Page 59 of Abel

We get lost in each other, just staring, committing details for each other to memory.

I want to remember this moment.

Him, asking me to give him a chance. He doesn’t look like a man that begsorasks for anything. More like a man that takes what he wants.

That’s one thing he doesn’t have to worry about when it comes to me… He can take it all whenever he wants because it’s already his.

“Alright, honey, are you ready to see if I can tell you what you’re having?” A lady with long, blond hair asks, sashaying inside the room with the brightest smile ever. “Oh, Dr. Iverson, I didn’t know you’d be here with her for this.” She winks.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. That’s my kid in there.” He smiles, never taking his eyes off me.

“What? You didn’t tell us you had a baby on the way, you sly little devil.” She giggles. “Wait until everyone finds out. This kid is gonna be spoiled.”

“Tell me about it.” Grabbing my hand and pulling it to his lips, just to place a kiss in my palm. “Ready to find out what we’re having?”

“I think so.” God he’s so beautiful. “Oh!” I grunt, clutching my stomach.

“What? What’s wrong?” He asks, concern etched on his face as he grips my hand for dear life.

“Oh, the baby just kicked.” I chuckle, grabbing his hand and placing it on top of my belly. “Here, can you feel it?”

Waiting for the little guy or girl to show his or her daddy what he’s working with, I wait a moment for the kick to happen.

Just when I think it won’t happen again, I watch Abel’s face light up before unshed tears prickle at the corners of his eyes.

“That’s my baby?” I shake my head yes, tearing up myself.

“Steph, can you tell us what we’re having already?” He laughs.

“Sure thing.” While Steph gets to work squirting that jelly on my stomach, working her mojo, Abel can’t take his eyes off me. At one point, his phone goes off, he looks at the screen but ignores the caller.

“You sure you don’t need to get that?” I ask, wondering who that was.

“Ahh, there she is. You’re having a girl!”

“What?” We say in unison.

“Oh, you guys are so cute.” She gushes, but then Abel makes a face at her and she quickly recovers. “Sorry, congratulations, you guys are having a girl.”

No words are exchanged, just silent thank yous as his lips find mine once again. This is a happy moment. Yet another one I’ll cherish for years to come. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive, Ivy. Now, I have to share the news with the crew.”

“Absolutely. Yeah, you should, you should go do that.” I say, holding back my emotions and tears until he leaves the room.

He turns back to me. “We’re having a fourth of July cookout at The Sandlot, I want you to come.” He says, stopping in the doorway. “Say you’ll come.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Think hard because I want you there. I’ll see you later.” This time, he really leaves, and I’m left feeling as though I’m on cloud nine.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Abel

“Today is a special day.” I can hear Foxy gushing to the ladies as I walk toward the kitchen, stopping in the hallway to eavesdrop. “Abel’s finally bringing home a woman. Apregnantwoman at that.” I can hear them all, “oh” and “ah” when she mentions that, causing me to roll my eyes, groaning because I know what questions will follow.

“Who is she?” Minnie asks.

And so it begins.

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