Page 106 of Heartstrings & Horizons
? Next Thing You Know - Jordan Davis
The immigration interview at the consulate in Montreal went well, and I finally crossed the border as a permanent resident 1 week ago. Luca and Mom should arrive with the U-Haul later today and I’m doing my best not to throw up. I’ve been staying in Kentucky 4 months on and 1 month off for over a year and it’s finally time to make this move official. My body is practically vibrating with excitement.
“Mags, I love you, but I thought we agreed that this pumpkin carving thing was a bad idea?”
“I distinctly remember that we agreed to make this a tradition.”
“Doesn’t ring a bell,” I say, bumping our shoulders together in a placating gesture.
“Remind me why I’m here?” Miles asks. Cade is sitting to his left, directly across from me, giving me an amused expression, elbow deep in his misshapen pumpkin. Those two are a nightmare when they’re in the same room, but Cade insisted he needed more male energy for this activity, and I can’t say Iblame him — Mags and I can be a lot when we’re together.
I’m scooping out the last spoonful of pumpkin guts when a sudden rush of nausea hits, and I feel the blood rushing out of my cheeks.
“Baby, are you okay? You’re white as a ghost,” Cade says. I shake my head and dart into the small half bath off the kitchen, emptying my stomach into the toilet. I hear soft footfalls before Cade is crouching down at my side. He gathers and divides my curls into 3 strands, making a quick braid that he ties off with the scrunchie he often still wears on his wrist.
I sit like that for a moment or two, my cheek resting on the porcelain. I momentarily thank whatever gods exist that I cleaned this bathroom earlier today while simultaneously admiring my husband, who is looking at me with concern and affection. His fingers brush against my forehead in a soothing motion. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“Gas station breakfast sandwich,” I mutter. “I told you they’re evil.”
“I’m sorry, love. Can you get up now, or do you need more time?”
“I think I’m okay.”
Cade helps me back onto my feet and we return to the kitchen, where Maggie is sitting back in her chair, arms crossed, staring daggers at Miles. I’ve learned to let them have their moments, so we resume our tasks, completely ignoring the tension in the room.
I’m almost finished carving out a perfect heart when I realize I’ve forgotten the most important part.
“I’ll be right back,” I say, darting up the stairs to grab the finishing touch I picked up earlier this week. I slide the little piece of paper into my back pocket, returning to the table and taking my place beside Mags, who looks at me with narrowed eyes.
“You good?” she asks.
“Yep. Everybody almost done?” Cade turns his pumpkin, showing off the traditional triangle-eyed, gap toothed jack-o’-lantern design. I smile before glancing over at Miles’ creation — an impressive rendering of Jack Skellington.
“I had no idea you were so creative, Miles.” He beams at me from his spot across the island and I hear Mags harrumph beside me, causing Cade to snort.
“Miles enters the carving contest at the fall festival every year,” Cade explains.
“Yep! Need to come up with a killer design for tomorrow,” Miles adds.
“Ok, Mags, show us what you got!” I cut in enthusiastically, hoping to ease the tension in the room. Mags turns her pumpkin around, showing off what looks like the night sky above a mountain range, and it’s actually pretty impressive, considering what last year’s pumpkin looked like. She holds up the stencil she used and her sudden artistic prowess makes sense.
“Cheater,” Miles scoffs. Mags nearly jumps out of her seat to lunge at Miles, but I stop her in her tracks when she glances at my pumpkin.
“Paige…” she says, her eyes meet mine and they’re glassy. I nod then hold my index finger to my lips, pleading with my eyes for her to keep quiet a while longer. Cade is too busy cleaning some of our mess to notice the exchange.
“Hey babe, can you run out to the truck? I left the bag of tea lights on the front seat.” He nods and rises from his chair. I carefully turn my pumpkin towards Mags, shielding it from his view before he’s out of sight.
“Ok, you two carry your pumpkins out to the front porch steps. I’ll be behind you.” But Miles isn’t listening. He’s too busy staring at my pumpkin, slack jawed. I snap my fingers at him. We don’t have time to waste.
“Miles! Let’s go. Carry your pumpkin beside Mags, please.” They both grumble but comply. I walk out behind them, taking a seat in the middle of the porch steps with my pumpkin in my lap. Mags and Miles place theirs on either side of the railing, then walk out onto the gravel path leading to the circle drive. Maggie whispers something to Miles and I can see understanding dawn when he nods back at her.
Cade finally finds the bag that I may or may not have hidden a little under my seat to stall him. He’s walking in my direction, completely oblivious to the scene before him. I can tell the moment something registers because his brow furrows and he stops in his tracks, the bag dropping from his hand only three steps away from where I’m seated. He’s staring straight at the pumpkin in my hands, a simple heart carved in the center with our baby’s first ultrasound inside. It’s barely more than the size of a jellybean, but the mere thought of a child belonging to us makes my heart swell. Half of me, and half of the man I love so completely and irrevocably.
“Paige…” his eyes are glistening with unshed tears as his words get stuck in his throat. He shakes his head, composing himself to speak. “Are you… pregnant?”
I nod my head, then carefully place the pumpkin beside me on the stairs. If I know Cade, he’s about to pounce on me and I don’t want it to become a casualty of his enthusiastic affection. Sure enough, he barrels over to me, lifting me off the ground before crashing his mouth down on mine.
“I’m so fucking happy,” he says, peppering my cheeks with kisses. He pulls away, tears tracking down his face, gripping my hands in his as he gazes down at my belly. I’m not showing yet at only 6 weeks along. Being plus size and pregnant means it’ll likely take a bit longer for my bump to pop, but he’s staring at me with so much love, I can feel my heart beating out of my chest. Cade lets go of my hands and steps closer to put his palms on my belly as he gets down on his knees, kissing the spot where our baby grows.
