So many questions swirl around in my head. I try to tell myself one thing at a time, one thing at a time, but I can’t help myself. “I’ll move to Seattle.”

“No, you won’t, Trevor.”

“I will. You’re not going to give anything up, especially considering if you’re pregnant–” I get choked up at the thought. “It’s still sinking in.”

The elevator dings open.

Hand in hand, we walk to my car.

I open the passenger door for her, a giddiness rushing through me that I get to do this again for her.

Before I can step away, though, Iris holds tight to me. “If we’re having a baby, which I don’t think is as big an ‘if’ as we’re making it out to be…” She holds my hands and faces me. “We’re going to need a family. And our family is here in Chicago.”

“Ris, you’re not giving anything up for me. I can get a job out there, we’ll have a nanny, it will–”

“I hate my job in Seattle. They’re awful to me. I’m overworked. The stress will be impossible to handle with a baby too. And Seattle isn’t home. Chicago is.Youare.”

I’m in shock. I was satisfied to leave Chicago and follow her, with her permission. “Don’t say that just because you think I need that. Really, honey, I’ll go wherever you want to be.”

Iris cups my cheek. “Coming back to Chicago to be with you and start our family isn’t giving anything up in my mind. I don’t need that job. I’ll get a better one here, or I’ll be a mom and work on projects or–” Iris shakes her head. “There are other jobs. But I need you. And the Hawthorns. And our baby will need them too.”

I laugh. “I’m dreaming, I must be.”

She pinches my arm. “You think you’re dreaming now?”

“Maybe a kiss would help?” I say with a lilt in my voice.

“Oh. Slick. Very slick.” Iris lifts herself up onto her tiptoes and kisses me.

I wrap my hand around her waist, pressing her to me, overwhelmed at the idea that inside her, our child might be growing right now.

I need to know. I need to kiss her, but I need to know more.

“Say it one more time,” I say against her mouth.

Iris grins. “I love you.”

“I love you more. Now, let’s get going. We need to find out if we’re really having a baby.”

15

IRIS

I lay backon the table and let out a tense breath with my doctor positioned between my legs.

“There’s going to be some slight pressure, might be uncomfortable at first, but just relax.” She’s got a nice, motherly face, a middle-aged woman with a cropped haircut. She’s been incredible considering Trevor and I are vibrating with nerves.

“Okay.”

Trevor holds out his hand, and I take it, pulling it up to my chest.

Dr. Smythe’s work is veiled by the sheet over my legs, but she’s right, it’s uncomfortable at first.

“Hard to relax when I think my life is about to change,” I murmur.

Dr. Smythe chuckles. “Do what you can, it’s normal to be nervous.”

I swallow, breathing through the discomfort.