My Hockey Alpha

Chapter 0476

Nina

Enzo turned the key in the ignition, and the car roared to life. My fingers nervously tapped against the edge of my seat, as though that would somehow repair my frayed nerves.

*Do you want to go in alone, or do you want me to come with you?" Enzo asked, his voice light and gentle, which I sorely needed.

"I think I'd like for you to be with me," I said. Despite the fact that Enzo was basically a local celebrity and so was I now due to being his wife, and despite knowing that the two of us being there together was sure to turn some heads, I didn't want to go in alone.

We pulled into the parking lot of the local pharmacy. In a town as small as Mountainview, everyone knew everyone else, and the pharmacy was no different. This was bound to be an adventure because of that. The car came to a stop, and for a moment, we both just sat there, neither of us wanting to take the first step.

"Ready?" Enzo broke the silence, his eyes meeting mine.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied, managing a small smile before opening the door.

The bell on the door tinkled against the glass as we walked in, and my eyes immediately darted around the store. It was relatively empty, but of course, I had to run into Carol, a woman who ran the bookshop in town. She greeted us warmly but her eyes settled on me in a way that made me feel like she knew exactly why we were there.

*Hey, Carol," I said, offering a tense smile.

*Out and about early, I see," she noted. "Anything special you're shopping for?*

*Just some essentials, Enzo answered smoothly before I could come up with something.

"Ah, well, you two take care. By the way, Nina, I'm having a book sale next weekend. Think you might be around to lend a hand?" She looked at me expectantly. I had begun volunteering more around town ever since the Crescent attack, and although most of the residents of Mountainview had no memory of the entire experience, it felt like my duty.

"Of course," I said, too eager to move on to ask for details.

We continued towards the back of the store, and I felt like each step was taking an eternity. When we finally arrived at the family planning aisle, I stared at the array of pregnancy tests in front of me. I reached out tentatively and picked one up. Enzo put his hand on my arm reassuringly.

"You've got this, Nina," he said softly.

We approached the counter, where Hannah, a girl I had known since freshman year, was manning the register. She glanced down at the test and then back up at me, her eyes widening.

"Oh my gosh, Nina, are you guys-?"

I pulled my hood up almost reflexively, as if that would somehow make me invisible. "Uh, we're just checking, you know?"

Hannah's eyes sparkled. "Well, this is so exciting! I mean, imagine, little hockey stars running around!"

"Yeah, imagine," I mumbled, wishing the floor would open up and swallow me whole. I took the bag from her and quickly turned around, avoiding any further conversation.

As we walked back to the car, my face was a flame of embarrassment. Enzo chuckled softly, his eyes dancing as he looked at me. "Hey, it's not that bad."

"I just felt like the entire town was watching me buy that test," I said, swallowing.

"Well, if they were, now they're watching you walk out with your husband who loves you and will support you no

matter what," Enzo said, his voice soft but firm.

Satisfied that our task was over, we headed back to the car. Before we could drive away from the parking lot, though, Enzo turned to me with a puzzled expression. "Did your stomach just growl?"

I blushed, embarrassed yet again. "Maybe. I threw up this moming, remember? And I couldn't eat breakfast."

He put the car back into park. "One more stop before we go home then."

"Where?" I asked, intrigued.

"You'll see," he answered cryptically.

We walked down the streets of our small town, the air light with the scent of spring. The atmosphere smelled like fresh flowers and clean, warm air, but even then, it felt strange to be out and about given the emotional rollercoaster we were on. But Enzo led the way, and when we turned the comer, there it was: the local cafe that had been a staple for as long as I had lived in Mountainview.

He held the door open for me, and the warm aroma of freshly ground coffee enveloped us. It was a sanctuary of normality on an otherwise upside-down day.

*Order whatever you want," he said, giving me a gentle nudge towards the counter.

I ended up choosing a plain bagel with cream cheese and a large black coffee-comfort food for an unsettling morning. We took our orders outside, choosing a table tucked away in the corner, shaded by an overhanging tree that was just starting to shed its pink spring blossoms in exchange for vibrant green leaves.

*Thank you, Enzo," I said after a few bites, the food and coffee already lifting some of the heaviness inside me.* You've been really understanding, especially since I should have told you about the possibility of being pregnant sooner."

Enzo reached across the table and held my hand. "Nina, it's okay. I know now, and that's what matters. We're in this together, remember?"

His touch was soothing, warm, and reassuring. I couldn't help but smile.

*Can you imagine it, though?" he mused softly, his eyes distant but thoughtful. "Our little son or daughter running around, inheriting the best from both of us."

My face turned a fiery red at his words. I smacked his arm lightly. "Don't get too ahead of yourself, okay? Even if I am pregnant, I'm still not sure it would be a good idea to keep it. Our lives are already on the edge of turning topsy -turvy,"

For a moment, his face fell, and I felt a pang of guilt. He nodded, his expression shifting back to understanding." You're right, of course. Maybe it wouldn't be the best idea right now to bring a child into this world, into our lives as they are. Not until we're more settled."

We sat in a contemplative silence for a few moments, sipping our coffees, lost in our own thoughts. The weight of the moming's events settled around us, but I felt oddly hopeful.

*Ready to go home?" he finally asked, breaking the silence.

I nodded. "Yeah. Let's get this over with."

When we got home, I took the bag and headed straight for the bathroom. I opened the box, my fingers trembling as I read the instructions. I took a deep breath and took the test.

As I set it on the counter, I leaned back against the wall, my breaths shallow and ragged. This tiny object had the power to completely change everything, and the weight of that possibility was overwhelming.

Enzo knocked softly on the door before entering. "Hey, you okay?"

I looked at him, my eyes meeting his, and saw my own storm of emotions reflected back at me. "I don't know yet,"

I murmured, my voice breaking on the last word.

"We'll get through this, whatever it is," he said, wrapping his arms around me.This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

I buried my face in his chest and nodded. "And we'll find out in three minutes."