For over a two weeks, I never left the house. I just slept and spent time with the kids. Elijah spent all of his free time at my side and Bridget insisted on doing everything for me.
When Thursday finally came, I finally felt like I was returning to the real world. After sending the kids off to school, I got dressed in a pair of nice jeans and a button up shirt. I slipped on my shoes before meeting Elijah outside. He gave me a kind smile before beginning our drive. I quietly watched out of the window as Elijah drove. I could feel him watching me, but I was unable to look back to him.
"Are you sure you are ready to see them? We can postpone the appointment."
I shook my head but never looked to him, "Hunter is expecting me. He wants to see me and I want to see him."
"Do you think he will notice your wound?"
"Most likely. It's hard to miss with the giant bandage." We were silent for the rest of the three hour drive.
When we arrived, Elijah parked in the parking garage before taking my hand and leading me inside. We quietly went up to the room and I knocked on the door.
Cam opened the door with excitement, but it seemed to lessen when he noticed Elijah standing behind me. He opened the door so that we could come in and I met the gaze of Hunter and Asher. They also seemed to lessen in delight when they noticed who followed me.
"Hey there, sicko."
Hunter smirked, "hey stranger. Took you long enough to come see me."
I paused and Elijah quickly spoke up, "my apologize, we have been really busy with work."
"You look thinner." Asher whispered and I looked to the ground.
I faked a chuckle, "working at a legal establishment has been quite exhausting."
I grabbed a chair and set it beside the bed. Hunter took my hand in his, "how are the twins?"
I smiled, "they are good. As crazy as ever. They were pretty mad when they realized they weren't going with me to see you today."
"You could've brought them!"
I shook my head, "I don't want them to miss school. They are already looked at weird enough because of me."
He gave me a sympathetic look but then his eyes widened. His grip tightened on my arm, "what's that?" He demanded and I smiled to him with sadness. "What happened!" Hunter yelled as he looked to Elijah. "You said you were going to protect Will!"
"Hunt," I whispered and he looked to me with despair. "Its not his fault."
"Its from Jayden, right?!" Cam yelled as he came to my side.
"Yeah, it is." Everyone seemed startled by how blunt I was. My voice was also completely calm and composed. "But I am okay."
We all looked up as the doctor came in. He gave me a broad smile before Cam moved out of the way. "Good to see you, Will. Are you alright with us taking some blood before we get started? We just need to make sure you have no minor viruses or anything before we start the procedure."
I smiled to him, "absolutely."
He went back towards the door, "alright, then the nurse will be in soon."
I smiled to Hunter, "are you ready to get this over with?"
He chuckled, "don't get too excited yet, it isn't set in stone."
I chuckled, "I will make sure it happens. I'm not letting you leave me too."
He smacked my arm, "asshole."
"Hello," a woman sang before coming over to me with a small tray, "are you ready?"
I gave her a confident smile, "I've been ready."
She began drawing the blood as everyone watched quietly. "The doctor will be back shortly with the results, about 20 minutes."
"Thanks!" Everyone looked to me as I let out a deep sigh.
"Still nervous around needles I see."
I laughed as I leaned back in the chair, "I've gotten better." I held my fingers around 8 cm apart, "they gave me a needle this long when I had the twins. Right into the spine no less!" I sighed before smirking to Hunter, "I only cried for 5 minutes. You would've been proud!"
Hunter laughed hard, "you're so stupid," he smiled at me, "guess you've become brave in your absence."
I nodded, "it's one thing I gained from this whole mess. I now know how to take care of myself. After going through the pregnancy and birth of the twins by myself, I now feel almost invincible."
We all paused when a knock came to the door. The doctor opened the door slightly, "Will, can we talk privately?"
I froze and Hunter's eyes became worried, "yeah." Elijah tried to follow but I shook my head, "we will not go far. Just stay here." I followed the doctor outside the room and down the hallway somewhat, to make sure we would not be heard. "What is it?"
He ran his hand through his hair, "something came up immediately with your bloodwork."
"You're starting to worry me," I whispered as my mind raced, "don't beat around the bush, just spit it out."
He took a moment and a deep breath, "is there a chance you could be pregnant?"
I froze and my hands began to tremble. Why? Not again. "So I am?"
He nodded, "you are."
"Can I still give bone marrow to Hunter?"
He stared at me before looking to the floor. My body began to tremble. Of all things for him to ruin, he had to ruin this?!
"There isn't any way?"
He shook his head, "it can't be done until after delivery."
"But that will take months! Hunter might not have that much time!"
"He's still on the donor list so there is still a chance."
"A chance..." I repeated to myself as I felt my heart tear, "a chance."
"Do you want me to tell him?"
I shook my head, "it will hurt less if it comes directly from me. Thank you, doctor." I slowly walked back to the room and went inside. I sat down and took Hunter's hand in mine.
"Something is wrong," he stated, "am I not healthy enough?"
I shook my head and forced a smile, "they redid the tests and are not sure I am the best candidate." Hunter's face turned grim, "but I promise to find a donor. I won't stop until I do."
He smiled sadly, "I'm a tad relieved. I didn't want to see you go through the pain of the process."
I fought back tears and forced my hand not to shake, "I don't want to lose you, Hunt. I will find a donor."
He sighed, "don't worry so much, moron. I'm not that sick."
I smiled again to not cry, "well I should get going. The kids will be getting out of school soon."
I squeezed his hand before getting up and leaving the room. Elijah followed close behind and we got into the car. I sat in the car and immediately leaned on the window. I couldn't hold back my tears anymore but kept myself as quiet as I could.
"You can find a donor, right?"
"I will have Aurora look for someone. The sooner we find someone, the better."
"Yea," I whispered as my nausea made so much sense now.
How long can i hide this? The twins showed within six weeks and I'm already halfway there. Will it be a single child this time? Will that give me more time before I start showing? How am I going to tell everyone?
"Is there a way I can do my job from home? I'd like to have more time with the kids and it will limit the chances of Jayden getting to me."
"I will see what I can do. I would feel a lot better if you stayed at home after what happened."
I closed my eyes and did not open them until we got to the school. I hopped out of the car and rushed to get the twins that stood with their teacher. I scooped them up with a large smile toward their teacher. She was one of the few Betas that did not look at me as a worthless being.
"Momma!" They cheered when I picked them up.
"Hi, Ms. Martin. Thank you as always for taking care of these two. Are they causing you any problems?"
She paused before giving me a sad smile, "they never cause issues. They are wonderful children."
I kissed Ashley and then Archer on the forehead before looking back to her, "well feel free to let me know if anything happens or if there is any way I can help."
She smiled with a nod, "have a good day," she replied as I noticed her eyes glance behind us, likely to the nice car I got out of. She probably is thinking less of me know. Wait until you hear I am unwed and pregnant again, then you will join the rest in disliking me. I turned and brought the children to the car before getting them buckled in. When we got home, I asked Bridget to watch the kids so that I could sleep. I went to my room and cried until I finally descended into darkness.