Page 133 of Falling in Love with Two

“That’s alright,” He says. “Shirts can be washed.”

“It’s not just the shirt,” I groan.

“You don’t say?” He jokes. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”

I stand up and start pacing. “I can’t do this!”

“Can’t do what?”

I point to my pregnant belly. “This. I can’t have this baby.”

“Leah, I think it’s a little late for that.”

“No, it’s not. Our daughter can just live inside me. It’ll be fine. It’s warm and cozy. She’ll be happy in there.”

“Leah, it’s going to be okay.”

I point at him. “Listen up, Lassie. I’m not cut out to be a mom.”

He stands up and walks over to me. “Did you ever stop to think that maybe she sensed you were freaking out, which is why she couldn’t calm down?”

“No, because she started it!”

“Alright, gorgeous. Let’s just calm down a little.”

Tears prick my eyes again. “I’m just scared I’m going to fuck this up. I was a complete disaster, but you came in, and fixed it like that.” I snap my fingers.

“I think you’re forgetting something.”

“How to take care of a baby?”

“No. Our baby will be different. We’re going to learn how to take care of her. We’ll figure it all out together.”

“What if I freak out again?” I ask.

“Then, I’ll be here. I’ll help however I can.”

He wraps me in his arms, and somehow, I start to feel better.

Or at least, I tell myself I feel better. I can try to live in denial for a few more weeks.

forty-five

Babies are Rude

Dylan

Three weeks later…

35 weeks pregnant.

“That may just be the biggest pack of Oreos I’ve ever seen,” I say to Leah as she walks up to put the pack in the cart.

“You haven’t seen anything yet, Beethoven.” From behind her back, she pulls out three more packs of other flavors.

“Are you okay?” I ask. “Seems like an awful lot of cookies.”

“They’re for your daughter. Do you really want to tell her no to something that she has been craving like none other?”

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