Page 73 of Crashing the Altar
Would they have Penny’s eyes or mine?
Would they be a little hellion like their mama or more of a reserved rule-follower like their daddy?
Would it be a little girl I would protect with my life or a rough-and-tumble boy I’d teach how to be a man?
Honestly, the details didn’t matter because they would be ours, and already, my heart swelled with love for a person I hadn’t met yet.
Penny’s heavy sigh rattled her chest. “People already think we’re crazy for running off and getting married. Throw a baby on top? They’re going to have us fitted for straitjackets.”
For me, the initial shock had given way to overwhelming joy. I was fit to burst, ready to shout from the rooftops that Penny was not only my wife but having my baby. But I could appreciate that she might have mixed emotions regarding our impending parenthood—which was completely fair, considering her contribution continued past conception. Penny was the one who had to carry the burden of a pregnancy. She was the one who would have to endure the pain of labor to bring our child into the world.
Any fear or uncertainty that came as a result of facing that challenge was absolutely valid.
Cupping her cheek, I searched her eyes. “You’re not happy.”
She reared back, eyes growing wide. “I am. Of course I am. I’ve always wanted to have your baby.”
Dragging my thumb over her soft skin, I asked, “Then tell me what’s really bothering you.”
Penny’s eyes slid shut as she sucked in a deep breath before exhaling, and her lashes lifted. “My head’s just swimming with how fast everything’s happened.”
“That’s understandable. It’s a lot to take in.”
“Yeah.” Her lips twisted to the side. “Can you promise me something?”
“Anything.” I meant it. Fuck, I’d lasso the moon if she asked for it.
“For the love of all that’s holy, please do not take a single picture between my legs when I push this kid out.”
Booming laughter burst from my chest. “It’ll be tough to resist,” I teased, earning me a deep scowl from my wife. “But I think I can manage to hold myself back.”
“Jerk.” Penny swatted at my bare chest.
I captured her wrist, brought her hand to my mouth, and kissed her palm. “Sorry. I promise. No money shots of Baby Sullivan entering the world.”
“Baby Sullivan,” she whispered. “That’s freaking wild.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “But so freaking amazing at the same time.”
That got a tiny smile out of my girl. “It is, isn’t it?” She backed out of my arms, and her eyes dipped as a hand came to rest on her lower belly.
My palm covered hers over where our baby lay inside her.
Surreal didn’t begin to cover it. There was ababyin there—our baby.
“So, am I allowed to ask?” Her gaze lifted to meet mine. “Are you a little bit pregnant or a lot?”
Penny snorted. “Pregnant’s pregnant, Tripp.”
“That came out wrong.” I sighed. “What I meant was we’ve been married for almost two months. When did . . .” My words trailed off, hoping she understood what I was asking.
“When did you knock me up?” She finished my question for me, and I nodded.
She lifted a shoulder. “Can’t be certain. Best guess Tucker could give me without an ultrasound is that we should anticipate an arrival sometime in the front half of February.”
February. It was mid-July. That meant we had less than seven months to prepare.
My stress level shot through the roof when I realized there wouldn’t be enough time to secure a more permanent living situation. If we didn’t opt to live in town or with one of our parents, this cabin was it. Sure, my mom and dad had made it work under this roof with two kids, but that was out of pure necessity. It wasn’t exactly ideal.
