The pendant and the words that had come with it had said a lot to Gina. However, she was assuming that the thoughts were much farther in the future than Vaughn had seemed to portray by his expanding statement. She knew it was a possibility that the two of them would take that step she just didn’t know if or when it would actually happen. She didn’t think this conversation was coming so soon. It wasn’t so much a bombshell it was as if a happy surprise had fallen right into her lap and she just didn’t know what to say in return. Like Vaughn, she hadn’t rushed out and found something else. She hadn’t been with anyone, hadn’t had the advances made and hadn’t given anyone the time of day to make them. She wasn’t sure where her life was headed and she didn’t want to make mistakes and anything that would have happened in those few months would have surely been mistakes. This was where she was supposed to be and her questioning her actions prior to doing them was a sure sign that she had in fact grown up; not only that, she had fallen harder than she had thought. She had had her moments where she doubted herself and her feelings but she kept returning back to the same thoughts she was having when they were together. Marriage, kids, white picket fence and two dogs in the backyard; she wanted the American dream.
When Vaughn finally started speaking again she listened quietly. She was still a bit in shock and was more-so speechless than just being silent. She sat there for several moments until he pulled her to her feet. With the water bottle in her hand she made her way out of the kitchen with him. All she could do was blink and when they made it to the living room and took a seat, she placed her unopened water on the table in front of her. That natural smile crept its way across her face and she a soft little half laugh escaped her before she finally spoke. “I wasn’t expecting to have this conversation and part of me doesn’t know what to say.” There were so many thoughts that were racing through her mind. She wanted this. She wanted all of it and she wanted to go at their own pace; not the pace that others set for them. She had told her cousin that she had already taken the precautions with the doctor prior to her and Vaughn’s sudden rekindling of their relationship but really, she hadn’t yet. They had managed protection that night but she wasn’t as protected as she had said. Normally she didn’t lie and she was planning on going to the doctor but she didn’t want to hear about how her decisions were incorrect and how she was doing something stupid. Tania had already thought that their relationship was stupid so she didn’t see any need in letting her think things were worse.
“Natural progression works for me,” she finally said with a nod. “No counting days and being maniacal about when is the best night for this to happen. That only ends up with tears and disappointment. I don’t want to be disappointed and if you change your mind we have the option to go back. I won’t be upset.” Gina took a little bit of a breath. It was still a lot to take in and she wasn’t even sure what she was saying. They were taking one of the biggest steps of their relationship at that moment and she couldn’t have been happier. “We both just have to remember, that things might not end up the way we want them to if this happens. I’ve lost two…” she paused and closed her eyes a little bit, she didn’t want to get upset or teary eyed; she had done enough of that already and she was coming to terms with everything that had happened. “The doctors said I should be fine, I should be able to. Two doctors have told me that so I have hope. But if I can’t…” her eyes met his and she turned slightly toward him, her fingers lacing with his. “If I can’t I’m okay with that too. I just hope you are.”