Page 86 of Our Unexpected Beginning
Julia sighed, tugging on Graham’s shirt to keep him close.
“Are you okay, kitten?”
She shrugged. “Yes, no, getting there? I don’t know what’s hormonal and what’s emotional.” Julia placed her hand on her belly between them. “Everything’s changing and I guess it’s my turn to worry if I have the tools I need for this.”
“Hey,” He cupped her cheek. “I’m sorry that someone told you that you were odd–quirky–or too loud. Because you’re not. I will spend every second of the rest of my life rewiring that part of your brain that believed them.”
Emotion welled in her throat.
“You’re not too loud, too silly, too different, or anything else that’s been said. Anyone who doesn’t see that, well that’s justtoo damnbad!“ He gripped her chin. “It’s their loss and a gift I won’t squander.”
The words he spoke wrapped around her heart, found every crack, and poured their way in. Filling and healing the parts that were discarded as too deep to repair.
Julia sighed deeply, pulling him close. “I know loving me isn’t easy. But the most effortless thing in my life is loving you.” She whispered tearfully against his neck.
She’d healed from bolting like a scared colt to a woman ready to embrace the rain with someone at her side. “I love you.” The gravity of speaking the words out loud wasn’t lost on either of them.
His eyes softened, and he pulled her close, cupping her face. “I love you,” Graham whispered against her lips, then kissed her soundly.
“I can handle anything life throws at us every day as long as at the end of it you’re in my bed.”
Julia shook her head. “Our bed.”
Twelve
Julia
Mother:
It’s rude to ignore messages, Julia Lynn.
Mother:
I raised you better than to act like this.
Mother:
Why is everything always about you?
Mother:
You embarrassed me. Tried to turn my sister against me.
Mother:
Don’t MY feelings matter?
Mother:
If you don’t come get this shit, it’s going in the garbage tomorrow.
Julia:
Graham and I will be there tomorrow to get Grandma’s crib.
Don’t you dare touch it. She whispered to the universe. Julia knew if she insisted it was safe something ‘accidental’ would happen before they got there before noon. Graham didn’t hesitate when she told him. He filled the tank and made coffee before she was even awake this morning.
Sitting in the truck, Julia watched the trees speed past on the nearly deserted highway. She rubbed her stomach, pressing her palm into the underside riding out another wave of what Mia lovingly called belly burn. She rubbed slow circles until they subsided with a subtle kick from little bean.
