The fate-determining sticks

While Nick made his way to the isle carrying the pregnancy tests, Elizabeth prepared herself for what was to come. She watched Nick scan the different brands and packages, picking the most expensive two that promised results the fastest and the most accuracy, and pulling her behind him as he went to the counter to pay. When the shop owner saw what it was they were buying, he had an understanding smile as their behaviour before suddenly started to make sense. After paying the kind man, Nick and Elizabeth returned to their room. There he handed the bag, carrying the two small fool-proof tests that would determine their futures from this point forward, to Elizabeth. "Here." With a hint of reluctance Elizabeth grabbed the bag that had been pushed towards her and took another deep breath before opening the bathroom door.

Just as she was about to close the door behind her, she looked at Nick once more. Her former playboy that had gone on the straight and narrow, who was replying to her look with a firm nod. With one look, she could see that the usually confident man in front of her, with his tightly clenched jaw and widened eyes, was working hard to handle this matter in the best way he knew how. Elizabeth could see the nervousness in his eyes but was impressed by how well he was handling this. He hadn't freaked out or asked stupid questions. He had picked himself up from his initial state of shock and had taken determined actions towards the next logical step. Seeing him trying to stay calm and keep a straight face, she felt her own nervousness wash away. With a gentle smile, she closed the door completely and did what needed to be done.

After using the two sticks, she opened the door for Nick and came out holding both tests in her hand. Nick followed her as she moved from the bathroom towards where the bed was. They sat down on the perfectly made up bed, both trying to keep their nervousness in check. As they waited for the results of the tests, Elizabeth had returned to an old habit of hers of biting her nails and Nick had his arm around her, rubbing her arm gently in comfort, while both their eyes were focused on the small displays of the fate-determining sticks in Elizabeth's hand.

After one minute the first display started to show result, confirming what Elizabeth had feared. After a few additional minutes the other test gave its result as well. Telling her that not only was she pregnant, she had been pregnant for more than three weeks! Now that there was no denying it, they both let out a final sigh with closed eyes before turning towards each other and talk about what they would from here on forward. Nick was the first to break the silence. He held onto Elizabeth's hand as he started his flood of information, seemingly suddenly having accepted the situation fully and having everything figured out.

"Now that we are parents-to-be we should start acting like it. If George and Sophia can do it, so can we. I assume we are going to keep it. So, first things first is figuring out when we are actually having this baby. I am guessing that it happened during our trip with the group. We were pretty drunk that night and I might have messed up or you might have forgotten your pill. That means that you would be due somewhere around the summer break or the first semester of next year. Since I will be keeping my flexibility in planning my classes, I can use that flexibility to plan my classes at the same time as yours during the early stages of your pregnancy. Near the end and once you have given birth, I will switch it up and plan them around yours instead. That way I will be able to help you as much as possible." Feeling that Nick was saying all the words she needed to hear and had on her mind, Elizabeth listened on quietly to Nick's words. His solution modus had kicked in and had pushed his worries out, making place for clarity and plan-making.

"I can even attend a lot of lectures digitally and I am sure you can attend a few digitally as well. After you finish your bachelor's degree, you can choose to continue in the same way to finish your master's degree as well or you can take a gap year or maybe even gap semesters to get some rest. With help from family, friends and professionals, I am positive we will be able to do this. It might have all come a bit earlier than planned but we should look at this like the blessing that it is. Otherwise our child might feel unwanted later." Having finished throwing out all that was on his mind, he had finally found room in his mind to ask Elizabeth what she was thinking of it all. "What do you think? It seems very feasible to me now that I have had a chance to think it through. Don't you agree?" Elizabeth answered Nick's question, that now even had a hint of excitement to them, with a kiss on his lips and she hugged his arm as she placed her head against his shoulder. Nick responded to her actions by resting his head against hers and putting his hand on top of hers, gently stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. With that, the weight that seemed too heavy to bear just moments ago, had been reduced to almost nothing within a two-minute flood of rambling by Nick.