Page 29 of When Love Is Unexpected

I try to stay in bed as long as possible, but I'm up by six. After doing some work on my laptop, I go for a short run, I'm in the kitchen making some breakfast when the doorbell rings. I look at my phone but it's only ten, so it's not Laila.

"Hi, Sam," Loren says as soon as I open the door.

"Loren!" I exclaim, "Come in, come in. I'm frying some eggs."

I run back to the stove and slide my eggs onto a plate.

"Do you want some breakfast?" I ask.

"No, I had breakfast with Christina and Holly."

"It's so good to see you,” I say, taking her hand and twirling her slowly.

She lets out a giggle and then opens her arms to hug me, her baby bump gently pressing between us.

"Sit down," I say, leading her to the table.

"Do you want some coffee? Can you have coffee?"

"Yes, I'll take a cup, thank you."

I pour each of us some coffee and then join Loren at the table with my eggs and bacon.

"You look beautiful, Loren," I say before taking a bite.

"Thank you," she says, rubbing her very pregnant belly.

"So, you're due in a couple of months?"

"Five weeks," she says, "I don't know if this baby can wait that long.”

"Where's Holly?" I ask.

"She's with Christina. I dropped them off at her house and then went home and took a nap."

"So, you're back for good?" I ask.

"Yes," she says, "We want to be here when the baby's born."

"Do you know what you're having?"

"No. We're waiting to find out. We want to be surprised."

"You're radiating happiness."

"Am I?” she asks, smiling and blushing a bit, "Sam, my life is full of everything I thought I'd lost forever. You were there to see my struggle with guilt, insecurities, and fear."

"I remember," I say, "But once you let go of the ghosts and allowed yourself to fall in love, you became a different person."

"Who I am now is the real me—the person I was before losing Justin. As cliche as it sounds, I'm able to live my life to the fullest again. I'm able to laugh without feeling guilty for being happy, and I'm able to love again without reserve or fear.”

"So, Aaron makes you happy?"

"Aaron is the best thing that has ever happened to me. He's the love of my life. He's a wonderful man, an incredible human being, the best dad, and the most loving husband. Sam, Aaron gives me butterflies every time he looks at me."

"I remember you saying that in your wedding vows."

"You remember!" she exclaims.

---