Maria's POV:

Georgie and Susie are sleeping on the couch. I know it's not the best place to put a baby to sleep, but we didn't want to put them too far away in case they need us.

Martha is preparing something to eat and drink, along with Lafayette, who now is mad Hercules. None of us knew Hercules keep secrets with Alex, but I know they feel betrayed.

I wasn't hungry, so I just wait until everyone end with their dinner so I can explain what I know.

I stared at them. Their faces show worrying, fear, remorse... the same emotions he felt after he found out...

"As Thomas and John already explained, Alex wasn't feeling good. They took a few days from their jobs to take care of Alex, but once they had to return to work, they asked Eliza and I if we can take care of him when they weren't home".

I sit on the bench nearby the window.

"Eliza couldn't do that, she has a lot of work to do around this time of the year, same as Peggy, and, since I'm not in school or working right now, I decided to help Alex, because that's what friends do... help each other when it's the time"

//Flashback: 5 days before// 

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"Thank you so much, Maria!" John waved at me from the stairs before he left the building. I walked back to his apartment and open the door using Alex's keys.

I walked inside and close the door making the less noise possible. Alex was sleeping with Susan on the couch.  I smiled. Alex's hair was tied up in a messy bun and he's wearing just an oversized magenta hoodie. And my sweetest angel is wearing her light yellow baby jumpsuit, a gift Peggy and James' gave us a few weeks ago.

They really love their goddaughter.

I didn't want to just sit there and wait for one of them to wake up, so I started to work on the homework my Spanish teacher gave to me. She's a really good one, and she's my boss' wife, so it didn't have to search a lot since they speak fluent Spanish.

I suppose I've been working on this for an hour or so because the next thing I know it's Alex is running to the bathroom. I follow him and he's vomiting his guts out. I kneel and hold his hair back.

"Easy... relax... there you go", I say to him, rubbing his back. "Do you need something? A pill? Water?"

He shook his head and holding his stomach. "I'm fine..." he slurred his words. 

"Okay? I'm gonna prepare something for breakfast, what do you want?" I asked, but he didn't respond, so I'm going for a sure thing and prepare him something light, oatmeal with a honey and cinnamon. I usually add honey instead of brown sugar.  

I was preparing some coffee when Alex showed up. He looked a little better than a few minutes ago. I pour some coffee on Alex's mug with enough space in case he wants milk, and for me, I serve a cup of green tea.

"Better?", I asked. He lays on the sofa groaning. 

I brought both bowls and two spoons to the coffee table. "Eat, please! I know it's not the best, but it's something. I hope it's not too sweet, tho..." 

"It's alright, thanks!" , he said taking the bowl and starts eating "Mmmhh! It tastes good!"

I smiled and went for the coffee. I hand Alex his cup and I sat ready to enjoy my tea when he left the mug on the table and ran to the bathroom again. I put mine as well and follow him.

He was vomiting again. I kneel and helping him with his messy hair like he did when I was pregnant. "Let it go..." I patted his back.

Once he was over, he cleaned his mouth. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Alex! It was the oatmeal, isn't it? It was too sweet..." 

"No, no... I really liked it. It's just... I think it's the coffee..." He whines.

"The coffee?", that caught me by surprise. "But you drink like 4-5 cups per day..."

"I don't know... lately I can't stand the taste, not even with sugar and milk"

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"At first I thought it was just the flu, but after he mentioned that I start to worry more..." I said.

"Oh, yeah, Thomas tried to make coffee the other day and he didn't even taste it before he ran to the bathroom", John stared at his boyfriend.

"Please continue Marie", Eliza grabs my hand. Shit, this is going to be hard.

"Okay...", I sighed. "I started to notice he wasn't like really sick... I tried to not assume anything too soon, but the things were kinda clear to me..."

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I was rubbing Alex's back. Susan was playing with her ragdoll and I was keeping an eye on both. Alex was feeling miserable, he's been feeling worst today for some reason. Just five minutes ago he was crying when we were watching a commercial. 

"I have to buy something, can I leave you for a couple of minutes?" I asked him and he nodded. 

