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I lift my hand and cup her cheek. Slowly stroke her soft skin with my thumb. Stare into her starry eyes as her body relaxes. She leans into my touch, shuffles closer, and wraps her arms around my neck. Buries her face in the crook of my neck and breathes deeply.
Hugs are much different now. With her belly growing bigger every day, Shelly has learned new ways to do everyday activities. I won’t say it aloud, but I love painting her toenails. I love massaging her feet every night before bed. And I love the way her eyes light up with both. It relaxes her and makes her smile. It also connects us in a new way. In a way more intimate than lips and tongues and sex.
Don’t get me wrong, we still make out like lusty teenagers. Our sex life has never been more incredible. The hormonal changes have not only amplified her drive, but also cemented our emotional bond. Sex during pregnancy is… hot. Likereallyhot. And although we’ve had to learn new positions so Shelly is comfortable, it has also added a new level of spice to the bedroom.
“Won’t be too long. Think of it like the normal Sunday gathering, plus some additional people and lots of baby gifts,” I say.
“You’re right.” Her brows knit together as she clutches her belly. Before I open my mouth to ask if she is okay, she reaches for my hand and places it on the left side of her belly. “Wait for it.” She shifts my hand a little lower and presses it more firmly into her belly. A second later, something jabs my hand. “Did you feel that?” she asks, eyes shimmering as they stare into mine.
“Yeah,” I say in wonderment. “Is that a kick?”
She moves my hand again. “Or an elbow. Maybe a fist pump. Possibly a knee.”
We laugh a moment, then fall silent as we wait for the next jab. Another two stretch her belly before the baby settles.
One hand on her belly, I cup her cheek with the other, lean forward and kiss her. The kiss is far from sweet as I haul her closer and trace the seam of her lips with my tongue. Public displays are not typical for us. Mini make-out sessions in front of people almost never happen.
But these aren’t justany people. Every person here is family. With kindness and embraces and inclusion, these people have shown me more love than any person with my DNA. They accept me for who I am and not what I can do for them. They care for me because I care for Shelly and vice versa. And they will never say an unkind word to either of us. Doesn’t mean they won’t tease us later.
Slowly letting each of them into my life has been a gift I never expected. A gift I wouldn’t have without this incredible woman in my arms.
“Our little water aerobics instructor,” I say, pressing my forehead to hers. “Can’t wait to meet them.”
“Same. Won’t be long.”
* * *
The party is in full swing and it isn’t as overwhelming as originally expected. It’s like Sunday nights mixed with a birthday party. Kind of. If an actual itinerary for this shindig exists, I’d be shocked. So far, we have mingled and eaten food. I suspect gifts and games and cake will happen soon.
“Can I have everyone’s attention,” Cora yells over the chatter. She sidles up to Shelly and conversations quiet as all eyes turn her way. “Thank you.” She smiles, then wraps an arm around Shelly’s shoulders. “Today we’re here to celebrate this awesome chicky.” Cora presses a kiss to Shelly’s cheek. “And her and Devlyn’s impending arrival.”
Hoots and hollers and applause fill the room. Shelly’s cheeks pinken and I stare a little too hard at her heated skin. How long has it been since a blush stained her cheeks? Far too long. I’ll need to remedy that in the near future.
Cora guides Shelly to a comfortable chair at the far end of the room that was decorated to mirror a throne. Once seated, Cora places a crown on Shelly’s head decorated with mini plastic babies. I open the camera app on my phone and snap a picture.
“Gifts first,” Cora says. “Then we’ll do some corny games. And since the guys are here, us ladies should sit back and watch as they embarrass themselves.” A chuckle leaves her lips.
Another chair is moved next to Shelly’s and Cora gestures for me to sit.
Small boxes and big boxes. Jumbo bags and miniature bags. One by one, gifts are handed to Shelly to unwrap. After the first gift is revealed—an overflowing box of onesies and sleep shirts and jumpers—Shelly suggests we open everything together. That the day isn’t really about her, but about us and the baby.
Wrapping paper tears and crumples. Tissue paper gets tossed to the side. The black trash bag at my right gets fuller with each unwrapped gift.
With each new present, shock and awe spread from my heart to my lips, tipping them up in an impossible smile. These people, our friends and family… they are the true gift. At this point, I don’t think Shelly and I will need to buy much else. Their generosity is the biggest hug around my heart.
A bassinet with sheets and blankets. A crib that converts to a toddler bed and, one day, to a twin bed frame with more sheets. Clothes for home and outside the house for the next year. Bottles and nipples and cleaning kits. Baby bathtub and toiletries and cute hooded towels. Socks and mittens. Enough diapers and wipes to last us for several months—although, I hear you need more than you think—and so much more.
They thought of everything. Not just the items Shelly and I added to our registry list.
The backs of my eyes sting at their love and support and big, big hearts. Warmth floods my veins as tightness wraps my chest.
How many years have I wanted this? Love from others without conditions. Before Shelly, I thought I’d missed out on my chance at happiness and love. That my opportunity came and went after high school.
But I was wrong.
Shelly gifted me this. All of this. Love, life, a future.
Had I not been brave enough to take the leap, I don’t think either of us would be here. I fought it for so long. Discounted my worth. Dismissed that love was possible again. Suppressed my feelings in fear of getting hurt.
