Page 54 of Forever

CHAPTER 19

ANABEL

After that, we didn’t stay much longer in Croatia. I called my doctor and got an appointment the very next day.

The doctor confirmed what we already knew—I’m pregnant. Eleven weeks to be precise. Morning sickness, dizziness, and being tired are all signs of my current state but are most likely increased due to the stress in my everyday life. I got medicine to help me with nausea, as well as prenatal vitamins and strict instructions to take it easy and be stress-free.

Something that William takes really seriously.

He helped me pack—read: he was the one packing and I was supposed to lie down while he did so. In the end, I had four suitcases to take with me to the States and the rest of stuff we left at my parents’ house before we boarded the plane later that week.

Through all this William has been amazing. So sweet and caring. He’s even more careful with me than ever before. Treats me like a princess and he’s already obsessed with our baby.

His hands always find a way to settle on my stomach and sometimes he even lifts my shirt to talk to the baby and kiss the soft skin of my belly. There is nothing actually to kiss, the curve of my tummy is maybe just a tad more pronounced than before, but he doesn’t care. He’s so in love with this baby and he or she isn’t even here. I can only imagine how he’ll be once the baby is actually born.

I always knew he’d be amazing father, all this just confirms it. My baby, our baby, will be the luckiest kid on this planet to have him for daddy.

Boarding the plane was bittersweet. Raging pregnancy hormones didn’t help much. Moving permanently to another continent wasn’t an easy decision to make, far from it. But it was the right decision to make.

Croatia will always be in my heart, but it isn’t home anymore. William is home. And no matter how hard and painful is to leave everything I know behind, I’m excited about my future with the man I love.

William hired a car company to wait for us since J.D. gave him a ride to the airport. Even though I slept through most of the twenty-something-hour-long flight I’m still feeling tired, so I doze off during the ride home. My life is finally returning to normal and my body is catching up on some much-needed rest.

It doesn’t seem too long when soft kisses wake me up.

“We’re home, baby.”

I stir against him, snuggling more into his warmth.

“Can’t you carry me inside?” I’m still sleepy and I don’t want to wake up. I guess until this moment I haven’t even realized how tired I was.

“Nope, you have to see this for yourself.”

I open one eye and narrow it at him. “I know that tone. What did you do?”

“Why do you think I did something?” His smile is extra toothy and sweet.

“Because I know you.” I sit straight and open the door. “You’re all smiles when you do something …”

My legs touch the ground and I get out of the car. Words get stuck in my throat while my mouth hangs open.

In the distance, I can hear the sound of doors closing and footsteps coming closer. William’s hands wrap around me from behind, settling protectively over my stomach.

“Welcome home, Anabel.”

“This isn’t home.” I don’t know how words get out of me, I’m shocked into silence.

We’re standing in front of the biggest house I’ve ever seen in the real life.

It’s a two-story colonial style house. The house is covered in white brick on the outside with black windows, doors and shutters. It’s big and imposing but also beautiful. There is a swing on the front porch and potted plants.

“It is now.”

“You bought me a house?”

“Now, Bel. Let’s not get selfish, okay?” he teases me. “I bought us a house.”

“I’m not selfish!” I punch him in the gut with my elbow. “You bought me a house.”

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