Page 47 of Our Unexpected Beginning
“You never call me by my name…”
“I want you to hear me. It’s important.”
“Today’s filled with them.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her against his body.
“I’ve been thinking. I don’t know… This between us is more than casual. You consume my every waking thought. I wake up and want you by my side. I know this thing with us started out ‘easy breezy’, but fuck girl. I’m yours. Hook line and sinker.”
“Oh.”
“I know there’s more in that pretty head of yours.”
Suck it up buttercup.
She couldn’t hold the secret anymore.
“Graham, I’m–fuck. I’m pregnant.”
“You. Oh. I.” He blinked at their intertwined hands and sighed.
“So, um, without me getting hit or sounding like an asshole…”
“There wasn’t anyone else. You’re not an asshole for asking, but you would be to microscope me.”
He gripped her chin, reminding her of the importance of eye contact. “Julia, I believe in taking someone at their word. I don’t have right or reason to question your answer. You won’t get that from me.”
One point for the golden boy.
“Thanks.” Silence stretched until Julia cleared her throat, brushing it off. “I’ll go on my own, no skin off my nose.” She was putting on a brave face. But it wasn’tas if she didn’t have options if she was going to do this solo.
“Jules. Listen to me clearly. Understand the words I’m speaking, if you want to go to the doctor and not do this. I’ll hold your hand. You want to move across the country. I’ll help you pack. But understand the words I’m saying. You’re stuck with me, babe.”
“Okay. I’m sorry, okay. My brain goes to the worst case no matter how much I protest. I’m always prepared for a disaster. It’s the way I’m wired.”
“When will you realize I’m not a runner, Jules?”
She ignored him, pretending that she hadn’t heard him and fiddled with a forgotten s’more.
“I’m not everyone else.”
Julia stopped, “Graham, it wasn’t–”
“I know that I need to make things a lot more clear to you.” He grabbed her arm and pulled Julia into his lap.
“I see you, all the weird quirky things you try to hide. I know that you need music to work, but it has to beyourplaylist. I know you need the TV on to fall asleep, but not on all night or you can’t stay asleep. Snacks to the right and drinks to the left. Cozy but not hot.“ He cupped her face in his hands.
“You aren’t too much, there’s nothing you can show me that will scare me away.”
“I don’t want someone who has to stay. They have towantto. Our kid deserves more than the dysfunction we had.”
“It’s rooted in my genes to run, but I’m breaking that pattern. I don’t just want to be casual. I want the whole package. I know with me being gone on site it doesn’t make things easy. It will take work. But don’t count us out yet.”
She studied his features, noticing how the three-day stubble made his jaw sharper. He had a scar under his eye that wasn’t noticeable to the casual observer. It was also evident he’d broken his nose a time or two.
“Every man I’ve ever loved has left without looking back. You’ve got a tough track record to break.”
“I know you’re conditioned to run for the hills, but you’re worth every flight risk.” Graham cupped her face and forced her to look at him. “Jules, I love you. Unconditionally, point blank. You don’t have expectations to live up to with me. You don’t have to be anything but happy, loved, and safe. I hope to fuck I am lucky enough to be the person to give it to you. I’ll love enough for us both until you’re ready.”
“I’m not good at this, you know?”
