Page 50 of Say I'm Yours, Firecracker

I laughed and ran across the street to jump into his truck.

As he drove I imagined painting the nursery, decorating and putting furniture together. Finn would most likely get mad and call Aaron to come help, while Bell and I sat and enjoyed watching them work.

The laughter that would fill a house with no ghosts to linger or bad memories to surface. I could finally have a home, a real home to make warm and loving.

We laughed together as he drove us home.

The next morning Xavier called.

“Hey baby mama!” He shouted through the small speaker of my phone. “What are you up to today?”

I looked at Finn across the living room, he looked scrumptious in the mornings. Sweatpants hung low over his narrow hips, abdominals on full display as he made himself a morning shake.

“Finn and I are going furniture shopping.”

“Oooo!” He screeched. “I’ll be there in…well, send me the address and I’ll be there when I get there!”

I laughed when he hung up and informed Finn of the change in our plans, watching in glee as his face transformed into a scowl. He did not like this idea. I texted Xavier the address. While we waited, Finn drank his shake and I had my morningdecafcoffee.

It was one of the things Finn insisted I try for two weeks. I’d agreed, stupidly.

I hated decaf.

He may have laughed at my grumbling, and I may have kicked him in the shin. He kissed the top of my head and downed the rest of his shake before taking the steps two at a time up to where he’d been crashing at night.

Pouring my half cup left into the sink I followed, though not as fast considering the belly. Baby was strong and kicking all the time now.

Finn feeling our little bean move inside of me was one of the most precious moments of my life. The way his eyes went round at the little elbow our baby threw at his hand. Watching his eyes glaze over with happy tears.

It was a memory I never wanted to forget.

I was at the shop with Bell, ready to eat and waiting for Finn and Aaron to show up. We’d decided to have lunch together because Bell and I hadn’t had much time with each other since all the baby shenanigans had started. Then Aaron had called and Bell told him our plan, so naturally they decided to tag along.

“I’m going to die of hunger.” I groaned from my lounged position on the waiting room couch, which had become one of my favorite rest spots.

Bell laughed, “Whatever will we do?”

“You aren’t allowed to make fun of me.” I whined. “This baby is moving so much today, I swear there isn’t enough room for my little bean.”

The bell above the door chimed, and in strutted the bro pair.

“About damn time!” I shouted, “I’m wasting away here.”

They both laughed and I curled my hands into fists.

“Easy, Firecracker.” Finn said, kneeling by my upper half. “Baby giving you hell?”

I nodded, while also pouting. He laid his large hand on the swell of my stomach and immediately, as if our baby knew who it was, kicked his hand,hard. “Ouch.” I grumbled. But the room was silent, everyone's eyes were on Finn as he teared up, running a hand over his eyes a few times to clear them.

“I...” He began, clearing his throat to try again. “Can I?”

His eyes snapped down to where his hand hovered over my stomach and back to my face.

“Was that the first time you felt them move?” I asked, sure that it had happened before.

He nodded, and smiled when our baby elbowed his hand again, nudging the stretched skin across my abdomen.

“Hi, baby,” his voice cracked, “I’m your daddy.”

---