Page 107 of The Hermit

“We’re pregnant?” Dominik asks, sounding dumbfounded.

I throw myself at him as I cry, “We’re having a baby!”

His arms lock around me, and he squashes me to his chest. We hold each other for the longest time, and when he speaks, his voice is hoarse with emotion.

“I’m going to be a father.”

He pulls me back and kisses me hard before staring into my eyes, and when I see unshed tears shining in his, my heart fills with so much love it might just burst open.

“Thank you, Grace.” He frames my face with his hands and gives me a tender kiss. “Thank you so much for being the mother of my child.”

Feeling completely overwhelmed, all I can do is whisper again, “We’re having a baby.”

DOMINIK

When we get home, it takes more patience than I have to unpack everything we bought for the coming winter.

Every now and then, Grace stops walking to stare down at her stomach in awe.

I pull my cell phone out of my pocket, and when she stops again, placing her hand over her stomach, I take a photo because it’s a moment I never want to forget.

My wife is carrying our child.

Jebat. I’ve never seen a more beautiful vision.

She glances up, and a breathtakingly stunning smile spreads over her face. “I’m going to be a mother.”

“An amazing one,” I add while walking to her.

Just wanting to hold her all the time, I can’t resist pulling her to my chest.

As I glance at our surrounding area, I begin to see all the dangers of raising a child here.

“We’re going to have to move,” I murmur.

“What? No!”

Looking down at Grace, I say, “The nearest hospital is two hours away. If something goes wrong while you’re pregnant and those two hours could’ve made a difference, I’ll never forgive myself.” I shake my head. “And the winters are harsh.”

“But this is our home,” she argues.

“No. It’s just a house,moja láska. You’re my home, and I’m yours.” My mind races a mile a minute then an idea pops into my head. “How do you feel about Chile? In case trouble comes knocking, we’ll be close to the island and Santiago.”

While she thinks about it, I add, “We can stay on the island until our child is ready for school and only then move to Chile.”

“The island is pretty,” she muses.

“I want you safe, Grace. I’ll have a nervous breakdown up here. Especially if we’re snowed in.”

“Fine,” she mutters. “But we’re keeping this house.”

“Of course. We can spend our vacations here once you’ve had the baby.”

She rests her cheek against my chest and looks at the house where we’ve learned to love each other unconditionally.

Her voice is strained as she whispers, “This is where I healed and became happy.”

I kiss the top of her head, and rubbing my hand up and down her back, I say, “The mountain will always remain our sanctuary.”

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