My apartment is great, but it’s not big enough for the both of us, not really, and I dread to think what it’s going to be like with a newborn. The house Cole is building isn’t complete yet and won’t be until after the baby is born, but I guess it will be worth it in the end.
“Lacey, are you ready to hit the road? We don’t want to get stuck in traffic,” Cole shouts from downstairs as I take one last look at the beautiful room we have been staying in.
Trudging down the stairs, every step feels heavy. I don’t know what is going to be waiting for us when we get back home, and that thought scares me. I kiss Cole on the cheek when I reach the bottom step, and he holds his arm out for me to grab onto. And then we’re in the truck, driving away from the beautiful, whimsical cottage we have called home for the past week. I’m sure a little piece of my heart has been left behind with it.
**********
Great, traffic.
I click out of the e-reader app on my phone and open up my messages. I haven’t spoken to Emmy, Hayleigh and Daisy in a few days now, and I miss them.
Me
Aloha ladies! Do you want to meet for an early dinner today? We’re on the way back and have hit some traffic but we shouldn’t be much longer *eye roll emoji*
I keep the message open for a few minutes, but none of them message me back. Stupid tears pool in my eyes. I open the group chat instead.
Me
Hey everyone. We’re on our way home! Has anyone seen the girls?
Again, I wait…and nothing. I know my messages have been delivered because they show two ticks, and Cole’s phone beeped. So why is everyone ignoring me? Cole’s voice snaps me out of my pity party for one.
“Everything okay? You’re kind of quiet.”
Sighing, I look out of the window, watching the hills go by slowly as the traffic starts to move. “Yeah…I just really enjoyedthis week and being with you every day.” I hold off saying what I really want to say.
“Go on, something is bugging you.” He grabs hold of my hand and raises it to his lips, softly kissing me. “I know you, Lacey. Spit it out. You never usually have any issues in saying what you want to say.”
“I don’t want to sound stupid…” He levels me with a look that says ‘get on with it’. Throwing my hands up, I snap, “Fine. You want to know what’s wrong with me, Cole? You really want to know what’s wrong? Well, I will tell you. I have enjoyed this week so much that I don’t want to go home, not that there is any point in going home anyway, because everyone is ignoring me. Maybe they’ve realised I’m not good enough. I texted my dad two days ago, Cole,two! Nothing, zip, nada! I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.” The last words are said in a whisper. It’s the first time I’ve voiced my fears out loud.
“Baby, your dad hasn’t left. He’s working for me, and he’s busy on a project. You also don’t need to worry about the shoe dropping because I’ll be there to pick it up. Now have a nap or read your fairy porn book and stop worrying.” He refocuses back on the road, and I take his advice and get back to my fairy love story.
Pfft porn.Men!
**********
The truck rumbles to a stop, and Cole gently shakes my shoulder, but I’m too damn comfortable to get up.
“Why hasn’t she woken up yet?” I swear that is Archie, but maybe my mind is playing tricks on me. “Lacey…Lacey…” Yes, that is Archie.
I crack open one eye to find Archie's face mere centimetres from mine. “Aaaarrrgggghhhh!” I watch in slow-motion horror as my hand connects with his face.
He rubs it gingerly. “Ouch, Lacey, shit! That fucking hurt!”
“Sorry, Arch. But maybe next time don’t have your big head in my face when I wake up?” I pat his cheek lovingly.
Suddenly, a hand clips the back of his head, and May tuts at him. “Language!” She turns her motherly gaze on me and wraps her arms around me, albeit awkwardly, considering I’m still in the truck. “Ooh, I’ve missed you, little Lacey. You too, little Peanut.” She places a loving hand on my stomach and smiles at me. “We’ve been waiting a while for you. Come on.”
I unbuckle myself from the truck, and Cole is there, helping me climb down. This past week I have become acutely aware of how big my stomach is getting. Even bending down to put my shoes on is a task in itself. I think from here on out, I am going to have to start wearing flip flops.
“I’m sorry I kept this from you,” he whispers to me and I pull my head back in confusion. My stomach flips as I wonder if this is that shitting shoe that’s going to drop or not.
But then I peek round him and my eyes widen at the scene in front of me. Our whole family stands outside of our home, our very beautiful and very finished home. They all stand here, each of them smiling so hard at us, and for a moment I am at a loss for words.
Cole ushers me forward as he wraps his arm around my side. “Do you want to see inside?” I look up to him in awe.
“You mean the inside is finished too?” He nods, smiling, and that’s all I need before I run – okay, waddle – towards the house.
