“Someone’s eager…”
“You have no idea,” I say, laying a kiss to her bare shoulder. “I want to meet our baby already.”
“We’re way too early.”
“I know. I know. I’m just excited to find out who he or she will look like. I hope it’s you. You’re so beautiful.”
Her hand settles over mine, holding it still. “You have to say that. I'm your wife.”
“I’m saying it because it’s true.” I pepper kisses over her shoulder.
I continue to hold her in my arms. I wish she could feel what I feel inside. Everything is hot, electric, and beating. I’m no longer the same person I once was.
No, I feel so much for this woman. Love, happiness, laughter. The list is endless, just like my love for her. I don’t feel deserving of everything, but Tahlia reminds me every day she loves me and that’s she’s here for me. Heck, she even irons my shirts topless. I don’t know why that happened, but I don’t ask questions. I simply enjoy the fucking view of my wife ironing nude. That’s my fucking life. A life I love.
“I love you,” I whisper into her skin.
“I love you too.”
I caress her bump. “We have to get up now.” She turns in my arms to face me, and I kiss her lips. “Let’s go see our baby.”
She nods with a smile. “Let’s.”
We walk into the hospital holding hands. It’s strange for me to come to work for a non-work activity, but today’s all about our baby. The last time I was here, I didn’t take anything in. It was all a blur. But now, I’m ready.
Ready to be a father.
We take a seat in the waiting area of our obstetrician’s office. Doctor Paddock is one of the oldest and wisest ob-gyns working here. Tahlia chose well. She has great instincts, and I can’t wait to see her as a mother.
While we wait, Tahlia pulls out her phone to reply to a work email. I’d tell her to stop working, just relax, but she’ll be on maternity leave soon, and it’s nice to see how much she’s loving her job. I know the rewarding feeling of being passionate about your job, so I want to support her in any way I can.
“Welcome guys,” Doctor Paddock says, standing at the entrance to the waiting room. “Come with me.”
Tahlia tucks away her phone, and I put my hand on her lower back as we follow the doctor into the exam room.
“How is everything going with your pregnancy?” Dr. Paddock asks Tahlia as we take a seat.
I sit back and let them talk, taking it all in. I feel lost, like I'm waiting for direction. It’s strange being on the other side of the table.
“I’m a little tired at night, but otherwise, it’s easy,” Tahlia says.
“Make sure you don’t overdo it,” Doctor Paddock replies.
Tahlia throws a thumb in my direction. “As if he would let that happen.”
“I’m glad your husband is looking out for you. I wish more were like him.”
I shift in my seat, suddenly feeling awkward and unsure why that was unusual. Not only has Tahlia got my heart, but she has another piece of me growing inside of her. Both are equally important to me. They are my reason.
“I will check your blood pressure before I do a small scan for you. You can book your twenty-week scan with my receptionist when you leave. I need you to get more bloodwork done then, too.”
He stands, and Tahlia does too, walking to the exam table. Once she’s situated, he takes her vitals.
“Did you guys find out the sex?” he asks as he finishes removing the blood pressure cuff.
“Not yet. I thought they were going to call, but they didn’t,” Tahlia replies, her brows furrowed.
“That’s unusual. Well, I have the results here. Did you want to know?”