Chapter 28

Just as Jim, Doug, and Kris began to find their rhythm, navigating the uncharted waters of Jim’s transition with a delicate balance of love and patience, an unexpected twist of fate emerged. It was a quiet Sunday morning in March, the kind where the sun filtering through the bedroom curtains cast a soft, warm glow, painting the room in hues of gold and amber. The trio had spent the night curled up together, lulled into a peaceful slumber by the comforting presence of one another.

Kris stirred first, her eyes fluttering open to the familiar sight of their bedroom. She took a moment to appreciate the quiet, the steady rhythm of Doug’s deep breaths, and the gentle rise and fall of Jim’s chest. A sense of contentment washed over her, but it was short-lived as a wave of nausea suddenly swept through her. She bolted upright, startling Doug, who groggily opened his eyes.

“Kris? You okay?” Doug asked, his voice thick with sleep.

Kris nodded, trying to steady her breathing. “Yeah, just a little nauseous. I’ll be right back.” She slipped out of bed and hurried to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

Doug sat up, concern etched on his face. He nudged Jim gently. “Hey, Jim. Kris isn’t feeling well.”

Jim woke up, rubbing his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“She’s feeling nauseous. Maybe something she ate?” Doug suggested.

They both listened as the sound of retching echoed from the bathroom. Jim swung his legs over the side of the bed, his brow furrowed with worry. “I’ll go check on her.”

He walked to the bathroom and knocked softly on the door. “Kris, are you alright?”

“I’m okay, Jim. Just give me a moment,” Kris called back, her voice strained.

Jim returned to the bedroom, his face a mask of concern. Doug, now fully awake, stood up and stretched. “Let’s give her some space. I’ll make breakfast,” he said, heading towards the kitchen.

Jim nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Kris rarely got sick, and the sudden onset of her nausea seemed unusual. He decided to wait for her in the bedroom, his mind racing with possibilities.

After what felt like an eternity, Kris emerged from the bathroom, her face pale but her expression composed. She walked over to Jim and sat down beside him on the bed.

“Jim, I need to talk to you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jim turned to face her, his heart pounding in his chest. “What is it, Kris?”

Kris took a deep breath, her hands shaking slightly. “I think I might be pregnant.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and loaded with implications. Jim stared at her, trying to process the information. Pregnancy was something they had not discussed recently. It was a massive issue, especially now, with all the changes they were going through, but as he looked into Kris’s eyes, he saw a mix of fear and excitement, and he knew he had to be there for her, just as she had been there for him.

“Okay,” Jim said, taking Kris’s hand in his. “Let’s take this one step at a time. We’ll go to the pharmacy, get a test, and then we’ll know for sure.”

Kris nodded, grateful for his support. “Thank you, Jim.”

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Doug was whipping up a batch of pancakes, humming a tune to himself. He heard footsteps approaching and turned to see Jim and Kris walking in, their faces serious.

“Everything alright?” Doug asked, turning off the stove.

Jim looked at Kris, who gave a small nod. “Kris thinks she might be pregnant,” Jim said, his voice steady.

Doug’s eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly regained his composure. “Alright, let’s get a test and find out for sure. We’ll deal with it together, whatever the outcome.”

The trio finished breakfast in silence, the weight of the news hanging over them. After cleaning up, they set out to the nearest pharmacy, their minds whirling with thoughts and questions. Kris picked up a pregnancy test, and they returned home, the air thick with anticipation.

Back in the bathroom, Kris took the test, her heart pounding. She emerged a few minutes later, the test kit in her hand. Jim and Doug looked at her, their faces a mix of concern and curiosity.

Kris took a deep breath and looked down at the result. “It’s positive,” she said, her voice trembling.

A flurry of emotions washed over the trio. They stood there, staring at the test, the implications of the news sinking in. Doug was the first to break the silence. He stepped forward and pulled Kris into a hug, his strong arms enveloping her. “We’re in this together, Kris. All of us.”

Jim nodded, joining the embrace. “Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”