A Time for Hope (Lexi, #3)(73)

“Hello?” Hannah’s voice echoed from the front door, “Lexi are you in here?”

As promised, Hannah had come by to inspect what was to be Alex’s and my new home. Noah had been to visit the pediatrician again this morning and she insisted on passing through and bringing us lunch. More importantly, she had brought little Noah, who loved his Aunty Lexi’s hugs.

“We’re in the living room,” I called out, wiping away my tears. It was bad enough Tay had seen I was having trouble keeping it together; I didn’t want to burden poor Hannah with it too. After all, she was dealing with a similar separation. Her husband, like mine, was on the road. James was also miles away from us and her son was suffering his first real illness.

Hannah’s massive Bugaboo pram did not hinder her entrance as she steered it into the room where Taylah and I were camped out on the floor. “Wow, this place is HUGE. I can’t believe the deal you guys got.” Hannah looked around the room as Noah peacefully slept in the pram.

“Yeah, the realtor practically begged us to take it.” I winked at Taylah, “Seems she was having a hard time finding an interested buyer.” Taylah smirked smugly as she helped Hannah with her bags.

“How is he doing?” I asked, peering at Noah curled up in his pram.

“So much better Lexi,” I could hear the relief in her voice. “Fever has dropped dramatically and it looks like the antibiotics are working. He should be back to normal in a couple of days and be cleared to fly in a week or so.”

Hannah looked around the room carefully before settling on the floor beside me. “Not to scare you or anything but my hairstylist mentioned this place might be haunted. A beautiful yet neglected housewife killed herself here during the ‘20s.” She paused before whispering, “I think her husband had ties to Lucky Luciano.”

Both Taylah and I erupted into laughter. I couldn’t believe how far Tay’s creative fabrication had permeated. “It’s made up Han.” I assured a bewildered Hannah, “Taylah concocted that stuff so no one else would buy it. She was stacking the deck, so to speak.”

“Are you serious? The whole story?” Hannah stood and went over to look at Noah who had woken, his small cries were a protest at the ruckus we were causing. She gently pulled him from his blankets and rocked him in her arms, “Oh, little man,” she purred. “Did Aunt Lexi wake you? Naughty Aunt Lexi!” Hannah grinned, not even showing a hint of annoyance. Noah nuzzled close to his mother’s chest and calmed immediately, the comfort of her arms lulling him back to sleep.

It was amazing to watch Hannah with Noah. She made it look like it was as natural as breathing and if she harboured any self-doubt, she sure as hell didn’t show it. She softly lowered herself back onto the floor with Noah still curled in her arms.

My eyes misted at the poignant exchange, the tenderness of their unyielding bond was something I hadn’t known with my own mother.

“Are you ok Lexi?” Hannah disrupted my thoughts. I had not realised I had been staring.

“Yeah, I’m just tired… and missing Alex.” I wiped my eyes again. Seriously, what was wrong with me? I was leaking, like every five minutes.

Taylah eyed me suspiciously, “Lex, maybe you should eat something? You look kinda off.” She opened one of the bags Hannah had brought in and pulled out some takeaway containers.

“I made TJ stop in Little Italy, there is this cute new place. They make the most delicious pasta. I got garlic bread too,” Hannah added, laying Noah gently on the floor beside her. She reached across to assist Taylah to serve the food onto the paper plates that were also provided.

The smell of mixed herbs and garlic wafted through the air and made me retch. YUCK, oh my god I was going to be sick. I scrambled off the floor, my hand clasped to my mouth and ran into the bathroom where I heaved into the toilet. Taylah and Hannah had followed me closely behind but I managed to slam the door shut just before I lost the contents of my stomach.

“Holy Shit, Lexi. Are you ok?” Taylah asked through the door.

“Ughhhh” I mumbled before heaving again. I was glad they didn’t have to witness this.

“Lexi, open the door.” Hannah tapped on the bathroom door. The last thing I wanted was company.

“I’m ok.” I called out as I sunk onto the cold tiles, my head leaning against the wall.

“Lexi, open the door.” Hannah repeated, her voice more insistent this time. I felt as if all my energy had depleted as I tried to rise to my feet. I splashed some water over my face before flicking open the lock on the door.

Hannah and Taylah wore concerned faces as they walked into the bathroom. “I’m fine, I guess I might be coming down with something.” I reasoned as I sat back down on the floor, feeling a little woozy.

I mentally ran through my symptoms. Fatigue, emotional, vomiting, the lack of period Dan had accused me of having. HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!

“Oh my God.” I struggled to remember when was the last time I’d had my period. Shit, I hadn’t had one since I stopped taking the pill. Could you get pregnant straight off the pill? I glanced down at my stomach. “I’m pregnant!”

Hannah’s eyes opened wide, “What? Did you say you were pregnant?”

“Umm… I stopped taking the pill a week before Alex’s birthday. We wanted to start a family so I figured we’d just see what happened. Just kind of roll the dice,” I winced realizing how stupid that sounded. We had been actively trying, yet here I was surprised.