Page 57 of Accidentally Falling

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ARDEN

Twenty-six weeks.

I’ve never thought of anything in my life like that before. I have no idea how many months I’ve been pregnant, only that it feels like a lot.

So many months.

And I still have more to go.

Dez is fast asleep with his head on my belly. I planned to work on the couch with my feet propped up on the coffee table, but someone had other plans. He doesn’t even budge when baby girl starts moving around, his head just rolling with the punches.

Literally.

Grabbing my phone, I type out a message to Jude. Sheneedsa name.

ARDEN: Teagan

JUDE: No

JUDE: Emma

ARDEN: No E names

JUDE: Why?

ARDEN: Ellison and Evan…

ARDEN: No M names either

JUDE: Fine

JUDE: Quinn

ARDEN: I’ll have to think on that one.

A knockat the door has Dez bolting straight up, his paws hitting the floor before I can blink.

That’s weird.

Pushing myself up, I walk toward where Dez is sitting and peek out through the curtains.

My mother.

A whirl of emotions rips through me as I grasp the handle and turn it with Dez at my side.

“Arden, hi. Oh, I didn’t know you had a dog,” she says as his soft fur presses against my leg.

“Jude and I have a dog, yes.” It’s not totally a lie but it’s not the truth either.

“You…”

“Live together? Yes.” Again, it’s not a lie, and right now I could kiss him for giving me the upper hand.

“Can I come in?”

“Sure.”

Stepping back, I let her into the house and then close the door. Dez never leaves my side as I follow her into the kitchen. I could offer her a drink but I’m not feeling particularly hospitable at the moment, so I don’t.

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