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“Thank you.”
Gareth began looking for his own present.
“Why don’t you open that one?”I pointed to a small, rectangular box sitting right in front of the bigger ones.
“This one?”He picked it up and studied it, turning it this way and that, then held it in one hand, as though just by the weight of it, he could figure out what it contained.Finally, he joined us on the floor.
I made a showing of unwrapping my gift while Chloe tore into hers.She squealed in delight at the miniature science lab set, but I was more intent on my husband.My gaze stayed locked on what Gareth was doing.Paper got tossed to the side.He slid a finger under the box top, breaking the tape that sealed it shut.He lifted the thin cardboard lid and stared.He didn’t utter a single word.His throat bobbed with a swallow.Butterflies flipped and dipped inside my belly.
“What did you get, Daddy?Mama, how come you didn’t open yours?”Chloe asked.
Slowly, Gareth raised his head and stared at me.My eyes burned with tears.
“Are you sure?”he whispered with awe.
I nodded.“I took three tests, just to be on the safe side.We also have an appointment with the obstetrician next week.”
He scooted over to me, the small box containing the positive pregnancy test still in his hand, and palmed my cheek.Gareth gazed deep into my eyes.“Are you feeling okay?”
I nodded.“Just a bit of morning sickness, but nothing like with Chloe.The biggest thing is how tired I’ve been.”
“What are you guys talking about?Mama, are you sick?”our daughter asked.
Gareth turned to her with a proud smile.“You, young lady, are going to be a big sister.How exciting is that?”
Chloe’s lips twitched to the side and her gaze bounced back and forth between us.“Am I going to have to share my books?”
We both burst out laughing.Gareth snagged her around the waist and pulled him into his lap, tickling her and making her kick and giggle.“No, you won’t have to share your books.”
I just shook my head.Finally, he released her, and she went back to admiring her lab kit.
He turned his attention back to me.“How do you feel?About the pregnancy, I mean?”
At first, I’d been terrified, but the longer I sat with the knowledge, the more tentative excitement I felt.“Nervous.Happy.Scared.But mostly happy.Like really, really happy.”
“It’s going to be perfect.Whatever it is,” he said with determination.
“Do you want a boy or a girl?”
Gareth shook his head and laid his palm over my still-flat belly.“As long as it’s healthy, I’ll love whatever we’re gifted with.”
I covered his hand with mine.“It really is a gift, isn’t it?”
“The best Christmas gift you could have ever given me.”He leaned over and kissed me.“I love you Olivia Louise Brown.I love our daughter.And I love this baby growing inside you.”
“Youare the best gift I’ve ever been given.The day you sat at my table at Joe’s Diner was the best day of my life.I love you, Gareth.”
For years, Christmas had been my least favorite holiday.Never again would I feel like I was on the outside looking in.I had everything I ever needed right here.
