He leaned in and kissed my lips. “I’ll call you when I’m headed back this way. It shouldn’t be any later than one, and we can stop someplace for lunch or order it to-go and take it back to my place.”

We kissed again. “I’ll let you know how I feel when you pick me up.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Did we just have our first argument?”

He chuckled. “I think we did, and it was my fault, so I have to do something to make it up to you.”

“Do you have anything in mind?”

“Lay back and open your legs.”

13

Clinton

“Are you nervous?” I asked Mona when we arrived at her doctor’s office.

“I am. I just want everything to be okay.”

“Everything will be fine,” I reassured before squeezing her hand and lifting it to my mouth to kiss the back of it. I wanted her thoughts to remain positive but understood why she was nervous.

We entered the waiting room, and while she checked in, I found two open seats away from the people already present.

“Thank you for coming with me,” she said when she sat down.

“Mona, don’t play with me. Nothing will stop me from being at every appointment.”

“Okay.”

We sat quietly for about ten minutes before she was called back. The nurse introduced herself, and after a quick stop atthe scale, we entered the examination room. She asked several questions before taking Mona’s vitals.

“Alright, can you take this cup to the bathroom across the hall and give me a urine sample? Once the pregnancy is confirmed, I’ll draw your blood, and the doctor will be able to tell you exactly how far along you are and your estimated due date.”

“Thank you.”

Mona left the room first, and the nurse followed. While waiting for them to return, I replied to several emails and text messages. When Mona returned, smiling, I did the same.

“I love seeing you smile,” I told her.

“I have so many reasons to smile, and you’re one of them.”

She stood between my legs, leaning in slightly for a kiss. When she pulled away, I tucked my hands underneath her shirt and rubbed her stomach.

“That’s good. I’ll do my best to keep you smiling.”

There was a quick knock on the door before it opened, and the nurse entered. Mona turned and tried to move to the chair beside me, but I pulled her onto my lap.

“You are indeed pregnant! Congratulations!” the nurse announced. “I’ll draw some blood, and the next person you see will be Dr. Pryor.”

I let Mona sit next to me to have her blood drawn. Afterward, the nurse left us alone again.

“It’s official. We’re having a baby,” I said.

“It seems surreal. I kinda figured it was too late for me.”

I leaned into her and stole a kiss. “Thank God for my super sperm.”