Page 41 of Pieces of Us
“Why are you sorry, Mel?”
“Your life has to change because of me. You didn’t ask for this.”
I hook my arm under her legs and pull her into my lap, wrapping my arms around her, pulling her close. “Melonie, I need you to listen to me. We were both there that night. Both of our lives are going to change—yours more than mine—over the next few months. And I need you to understand something. I’m not only here for the baby, but I’m here for you, too.”
“Okay.” She snuggles into my neck, and I wipe my eyes. I rub her back as we sit in the quiet room. A weird realization comes over me as I think about the fact that, right now, I’m not only holding her, but also my child inside her.
“Can you stay?”
“There’s no way I’m leaving you right now, Mel.”
“Thank you. Here’s the remote. I might fall asleep.”
“Actually, is it okay if I use your restroom? I need to text Audrey, too.”
“Yeah.” She looks up at me. “Hey, don’t tell her. I sort of want to wait, at least until after the doctor’s appointment, to tell the group.”
“I’ll follow your lead on telling everyone. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”
She shifts off of my lap. I take her head in my hands and pull her to me to kiss her hair. I lower my forehead to hers.
“I’ll be right by your side, Mel. I promise.”
She looks into my eyes. “Okay.”
I stand from the couch; she lays down, and I cover her with the duvet.
I walk through her room to the bathroom and close the door. I sit on the edge of the tub, text Audrey that I’m going to stay to keep an eye on Mel, and then I try to process the last thirty minutes.
I’m going to be a father; I’ll be tied to Melonie for the rest of my life. It might be too fast to say this, but I think I might be okay with both of those things.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Melonie
Iwake up on the couch, my phone still in my hand. I check the time and it’s two thirty a.m. Rolling to my side, I see Linc asleep in the chair next to me, feet on the coffee table, neck at an odd angle. He doesn’t look comfortable at all.
I get up, use the restroom, and go to the kitchen for water. When I return to the couch, I just sit and stare at him. He shocked me when I told him the news. When I saw the first positive test, I was so scared of what his reaction would be. When I think of Linc, I don’t necessarily think of the word “daddy.” But he was so calm, reassuring, and almost more certain about things than I am. I sent up a prayer of thanks when he said he was okay with me keeping it. At my age, I’m not goingto pass up the opportunity to become a mother. I don’t know how many more chances I might be granted.
I almost didn’t ask him to stay, but I didn’t want to be alone. I hate to dump all of my emotions on him, but until we tell everyone, he’s all I’ve got.
Linc stirs in the chair, slowly opening his eyes.
“You okay, Mel?”
“Yeah, just needed water.”
“What time is it?”
“Two thirty. Let’s go lay in bed. That chair isn’t meant to be slept in.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, come on.”
I grab my duvet, and he grabs the pillows. After we make the bed, Linc kicks his shoes off, keeping his clothes on. We both get under the sheets. I feel his hand move to touch me, but he freezes.
“Can I hold you?”
