Passing the test

Never mind that I just drank an entire bottle of water. These were the thoughts running through my head as I sat on the beach with my husband, watching our one-year-old fill up his bucket with water and dump it over an abandoned sand castle.

We had rented a lake house with some friends for some good ol’ summer R&R.Unfortunately, relaxing wasn’t working out for me.My husband and I had been trying for a second child for three months. I had missed starting my period that morning, but a pregnancy test was negative. Was I just late? Was I infertile?Could I have more than a few sips of beer that evening?The unknown seemed unbearable.

I decided to drink one entire beer but no more and wait until the end of vacation to see if my period started.Three days later, I still had no period and I was out of patience. As my husband left for a beer and charcoal run, I whispered in his ear for him to pick up another pregnancy test. He returned with a 12-pack, started the grill and gave me the signal that my “package” in the car.With a house full of friends, I couldn’t exactly run out and pee on a stick immediately.So I waited until after dinner, when everyone was ready to head to the beach for one last dip.

“You guys go ahead, I’ll finish up the dishes,” I told them.With the house quiet, I quickly tidied the kitchen and headed to retrieve my package.Since the car was parked halfway to the beach, I figured I might as well continue that way.I stuffed the pink box into my camera bag and set out for the beach house bathroom.Inside, I felt like a teenager sneaking around—only I was hoping with all my might that I was pregnant.

First I saw nothing, then a very faint pink line.Does faint count on these things?Yes, I think it does.Yes. I’m pregnant!I replaced the cap on the pregnancy test and slid it back into my camera bag—just in case any doubts crept into my head.

At the beach, my husband was splashing around in the water with the kids.I felt smug with a secret that no one else knew. When he came up to give me a quick peck on the cheek, I whispered in his ear, “I have news. I’m pregnant.”Cue a perfect Hallmark moment—sun-setting, my husband with a sheepish grin, our son splashing in the water oblivious.Then it hit me.I had to pee again.