Page 62 of Four Simple Rules
But he’s not the only one begging for this baby to come out. It’s been nine long months of discomfort that I’d do all over again just to have him in my arms—I’m beyond ready.
Right after we eloped and got married in Vegas almost a year ago, a little surprise showed up unexpectedly. That night he laid me down and screwed my brains out. Eight weeks later…
“Hey, Tulip!” Jesse calls from the front door excitedly after another long day of work.
Crap. He’s here! I pace the bedroom, chewing on my nails. We haven’t really talked about this yet. Not fully. I mentioned once I wanted children, and he agreed. But that was just in passing. Something for the future. Not now. I thought I had more time. I never thought my birth control would betray me like this.
Stupid sex marathon. Well, not so stupid. It felt so dang good after devoting our lives to one another. But ugh.
“Blakkkeeee!” he sings, coming down the short hallway of our home. The same home he owned before, the one he let me move to after I moved to Prembrook, and my flower business took off.
Crap! How can I run a business in this condition? I’ll be so big and sick and… Don’t be silly. Women get pregnant all the time and work demanding jobs. I’m being ridiculous. I can run my business just fine…
“Hey,” Jesse says softly, dragging me out of my meltdown. “You okay, baby?”
Crud. Baby!
“I'm good," I rasp.
So, so convincing. I'm not really. I’ve had this surprise plan since I took a test last night after Jesse fell asleep. Then, I planned this whole incredible reveal down to a T. Frick. My nerves eat me alive.
Will he be happy? Sad? Mad at me for letting this happen? What will he… I jolt in surprise when his fingers brush against my cheek, bringing my gaze to my handsome husband back from another day at the university.
"Right. There are tears in your eyes, Tulip. Something is bugging you. Did I do something to upset you?" He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear, staring deep into my eyes.“Whatever I did, please tell me. Communication is important to me.”
I shake my head. "I… No. It's not that. I have something to tell you."
"Whatever it is, Tulip. I'm all ears, okay?" His eyebrows knit together, and he swallows hard, seeming as nervous as I am to announce this.
"Here," I say shakily, handing him a bright cylinder from our past with plant stickers and bright colors decorating the outside—the same one from our childhood where our innermost feelings were left for one another.
"You brought this along?" he chuckles, stiffening when he turns it, and something rattles against the plastic from the inside. "What's inside, Tulip?" he asks, undoing the top and reaching in. The moment he pulls out the positive pregnancy test, his face lights up. "Fuck!" he shouts, throwing it on the ground and scooping me into his arms.
"I guess what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas," I sob into his chest, clinging to him with relief.
"My heart is so full right now, Tulip. You don't know how happy this makes me. I'm going to be a father. A father! And a better one than mine. I'm going to take him..."
"Him?" I quip, pulling away to stare into his misty eyes.
"Him or her. Whatever the baby is, I'll love them forever. I promise to be the best dad on the planet." His lips connect with mine in a frantic-filled kiss, thrusting his tongue against mine.
"Mmm," I hum, clutching his shirt when he walks me backward until the back of my knees hits the bed, and we fall.
"I'm going to do bad things to you right now. Then, I will take you to dinner to celebrate—you and me against the world, Tulip. Oh, and this one," he whispers, dropping to his knees. I shudder when his lips peck at my belly, humming words to the cells forming a human inside me. "Close your ears, now.”
"It probably doesn't have ears right now," I giggle, running my fingers through his hair.
"Yup! That's probably for the best, then. Now, where was I?" He grins, picking me up into his arms.
The fear escaped me the moment I told him. Why did I think he'd be upset? He was beyond elated when he screwed me silly and then took me out for steaks. Since then, we've lived in marital bliss, preparing for the arrival of our little man.
"This is so exciting!" Grace cheers, throwing her fist into the air with a grin. She and my father sit on each side of me, excitement thrumming through their veins. It's been a while since they've sat down to watch a baseball game. "I can't believe another season has begun. You two must be so excited!" She grabs my hand tightly, squeezing with excitement.
The players take their positions, and the game starts.
"Can't wait," I say, squeezing back. "It's hard to believe that he's almost here."
"You'll do great, Pumpkin," my father says, beaming when I smile and lean my head on his shoulder. "I'm thrilled to be a grandpa. I'm going to spoil him rotten." He chuckles when I kiss his cheek.