"I'm gonna be okay, do what you need to do...", he crawled to Susan. "We'll wait for you."

"Okay, I'll be right back!" I took my wallet and hide it in the pocket of my red sweatshirt. I walk a few streets, turning in one last corner before saw the place I wanted to go: the drugstore.

If I'm honest with myself, I'm a little nervous to do this, more because I'm doing this without any proof but my instincts.

I sigh and put my hoodie on before stepping inside. I gazed around, trying to find them.

"May I help you?", a girl with Asian features asked me. She had black short hair and a Miranda, the famous Broadway musical, shirt.

"Y-yes... I... Uhm... I need...", I took a deep breath. "I want a pregnancy test"

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"WHAT?!", all asked unison. Except for Hercules, who already know that. 

"I wasn't sure... And I thought I lose anything if I tried it..." I was playing with my dress again.

They keep quiet before Laf asked. "And what happened next?"

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"It will be $24.49," she said handing me a bag with the articles. I pay them and before I left, I grab a pamphlet. 

I looked at the sky, the gray clouds starting to form. "I have to hurry up!" 

I ran all the way back to the apartment just before the rain starts. "I'm back!" 

"Oh, thank god! I was starting to worry you'll return damp" Alex was laying with his back on the couch, with Susan too close to his hair.

"Y-yeah... Hey Alex...", that was the moment Susan grabbed a strand of Alex's hair and pulled it.

"Auch!" Alex groaned. "Auch auch auch auch auch auch auch auch!" 

"Susan, honey, let go!" I let the bag on the floor and run to lift my angel, who looked like she wants to cry. "No, no baby... It's okay" I started to calm her. A few minutes later she was snoring on my chest. I leave her on Alex's room, with the calming sound of the rain with her.

"I'm sorry, Alex. She really loves playing with other's hair. She found them... tempting" I apologize.

"It's okay... What it took you so long?" He asked sitting on the sofa.

"I went to buy something for you... I've noticed your 'symptoms' turned worst today, so I bought something for it", I went for the bag and took the test.

"What's that?", I handed him the pinky little box. "Ha-ha, you're not funny"

"Alex, listen, I don't know the chances, but if there's any, you should take it..." I look at him. He left the box aside and rubs his temples. After a few minutes of silence, he looked at me. "Do you know how to take it?"

I nodded. "It's not difficult"

"Co-could you help me?", he looked down. 

"It's nothing to be ashamed. C'mon, I'll help you"

We both go to the bathroom and after a lot of explanation, he took the test. After that, I put the timer "Now, we have to wait." I sat on the floor. Alex was on the toiler. "May I ask you when was the last time you...?"

"I-I don't know... A month or so I think" Alex was playing with his fingers nervously. 

"And are you sure you can't be pregnant? Isn't your period late or something?" I asked.

"I-I don't know... My period it's not regular..." He muttered.

"Am I asking too much?" 

"N-No. I-It's just...", he looked at me with a nervous face. 

"You're scared?" he nodded. "Hey Alex, it's okay to be scare. I was scared too when I found out."

The timer's alarm shouted and I look at the test. "No... It can't be..." I murmured.

Alex took the test and immediately fell on his knees as he covers his mouth with his free hand trying to contain his sobs. Two lines. Positive.

"Alex, I..." 

"N-no... T-this can't b-be happening... I-I c-can't be pregnant... I-IT'S NOT TRUE!" Alex started to cry and shake.

I don't know what to do. I didn't expect to be right.

"T-This is not ha-happening" He mumbles. "I-I took the pill! I-It should've worked! W-WHY I-IT DIDN'T WORK?!" 

"Alex..." I kneel. "The pill has a little chance to fail, a little, but still a chance." I hug him and he buries his head on my neck. We spend a few minutes there, he crying and me trying to calm him. 

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Okay, that's the chapter. I started to write it after I published the other, but I've been sick since Wednesday and I haven't had inspiration, so yeah...

I hope you enjoy it.

BTW, the small lines between some parts like this one (---------------------------------) are cuts between the Maria's explanation to everyone and Maria's interaction with Alex.

See ya!