Chapter 50

LEILANI

At the deserted corridor, Annette looked around to the night to make sure no one was around and nodded in satisfaction when she saw that no one was really around.

I was staring at her curiously, wondering what she has to say.

Whenever she's like this, it's a new gossip or a secret she wants to reveal, I thought with an inner smile.

Her eyes finally came back to me after wandering around, then she grinned mischievously.

"I knew almost immediately but I waited for you all afternoon to tell me, but now, I'm tired of waiting, so, I'm just going to ask....when were you going to tell us that you're pregnant, you bad bad Lani!?" She whispered with a huge smile of conspiration.

I blinked twice. Then, I burst out laughing. I couldn't help myself. "That's absurb. I'm not pregnant."

She seemed taken back and gave me a once over. After her eyes slid all over me, her mischievous smile dissapeared before her eyes met mine again.

"You're pregnant, Lani." She chuckled, "You really didn't think you can keep it hidden, did you?"

All the blood drained from my face. "P-Pregnant? I-I'm pregnant?" I stared down at myself in disbelief and to make sure it isn't written anywhere on my body.

"You really don't know?" She asked incredulously.

"B-But I-I-" I couldn't find words to say as I tried to wrap my head around what she's saying.

I'm pregnant? I placed a hand on my flat-as-a-board belly. I shook my head, "No, I'm not pregnant."

Annette stared at me in silent for one long minute before she took my head again and resumed walking. I followed her dutifully through the long hallway to Sister Rose's room.

We entered and she closed the door. Sister Rose isn't around. All the Reverend Sisters are in the Chapel.

"Sit down, Lani." She gestured towards the chair and I lowered myself on it. I stared at her.

She no longer looked as mischievous, instead she looked serious.....and I saw pity in her eyes. She sat down beside me.

"When was the last time you saw your menstruation?" She asked.

I flushed red, even as I tried to remember. The remaining color on my face disappeared when it dawned on me that it's been so long.

I've never cared about my menstruation before. I don't keep tracks, I see it when I see it and I dress myself for it. I've never missed it before, and I've never had reasons to keep tracks. Until Zavier.

"Oh...God!" I whispered, my eyes wide. I placed a quivering hand to my belly again and stared down at myself.

She nodded knowingly. "Have you felt so tired lately? Slept a lot? Came face-to-face with your breakfast again after eating it?"

The more she spoke, the more paler I become until I turned white like a ghost. I didn't know I was hyperventing until Annette rushed towards me and forced my gaze to meet hers.

"Lani! Breathe!" She whispered vehemently.

I tried breathing but it was difficult. I'm having a panic attack, I registered in one part of my mind. The sound of my hard breathing was heard in the night as I tried to drag in breaths.

I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant.

"That's good, that's good, Lani." She hugged me when my breathing regulated, "Jesus, you scared me half to death!"

"I'm pregnant." I whispered lamely.

"Yes, honey you are. And it's congratulations to you! I can't wait to be an aunt!" She grinned at me.

When the shock passed, came the joy and happiness and sadness all missed together. I have a life inside of me. My baby. Zavier's baby.

"Oh, Lani. I'm sorry for breaking the news like that, I thought you knew and just hide it well from us because well, you felt like you couldn't tell us and all, I didn't know that you're unaware. Gosh, I'm not even surprised, you're Lani."

She pulled back and grinned at me in that motherly way of hers. "You might have gotten yourself a man but you're still clueless innocent Lani."

I was almost overflowing with joy. I'm carrying Zavier's child.

Then, I bit my lips worriedly. "I got pregnant out of wedlock. The sisters—"

She waved me off. "They don't know, none of them do and we'll leave it that way." Annette reassured me. "You can tell them after you've gotten married to your man."

I remembered Sister Benedetta's words in her room.....That I should stop crying because it'll upset the little one.

Panic and fear became an entity inside me. "Sister Benedetta knows! Oh, God! She'll see me like a disappointment." I covered my face with my hands and tears welled up my eyes.

"No, no, no, no, don't go thinking like that." She removed my hands, "Did she treat you that way before she left her room?"

I thought about it. "No, she didn't." I admitted.

"That's because she doesn't see you that way. No one will ever see you that way, Lani. We all watched you grow, we know the woman we raised. Even if you're heavily pregnant tomorrow and without a husband, you'll still be our Lani and we'll accept you because we don't reject our own. I might not be a Reverend Sister like my twin, but I know that much."

I threw my arms around her neck, my heart warming to her words. "Thank you so much, Sister Annette."

She patted my back twice and pulled back. "I'm not surprised that Sister Benedetta knows. That woman see more than anyone of us ever can."

"But, how did you know?" I asked incredulously.

She grinned again and got up. "I'm a mother of two awesome kids. What do you think?"

Before I could answer, she continued gently. "When you can, go straight to the hospital, honey and get yourself checked out. You'll know how old your baby is, the state of your body and the foods you'll eat. There's a lot more to know too."

"Alright, thanks, Sister Annette." I grinned gratefully at her. I have a lot of mothers here at the convent.

She smiled warmly, "Alright, come and get going before your man will start getting worried because you stayed so long, he's so overprotective of you and that's so cute. You're a lucky woman, my Lani."

My cheeks heated and I followed her out. She walked me all through the way to the guest house.

"You'll tell him, right?" She asked as we walked.

I thought about it but not for long. "Of course, I'll tell him....but not now."

She stared at me, "Why, dear?"

I took leisure steps forwards, biting my lips in thought. "I have to be sure I'm carrying a child first." I paused, "Also, Zavier....he's not a usual man. I don't know what his reactions will be, he hasn't associated much with kids. They're kind of alien to him."

"Then, you talk to him about them. Ask him how he feels about them. Most men might not know kids, but once it's theirs, they love them with all their hearts." Her eyes took on a new light and a smile, "Especially when it's their baby with the woman they love."

"Really?"

"Truly." She stated matter-of-factly.

"Thank you again, Sister Annette."

"You don't thank family, Lani. That's what family is all about....being there for each other."

We reached the gate. She said a few more words and told me that I could call her if I need anything, before she left.

I entered the house and closed the door. Zavier was awake but it looked like the door was what woke him from sleep.

I gave him a small apologetic smile. "I'm sorry for waking you." I walked to the wardrobe and changed into my night robes.

"I couldn't sleep properly, knowing you're out and unprotected." His eyes trialed my movement relaxingly.

"But, I'm protected. Here's my home...your home now too. It doesn't get safer than this place because God lives here." I teased him.

He smiled smile. "You told me it's heaven."

"He lives everywhere." I amended with a soft laugh.

"Morris, that assh0le asked a lot about you. He's pouting saying we didn't invite him to come."

I cringed at the thought of Morris coming here with us, laughing softly. "He'll follow us next time. Did you tell him we're coming back tomorrow?"

"I did." He grumbled, "Damned bastard said he'll be waiting at the door."

He opened his arms as I climbed into bed and I went into the cushions of his arms willingly.

I couldn't stop smiling, with my head on his chest. I have so many reasons to feel happy tonight.

Seeing my family again.

Sister Benedetta approves of our marriage, also blessed it too.

I'm carrying the child of the man I loves. Zavier and I are going to have a baby.

I reminded myself not to think with certainty until I've confirmed with a doctor. I might not be carrying a child.

I stared up at him, a little sadly. And if I am, how he would feel about it?

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