Page 87 of Never Really Mine
“Why?” she moans.
“We can’t get carried away,” I say. “No sex, remember?”
She groans, dropping her forehead against mine. “I know.”
“Want to know something exciting?”
She raises her brows. “That’s a stupid question, I always want to know something exciting.”
“We get to close on the house in the morning,” I tell her. “I know I took the wrong path toward getting the house, not including you in the decision, but I think this will be good for us.”
“We get to close?” she asks.
“Yep.” What she doesn’t know is that I’ve been working at the house for the last week, with the previous owner's permission, to get a bonus surprise ready for her. Everything was ready to go, it was just the title company that was busy, and couldn’t fit us in until tomorrow.
Marley leans forward, squeezing me tightly into her embrace. “Thank you. I don’t think I’ve said that yet. I know I was angry, but I get it. You were just trying to provide for me and for our family.”
I nod into her neck. “I was, but I also know I went about it the wrong way.”
“It’s done now,” she murmurs. “We’ve worked through it, and I’m ready to put it behind us.”
“I talked with my brothers and our parents. While we are closing they are going to load up vehicles with furniture and boxes.”
She nods, listening closely.
“Then, we’ll get to the house, set up the couch for you, and you get to watch us all make the house a home for us.”
Her eyes well with tears again. “I feel bad,” she says.
“Why?”
“I won’t be able to help. I’ll be sitting there, like the beached whale that I am, watching everyone do all the hard work.”
“Butterfly, you have the best job, and honestly, the hardest of them all.”
“How?” she says with a laugh.
“You have to tell us where to put things, all while growing two humans.”
Marley shrugs. “When you put it that way, you’re probably right. With how crappy I’ve been sleeping lately, I’ll probably end up falling asleep.”
I kiss the tip of her nose. “Even better.”
51
MARLEY
We’ve dotted everyiand crossed everytpossible, and are signing the last sheet of paper. Beau has his hand resting on my thigh, fingers splayed. Every few minutes when the babies move, causing me the slightest discomfort, he moves his hand to rest on my stomach. Baby Boy is right under his palm, and it’s like he knows his dad is here, because he stops kicking me instantly.
The woman sitting across from us smiles sweetly as she finishes explaining what’s on the last page. Beau, of course, already knows what is on each page, and doesn’t need explaining, and honestly, my mind is elsewhere. The twins could come at any time now, and it’s a little nerve wracking.
I’m going to try to deliver them vaginally, but if something happens, I’d rather get a C-Section, to ensure that all three of us are as safe as possible.
The goal is to keep them in for another few weeks. I’ll be thirty-six weeks in a few days, and to be honest, I don’t know if I’ll make it til thirty-seven, which is Dr. Ness’s goal. I don’t know where they’re going to go. I’m rapidly running out of room in my uterus, and my body is rebelling. Beau had to help me in andout of bed last night, totaling a whopping five times to get to the bathroom.
He didn’t seem to mind, but I felt guilty waking him just to pee. He reminded me every time that we’d be getting up with the babies more often when they arrive, so it was practice. Didn’t help me from feeling guilty, but at least it made sense.
Beau slides the last sheet of paper toward me, showing me where to sign and initial for the final time. As I do, the biggest grin appears on his face. “We did it.” He kisses me quickly, and takes my hand.
