“You don’t think it’s silly?” Her nose is scrunched, and it’s adorable.
“Absolutely not.”
Charley flashes me a smile that has my breath catching in my throat. It’s common to say a pregnant person isglowing, but I never understood the saying until now. Despite being uncomfortable, sore, exhausted nine times out of ten, she has never looked more radiant. I don’t think she even realizes it. I thought I was attracted to Charley before, but it has nothing on the way I feel about her now. Witnessing her body change and adapt to grow our little peanut, and watching how effortlessly and naturally she found her place in my home—inourhome—has been something I’ve dreamed of since I was younger.
After I find a parking spot, Charley unbuckles Ellie Mae’s car seat and takes her out as we head inside. The sight of her carrying my first baby on her hip while pregnant with my second makes my heart skip a beat.
“Tell Daddy to quit staring,” Charley says to Ellie Mae, a grin stretching across her face as her gaze meets mine, eyes lit up with amusement.
Grabbing a cart, she buckles her in before we set off in this massive store, one filled with everything we could possibly need for a baby. Deciding on a crib that matches the dresser I built, we order that to be delivered to the house next week. Charley finds a few rugs and wall decor she loves, and some bottles her co-worker and Grace recommended—apparently, they mimic a real nipple—and once we make it to the clothing section, she throws a handful of outfits in the cart for Ellie Mae before settling in the infant section.
“Look how tiny this is, Graham.” Charley holds up a newborn onesie before placing it on her belly. “It’s so small. Did you ever feel like you were going to accidentally break Ellie Mae when she was this little?”
“Oh, yeah.” I chuckle. “Before she was born, I felt pretty confident since Gemma and Grace have kids, then when she was finally here, I realized how different it is when it’s your own baby. Sure, I held my nieces and nephews, but for very short periods of time, and I never had to dress them or change them or bathe them. I can’t tell you how many times I called my sisters for help.”
“That’s sweet. I’m glad you had them,” she says. “Did Megan have experience with kids, or was it new for her too?”
“She had even less experience than I did.” I huff out a laugh. “Her sister has a kid, but Megan wasn’t much of a kid person, nor were they very close when her nephew was born, so she basically started from the ground up.”
Charley’s gaze softens. “Well, from over here, it looks like you’ve done a pretty dang good job so far.”
The compliment hits me square in the chest, and I can’t hide my smile. “Thanks, Sunny. I appreciate that.”
“Only speaking the truth,” she replies with a smirk I feel everywhere before turning her gaze to Ellie Mae. “Whatcha think, pretty girl, should we get your baby brother or sister this itty-bitty onesie?”
“Yeah!”
“I think so too.” Charley tosses it in the cart before squishing Ellie Mae’s cheeks and making her giggle. “Why don’t you pick one,” she tells her, gesturing to the clothes behind her. “Which one do you want to get for them?”
Pushing her around, they look at the different rows until Ellie Mae points to a sage-green knotted sleeper that comes with a matching hat. “This one!”
“Guess what?” Charley asks as she finds the size she wants before handing it to Ellie Mae. “I love this one too. You got a good eye, girly.”
We walk around while they pick out various outfits for another half hour or so, but I’m not paying attention to a single thing other than the two of them. My heart squeezes watching Charley with my daughter. Watching how much Ellie Mae adores her, and how much she clearly does too. Since moving in with us, Charley has seamlessly slid into a maternal role with Ellie Mae, and I don’t think she’s even aware of it.
When we first found out she was pregnant, I remember how scared she was that she wouldn’t be a good mom, or she wouldn’t know what to do, but if she could see herself through my eyes, she’d realize she has nothing to worry about. There’s nothing quite like watching somebody love your child like their own. Charley has so much love in her heart to give, and maybe this surprise of ours was the universe's way of giving her the family she’s always needed while giving Ellie Mae the mother’s love she lost.
I’ve always loved Charley, but this… This is something entirely deeper.
Something better.
27
Charley
“Oh my god, this is so good,” I groan as I shovel another bite of pasta into my mouth. My stomach is going to hate me later, but I don’t care. When I notice Graham watching me, I ask, “Do you want to try some?”
He shakes his head, breathing out a small chuckle. “No, that’s okay.”
After we checked out at the baby store, Graham took us to a restaurant nearby, one he’s been wanting to try for a while now, and I can see why.
“How’s yours?” I ask.
“Mine’s really good too,” he offers. “Want a bite?”
Graham ordered baked ziti, and it smells out of this world, but I shake my head, my nose wrinkling. “No thanks. Red sauce and I don't get along right now.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Graham’s mouth turns downward into a frown. “That sucks.”
