Falling Fast and Breathing Hard

A week has passed since Kris left for Montreal and I've been functioning pretty well without him, surprisingly enough. I've become more social, which has been fairly difficult for me since I moved here only a few months ago; honestly, it seems as though I've lived here longer than that. Today, I decided to go out by myself for a walk before heading to lunch with a fellow co-worker. Her name's Mary and she's new to the city like I was not too long ago.

"Hey. Thanks for meeting me." she said at the restaurant.

"No problem. It's nice going out. I'm so used to spending a lot of time with my boyfriend, since I've had a lot of trouble making friends, dating back to when I moved here five months ago." I said, smiling.

"When did ya meet him?"

"I met him on my first day here. I was spending the day looking for an apartment when I stopped at Primanti's for lunch. He sat down across from me at the table I was sitting at and we talked for only a little bit, seeing how withdrawn I was. Just a week later, we became a couple."

"That is crazy! Really?"

"Yeah. I can hardly believe it myself."

"You seem pretty smitten."

"Oh yes. He's wonderful and gorgeous. You'd like him."

"Would I? When can I meet him?"

"Well, I'd like to say sometime this week, but I can't. He's back in Montreal."

"Montreal? Why?"

"His hometown, for training before the next season."

Her mouth dropped.

"Kris Letang?!" she gasped.

"The one-and-only."

"OMG. Let me know when I can see him."

"Absolutely."

I couldn't help but smile. I had a feeling that this summer was gonna go faster than I originally thought. That night before I went to bed, I got a hold of Kris on Skype.

"Hey Kris." I greeted.

"Hey. How was your day?"

"Wonderful. I've been getting to know a new co-worker who just moved to the area."

"Really? That reminds of a certain somebody."

I smiled.

"She's so sweet and happy to have a friend. She reminds me too much of myself."

"I'm glad to see you're making friends."

I had nothing to say. He does that to me a lot.

"So, how's Montreal?"

"It's great. It's weird with you not being here, but... yeah, it's great."

"That's good. I've said this a million times and I don't know how you're not sick of it yet, but I really miss you."

"I'll never get sick of that. Je t'aime et j'ai vraiment vous manquez trop."

"Stop. You're making me blush." I said, giggling.

He laughed.

"Not gonna happen. I'm gonna do that forever."

"Figured as much."

We spoke for about an hour until I was about to fall asleep on him. It was around one in the morning and I knew I needed my sleep as much as I wanted to talk to him. The following morning, I was full rested and ready to take on the day. The first thing I'm gonna do is head to the local shelter and adopt an animal. I don't know whether it's gonna be a cat and a dog or just one of the two. After looking both in the cattery and where the dogs were, I decided to adopt both a cat and a dog; I just couldn't resist. I love animals. I came home with food, pet supplies and my animals.

"So, you guys how do you like your new home?" I asked, giving them a tour of my apartment.

I let them walk around and minutes later they seemed to get along; it was quite adorable.
I adopted an eight-week old black lab and an eight week old grey tabby. Suddenly feeling a little nauseous, I ran to the bathroom and spit up.

What the heck was wrong with me?

Was something I ate undercooked or... was... no, that can't be it.

Don't think that. You met Kris in April, it's nearly August, you love each other, but being pregnant?

No, that couldn't happen, well of course it can, Athena; it just shouldn't happen.

I sat down on the floor and thought for a second, trying to recall when the last time I had my period was. Turns out, I was a week late.

"No! No! Please don't let me be pregnant." I cried.

Therefore I went to the drugstore, bought a few tests and came back to my apartment to try them out. Those ten minutes were the longest ten minutes of my life. My heart was racing when I looked at all of the tests. I gasped and cried.

I’m pregnant.

I need to tell Kris now because I don't know if I can wait till tonight, but I knew one thing; I had to call my mom.

"Hello?"

"Mom?"

"What's wrong?"

"I'm in shock."

"From what? What happened?"

"I was feeling nauseous earlier, then I spit up and... thought about the last time I had my period. I took three tests and found out I was pregnant." I said, sobbing.

"Oh my God, honey. You know what Athena? I'm making the drive to Pittsburgh now. Okay?”

"No, no. Mom, you don't have to come."

"Athena, I think it'd be best if I came over."

"Alright. I love you. See you then."

"I love you too and it'll be okay. Did you tell Kris?"

"No, not yet and I don't think I can wait till tonight. I'd rather say it to his face, but I just need to."

"That'd probably be best. Let me know how he feels, okay? Well, I'll call you when I'm in town."

"Ok. Bye Mom."

"Bye Athena."

I laid on my bed with Sammy(my dog) and Nala(my kitty) and waited till Kris called me(he always calls me at noon); that was in an hour. The hour passed fast and I composed myself and answered the phone.

"Hey Kris." I said the best I could.

"Hey Athena."

"How's your day been?"

"Okay. Very uneventful. You?"

"Um... interesting."

"Interesting?"

"Yeah... I adopted a kitten and a puppy, got food and headed on home." I sounded a bit nervous.

"Athena, something doesn't sound right."

"Um... um... well..."

"What is it? You have me worried."

Just say it, Athena. Just say it.

"I felt a little sick when I got home, thought it was something I ate, then counted the days since my last period... and well, I'm pregnant."

Anyone can hear the tears in my voice, again. He was silent for about a minute. Kris, come on, answer me. I love you and I can't raise this baby without you.

"Oh. My. God. This is fucking crazy."

"Tell me about it. I'm gonna be 21 in a month and I'm pregnant."

"It's gonna be fine. I love you and I'm excited."

I cried tears of happiness.

"I love you. You know, I would've rather told you tonight, but... I needed to tell you."

"I'm glad you did. This made my day."

"And I thought adopting two animals made my day; well... this makes my day too."

After a moment, I spoke again.

"Can I tell you something?"

"You can tell me anything."

"I called my mom and she's coming as we speak."

"Wow. I can't believe that."

"I can't either, but I'm happy about it."

Four-and-a-half hours later, I heard a knock on my door.

"Mom!" I said, opening the door and hugging her.

"Athena!" she said, kissing my cheek.

"Obviously you know how things went with Kris, but I'd like to introduce two little animals I adopted this morning. Nala and Sammy."

"They're adorable! How well do they get along?"

"So well, it's wonderful."

That night went well and my mom ended up staying for the rest of the week like the crazy mother she is and things got better. Another week down and about a month till my boyfriend and our unborn child's father comes back home.

Notes

Chapter Title courtesy of With Arms Wide Open by Creed.

Je t'aime et j'ai vraiment vous manquez trop: I love you and I really miss you.

I was surprised where this chapter went and I bet everyone is too, but it just came to me. Also, I had the hardest time finding a song for the title. It sucked. Anyway, enjoy!