Page 92 of Stick Play

“I want that too.”

We walk down the private beach, and I have to say, I’m happy we don’t have to worry about anyone taking our pictures. After my post, the media went crazy, and we were big news, so was our wedding. But the media will grow tired of us, because yeah, when it comes right down to it, I do old lady mother things, and Ash does old man father things, and that just doesn’t make for good news.

We walk until we come to a boardwalk, and we step onto it. Ash stops when he comes to a tour boat. “We’re going for a boat ride?” I ask.

He grins like a child ready to burst on Christmas morning and I love it. “Yeah.”

I sigh again. I still love it when he says that one word in that deep husky tone. It does the strangest things to my body. “What are you up to, Ash?”

He whistles innocently. “Climb on, and let’s get into our life jackets.”

I do as he asks, and the captain of the boat brings us jackets and introduces himself. “Are you ready to see some marine life?”

I gasp and turn to Ash. “Are we…”

He finishes my sentence with, “Swimming with the dolphins, yes.” He grins. “I believe that’s the plan. Isn’t that right, Captain?”

“That is the plan.”

I throw my arms around Ash and hug him. “Thank you. I’ve always wanted to do this.” We break apart and I close my fingers around my dolphin necklace, which means so much to me.

The captain begins, “Okay, before we go, there are rules.”

I slip into my life jacket and as we buckle up, the captain tells us the rules. We nod in agreement, not wanting to do anything that would threaten any dolphin’s health or their habitat. After our instructions, we settle back for the boat ride and the captain starts the boat, taking us into deeper waters.

I can’t seem to stop sighing, and Ash nudges me. “Better than work.”

“Better than work,” I agree. I’m definitely not worried about the café. Maria, who’d been helping me out, is now manager of the place. She’d been looking for a place to live, and after Ash asked if we could move in with him, they took over my place above the café. It worked out well for all of us, and I have to say, I love having them in my life.

My place was small for a family of four, so when Elena decided she needed her own space, it was rather convenient that Grant just so happened to have a spare room for her. That makes me laugh. If they think we’re not on to them, they’re wrong. They’re not as sneaky as they think they are. Just like we weren’t as sneaky with our friends or with Grant. Seriously though, what a big happy family we’ve become. A huge smile crosses my face.

“Something funny?” Ash asks and tugs on a strand of my hair.

“Just thinking about family and how happy I am.”

He kisses the side of my head and I put my hand over my stomach. “Oh no. All this motion.”

Panic moves into his eyes. “You’re seasick. Should we turn around?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer. “I’ll talk to the captain.” He makes a move to get up, and I tug him back to me.

“No need. I have meds in my bag.” I point to the bag on the other side of him. “Can you get them for me?”

“Of course.” He reaches into my bag and roots around. He pulls out some antacids and examines the label. “Are these strong enough? I’m not sure they work on seasickness.”

I gesture with a nod. “There should be something else in there.”

He reaches in again, and when he can’t find anything beneath my beach towel, he pulls it out, sets it on the seat and dumps the rest of the contents onto it.

The second his eyes land on the white stick, he stares at it with confusion, like he has no idea what he’s looking at. Then his head lifts as understanding dawns. “Did you do a covid test?”

I laugh at that. I guess he’s seen lines on covid test kits and just assumed that’s what’s going on here.

“No. I didn’t swab my mouth for this test.” I hold his gaze. “I peed on that stick.”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, he jumps to his feet, his mouth open but no words forming. The boat turns slightly, and since he doesn’t have his sea legs yet, he nearly falls.

“Whoa.” I jump up and put my arms around him.

He grips my shoulders, and inches back to meet my gaze. “Gina, babe. We’re pregnant.”

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