I stand up as Jeff walks in the door. My eyes meet his while I try to balance myself and I send him a weak smile. I suddenly feel dizzy and Jeff’s image begins to blur. I hear his voice ring out when I feel myself stagger before collapsing to the floor, and then nothing.

“Ms. Phillips? Dora, can you hear me? Please open your eyes.”

I don’t know this male voice, and my eyes can’t open because it’s too bright.

“Dora, wake up. It’s me, Jeff.”

Duh, Jeff. My mouth is so dry and my head is throbbing. I wish they would turn off the lights.

“Jeff, turn off the lights.” I’m croaking like a frog, wonderful.

“Ms. Phillips, I’m Dr. Banner. You gave your boyfriend and us quite a scare. You probably have a little headache from the bump on the head. Nurse, dim the lights so Ms. Phillips can focus on us.”

Boyfriend? Does he mean Jeff?

“Okay, it’s safe to open your eyes now.” The doctor’s voice is smooth and calming, and I do as he asks.

There’s a crowd surrounding my hospital bed—yes, I’ve figured out that’s where I am. Everyone is smiling but Jeff, who looks like he might pass out any moment. He moves closer, takes my hand and leans down to kiss my forehead which succeeds in bringing tears to my eyes.

“Dora, you had me so worried. I couldn’t catch you before you fell. I’m so sorry.” A tear trickles down his cheek and I let go of his hand to wipe it away with my finger.

“I’m okay, see? It’s not your fault.”

I hear a sigh and a young … I guess nurse, is looking at us with a dreamy smile.

“Doctor, I have Ms. Phillips’ test results.” Another older woman puts a piece of paper in his hand.

“Well, it’s as I thought, Ms. Phillips. You don’t have the stomach flu. You have morning sickness, or in your case, not just morning but a little more extensive. I’d say you’re about six weeks along. I’ll prescribe rest and a bland diet as tolerated. We’ve given you IV fluids to get you hydrated. I’m sure you and your boyfriend would like to be alone to digest this news.”

With that, he and his staff disappear around a green curtain. Jeff and I are left looking at each other in stunned silence.

Pregnant? Me? I can’t be. We used protection every time.

No, we didn’t. Not on New Year’s we didn’t. I was too anxious.

It’s all my fault. How could this happen?

“Dora, say something. You’re scaring me.” Jeff grabs my hand again and sits partially on my bed.

“Tell me this is a flu induced dream, and that I’ll wake up soon. I can’t be pregnant.”

Jeff just shakes his head. “Tests don’t lie, and it makes sense. You have no fever, Saltines calm your stomach, and you’ve been crying a lot more than usual lately. Yep, you’re totally pregnant.”

“What am I going to do? My mom is going to kill me. Never mind my grandmother, who will tell me if I had gone to finishing school, I’d have learned to keep my legs closed.”

I cover my eyes with my arm. I feel the beginning of a panic attack, which I’ve never had, but I think I’m about to experience one.

“Your mom won’t kill you, but you’re right about your grandmother. She won’t be happy, and you’ll be banned from the family.”

“Thanks for the pep talk. What am I going to do?”

Panic is starting to take over. My whole body starts to shake.

“Hey, now. Relax. Maybe it’s time to talk to Drew,” he says.

He lies down beside me, pulling me into his arms. I’m trembling uncontrollably, and he’s making soothing sounds and rubbing my non-IVed arm. I’m relishing the heat from his body, and the warmth seems to help. My panic button has seemed to have reset itself.

“Hmmrph. Excuse me, is she okay?” A fresh-faced nurse is staring at us, and I bet she’s wondering if it’s her job to tell him that he should get out of the bed. But she doesn’t say another word, just winks and leaves.

“Jeff, promise me something, and I mean really promise me, not just lip service.”

“Anything for you, Dora.”

He smiles, and I suddenly feel like I can do this. Other single women have babies and the children turn out all right. After all, I have seven and a half months to prepare. I’ll have to find a job to support us. Of course I have to finish school.

But what about my family? What kind of role model am I for Bridget and Taylor? Oh, hell, I start to shake again as the enormity of the situation hits me. I’m going to be someone’s mom.

“I’m waiting.”

“For what?”

“You said I have to promise, so I’m waiting to see what I have to promise you.”

“Oh, yes. Don’t roll your eyes. I’ve just realized I’m going to be someone’s mother. But I digress. Promise me you won’t tell Drew or anyone else until I’ve thought this through. You’ll have to cross your heart, pinky swear, and anything else you can think of.”

I feel his body vibrate and realize he’s laughing.

