Page 64 of 5+Us Makes Seven

“Will you come to my basketball game this weekend?” Joshua asked.

“Basketball? When did you start playing basketball?” I asked.

“A few weeks ago,” Carter said.

I looked up and saw his beautiful green eyes. Twinkling at me as he held out his hand. I reached up for him and he helped me to my feet as the kids slid from my grasp.

His touch still sent shivers up my skin.

Now that I was standing in front of him, I had no idea how to speak. I lost all forms of communication as I stared up into his eyes. Tears continued to brew and fall and his smile soon morphed into a curious concern.

He cupped my cheek and I nuzzled into it before he engulfed me with his arms.

“You’re back,” he said.

“I’m pregnant,” I said.

He whipped up from my shoulder before his eyes dropped to my stomach. I had no idea how else to say it. So it… slipped out. I felt like I had been put underneath a microscope. The kids were rushing into the house as we stood on the porch, Carter’s eyes taking in his fill.

“What?” he asked.

“I’m sorry. I’m… I… I uh…”

“You’re pregnant,” he said.

“About three months, according to Clark.”

“Clark?”

“The doctor I was with in Africa,” I said.

“You’re pregnant,” he said.

Then, I saw a grin bloom across his cheeks.

“Holy shit, you’re pregnant!”

He wrapped me in his arms again and picked me up. He swung me around and I closed my eyes, clinging onto him for dear life. He peppered my neck with kisses and cheered in my ear. My heart felt like it was floating on cloud nine as I wrapped my legs around his waist. I rose up and our foreheads connected, his breath pulsing on the tip of my nose.

I had missed that sensation. That feeling. That smell.

I had missed everything about Carter.

“You’re coming inside with me,” he said.

“Okay,” I said. “I like the sound of that.”

Carter held me with one hand while he picked up my backpack with the other. The kids were sitting at the table, waiting for someone to get them some food. He sat me on the couch and tossed my backpack into a corner, then proceeded to get his hungry kids a bite to eat.

Then he sat down beside me and pulled my legs into his lap.

“Surprise?” I asked.

He threw his head back and laughed, filling the room with the most beautiful sound I had ever heard.

“You really are something,” Carter said.

“Are you upset?” I asked.

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