You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Harper

I'm light for the rest of the night, like a dark cloud has been lifted and all I can feel is warm sunshine.

Easton warns me at one point that the chance I could still be pregnant is possible but I can't even let that thought enter my brain.

Nope.

I'm not pregnant.

I took two tests proving exactly that.

Feeling impulsive, I attack Easton in the living room, straddling him as he's trying to watch some corny Christmas movie on the Hallmark Channel.

My boyfriend, the secret romantic? Yes, it's possible.

"Babe, come on.

I need to know if this chick is the real daughter of Santa," he says, his hands resting loosely on my hips as he looks around me so he can stare at the TV. "Forget that chick.

She's not Santa's daughter," I tell him, grabbing him by the shoulders and leaning in so I can give him a long, tongue filled kiss.

We come up for air a few minutes later, his hair a mess thanks to my hands and his fingers cupped firmly around my left tit, his arm tunneled beneath my sweater. "How do you know?" I roll my eyes.

"I watched the movie with my mom last week." We kiss some more, until I'm basically dry humping him and he's helping me along, his hands firm on my hips as he shifts me back and forth over his erection.

I pull away slightly, my fingers seeking when he tries to wrench away from me.

"What are you doing?" I ask, exasperated.

"I just had a thought." "What is it?" I lean in to kiss him again but he averts his head.

"You were sick a few weeks ago.

You went on antibiotics," he says.

"Yeah, so?" "I've heard that can make birth control less effective." His gaze locks with mine.

"Maybe that's what happened.

And maybe you' re actually pregnant." A sigh leaves me as I crawl off his lap and fall onto the couch, sitting right next to him.

"You're ruining the mood." "I can't stop thinking that you might be really pregnant.

What if that test is wrong? They're not one hundred percent foolproof, are they? We probably should've bought some other ones, just in case," he says absently, his gaze growing distant, as if he's lost in thought.

"It claimed to be pretty accurate on the box," I reassure him, but he's not having it.

"Nothing is guaranteed, babe." He sends me a look, like I'm so silly for believing that we're in the clear.

"We won't know anything until you get your period." Another sigh leaves me and I cross my arms.

"Like I said, you're ruining the mood." "And I can't stop thinking about the possibility of us having a baby." He shakes his head, his gaze finding mine.

"That's some trippy shit." "For sure," I agree, realizing I'm not going to get what I want tonight.

Oh well.

I enjoy spending time with him.

Kissing him.

Watching him get into a silly holiday movie about Santa's daughter and how she's helping a small town find the magic of Christmas once again. It's corny yet Easton is enjoying it.

Maybe he needs the distraction.

It's been a whirlwind of emotions tonight.

I'm exhausted, and I lean my head against his shoulder, silently marveling at how warm and solid he is.

I could sit like this forever if he'd let me.

We're wrapped up in a throw blanket, watching the movie in silence.

Once it's over, Easton kisses my forehead and murmurs, "I should get you home." "Yeah." I don't want to go though.

He drives me back to my house, my mind full of crazy thoughts.

Like what would happen if I was actually pregnant.

We could move in together.

Easton's family has lots of money and I know he'd take care of me and our baby.

I rest my hand over my stomach at the thought.

Our baby.

So crazy.

When we're finally back at my house he walks me to the front porch, pulling me into his arms and delivering a blistering hot kiss to my lips- The porch light blazes on and the door swings open, the both of us springing away from each other.

It's my dad standing in the doorway, and he looks pleased as hell to catch us.

"Good evening, Easton." My boyfriend nods, looking nervous.

"Good evening, sir." "I heard you went for a drive to check out the Christmas lights." "Yeah, we did." He sends me a look.

One that says, please go along with my lie.

"The town is lit tonight." My dad laughs.

"Indeed, it is.

Well, time for you to leave.

See you later, Easton.

Drive safe." "Good night." Easton's gaze finds mine once again, and he mouths I love you before he turns away and heads for his car.

"He's a nice boy, Harper," Dad says as we enter the house together.

"Once we can get past the tree incident for good, I'm sure everything will be fine." God, the tree incident.

Will it ever not be mentioned? Knowing Ryan, he'll bring it up every Christmas from now until we're dead.

"Good night, Daddy," I tell my father, dropping a kiss on his cheek before I head upstairs.

I go into the bathroom and use the toilet, shock coursing through me when I see what's on my underwear.

Blood.