Her answers felt off. She was smiling and she was chipper, but it felt a little forced.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Well, I’ve been feeling a little sick lately.”
“Still? You weren’t feeling well the day or two before I left.”
“Yeah. It’s not too bad.”
“Do you think you should go to the doctor?”
“I did.”
Okay. Now I knew something was up. She hated going to the doctor, and I usually had to browbeat her into it. If she wentwithout me helping her along, she felt worse than she was letting on.
“What did she say?”
She bit her lip, a nervous tell, and then she blurted it out in a rush.
“I’m pregnant.”
I sat up straight in my chair. I blinked. I tried to remember to breathe. My sweetness was pregnant. The smile spread across my face, and it felt like I could have lit up an entire city with the energy coursing through my veins.
“We’re having a baby?”
She nodded. “I’m so glad you’re happy.”
I can’t tell if she’s nervous, upset, or just feeling sick. “Are you happy?”
“Yes. Nervous you’re gone, and I’m not going to lie, I’m worried you won’t be here when the baby comes.”
That was a concern. “I’m sorry you have to go through some of this alone.”
“We’ll hope for good timing.”
“You’re strong. I know you can handle it. Do you know how far along?”
“Two months.” She blushes. “Probably right after you got home,” she whispered.
Honcho stepped into the opening of the tent, and by the look on his face, I knew I needed to sign off.
“Sweetness, I’m sorry—”
“I can see him in the corner of the screen. Go. It’s fine. I’m just glad I could tell you over video instead of a letter.” She pauses. “Be safe.”
“I will. I always had a reason to come home before. Now I’ve got every reason to come home to you.”
“I love you, Jesse.”
“Love you, too, sweetness. I’ll call as soon as I can.”
The screen went dark after she blew me a kiss, and I sat there for just a moment to soak in the news.
I’m going to be a dad.
I’m going to be a wonderful dad. Way better than my father ever was.
“Congratulations,” Tiguan says from behind me. He actually blushes. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
I clapped him on the back,. “It’s okay. Gonna crow it to everybody in less than sixty seconds, anyway.”
It can’t get any better than this.
