Page 59 of Pieces of Us
“Sounds good. I’ll order it now, so it’s here when you two get here.”
“Thanks. See you in a bit.”
“Bye, Mama.”
I disconnect the call and grab my purse from the counter, throwing my phone inside. I take a moment to look around my now empty apartment.
“I think we’re ready, Mae.”
“Alright, dear, let’s get you home.”
Home. I haven’t thought of the new apartment as home yet. I haven’t thought about anything except the fact that this is a six-month deal. Home means long-term, settled, more permanent. I’m not sure that’s what this will be.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Linc
It’s a little after eight p.m. when a tired-looking Melonie comes out of her room. I’ve been arranging the kitchen for a couple of hours now, only three small boxes left. She grabs a water from the fridge and sits at the island.
“I unpacked it all.” She takes a long drink. “Now I’m exhausted.”
“Today has been a long day. I’m glad we got it all done, but I’m not sure it was smart for you to be going all day.”
“I’m fine. But tomorrow, I’m not leaving my bed except for food.”
I chuckle. “Good plan.”
“Thank you again for letting me have the larger room. You were right about the closet. I filled it pretty easily.”
“No need to thank me, Mel. You’re making a human; you get dibs on everything.”
She looks up at me as I lean against the island. “It’s crazy that in a week I’ll be three months pregnant. We have six months to get ready.”
“Plenty of time. You know, we haven’t spoken about it, but are we going to find out the sex of the baby?”
“I would like to, if that’s okay with you.”
“I’m good either way.” I pause as she yawns. “Go to bed, Mama.”
She stands and taps the counter. “Goodnight, Linc.”
“Night, Mel.”
I watch her walk out of the kitchen and think about how it doesn’t feel right that she is carrying my child, but sleeping in a different room. But there isn’t anything I can do about it right now, so I turn off the kitchen light and walk to my door. I glance at Mel’s door and then walk through mine. This is my new reality.
Chapter Forty
Linc
Over the past month, Mel and I have found a comfortable routine. She makes coffee in the morning; I make breakfast. She cleans the living room; I clean the kitchen. My sleep schedule has adjusted to match hers. We talk about our days and start saving baby ideas in a registry. We claim our spots on the couch, and I started watchingThe Golden Girlsbecause it’s one of her comfort shows.
That Sophia sure knows how to throw shade.
I’ve enjoyed being in the same space with Mel. It’s been easy for the most part. The only clash we’ve had has been over the organization of the fridge, but we compromised on dividing the shelves and keeping our things in our designated areas.
I’ve enjoyed nights in, ordering her preferred food of the week and taking turns picking movies. There’s been more than one evening that she fell asleep on the couch with her head on my shoulder.
Those have been the best evenings.
