Page 82 of Living for Truth
“I love you, Butterfly. So much.”
“I love you, too.”
Morgan steps out of the apartment to call his parents, and I finally glance at the pregnancy tests on the coffee table. The digital one has a boldpregnantin the little window, and the others have two very dark pink lines. Weird, when I took tests before, the line was barely visible.
I place my hand over my stomach and whisper to the little pea-sized baby inside me,“I want you to stay right there for at least thirty-six weeks. Please don’t leave me.”
Chapter 38
Morgan
I’m going to be a dad.
Well, okay—I’m already a dad—but I’m going to be a dadagain,and Hannah is going to be the one carrying our baby.
I’m still reeling.
The day we found out she was pregnant, my parents brought Aly to the shop, and we all went to Dosa House for dinner and asked Aly if she was okay with Hannah moving in.
I swear she’s more excited than I am; she wanted us to move her that same night. We waited until the weekend when we could have the rest of the family’s help, and it went very smoothly.
Now, Hannah’s clothes are hanging next to mine in our walk-in closet, her skin care products have a permanent spot on the shelves in the bathroom, and her books are mingled with mine on the bookshelves in my office.
I’m planning on turning the office into a nursery, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself, so I haven’t told Hannah, yet. I think it would be too hard to see the space for the baby and then lose it, rather than scramble to get it put together.
God, I hope we don’t lose this baby. Not just for my sake but because I don’t think Hannah would have it in her to try again. Which is totally understandable and not something I’d ever consider trying to push her on, but the excitement of a new baby makes me realize how much I want another child with Hannah.
We haven’t had sex since we found out, mostly because we’ve been busy with moving and settling into a new routine, and I miss the warmth of her body. I don’t want to push her to have sex if she’s not feeling well, but I think we need some alone time to at least snuggle and talk without nine-year-old ears around.
Sarah and Justin are taking Aly camping this weekend, so Hannah and I will be alone in the house for the first time in two weeks. I asked Olivia to cover for me at the flower shop so I could spend the day cleaning the house and setting up the movie room for a romance movie marathon.
Hannah hasn’t had any cravings yet, so I bought a bunch of different snacks I know she loves, a new cozy pajama set, and sparkling apple cider in lieu of champagne. There are six different takeout menus for her to choose from for dinner, and I hope at least one sounds good.
Sage texted me ten minutes ago when Hannah left the library, so when the garage door opens and shuts, I’m ready at the bottom of the stairs with a bouquet madeup of white lilies—a symbol of peace and fertility—dark pink gerbera daisies—gratitude—and pink roses—love, and happiness.
“Welcome home, Butterfly.” God, I love saying that. I love that this is her home,with me.
“Hi… Those are stunning. What’s the occasion?” She slips off her shoes and sets her purse on the hook next to the door.
“No special occasion, we just have the house to ourselves this weekend, and I want to pamper you. I have a new pajama set in the dryer, six takeout menus to choose from, and an array of snacks while we have a romance movie marathon.”
Hannah gapes at me like I just told her something outlandish.
“What… why?”
“Because things have been go, go, go, this last week with moving in and adjusting to a new routine. We only have time for each other before we go to bed, and we’re too tired to really connect. I want to spend time together and just relax. Is that good with you?”
“I’m so sorry if you feel like I’ve been neglecting you. I’ve been so worried about the baby and feeling more tired because of the extra stress and all the things that need to be done and—”
“Shhh,” I cut her off and press a kiss to her lips. “I’m not feeling neglected at all, Butterfly. I know there’s a lot going on, and the stress isn’t good for you and the baby.” She’s not showing yet, but I rub my hand over her belly anyway. “I want to give you a weekend to just sit and relax and not have to worry about anything other thanwhat food you want to eat. I’m not expecting sex, okay? I do expect cuddles, though, so be prepared.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Now, pick a place to order from, then go get changed. Shower if you want to and meet me in the movie room.” I hand her the menus, and she quickly glances at the names.
She immediately hands me back the Thai food menu with a scrunch of her nose, then the Mexican food, then the Indian food, sandwich shop, and burger place. She’s left with the Italian menu and asks if she can get two different things off the menu.
I’d buy her the whole damn restaurant if she asked me to.
