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“Do they have anything in common with a certain book series?” I arch a brow, knowing damn well she’s thought of names based on her favorite books.
“Possibly,” she says with a glare. “No movie characters, though.”
“So, I guess Bridget Jones is off the table?”
She snorts and shakes her head at me. “Definitely.”
“Damn. I was hoping one day to be able to tell that story as the night we christened the living room floor.”
“Travis!” she scolds, slapping my arm. “I’m starting to think you get no votes now.”
“Aw, you don’t mean that.” I push out my lower lip, and she lets out a dreamy sigh.
We walk out of the park and head back home. She’s been doing pretty well, taking regular walks to keep up her momentum and strength. I know as the days get closer, she’s going to feel worn down and tired, but she’s been doing great so far. I’m super impressed with how well she’s adjusted to everything.
“I can’t wait until we can take the baby on our walks with us in the stroller,” she says as we make our way inside the house.
“Well, when I’m at work, you guys will have plenty of time to go for walks. As long as you take Gryff, though. He’s your bodyguard when I’m away.”
“Well, until the baby is old enough to go to a sitter.”
“Wait, what?” I ask, unhooking Gryff’s leash. “Why would the baby need a sitter?”
“For when I go to work,” she states, leaving me speechless. “I don’t want to waste my degree.”
“It’s not wasting your degree, Viola. You’ll always have it, but don’t you want to be the one to raise the baby? I just figured—”
“That I’d be one of those stay-at-home moms who live in yoga pants, dirty T-shirts, and unwashed hair?”
“Well, I wasn’t necessarily talking about the uniform…”
“Whatever. I don’t want to be left alone all day long while you’re at work.”
“But I want to be the one to provide for you, forus. I left my corporate job with you in mind, Viola. I wanted to make sure our future was planned out.”
“So we’re just going to make a dozen babies, and I’ll stay home and cook and clean and then we’ll be the next TLC spotlight family?”
I swallow, watching her steam into overdrive, and wondering how the hell I’m supposed to handle this situation when her hormones get the best of her. We probably should’ve discussed this before I made assumptions, but now I don’t know how to get myself out of it without pissing her off even more.
“Okay, we can do whatever makes you happy.” I take a step toward her, watching her chest rise and fall as she takes deep breaths. “Calm down, Princess. We’ll make this work. I promise you. We don’t have to make any definite plans right now. Nothing is set in stone.”
“Except for the fact that I have to pop this baby out of my vag.”
“Well, yeah. Unfortunately, I can’t fix that little detail.” I watch as she fidgets. “Deep breaths, Princess. Everything is going to be fine.”
“I don’t know why I get like this. One second I’m fine, and the next, I’m freaking out, overthinking everything and questioning if we’re ready for this, and what if something goes wrong or what if I’m not strong enough to go through labor or—”
“Viola,” I say firmly, grabbing her attention. “You are going to drive yourself insane, overanalyzing every little thing that might or might not go wrong. I’m here for you, okay? I’m not going anywhere, and whatever happens, we’ll figure it out together. Got it?”
“Okay,” she says softly. I bring her lips to mine and kiss her, reminding her exactly how much I love her. “Are you sure you still love this train wreck?”
“More and more every single day.”
After Viola takes a shower, she ends up falling asleep on the couch with Gryff. I don’t dare disturb her because I know how tired she gets. My parents are driving down to meet us for dinner tonight, which will be Viola’s first time seeing them in years. I told my mom over the phone that Viola was pregnant, and she’s ecstatic over the news.
My father is sicker than before, and my mom is still doing everything she can to keep him alive. I know she loves him, and I admire her strength. I don’t openly talk about it unless she gives me the impression she wants to, but tonight will be about new beginnings and the next chapter in our lives. As much as I look forward to this next year of our lives, I’m also enjoying every step of the journey along the way.
I peek at Viola once more before I step outside, needing to make sure she’s still asleep. I dial Courtney and make sure to keep my voice low just in case her enhanced hearing takes effect again.
