss Last by Sara Miller (read e book .TXT) 📗

from the linen closet and head downstairs. As she entered the bathroom, she was glad her sister had not followed her upstairs to continue their cut-off conversation from earlier. She just could not talk about her baby’s father and she wished Lily would let it go.

Back in her room, she punched her pillow in frustration. She tried to get comfortable and couldn’t. Thankfully, she was tired enough that sleep claimed her quickly. Sleep, but no dreams.

Chapter 32

Leah wished she could dream. Dream about anything. She’d welcome infomercials, paint drying, trips to the dentist . . . Anything would be better than the dark nothingness she currently felt every time she woke.

She would even take the locked door dreams again. Leah would happily stand in a dark room with nothing but a generic locked door in front of her all night. Then there would at least be something.

All week she tried to make herself dream but nothing happened. She thought seeing Sky and Liam at the park would have had some sort of impact on her ability to dream. But nothing had changed.

Whereas in real life, one thing had significantly changed. Lily had backed off considerably. It was nice to not worry Lily would start hammering her with questions. Leah was finally able to let her guard down and begin to relax.

When Friday night rolled around, Lily took Leah out. They made a girl’s night of it, starting with dinner. Leah picked a local Mexican restaurant and they stuffed themselves with corn tortilla chips and fresh salsa. Her chicken burrito had just the right amount of spice.

“I’m so full I can’t move,” Leah laughed at herself. It was only a slight exaggeration on her part.

“Me too. My shrimp fajitas were amazing. Thanks for putting up with the smell.”

“I’m really not bothered by it, honest.” She laughed.

Lily pouted.

“So no morning sickness, no smell aversions, no food cravings?” Lily shook her head in disgust and Leah laughed harder.

“You sound like you want me to be miserable!”

“Well, not miserable. It’s just not fair.”

“Trust me, I know all about unfair. And I’m miserable in other ways. Nothing about this has been normal.” Leah looked down at her bump and set a hand to her belly.

“I’m glad we did this now, while you still fit in the booth,” Lily teased.

“Hardy-har-har. You think you are so funny.” Leah stuck her tongue out at her sister, continuing the playful banter.

“Okay, go pee while I pay the bill.”

Leah tried to protest on both accounts but Lily had already grabbed the bill. Also, she really did have to pee. Again.

“I’ll meet you up front.” Leah scooched carefully out of the booth. Small things like that were becoming more difficult by the day. She eyed her sister and gave her a look to tell her not to comment. Lily laughed and Leah did too. She was so glad to have Lily. Leah did not want to think what her life would be like without her sister.

In the bathroom, Leah was lost in her thoughts. As she washed her hands, she suddenly realized the woman next to her was speaking.

“When are you due?” the lady repeated.

“Not until June,” Leah muttered. She wasn’t used to sharing her personal information with a stranger.

The lady nodded. “The last two months will go quick,” she promised. “They will also take forever. Trust me, I know.” She patted her own stomach. “This is my fourth.”

“Wow. Congratulations.” Leah wasn’t sure what else to say.

“Is this your first?” the lady continued.

Before Leah could reply, a new voice spoke behind her.

“Do your boobs hurt? Mine do.” Another pregnant woman had entered the conversation.

Leah shrugged. Her hands were washed and dried. She was ready to be literally anywhere else. She sidestepped toward the door making a hasty retreat.

“Good luck!” the ladies called after her.

Leah rushed toward her sister. “Get me out of here, there are pregnant women everywhere!”

“They can’t hurt you!” Lily teased.

“But you could catch it!”

The horrified look on Lily’s face caused Leah to start giggling. She couldn’t stop. Soon Lily joined in. People began to stare and the sisters kept laughing as they made their way to the parking lot.

They sat in the minivan catching their breath. When she could speak without laughing, Leah asked what Lily had planned next.

“Well, I was thinking we could go set up your baby registry . . . but there might be more you-know-what’s there,” Lily teased.

“As long as you are by my side, I’ll be fine. Just shield me from any talk of boobs, stretch marks, or mucus plugs, okay?”

“Deal!” Lily backed out and drove through the parking lot. When she successfully entered traffic, she started talking again.

“I was thinking Target. Does that sound good?”

“Sure.” Leah instantly knew Lily was unhappy with her lack of enthusiasm.

“You are allowed to enjoy it, you know.” Lily sounded serious. “Just because you are single and, you know, the circumstances or whatever . . . You can still hold your head up and be proud. A baby is a blessing.”

“I know. I am.”

“Are you?”

“Yes! I literally love this baby more than anything. This is what I’ve wanted for years. I’m really happy.” Leah meant every word and also an unsaid “but” was obvious.

She sighed.

“And I am also sad it’s not how I planned it. That’s true too. But it’s not about that, not completely. You know I don’t like people all up in my business anyway. That would always be the same, regardless of the other stuff. I don’t even know if that makes sense. Blah, I used words,” Leah waved her hand vaguely, chuckling at herself.

“I think I actually followed that.” Lily laughed too and the mood lightened considerably.

Leah breathed a sigh of relief.

“You still have to register. And I’m throwing you a baby shower.” Lily took one hand off the steering wheel and held it up to stop her from interrupting. “I’ll keep it small but people will need guidance or you’ll get a dozen receiving blankets. Trust me. Your work