Page 98 of The Player's Obsession

“I researched them, they aren’t very effective. That, combined with how tired you’ve been and the fact you threw up and have no flu symptoms, tells me you are probably pregnant.”

She’s oddly quiet, then her face turns pensive.

“Oh, my, it’s been so long since….”

“And then there’s the fact that Maggie never seemed to come,” I chuckle.

“Do you ever miss anything when it comes to me? I mean, you forgot to get a date for the wedding, and the details of the events planned but you remember my date for that?” she asks me.

“Rarely do I miss anything about you. It’s the positive side of being obsessed with you, my love. I should have known I didn’t love Melanie anymore with my lack of focus on the details involving her. But with you? I hope I never lose focus. Just remember, I might not make it to the delivery with football season, but I’ll promise you I’ll do my best.”

“Are you ready for this? Are we ready?” Her voice wavers.

I grab her hand as I drive. “I love you. We’ll adore this baby, and it’s going to be a wonderful adventure.”

“You’re so great. Did you just make that up?”

“No, it’s in my heart. I see it all. It’s as if I’m Griffin in the movie…”

“Men in Black Three, we have to watch it!”

We chuckle at the fact that we’re nerds when it comes to lines in movies and the characters who say them.

We arrive home, and the two dozen red roses I bought this week are in a beautiful glass vase sitting on the table.

I kiss Penelope, and we head upstairs as we talk about getting a pregnancy test and when the first doctor appointment will happen. It’s all new to us.

I enter my closet and walk to Penelope with items in my hand.

“I know you need to close out your apartment, but I called someone I know, and…” He pulls something out of his pocket. “I think these belong to you.”

He takes my hand and places something in it. When his hand moves away, I gasp. Grandma’s earrings and engagement ring.

“How did you find them?”

“It wasn’t too difficult. It meant hunting pawn shops, and I got lucky.”

I throw my arms around his neck, tears streaming down my face as I clutch the jewels.

“I can’t believe you found them. I never thought to look for them. Thank you so much. They aren’t worth much, but my grandmother was my guardian angel. It’s as if I have a small piece of her with me.”

“Whoa. Are you okay?”

“I’m emotional, that’s all.” She pulls away. I take her face and cradle it in my large hands. “What is it?”

“I’m so happy. You’re great. Your family is wonderful. I have everything I’ve ever dreamed of and more,” she says.

“Great, that’s the way I like it. Now, for the bad part. Well, not so bad, especially with a baby on the way,” I reply.

“What is it?”

“Your brother was caught selling stuff to a pawn shop, and it came up as stolen. He’s been expedited back to New York.”

“He’ll have to serve his prison term,” she murmurs as her face turns up to meet mine.

“Yes.”

“It might save his life, he’ll get clean,” she states.

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