Turning in my arms, Lark tries hard to hide her smile under a glare. “Right now, it’s all yours. This belly is getting in the way of everything. How am I going to work when I’m the size of a house?”
“We’ll figure it out.” I press a kiss to her lips, waiting until I feel her soften under me. Even now, months later, it amazes me that I get to do this. I get to touch her, kiss her, and have her whenever I want. She’s mine. The only woman I’ve ever wanted.
“Now, will you let me help so we can go home and I can rub your feet while you eat that disgusting olive crap?” I tease, hoping that mentioning her latest bizarre pregnancy cravingwill make her smile. She’s halfway through her pregnancy, just shy of twenty-one weeks, and the belly is definitely growing on her small frame. I only made the mistake of asking if it could be twins once, and I know better than to mention that possibility again, thanks to the death glare it earned me.
“Tapenade is not crap. It’s delicious,” she replies. “But yes. Please help me get this put away. I’m exhausted.” She emphasizes this with a yawn.
I take the boxes of supplies and get them up on the shelf easily while she grabs her things. Then, taking her hand, we head down the hall to the parking lot. The drive home is quiet, with Lark dozing in the passenger seat. The midwife said it’s normal to fatigue quickly, especially with a physically demanding job like Lark’s.
We’ve talked about her cutting back on travel and possibly even working reduced hours as we get further on in the pregnancy, but right now, my stubborn Birdie is determined to do as much as possible. She did, at least, agree for Mattias to hire someone early for her maternity leave so they can work together for a while, hopefully lightening Lark’s load. Personally, I can’t wait for that person to start. As much as I want Lark with me, traveling to the away games and at the stadium every day, it’s hard seeing the toll it’s taking on her pregnant body.
When we get home, I drop a kiss to her head. “Go take a shower. I’ll order some Thai for dinner.”
She nods and pads off down the hallway to the bedroom. I hear the water turn on and pick up my phone to sort out dinner. Once that’s done, I scroll through my messages and emails.
There’s a voicemail from my mom, asking me to call her backwhen I have time. The food won’t be here for another half hour, so I dial my parents’ house phone.
“Hello?” my dad’s deep voice answers. “Dan? Great game tonight, son.”
“Thanks, Dad. I’m just returning Mom’s call.”
“Oh right. Hang on, let me get her.”
I hear the clatter of him setting the phone down, the creak of his recliner chair being moved upright, and then his distant voice calling for Mom.
“Honey? Dan?” I hear her pick up the phone, probably the one in the kitchen, then Dad’s back on the other one.
“Hey, Mom.” I grin, picturing the two of them on separate phones. The way we used to talk before video calls were a thing.
“Hi, good job tonight. How are you doing? How’s Lark and the baby?” she rattles off the questions at me, and I know perfectly well she wants me to answer the second one first.
“They’re good. Lark’s tired, but that’s normal right now. She’s in the shower, but if we’re still talking when she’s done, I know she’ll come say hi.” The relationship Lark and my mom are building is freaking adorable. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad she’s mending fences with her own mother, but I have no doubt that no matter what happens there, Lark has a mom in Edith Montgomery.
“Of course, she’s tired. She’s growing a human. You sucked the life out of me for nine months, Daniel Montgomery. Make sure you’re taking care of her properly. Water, healthy food, and plenty of rest.”
“Yes, Mom,” I reply dutifully. I hear the water shut off and know Lark will join me soon. “So, you wanted to talk aboutsomething?”
“Oh, yes. Howard? Do you want to tell him or should I?” Mom sounds weirdly excited.
Dad clears his throat. “I’ll let you do it, honey.”
“Well, I hope you and Lark are prepared to see a lot more of us.” She pauses, I guess for dramatic effect? At that moment, Lark wanders out of the bedroom, toweling off her hair. She sits beside me, and I mouthmy parentsto her before putting the call on speaker.
“Mom? Dad? Sorry to interrupt the announcement, but Lark’s here now. I put you on speaker.”
“Hi,” she says into the phone. “What announcement?”
“I was just about to tell Dan. But this is perfect, you can both hear at the same time.” Mom clears her throat. “We sold the store.”
I leap off the couch, tugging at my hair. “What? How? Why? When?”
“Would you like to add inwhere?” My dad chuckles. “Take a breath, son. Is he pacing, Lark? He sounds like he’s pacing.”
She glances up at me, a worried expression on her face before she answers. “Um, not yet, Howard, but he is pulling at his hair.”
“Daniel Dawson Montgomery, sit down and listen,” Mom says sharply. “You’ve been on us to retire for years. I thought you’d be thrilled with this news.”
“I am, Mom, but I’m allowed to be surprised. I thought you couldn’t retire because the shop wouldn’t go for enough money with the current market?”
