LIV

I almost broke down at the sight of Robert. He had started his lecture already, but I couldn't even hear what he was saying. It was like my ears were blocked, and all I could register was the movement of his mouth.

Myra watched me, not sure what to do. She just kept quietly asking if I was okay.

The next few moments went by in a blur, like I was operating in autopilot. The next thing I knew, I had all my stuff and was walking out of the back door of the lecture hall. Myra didn't follow me as I made my way toward the clinic, hands shaky.

The fact that it took me this long to realize what was happening was inexplicable. It wasn't like me.

I walked into the clinic's reception, right up to the receptionist.

"Could I see Nurse Jennifer, please?" My voice was shaky as I asked.

The receptionist nodded, then looked at her computer.

"Do you have an app-"

"It's important. Please. I'm her niece."

Eventually, she let me into my aunt Jennifer's office. It must've been a slow day, because she didn't have any appointments for the next hour or so.

"Olivia, it's been a long time-" Aunt Jen was smiling when I walked in. That was until she noticed the tears in my eyes. "What happened, hun?"

"I-I...My period...I haven't...in...months...I think I-I'm..." I stuttered then broke into another fit of tears.

"It's okay, just breathe. Sit here."

She led me over to one of the sofas in the office.

"So, you think you're pregnant," she asked as she poured a small cup of water. She handed me the cup, patiently waiting for my reply.

I took a sip and sighed. "Yes...Thanks."

I hadn't cried that much since Rob left my house months ago. If tears were any indication, things were looking good for the Liv and Rob ship.

"So, would you like a test?"

I looked up at her with appreciation, "That would be helpful, yeah."

She went over to her shelf and grabbed a Clear Blue pregnancy test. "I'd also like to run a blood test to get a better idea of how things are going, and get all the info that we can. Okay?"

"Yeah, that's fine."

******

"You can do this."

I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, trying to hype up my reflection. It was still surreal, the idea of me taking a pregnancy test. Seriously taking a pregnancy test.

"What were you thinking?"

My fingers ran over the band-aid on my inner elbow from where my blood was taken. I shook my head, then went into a stall to pee on the stick.

"Alright, that's it, then. Now, to wait."

I set a timer, then put my head in my lap. I knew that, if one line showed up, life would be back to normal. I could act like none of this ever happened, go back to the way things were before. It would be easy.

But, if two lines showed up, everything would change. I'd have to tell Rob, since it's his child. Who would support me? Help take care of me, the baby....

Oh my God, the baby!

Sure, I had experience with kids. I watched my aunt's young kids all the time, and I'd changed more diapers than I could keep count of. Kids liked me. But being the fun older cousin did not automatically qualify me for mother of the year.

The time was almost up, so I wrapped the test in some paper towel, washed my hands, then went back into my aunt's office.

I set the test down on the counter and went back to the sofa.

"So," Jen started, as I sat down. "How's your mom?" I looked at her and chuckled.

"How long has it been since you two have talked?"

"Too long." Jennifer said, looking away. Jennifer wasn't just the University nurse. She was my mom's sister. Jennifer and my mom hadn't talked in a while because, after Jen got pregnant and eloped, her family freaked out. My mom got upset at her, and they haven't spoken in years. So, it wasn't exactly the best relationship between sisters.

Sometimes it felt like Amanda and I were a mirror of my aunt and mom's past.

"So, do you know who the father is? Or, is there more than one...You know..."

I laughed and poked her shoulder.

"Aunt Jenny! I am not like that."

She shrugged, "it's a new world these days. That could be your thing for all I know."

I rolled my eyes, dismissing her suggestions. "Anyway, I know who the father is, for sure. If there is even a kid."

"Who is it?" Jen asked, the curiosity overwhelming.

I looked at her, then looked away. "I-"

All of a sudden, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," my aunt replied.

The door to her office opened. "Hey, Jennifer."

In waltzed Robert, because there must not have been anyone else in this clinic. My heart started pounding when she saw him. He looked at me and didn't know what to say. That was until he noticed the pregnancy test on the table.

I could tell he was itching to ask by the way his eyes took turns between me and the test. Of course, there was a chance it could be Jennifer's. And in that case, he could ask and risk accidentally embarrassing a co-worker.

Instead, he cleared his throat, and stood silently.

"Rob... Something you need? I'm helping out a student right now," Jen stated, trying not to sound rude.

"Yeah, well, Ms.Haydon is in my class and I just came by to see if everything's alright."

I looked away from him, redirecting my attention to the test in front of me.

"I'm fine, thank you."

Rob nodded. He looked down at the test again, and that prompted my aunt to study the air between us. It was a little odd that he was this invested in a student he met not too long ago. Jen knew that he was new to the faculty, and she was well aware that he couldn't have met me more than a week before.

Well, shouldn't have.

Life is funny like that.

*********
A/N

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Thanks so much for reading and for all your support!

-Ruth