Page 58 of Entirely Yours
Bex plows on. “So how are things—having them at your house? Is it weird going from living alone to living with three and a half other people? I’m counting the new baby as half.”
“Don’t forget the cat.”
She rolls her eyes. “This is starting to feel very sitcom-y. Very…loud, for someone who is used to solitude.”
I can tell she’s concerned for me but doesn’t want to say it outright.
“What’s it like living in a tiny New York apartment with your extremely boisterous husband and toddler daughter?” I ask, turning it around on her.
“Mass chaos.” She pauses for a beat. “And I love it. I can’t wait to bring her home to it.” She nods toward a still dozing Molly.
I lean forward, running my hands over the top of my hair. “Well, there’s your answer,” I reply.
“Oh my God,” Bex whispers. “She stirs your soul.”
I huff, secretly loving that Bex remembers that conversation.
“Yeah, BB. She does.”
The train ride home feels never-ending. I’m ready to see my girls again. I’m ready to ask Thea to make the move into my house permanent. I’m ready toreallybe with her.
When I get home, the house is quiet apart from the low melody of James Taylor coming from the record player. Walking into the living room, I see Thea asleep on the couch with Cat curled up behind her knees. She’s wearing a crop top, revealing a baby bump that has definitely popped in the last few days. She looks peaceful, and I’m glad she’s getting some rest.
I set my stuff down in my room and then begin to make some coffee, wondering if Thea needs me to make a snack for when she wakes up. Deciding she’s probably eaten terribly over the last few days, I start making hard boiled eggs—her newest pregnancy craving.
The eggs are just about ready when I hear her padding into the kitchen. “You’re home early.” Her smile is lazy. Indulgent, even.
Because I can’t help it, I walk over and plant a kiss on that sleepy smile. “I am. And I made you some eggs.”
“Mmm, thank you,” she drawls. Foraging through the refrigerator, she drops a metaphorical bomb. “Dr. Mitchell’s nurse called and said the results from my blood test are uploaded to the portal… if we want to find out the sex of the baby.”
Dowe want to find out the sex of the baby? That seems like something I should defer to her. She turns around holding a bottle of hot sauce in her hands, which doesn’t even phase me at this point. “Like I’ve said, I’m always going to do what you feel most comfortable with. We can find out the sex or we can wait. It’s totally up to you.”
“I—” She grabs a hard boiled egg, douses it in hot sauce, and pops it in her mouth. Before she’s finished chewing she says, “I wanna find out.”
Thank God.
“Me too.” My words echo the relief I feel. I would have waited, but I really want to know.
My hand finds her belly. She pushes her crop top up further, giving me permission to touch. “I’ve been feeling it move.”
“Really?” My hand flattens against the side of her stomach.
“You won’t be able to yet, but there’s definitely been some flutters in the last few days.”
I’m instantly disappointed and my face must show it.
Thea’s hand reaches up to cradle my face. I nuzzle into it, enjoying every second that she allows me to be near her.
“I missed you,” she whispers. “I’m not supposed to miss you.”
Kissing her palm, I ask, “Would you feel better if I said I missed you too?”
She nods, pulling me down until we are forehead to forehead. “How on earth have you so quickly wriggled your way into my life, Julien Bardot?”
“It’s been several months, Rosie girl.”
I feel more than see her smile. “I like that I get a nickname.”
