“Ashlyn? Are you okay?” Zane calls before knocking again, harder this time. “Ashlyn–”
I open the door just before he knocks for the third time. His expression is a mix of surprise and confusion.
“Hey,” he says. “Are you alright? You weren’t answering and–”
“I’m pregnant,” I tell him, and he stops.
“You’re–”
“I’m pregnant,” I say again, louder this time. It’s almost like I just need to say it for it to be real. For me to believe it. Even though those two pink lines are so unmistakably bold, they look like they were written in Sharpie.
“You’re pregnant?” he asks softly, and I nod, handing him the stick. I watch as his eyes widen and his expression shifts. When he smiles, I cover my mouth with my hand, a half sob, half laugh escaping my throat.
“You’re pregnant,” he says.
“I’m pregnant,” I cry.
“But I thought–”
“He lied,” I tell him. “My ex had a vasectomy years ago.”
“How do you know?” he asks.
“Becca told me. I know it’s weird and all of it sounds nuts, but–”
“You’re pregnant,” he laughs, staring at the stick again. Then he wraps his arms around me and pulls me into him.
“I’m pregnant,” I whisper before crying again.
Zane holds me, and we hug, laughing and crying together for a moment.
“I’m going to be a mom,” I whisper. “And you’re going to be a dad. Again.”
“I am,” he nods. Then his shoulders droop. “Good God, how old will Bentley be when–”
“Thirteen months,” I answer.
“Jesus,” he lets out, and I laugh.
“It could be worse. We could be having twins,” I say.
“With our luck, that’s exactly what’s going to happen,” he mumbles.
But I can’t stop smiling. “Are you upset?” I ask, lacing my hands around the back of his neck.
“God, no,” he says. “I’m excited.”
“Me too,” I say. “And happy. I’m so happy…”
“Good,” Zane says, “I love our crazy life. And I love you.”
“I love you too,” I tell him before we kiss again. And again. And again.
Epilogue
Ashlyn
“Bend forward,” I tell him, and Zane leans. “No, not like that. Like…crunch.”
