Page 182 of Always Us

“Because I went off the pill in July and I didn’t tell you. You were out of town and when we talked on the phone, I didn’t even think about it. And then you were gone all those weeks in August before your birthday and then after that I—”

“Jade.” I kiss her. “You don’t have to explain.”

“I just never thought this would happen so soon. The doctor said it takes months to get pregnant after you go off the pill. But I guess that’s not true for everyone. I’m sorry, Garret. I should’ve talked to you before I went off the pill.”

I hold her face and set my eyes on hers. “Jade. I want this. I’ve always wanted this with you. I didn’t give a shit when it happened.”

She smiles. “So you’re happy?”

“Are you kidding? I’m more than happy.” I hug her, then gently push her back so I can see her face. “Jade, are you happy about this?”

She nods, smiling. “Yeah. It’s what I want. It’s exactly what I want. I just wanted to make sure it’s what you wanted, too. I mean, the timing of it.”

“You can have as many babies as you want, whenever the hell you want them, and I’d still be happy. I’d have a thousand babies with you.”

She laughs. “Let’s just have this first one and see how it goes.”

I glance down at her stomach. Holy shit! There’s a baby in there. My baby.

I look back at Jade, holding her hands. “What did the doctor say? Are you okay? Is the baby okay?”

“Everything’s fine so far. My next appointment’s in a few weeks.”

“How do you feel?”

“Okay, except for being really tired. I couldn’t figure out why I’ve been so tired the past few weeks. That’s why I went to the doctor. I thought I was sick or something.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this?”

“Because you worry too much. I was just tired. I didn’t feel sick.”

“So you haven’t been sick? Like morning sickness or anything?”

“No, I didn’t have any other symptoms except missing my period, but the doctor said that might happen after going off the pill. That’s why I didn’t think I was pregnant.”

“Do you know your due date?”

She smiles. “May 15th.”

I smile back. “The day I proposed.”

“And the day you told me you were free from the organization. It was a really good day. And it’s going to be even better now. There’s something else, too.”

“What?”

“The doctor can’t say for sure, but she thinks I conceived on August 22nd.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Your birthday. So we made the baby on your birthday and found out about it on mine. And our baby will arrive on the day we got engaged. I guess this baby’s into celebrations, just like you. She’s just like her dad.”

“She? You already know—”

“No. I just didn’t want to call our baby ‘it.’”

“Our baby.” I smile as I hug her against my chest. “I like the sound of that. Actually, I fucking love the sound of that. I can’t believe we’re having a baby.”

“I know. I can’t either. It hasn’t really sunk in yet.”

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