A Time for Hope (Lexi, #3)(81)
I managed to unbutton my jeans just in time as my fingers fumbled awkwardly with the seemingly simple task. The joy of instant relief flowed as I slowly relaxed. I hadn’t been this close to peeing myself in I didn’t know how long and I wasn’t about to experience adult incontinence for the first time in public, on a plane - take off or no take off. I sat quietly as the weird sensation of relief flooded my body. The echo of the jet noise disturbed my newly found utopia as I pondered whether my blatant disregard for safety regulations would see me be put in restraints for the remainder of journey. If it did, it would have totally been worth it.
The plane leveled out as we’d reached cruising altitude and I heard the tell-tale ding of the fasten seat belt sign being removed.
“Lexi, open the door!” Alex fumed as he beat on the cubicle door. “What were you thinking?”
I cleaned myself up and buttoned up my jeans. I knew I was in trouble, I could see the headlines now. Lexi Stone banned from Delta flight, detained by Air Marshalls. The whole time we’d been worried about Dan and his penchant for drawing a commotion, when it was me who would end up being the liability.
I washed my hands and splashed water over my face, knowing the two extra minutes was not going to make it any worse than it already was (and needing to delay the inevitable) as I slowly opened the door.
Alex was fuming as he stood on the other side of the door with a very angry looking flight attendant.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t hold it. I was desperate to go.” I lamented, knowing how lame the excuse sounded. Lame or not, it was the only excuse I had and more importantly it was the truth.
“She’s ok, thanks for your concern. We’re sorry for any inconvenience.” Alex turned to the flight attendant and offered his apologies on my behalf; his charm engaged despite his concern for me.
“Well as long as you are aware that you just can’t go moving around the plane. Those safety regulations are there not only for yourselves but also for the safety of your fellow passengers. I’m willing to overlook this indiscretion if you promise we can expect no further incidents for the rest of the flight.” The flight attendant’s tone was cold and condescending. I hadn’t performed my desperation-induced bathroom crawl for sport, lady. I just didn’t want to be sitting in a puddle of urine till we landed, is that ok with you?!
“You’ll have no more incidents from us, I can assure you.” Alex gave her his usual rehearsed smile, her anger and irritation at me thawing as she stared into his beautiful blue eyes. It was uncanny, how quickly Alex was able to disarm the situation by simply smiling. That smile was one hell of a secret weapon.
She nodded and strode off to commence the refreshments service, no doubt disappointed she couldn’t stare at Alex a little while longer. Annoyed at me or not, his allure was always magnetic.
Alex pulled me into an alcove just behind the bathrooms, affording us a moderate amount of privacy. Well as much privacy as you were going to get when hurtling across the sky at thirty or so thousand feet.
“You couldn’t hold it? Lexi, what are you, five?” Alex asked impatiently as he inspected me to make sure I hadn’t hit anything on my epic backward climb down the aisle of the plane. And not that I would recommend it or even attempt it again, but even he would have to admit, it was pretty epic!
“No, I’m not five.” I huffed, ironically behaving like a five year old as I placed my hands on my hips. “I’m pregnant.”
Well, so much for my well executed, planned speech sharing our wonderful news of impending parenthood. Perhaps I should have just held up a banner that read Surprise! I’m knocked up.
“You’re what?” Alex’s eyes widened as the words he had heard slowly started to make sense in his head.
“P R E G N A N T,” I annunciated slowly before pointing to my belly. “We’re having a baby.”
Alex grabbed me and pulled me forward into his arms, almost sending me flying with the sudden movement. He anchored his hands firmly around me, ensuring that I didn’t fall.
“Are you sure?” His eyes searched mine for confirmation. He placed his hand flat on my stomach. It was hard to believe there was a little human growing inside there.
“Yes, I’m sure. I did the pee test, then I did the blood test and we did an ultrasound as well to try and get my due date, seeing as your brain surgeon of a wife doesn’t know when we conceived. I’m definitely pregnant, eight weeks to be exact.” I recounted my condensed version of prenatal discovery. I omitted the part about us being fertility gods, because I thought it would be kind of assumed.
“You did all that without me? Lexi why didn’t you tell me? When did this happen?” Alex brought his hand to my face and gently thumbed my lip, his other arm tightly around my body.
“I didn’t want to tell you on the phone and what could you have done? Packed up and come running back?” I reasoned. It’s not like I had wanted to keep this from him, but I had to work with the circumstances I was dealt. The tour had just started and he had literally just left. It made no sense to call him back. Why would I? So he could hold my hand while some strange woman in a white coat stuck, poked and prodded me, and not in a way I enjoyed? There would be plenty of time for that in the future.
“That’s exactly what I would have done. Lexi this is our child. There is nothing that is more important than the two of you. Not the band, not the tour.” He held me tighter as he lightly trailed his fingers down my chin. “I’m going to be a dad?”