Page 29 of Pool Girl - An Instalove Possessive Age Gap

As soon as I say that she bites her lip, grimaces and shakes her head.

She reaches down next to her, under the bed and pulls out a brown paper sack.

“My wedding gift to you, Will,” she says, her voice suddenly choking with emotion.

I figure there’s a rubber chicken, or a joy buzzer inside, the way this morning’s panned out.

But when I see the little blue plus sign on the white plastic…

Once I realize it’s a positive pregnancy test.

“I figured it had to be that. I only just did it now,” she says, starting to cry and I feel like I’m half way to joining her.

“It’s still wet with pee, by the way,” she says, and we both cry-laugh.

I hug her so tight, as tight as I dare.

“I’m gonna be a daddy!” I exclaim.

“And I’m gonna be a mommy,” she squeaks, letting me know my grip on her is tight enough.

“Are we gonna tell everyone?” I ask, leaving that decision totally up to her. She is the mommy now.

“Should we?” she asks and I consider everything her dad put in place to up hold tradition before the wedding.

“Hell no,” I suggest, reminding her of her dad’s antics regarding our wedding.

“Imagine what he’d do if he found out I knocked you up before the big day?”

“You’re right,” she says, thinking and chewing her lip, looking more gorgeous than ever.

“We’ll leave it ‘til after the honeymoon. Tell him it’s a rapid pregnancy test or something.”

I stand, and despite myself, she notices her usual effect on my anatomy.

“Nobody’s gonna come in here for a bit. They think I’m having a nervous breakdown,” she says, a shiver in her breath as she runs a flat palm up and down my bulging front.

“And I know just how to make you squeal in no time,” I add convincingly.

“Then c’mere, pool boy. Let’s have our last fling as single, free spirits before we’re tied together forever.”Extended EpilogueEighteen Months LaterPiper“Will!” I scream, stumbling forward, my hand reaching out for our baby girl. I’d only turned my back for a second and now she’s making straight for the-

“It’s alright mommy!” Will cries out, winking at me as he catches Bella who’s leapt into his arms. “Daddy’s here, and Bella knows what she wants.”

He makes this wide eyed face and puffs his cheeks out, holding his breath before he makes sure Bella’s done the same and with both of his strong hands, he dips her under before lifting her back out.

Bella screams with excitement.

“I got her, Baby. I’ve always got her,” Will says, giving a smile.

He knows I’m still a little gun shy of the pool, but its fenced now and Bella’s only in here if we are and Will’s in the pool. The indoor pool is locked and Will only uses it when Bella’s sleeping.

“She’s just like her dad,” I muse loudly, dipping my toe in as I settle on a wicker chair by the edge.

Its fall, and I watch the leaves starting to tumble from the elm tree nearest the pool, the water catching one before it gets sucked closer to the leaf trap.

The pool’s heated now too, but despite all his efforts, I just can’t bring myself to swim anymore.

“It’ll come back honey,” Will says encouragingly, taking his eyes away from me just long enough to dunk Bella again, making us both laugh once she squeals with delight all over again.

“It ‘um ‘ack umma,” Bella laughs, squeezing her dad’s finger as we both stop laughing and watch her, dumbfounded.

“What did she just say?” I ask, not believing my ears, Will shrugs, promising he hasn’t coached her to say a word at all.

“It um ‘ack ‘umma… ‘ump in!” Bella shrieks, and starts to splash her feet as she laughs.

Will and I look at each other. I feel my heart swell as he holds Bella closer, kissing her head the way he does mine, whispering something in her ear.

Most likely how much daddy loves his little girl.

By the time he’s looked back at me, I’ve slipped out of my tropical wrap and am slowly making my way into the water. One timid step at a time.

“Are you sure honey?” Will asks, giving me that look that tells me his hands are full if I get into any trouble, but I give a nod, watching Bella the whole time until I’m in the water and swimming towards her.

Her tiny fingers reach out for me as I get closer, her daddy holding her up by her belly so she can stretch out, just like she does when she’s learning to swim.

I feel something shift in me when our finger touch, like it’s okay not to feel the bottom sometimes.

Like I’m allowed to float, and then control where I go by swimming. I won’t drown again because I’m so close to the ones I know who keep me up. The ones who keep me afloat. My family.

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