"Maxie!" Kate called. "Can you come here?"
Maxie sighed deeply and stood slowly. She smoothed her skirt and prayed she would make it to Kate's office without getting sick. This day was like something out of her worst nightmare. The office was busier than ever which normally would have pleased Maxie. A famous designer and two models had come in earlier and instead of Maxie being thrilled she was horrified. The reason- her stomach. She had felt so nauseous all day. A stomach virus on the day she meets such famous people- talk about timing.
Lulu watched Maxie curiously from her desk but didn't respond. That made this disastrous day even worse. Not only was she ill but Lulu had walked in on her throwing up earlier. Maxie was hoping Lulu would be her usual nasty self but the opposite happened. Lulu was compassionate and kind. It made Maxie nervous.
"Maxie!" Kate called again. "Please, I don't have all day."
Maxie jumped a little and then rushed into Kate's office. "Sorry," she said sincerely. "What can I do for you?"
"I need you to make arrangements for the photo shoot tomorrow. Have a car pick the models up at 6, ok? Make sure breakfast is waiting for the crew and send a quick reminder to Jax about the shoot."
Maxie was hurriedly taking notes. "I can do that." Maxie said weakly. Her stomach was turning again.
Kate seemed to notice. "Maxie? Are you ok?" she asked.
Maxie nodded, "I am fine," she assured Kate. "I think I ate too much at lunch or something."
Kate did not seem convinced but she didn't argue. She just nodded and went back to her work. Maxie breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down at her desk. Lulu was watching her again. Maxie decided to nip that in the bud- immediately. "What?" she snapped at Lulu. "What can I possibly do for you Princess Lulu?"
Lulu seemed surprised at the malice. "Nothing," she said. "I was just worried about you. You look a little green."
"You look like a fashion disaster, so?" Maxie asked. "What's your point? Green is in, you know?"
Lulu rolled her eyes, "Never mind," she said and went back to typing. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Maxie sighed feeling agitated. "Yeah, I guess, Can you send Jax a reminder email about the photoshoot tomorrow? I'll contact the caterer and the car service."
"Sure," Lulu said, "Not a problem."
The interns went on with their work quietly. But Maxie could occasionally feel Lulu eyes boring into her side. Maxie wondered why Lulu felt the need to be nice to her right. Maybe Lulu felt she had to be nice because Maxie helped her during the whole Logan fiasco. Maxie wanted to tell Lulu that isn't necessary but anymore conversation would turn Maxie's stomach even more.
Maxie was pulled out of her reverie by the elevator door opening. She turned and caught a glimpse of Johnny Zacharra strolling in to see his girlfriend. Maxie really liked Johnny. Not in an I want to jump your bones kind of way- at least not anymore. They developed a pretty decent friendship recently so Maxie was excited to see Johnny.
"Hey, John!" Maxie said enthusiastically as possible.
Johnny grinned, "Hey Maxie!" he replied. "How are you today?"
Maxie shrugged, "I guess I am ok and you?" she countered.
"I am wonderful," he told her. Lulu suddenly appeared at his side trying to look pleasantly at Maxie. "Lulu and I are going to dinner. You want to go too?"
Maxie couldn't think of anything she wanted to do less than have dinner with the cutest couple on the planet. She started to think of a nice way to decline when Johnny added something, "I think Spinelli is coming too."
Maxie stopped and considered this for a moment. In the weeks since she and Spinelli slept together they drifted apart. That was her fault and she knew it. She pushed him away. The last day or so- mostly since she was sick, she missed him. She missed how supportive and caring he was. She wanted things to go back to the way they were before. Maybe she could go out tonight with the uber couple and Spinelli. Maybe they could reconnect.
But, Maxie knew things could never go back. The world didn't work that way. When you do what Maxie did you have to accept responsibility and move forward. "I think Matt and I are going to get dinner." Maxie told him. "Thanks though?"
"Ok," Johnny said good naturedly, "rain check?"
Maxie nodded and watched Lulu and Johnny leave together. Lulu was giggling and Johnny was whispering in her ear. Maxie's felt overwhelmingly sad as she realized how much she missed having someone to love.
After they were gone Maxie looked back at the computer screen. She pulled up Kate's online calendar and started going over dates. Maxie felt her heart drop to her feet. "That has to be wrong," she said. She counted again. She was late. Over two weeks late.
Maxie felt panicked, "I can't be pregnant," she said. The possibility sounded absurd to her ears. "I just can't."
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Maxie was alone in her room staring at the wall trying to work up the courage to take the little white box out of the brown paper bag at her feet. "Just do it." She told herself. Maxie knew in her heart that she needed to take this test. But she was too scared-too scared to know the truth.
"I can't," she said and moved to put the bag away. There was a knock at her door and she jumped. "I am really tired Mac." She said. "I am about to go to bed."
"It's not Mac," lulu called. "Can you open the door?"
Maxie stood forgetting about the pregnancy test at her feet. She threw the door open and stared at her coworker. "What?" she asked.
Lulu tried to smile, "Can I come in?" she asked.
Maxie shrugged and stood back letting Lulu inside. Lulu sat down at the edge of Maxie's bed. "I brought by the itinerary for tomorrow." She said motioning to the manila folder in her hand.
"You could have just left it on my desk." Maxie replied. "But, um, thanks I guess." Lulu continued to sit there looking around. "Was there something else?"
"Well, yes." Lulu admitted. "I am worried about you."
"That's bull." Maxie told her. "You hate me. Why would care enough to worry."
"Listen, when Logan…died." Lulu explained, "You were there for me and you helped me cover it up. I don't know why you did it. But you were there when I needed you. I want to return the favor."
Maxie didn't know how to respond. "That isn't necessary." Maxie assured her. "Really. I can handle it. I guess I just have a virus."
Lulu scrutinized her and then relented, "Ok, if that's all." Lulu said. "Just know I am here if you need me." As Lulu stood she kicked the brown bag. "Sorry," she said and leaned over to pick it up.
"No!" Maxie yelled trying to grab it first.
Lulu looked surprised and snatched the bag out of Maxie's grasp. She opened the bag and paled. "A pregnancy test?" she asked her voice was barely audible. "You're pregnant?"
Maxie shrugged trying to look nonchalant, "No, probably not." She said. "I am late and I thought I would check. Better be safe than sorry, right?"
Lulu still looked floored. "Who is- Who?" she started. "Whose is it?" she asked.
"I can't-"Maxie started and then shrugged. "It doesn't matter."
"Do you know…?" Lulu asked.
Maxie bristled at this, "Of course." She said. She felt the need to hurt lulu, "And he isn't married."
Lulu didn't let that comment ruffle her. "Want some company when you do this?" she asked.
Maxie started to turn her down. But the truth was she didn't think she could do this alone. "Thanks," she said quietly. "Yeah, can you wait here while I…"
Lulu sat back down and put her purse beside her, "Yeah, I can." She said. "I'll be here." S
Maxie took the little white box from Lulu and left her room quietly. Once in the bathroom she locked the door and read the instructions. She took the test quickly and walked slowly back to her bedroom.
Lulu looked up expectantly as Maxie entered the room. "It's not done yet." Maxie explained. "I thought we could wait together."
Maxie sat down beside Lulu. Neither girl knew what to say. The pregnancy test sat on the floor between them. Maxie was nervous she had to do something so she looked over the itinerary Lulu brought.
When the allotted time was up Maxie reached for the plastic stick. Her hand hovered over it for a moment. "I can't," she said. "You look."
Lulu took the test and looked at it. Her face was blank when she looked at Maxie.
"Lulu, tell me," she said. "Am I pregnant?"
To be continued….