“It was also in the cheesy plan to carry you back to our bedroom, but we’ll have to wait for that.”
“I’m afraid so, but before we go back down…” Mia steps over to the dresser and opens the top drawer. “You weren’t the only one with a cheesy plan.”
Mia takes the gold band out of the box and reaches for my hand. “My words aren’t going to be as poetic as yours. I believe my opener was going to be ‘I need people to stop speculating if we’re married or not because we don’t wear rings.’”
My head tilts back with a laugh as I let her slide the ring on. “Yeah, that too.”
“Adam, I know we’ve always been in this relationship knowing it’s something special. I’m so happy we’re having our daughter, and I love that we get to raise her in this house together, but you’re right—I want us to be partners. For every decision we’ve had to make this far, I want you to know that I think we’d still end up here with rings on our fingers and talking about the life we want to live together.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Tension I didn’t even know I still had falls from my shoulders as I place a kiss on her forehead. “Why don’t we head back downstairs?”
Mia nods, but then grabs my hand and places it on her stomach where Foster kicks her hard.
I look at Mia in amazement, but she doesn’t take her eyes off my hand on her stomach. “I think she likes our plans.”
“Me too, baby girl. Me too.”
Chapter 35
Mia
Week Thirty-eight: Maternity leave is the bane of my existence.
No one should be surprised that I’m not a huge fan of maternity leave. Wren did take the job and she’s been great, but I just can’t seem to stay still. Our house is in pristine condition, and it’s driving me nuts. I nearly told our housekeepers to take the month off because I have next to nothing to nest.
Foster’s nursery is set up just how I wanted it, and while Adam can manage to get me to sleep in, the moment he leaves for the stadium, I’m up and ready to go.
I am indeed driving everyone a little crazy at Winedown, but considering I’m the boss, they’re all dealing with it. Except Wren, she’s all but banned me from my office. I don’t think she anticipated that I would proceed to start bartending, but here we are.
I place a lavender lemonade down on the bar in front of Harry. “Okay, I know I peer-pressured you into trying this, but if you don’t like it, I’ll get you a regular one.”
He laughs with a shake of his head. “Mia, I mean this with so much respect and love, but when are you going on maternity leave?”
I scoff, holding a hand over my heart. “Harry, I’m surprised by you. What are you trying to say?”
“Do you want me to be honest?”
“No, of course not.” I run a loving hand over my stomach. “Truth be told, I’ve already started it. I have a girl coming in to help, but I’ve been going a little stir crazy at home. I just needed to get out, see this place, have a regular be passive-aggressively rude to spark something in me until I leave to yell at the umpires at Adam’s game.”
“Happy to oblige.” Harry tips his head toward me. “Think the Blues will come out on top this game? It’s the last one, if they win, then we’re headed to the World Series.”
The thought alone has my stomach turning in knots.
“Listen, I couldn’t tell anyone this, but part of me is hoping not. We lucked out with them being the top seed so he could do these playoff games here, but I’m terrified I’ll go into labor in the middle of the final game of the World Series.”
“Well, if it’s game six or seven, we should still have the home field advantage.”
“I’d rather have the two-ish weeks leading up to the birth of our daughter spent at home.”
“Because clearly you love being at home with nothing to do,” Harry quips.
My mouth gapes for a moment. “Being home alone with nothing to do is entirely different than being at home with my husband.”
“Right, no, I get it. They’ve had a hell of a season. Back-to-back, might I add. Who knows, maybe the game’s a good distraction for you.” Harry shrugs and picks up his drink. “Am I being passive-aggressive enough for your liking?”
My laugh seems to get Foster moving, and I can’t help but put my hand on my stomach when she does. “You’re doing great. Now, how do you like the drink?’
“It’s good, and hey, while you’re here, I want to run something by you.”