“Hey, it’s not funny,” I semi-yell at him.

“Pinky swear? Really?” He chuckles and I join in.

“You know what I mean. I’m serious. This is serious.” My eyes fill up with tears. God, this hormone thing is real.

“Okay, don’t cry. I’ll do anything if you don’t cry. I won’t tell a soul, promise. Dora, I’m here for you and the baby. I won’t desert you, but I think down the road, Drew needs to know. It’s his baby too.”

“But it’s my fault. I was so careless and worked up that night, and didn’t have him use a condom. We were so mindful after than night though. Who gets pregnant the first time?”

“How many first times are we talking about? How many times that night?” He looks at me in amazement.

“I lost track after the first, but it was quite a few,” I say sheepishly, the law of averages was definitely against me.

“So it seems you played the odds and gained a bundle.”

He did not just say that. Just wait until I get my strength back.

“Something tells me you’re angry now. If the sparks shooting out of your eyes are any indication, then you are, but at least you’re not crying.” Jeff jumps off the bed and sits in a chair, a few safe feet away when I send him a playful glare.

The last few weeks have been a complete blur. I felt much better after the hospital visit, and Jeff has been the ultimate caretaker. He made me an appointment after doing tons of research on every obstetric doctor in the area. Thank heaven, it’s a woman. She doesn’t normally take my insurance, but miraculously, she made an exception. Jeff won’t tell me why though. All he said was it must be his magnetic personality, which is a bunch of bull.

The doctor visit went okay. I got a clean bill of health and a prescription for horse-sized vitamin pills. She said the ER doctor was right, and she agrees I got pregnant on New Year’s once I informed her that we had used protection every time after that. Jeff came in with me and used the same line that allowed him to be in the ER with me—that he was my boyfriend. Which technically isn’t a lie since he is both my friend and a boy.

Every day after my first appointment, Jeff has made sure I follow the instructions of the doctor and eat three meals a day, all bland tasting of course. Luckily, my nausea has started to subside. In fact, it seems surreal that I have a “bun in the oven,” as Jeff lovingly refers to the baby.

I still don’t know how I’m going to tell everyone, so I’ve distracted myself by concentrating on my studies. My heart is still mending, and I lie in bed every night wondering where Drew is, and what he’s doing. It really hurts. Jeff and I had a blowout or up, whatever, the other day, as he took it upon himself to tell my job I won’t be coming back. I was mad for a whole day and told him I needed the money, and he said he would pay for all my stuff, which is ludicrous. His parents have always made him work to pay his bills. He says not to worry, and I wonder where he’s getting the money since he quit his job as well just to take care of me.

I promise to pay him back one day, but I’m not sure how realistic of a promise that is. Every time I think of what it takes to raise a child, it makes me sick to my stomach. Termination or adoption are most definitely both out. I want to keep this baby, so I’ll just have to make it work.

“Dora, how about Papa’s tonight?” Jeff asks from the living room.

“We can’t afford to eat out. I wish you would tell me where you’re getting all this money.” I come out of my bedroom and put my hands on my hips. I’m going to get him to spill or die trying. Okay, I’m not going to die … it’s just a saying. “Anyway, my pants are getting tighter, and soon I’ll have to wear bigger clothes. Everyone will know soon. But I’m giving you an out, so spill. Where’s the money coming from?” I glare at him, hoping I’ll scare his gorgeous face into fessing up.

“Okay, stop nagging at me. I have a trust fund. I swore to myself that I’d support myself with a job and never dip into it. My parents agreed that it’d do me good to have to work for things, but things have changed. This is what I want to spend my money on,” he says. “I want to help you, Dora.”

“How will I ever pay you back?” I moan, putting my face in my hands. My life is such a mess.

“We’re family. You mean the world to me, and I can’t wait to be Uncle Jeff to your little bump.” He pulls my hands from my face and pulls me in for a hug. He gives the absolute best hugs, and yes, my eyes fill up with tears at his words. “Now, no crying. Grab your coat and let’s go. I won’t take no for an answer.” He pushes me away and I go to my room to retrieve my coat.

Papa’s is busy, but it’s no surprise with it being Friday night. Jeff is leading me through the crowded place and every table is full. I wonder if we’re going to sit at the special kitchen table. We make our way to the back, and when I move to the side to avoid a customer getting up from his seat, I see two people I truly want to avoid. They’re waving to us, and Jeff pulls me with him to their table. Later, we’ll have a heated discussion, but I put on a smile and both Liam and Colin take turns hugging me and telling me they’re happy to see me.