Page 33 of Kissing My Soulmate

She sits down across from me. “Everyone is different, but yes, it’s completely possible. From your last period, you’re five and a half weeks along. We’ll confirm it at your next appointment with an ultrasound, just because your IUD can throw off your cycle or make it lighter.” She moves toward the computer. “I’m writing a prescription for prenatal vitamins for you. They can cause some stomach upset, take them with food.”

Walking me out, we stop at the checkout desk and they schedule my appointment for next month. I decide to stop at Target on my way home and put together a little gift to tell Jasper I’m pregnant. A bun in the oven is the way I’m going to do it.

When Jasper gets home, I’ll set the timer, when it goes off, he’ll open the oven and there will be a bun with baby shoes next to it. Hopefully he’ll get the reference. I hope he’s happy about this…no…he is going to be happy.

No negative thoughts, it’s just my fear rearing its ugly head. I grab a package of rolls, or buns. Then I head over to the baby section, the baby shoes are so cute, I don’t even know which ones to pick.

I decide on a pair that could be for a boy or girl. At the self-checkout I ring up my purchases. With my items in hand, I head out to my SUV. Singing along to the radio, I’m filled with so much happiness. This all feels like a dream I don’t want to ever wake up from.

I get home and decide to take the other pregnancy test, so I have more visuals to show him. After peeing on the stick, I set it aside and check the roast in the crockpot. It looks and smells delicious. I quickly add the carrots and potatoes and put the lid back on.

In the bathroom, I grab the positive pregnancy test and carry it into the kitchen. I set up everything on a cookie sheet. The pregnancy test is in front of the baby shoes. I stack the buns into a little pyramid and set them next to the baby shoes.

He usually will text me when he’s on his way home. I just like to have dinner ready at the same time. I love to cook and enjoy doing this for us. Sure, he can grill and does it well, but if it involves indoor cooking then it’s a big fat no. The man burns water and can’t be trusted.

Everything is ready and Bob follows me around while I expel my nervous energy and pick up the apartment. I dust and put things away and then head into the bedroom. I throw on a pair of knit shorts and a sleeveless T-shirt.

In the bathroom I brush out my hair and quickly braid it. From the other room I hear my phone beep. I know that’s him and my heart begins to pound in my chest. Moving through the apartment I feel like I’m walking on cloud nine.

Grabbing my phone, I smile.

Jasper: Leaving the office now. See you soon, ending with a heart emoji.

My lips turn up into a huge smile and then I promptly throw up in the sink.

Chapter Nineteen

Jasper

The apartment is dark when I let myself inside. I walk directly into the kitchen, grab the bottle of Patrón, and drink it straight from the bottle.

My day had been good, doing checkups on some foals. The Kensingtons wanted me to look at a stud horse they’re thinking of using when they’re ready to breed Lady. I was impressed with the horse, and the fact he was only a two-hour drive away would be good for the Kensingtons, less travel.

I then was catching up my charting until I texted Lorelei that I was on my way home. As I was shutting down my computer one of the techs, Jen, came bursting into my office. “We have a family with a Boxer that was hit by a car. Randall left and we can’t reach him.”

I grabbed my scrubs. “Get him back to the surgical suite.” She left and I quickly threw them on before running down the hallway to find the family outside the suite. Giving them a nod, I went into the room.

That poor dog didn’t stand a chance. The internal damage was too extensive, but we fucking tried. We spent a long time getting him cleaned and stitched up for the family. I came out to tell the family and then brought them in to see him. Watching the little girls, no more than seven or eight, weep over their best friend was heart breaking.

Honestly, I am not sure why they brought them, but I guess Mom and Dad thought they should be there. They decided to have the dog cremated, so I had to arrange that for them and then I had to wait for the guy we use for cremation.

I helped Jen and our other tech, Brad, clean up the surgical suite. Once we finished, I was exhausted. Earlier I had texted Lorelei to let her know I was going to be late. Unfortunately, that isn’t the first time and won’t be the last, but that’s the nature of my job.

Now, I put the bottle back and look in the refrigerator. Lie makes the best roast and I pull it out. I dish myself up a huge plate and pop it in the microwave.

“Hey.” I find my beautiful wife standing in the mouth of the kitchen in nothing but a T-shirt.

I hold my hand out to her and she comes toward me and takes my hand. Pulling her into my arms, I kiss her slowly, thoroughly. Her arms wind around me and the stress of tonight washes off me.

The microwave beeps and I pull back as my stomach growls.

“There’s some rolls in the oven,” she says and then bites her lip. She’s nervous, that’s a tell of hers.

They’re probably not good, especially if they’ve been sitting in there all night, but for her, I’d choke them down with a smile on my face. I open the oven and look inside. Reaching in I freeze, there are rolls in there, but that’s not what causes me to pause.

My heart begins to race as I reach in and grab the stick and baby shoes. I look at the stick and see the word Pregnant. We just started trying, how is that possible? I can feel her get closer to me.

I don’t know what to say so I don’t say anything, instead I drop to my knees and wrap my arms around her waist, all while kissing her stomach. Lorelei wraps her arms around my head, hugging me while I kiss her still flat stomach.

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