As per Nick’s request, musical decals have been scattered across the light painted walls, and a border with blue guitars stretches over three walls. It’s taken nearly all day, but the nursery is finally complete, and it’s a perfect addition to our house.
I’m lying on the floor on my side, exhausted but also ecstatic it's finally done. It looks just as I envisioned. When Nick enters the room, he grins before joining me. My smile beams out of me when he hands me a blue teddy bear holding an electric guitar. I giggle loudly when he pushes a button on the guitar. The bear rocks and rolls, his hips swinging in beat to the music.
My laughter fades when the light above my head reflects something sparkling on the ribbon tied around the bear’s neck. There’s a diamond ring attached to the ribbon. My excited eyes dance between Nick’s when he removes the bear from my grasp so he can remove the ring. Once it’s clasped firmly in his hand, he scoots so close to me, our stomachs touch.
I lean into his embrace when he runs his hand down my heated cheek. My eagerness to snuggle wipes the small glint of hesitation from his eyes. It’s quickly replaced with his trademark cockiness.
“You’ve always been my rule breaker.” His voice is riddled with excited nerves. “I wanted to do this at a fancy restaurant or during a sunset at Bronte’s Peak, but I don’t think I could find a more perfect setting than right here.”
When his eyes float around our son’s nursery, I nod. I couldn’t agree more.
“There’s never been anyone but you. There willneverbe anyone but you. You’ve ruined me for eternity, and I have loved every fucking minute of it.” He sounds genuinely surprised during his last sentence.
I eagerly nod before attempting to give him a long, steaming kiss. It turns into a peck when his chuckle vibrates my mouth. “I haven’t asked you yet.”
When my bottom lip drops into a pout, he nibbles on it. I try to act annoyed, but I can’t. There are too many emotions thickening the air to do anything but demand my lungs take their next breath.
Believing he has teased me long enough, he stares lovingly into my eyes before speaking four little words I don’t think he ever thought he’d speak. “Will you marry me?”
He inhales a quick, sharp breath when I reply, “No.”
It’s quickly withdrawn when I add on, “One else.”
His lips curve into an illuminating smile. “No one else,” he quotes while slipping a diamond engagement ring onto my finger.
The three round brilliant cut diamonds in the middle of a thick white gold band sparkle when I lift my hand to inspect them more diligently. The gems are large in size, but not extravagantly over the top.
“It symbolizes us.” Nick points to the three diamonds. “You, me, and our son.”
I swear, my heart stops beating. This isn’t the first time he’s shocked me in the romance department, but it's the first time he’s made me speechless while doing it.
“I love you,” I whisper while bridging the tiny gap between us. “And I cannot wait to spend eternity with you.”
* * *
Two days later, Nick has gone back on the road with the band. Their debut album has been more successful than anyone thought possible. Two of their singles are in the top twenty, and “Surrender Me” looks like it's about to become a top ten hit.
Nick’s dad, Harrison, has stayed with me as requested by Nick. It's lucky we get along so well. That’s not hard considering I see a lot of Nick in him. He appears quiet, but when you watch him, you realize his silence doesn’t equal ignorance. He’s always scanning his surroundings, absorbing every detail—just like Nick.
I have an appointment this morning with my obstetrician, Dr. Morgan. I swear my stomach can’t grow any larger. I’m bursting out of every maternity shirt I own, and don’t get me started on my pants. While sitting in the waiting room, I scan all the different bumps on display. I’m fascinated by how differently women carry babies. Some are huge like me, where others have teeny tiny little bumps.
The lady sitting next to me has a completely flat stomach. She must be only a few weeks along. “How far are you?”
Smiling, she lowers her hand to her stomach. “A few months. I’m having a girl.”
“Congratulations.” I mask my shock with a smile. Her belly is so tiny, I didn’t think she’d be far enough along to know her baby’s gender.
I’m snapped out of my shock when a nurse calls my name.
“That’s me.” I spring out of my seat. “It was nice meeting you,” I inform the lady sitting next to me before making my way toward the nurse.
I love attending my prenatal appointments with Dr. Morgan because he does an ultrasound at each one. Our baby has grown so much from the little bean I saw on the screen months ago. Now he looks like a real baby.
While walking out of my appointment, I take a photo of the ultrasound picture with my phone to send it to Nick. Since I’m not paying attention to where I’m going, I accidentally bump into someone standing on the sidewalk. Our collision causes the contents of her handbag to litter the concrete.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry.” I dart down as quickly as my pregnant belly will allow to collect her items.
Once I have her lipstick, packet of tissues, and sanitary napkins gathered, I stand and hand them to her. When my gaze meets her wide hazel eyes, I realize who I just bumped into. It's the lady I was talking to in the waiting room.
