Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

"Take tomorrow off with Easton and get yourself checked at the hospital. You're already having morning sickness-so you must be a few months along. If you really are pregnant, you can't be charging into the front lines anymore. The early months are the riskiest."

After the medical examiner's gentle warning, he went to bed, but Annie lay awake, staring at the ceiling. By the time the sun was up, she was already at the hospital, waiting at the reception before the doctors even started their shift.

When the medical examiner woke up and saw Annie's side of the bed empty and perfectly made, he didn't even have to ask where she'd gone.

As soon as the doctor's office opened, Annie was first through the door.

"When was your last period?" the doctor asked.

Annie hesitated. "...I can't remember."

The doctor gave her a mild scolding, asked a few more questions, and seemed pretty sure of the answer even before sending Annie off for more tests.

On her way to the ultrasound room, Annie's phone buzzed. "Hey, Mia?"

Mia was at home, locked in a breakfast standoff with her son. In the end, the little one lost, and Henry was scooped into his mom's arms, his small hand caught gently while she fed him bite after bite. The phone was on speaker. "Hey, Annie, where are you? Got some free time today? I'm thinking of swinging by with my little tiger."

Henry, currently being wrangled by his mom, shook his head, refusing another spoonful. "Mommy, no more. I'm full-"

"Full? You didn't drink your milk, you didn't eat your breakfast. Did you fill up on air?"

Annie paid her bill, took her spot in the waiting area, and called out, "Sweetie, are you there? Say hi to your godmother-she misses you."

speaker, Henry heard her and immediately

your breakfast-gotta keep your strength up if you want

the phone and asked, "You're at the hospital? What's going

routine check. Mia, I have to go in now-I'll call you

Mia a little uneasy. She glanced at

his head,

spoonful. "Alright, finish breakfast, then we'll

to wriggle away, but Mia wasn't having

room feeling dazed, clutching her test results. She sat on a bench in the hallway, her fingers cold as she dialed Conner's

playful tone, "Hey, Annie, miss

"I'm pregnant. Two months."

was a stunned

line

later, her phone rang

up,

other end, Conner

moon

ger

words out. He sounded like

happy dance

shouted, "Boss is totally out