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“No, just a special evening at home.” She wrapped her arms about him. “I missed you today.”
Looking down at her, he smiled. “You look beautiful. I love that dress.”
“You do?”
He nodded. “It clings in all the right places,” he said, licking his lips as he took her by the hand and twirled her around.
“Thank you. Come in,” she said, taking the bags from him.
“Oh wow, what’s this?”
He stopped in the doorway when he saw the candles and the beautifully set table, the woman in heels and a tight red dress, and the cake. The cake.
“What’s this?” he repeated.
And then he saw the plastic baby on top, a few inches of roly-poly baby doll, and theCongratulations, Daddywritten in pink and blue icing across the top of the cake.
Sputtering, he choked back a sob, looking from the cake to her body and back to the cake.
“Are you pregnant?” he asked, taking a step back, disbelieving.
She nodded. “I am. I did a test on Monday and had a doctor appointment today to make sure.”
Tears rolled down his cheeks, the source from two places, thrilling happiness and regrets.
“You didn’t know on Sunday?”
“No. I had spotting on Sunday. I thought I got my period. The doctor said everything was fine though.”
“When are you due?”
“September 15.”
“Wow.” He was too shocked to figure out beyond that. “How far along are you?”
“Ten weeks. And in full disclosure, I drank alcohol. Thank God I had that boating accident because I didn’t drink for that month.”
That was the last straw. He pulled her over, burying his face in her hair, sobbing for all he was worth. She let him cry, understand the mix of emotions he must be feeling. She’d certainly felt them, too.
Comforting Justin had an unusual effect on Maggie. Feeling left her body, like it was falling asleep, numbness setting in where hysteria had been a few hours before. She patted his back, holding him, not saying anything.
While they stood together, his hand slid down over her flat belly. “This is mine,” he moaned. She looked at him and smiled.
“Evidently, my ass is too, and it’s going to be gigantic if this keeps up.”
“I like it,” he said, wiping his eyes. “I actually noticed this last month and wondered if you had done something specifically for me.”
Shrugging away from his grasp, she laughed out loud. “Justin, quit while you’re ahead.”
“I mean it in a good way,” he said, grabbing for her. But she wasn’t having it.
“Are you hungry? I have steak to cook.”
“Starved. I’m in shock though.”
“Yeah, sorry. Like the old saying goes, shit happens.”
Justin figured out then that he was going to have to penance and sarcasm and cockiness weren’t not going to cut it.
