Page 97 of A New Chapter

“I don’t care. I’m going with you,” he repeated emphatically.

Even though Emma was secretly glad for his support, she couldn’t resist teasing him. “Are you going to be an overbearing, overprotective dad-to-be?”

“No. Why would you think that?”

“Well, let’s see. You texted me four times today to remind me to eat, and you left two voicemails asking if I drank enough water. If that’s not overprotective, I don’t know what is.”

Zack had to chuckle. “Ok, fine. But I just want to take good care of you and our baby. I want you to feel like you’re in good hands.”

“Those hands are what got me into trouble in the first place!”

“Would you say these are magic hands?”

“Zack…”

“Sorry, couldn’t help myself. I love you, and I wish you were here right now.”

“I wish that too,” she said softly.

“Which reminds me, we need to talk about our living arrangements. I don’t like the idea of us living apart while you’re pregnant.”

Emma sat up straighter in bed. “I only live a mile down the road.”

“I know, but what if something happens and I’m not there.”

“You’re being overprotective again.”

“Maybe, but I also want you with me. With me and Gracie.”

Emma’s heart squeezed, and she suddenly felt light-headed. She was afraid to bring up the m-word, but was marriage what Zack was alluding to? “Shouldn’t we take this one step at a time? I’m still reeling over the fact that I’m pregnant. I don’t know that I can handle any big decisions right now.” There, at least that was the partial truth.

There was a brief pause before Zack replied, “Oh. I guess I thought you’d want to be with us too.”

“I do. I just don’t want to rush things. I don’t want us to have any regrets.”

“Funny, it used to be me who was afraid to move forward, but now it sounds like you might be the one who’s scared.”

He said it matter-of-factly and without malice, but his words still managed to put her on the defensive. “Zack, I just found out that I’m going to have a baby. Forgive me if I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.”

Something in her voice must have caused him to back off. “You’re right. Again. In fact, from here on out, you’re always right, ok?”

He was back to teasing, but knowing him, he wouldn’t give up that easy. “Why don’t we table this discussion until after my first doctor appointment?”

“Agreed. Now, you should probably get some sleep. You’ve had a long day, and you and Zeus need your rest.”

“Zeus? You’re kidding right?”

“No. My little boy should know his heritage, and what better way than to name him after one of the Greek Gods.”

“We are not naming our child Zeus, unless you want him to be bullied for the rest of his life.”

“Do you even know who Zeus was? No one will mess with a guy named Zeus. Believe me.”

“I’m a little rusty on Greek mythology, but I’m still nixing the name.”

“We’ll see.”

Emma sighed. “Goodnight, Zack.”

“Aren’t you forgetting something? It starts with an I and ends with a U.”

“I love you.”

“Aah. I like the sound of that. I love you too. You and Zeus sleep well!”

Emma hung up and snuggled under the covers, the sound of Zack’s laughter still ringing in her ears.