Page 34 of A Simple Love

Mike and I are on track, finally. The drama was all worth it to lead us to this moment.

The next morning, I have my first official day as a teacher, greeted by a beautiful bouquet of flowers on my desk waiting for me when I enter my classroom. I’m not sure how he managed, but the gesture makes me tear up as I realize, this man is the only person I want to be with forever. I finish my day, elated and high on life, grateful that the dust has finally settled, and anxious over my date with Mike in three days.

Chapter 20

Victoria

“So, how were your first few days as a teacher?” Pauline asks while sitting on the couch, holding Axel in her arms as she breastfeeds him. Watching my friend be a mom, caring for a life that she created, it brings tears to my eyes, happy tears, of course.

I’ve been pretty emotional over the past few days will all the recent developments in my life. I finally had my first day of work with students three days ago, and it’s been better than I could have imagined. My kids are some of the sweetest little human beings I’ve ever encountered. Of course, the veteran teachers told me to give it a few weeks, since we’re in the honeymoon period of the school year, as they called it. Regardless, it’s been a surreal feeling to see all of my hard work pay off and actually feel accomplished in it. I have so many ideas and activities I want to get done. I’m having to remind myself to relax and let things develop as they come. I need to get to know the kids more so I learn what will work best for them. Teaching requires a ton of adaptation, and as a planner, I know that will be a challenge for me.

“It’s been so amazing,” I beam as I stretch my legs out across the loveseat I’m sinking in to. “Granted, it’s only been three days, but I’m so happy, Pauline. I love it.”

“That makes me so thrilled for you, Vic,” she smiles back at me.

“How has motherhood been treating you?” I ask, watching her struggle to hook her nursing bra back together after Axel released his grip on her. I leap up from the couch and retrieve him from her lap, laying a receiving blanket over my shoulder before situating him and gently patting his back.

“Thank you,” she sighs contently. “I’m not gonna lie, the lack of sleep is rough, my nipples are so sore, and not in a good way, and I’ve never seen so much poop in my life,” she chuckles. “But he is worth all of it,” she beams proudly, admiring her son hoisted in my arms right now as I walk casually around the living room, a gigantic burp releasing from his tiny body stopping me in my tracks.

“Oh, my gosh! Did that just come out of him?” I chuckle, Pauline laughing with me as she stands carefully, still sore from childbirth.

“Oh yeah, he belches just like his dad. I’m going to go pee real quick, okay? I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time, Pauline. I know what I’m doing,” I assure her as she nods and hobbles down the hallway of their house. I take a moment to smell Axel, that newborn scent going straight to my ovaries, making my uterus skip a beat. I was sixteen when Lilly was born, so I remember quite a bit about caring for a newborn and how tiring it is. But back then, holding my baby sister and watching my parents go through the newborn phase couldn’t have been a better form of birth control, encouraging me, even more, to focus on school and not date.

I know I want children one day, and I still want to wait a few years, but the thought of having a baby with Mike---a human that is part of him and me---it makes those tears come back again. Oy, I’m such a mess.

Tuesday night seems like months ago, seeing as how time is passing so slowly in anticipation of our first official date tomorrow night as boyfriend and girlfriend. I know it sounds so childish, but being able to finally call Mike my boyfriend is my fourteen-year-old fantasy come true, so I’m going to enjoy it as much as I want. I can’t wait to see him, have him cook me dinner, touch him as much as I want without this nagging voice in the back of my head telling me it’s inappropriate because I’m also seeing someone else. Well, someone else, A.K.A. Ben, is no longer an issue. Tomorrow, I’m going to do whatever I damn well please with Mike, and nothing is going to stop me.

I’m not trying to put pressure on us, but I’ve waited twenty-five years to have sex, and what feels like longer than that to get to this point with him, so if it feels right and he agrees, I’m going for it. I still can’t believe he’s also a virgin still. It blows my mind, but it also makes me so happy that my first time will also be his, and we get to experience it together. It makes all the crap we’ve endured to get here completely worth it.

“What are you smiling like a fool about?” Pauline startles me as she makes her way back into the living room, reaching to take Axel from me.

“Nuh uh,” I say while sliding out of her reach. “It’s my turn. I’m getting my baby fix, and you’re getting a break. Enjoy, okay?”

She huffs at me as she sits back down. “Fine. I feel like I’m developing tennis elbow anyway. Okay, so spill. What has you looking like you slept with a hanger in your mouth?”

“Is that one of your favorite sayings, or something?”

“It’s a line from FRIENDS, and it just makes sense, especially in situations like this. So stop stalling and SPILL!”

I laugh at her. “Where do I begin?”

The whole reason for me coming over tonight was to catch Pauline up to speed on my love life and what’s unfolded since Tyler and Hayley’s wedding, and of course, to visit my friend and her new baby. Dean took advantage of my visit to go see Mike tonight and get a break from being the dad-of-the-year as well, leaving Pauline and me to have our girl talk. He was borderline terrified to leave Pauline and the baby alone, but I assured him we would all be fine. The newlyweds are on their honeymoon; otherwise, Hayley would be here to partake in the gossip as well. But Pauline begged for the adult interaction, so here I am.

I recall everything that happened after she left for the hospital at the wedding; I rehash the drama that unfolded after Mike saw me show up with Ben, and then I recount my confrontation with him at his house, minus a few personal details.

“Holy hell. I go have a baby, and I missed all that?”

“Right? But Pauline, I swear, it was all worth it. I can’t wait for tomorrow!” I seriously can’t wipe the smile off my face.

“I’m so happy for you guys, Vic. It’s about damn time. Do you think tomorrow will be, THE night?”

“I honestly don’t know. It just depends on Mike, I guess,” I trail off, avoiding eye contact with my friend. I don’t want to divulge Mike’s secret to just anyone, but part of me thinks it would be okay to tell Pauline. I just don’t want her to tease him, because sometimes you can never tell what is going to come out of her mouth.

“What aren’t you telling me, Vic? You’re a horrible liar and you won’t look me in the eyes.” She’s watching me as I continue to bounce around the living room with Axel on my shoulder, whom I’m sure has fallen asleep by now.

“Okay, but if I tell you this, promise me you won’t say anything to Mike, okay?”

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