Page 104 of Playful Kris

His eyes meet mine, and I’m already crying. The shock on his face is instantly filled with love.

God, I love this man.

“Are you?” He shakes his head. “Are we?”

I nod, and he looks down at the cup in his hand.

The large print spells Dad on one side while the other spells Coach in his college colors. His eyes water, and I immediately move closer to him. Titan drops his bone, confused by the sudden reaction in his dad.

Kris is not a big emotional guy, but the idea of our baby bringing tears to his eyes makes me melt.

“I’m going to be a dad?” he asks, looking directly into my watery eyes.

“Yes.”

“When?”

“I’m ten weeks today,” I whisper. “We’re due July twenty-third.”

He smiles at me. “That’s baseball season.”

I laugh, unable to hold it in. “I know.”

“I’m going to be a dad,” he whispers, to himself this time. It’s like he’s trying to convince himself it’s true.

“I love you so much,” I remind him, and he drops everything back into the box and pulls me onto his lap, wrapping his arms around me.

“I love you more. You and this baby.” His hand moves to my flat stomach. “You’re my entire world.”

We stare at each other, soaking in this moment, and listening to Rudolph on the tv. All I can think about is what it will be like next year at this time. With the same show on, and Kris holding out baby girl or boy. We’ll have more presents under the tree, with new ornaments to share.

“What’s the baseball for?” he asks, picking it back up from the box.

“When the baby is born, you can put his or her footprint on it.” His head tilts to the side, and my God. After all these years, I still have it bad for him. “Open the onesie.”

He releases me, holding it up in front of us and reads the writing.

“Dad’s Little Slugger.” He smirks at me, kisses my temple, and looks back at the onesie. “I love It.”

The episode of Rudolph ends and I pull myself to stand. “We need to get ready, everyone will be here shortly. We have some news to share.” Kris stands in front of me, his hands snaking around my back and resting on my ass. His favorite place.

“I can’t wait to tell the world, baby.” He kisses me as Titan chooses that exact moment to push between us. Kris laughs, while I rub behind his ear. “Is this why he’s been doing this lately? Because he’s protective of you two?”

“I guess so.” I smile down at Titan.

The doorbell rings, Titan barks, and I look at Kris. “What are the odds that the people in our family are actually early for once in their lives?”

“Seems the odds are in our favor.” I smile up at him. “For once. Hurry and pick your gift up and take it to the bedroom. I have separate gifts for everyone else for today to tell them.”

He rushes through the house, with Titan freaking out about why his dad is running like a crazy man while I head for the door.

When I yank it open, I’m shocked to see both of our parents on our porch, along with Kris’ brother and his family, and Cora pulling in.

“You’re all early?” I laugh, holding the door open as everyone files in.

“We’re all starving,” Kaleb jokes, dropping Emory to her feet as she tottles off in the direction of the bin of toys I keep here for her.

“There’s my favorite niece.” Kris comes out from the hall, and Emory’s face lights up.

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