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Karina and I look at each other, her emotions plain as day in her eyes. Caleb’s words have touched her, they’ve touched me too. Sometimes I’m not sure what I’ve done to deserve him. “Thanks, Son, we’ll let you go, we’re sure you’re busy.”
“Never too busy for news like this. I’m assuming I need to keep this quiet?”
“Please, until we have all the info and were sure things are fine.”
I squeeze Karina in my arms as she buries her head in my shoulder.
“Will do, I gotta go to class, but please let me know what’s going on. Just because I’m here doesn’t mean I can’t be home soon if I need to be.”
We all hang up with plans to get together for the weekend, and as I’m left with Karina, we smile at one another. “I don’t know about you, but I could use a nap. This has been an exciting day.”
Wrapping her arms around me I hear her muffled voice. “Mason Harrison, you are speaking my language.”
Standing up, I wrap her legs around my waist and walk us over to the bed. Wordlessly, we strip, and after I pull the sheets back, we fall in between them together. When we lie down, I curl around her, her back against my chest, and my hand on her stomach. In my arms lies everything I live for. The only thing missing is the other piece of my heart in Tuscaloosa, but I’m realizing more and more every day, it’s time to let him go, let him live is own life.
As I drift off to sleep, I do so with one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever had spread across my face.
CHAPTER 28
KARINA
October
I’m beyond intimidated as I walk with my hand tucked into Mason’s along the family section of the football stadium. This week we’d gotten the call that Caleb would be playing in the Auburn game and everyone who could in the MTF is with us. That includes Whitney, Ryan, and Stella. Part of my intimidation is watching this game with Whitney.
“Remember last time we were here?” She smiles over at Ryan as he carries Stella, wearing a cheerleading uniform. She’s got stickers on her cheeks and carries a pom pom in her hand.
“I do.” he gives her a look that says they only see each other.
“Yeah we have a lot in common with that.” She hits elbows with me.
“We do?”
I know zero about football, and I have a feeling I’m way out of my element with the rest of them, including Stella. Pretty sure Stella knows more than I do, but I also know I wouldn’t miss Caleb’s debut for the world.
“Yeah.” She gives me a grin. “I was pregnant last time I was here, too. Like close to popping, but it’s always been my dream to go to a home game. Ryan made it happen for me, and it was one of the most special times in our life. Seriously, thanks for inviting us today.”
Mason and I still haven’t told everyone; we were waiting for November, and I’ve been careful not to let slip, so I’m speechless as to how she knows. Unless Mason’s let it slip, and if he has, I might kill him, because keeping this secret is slowly killing me.
“You’re glowing,” she answers for me before I can ask the question. “And your boobs are huge. Same symptoms I had, and I kinda have a sixth sense about pregnant women now. I knew Leigh was before she told everybody too.”
“We’re gonna tell everybody in a few weeks. I have cute announcements picked out,” I explain, wanting her to know that I’m not trying to keep it a secret forever. I’m not ashamed we’re having a baby; I just want to make sure everything’s good before I tell the world. “I just wanted to make sure everything was okay before we started telling.”
“No, I get it.” Whitney reaches over, taking Stella out of Ryan’s arms as he and Mason go grab us some drinks and food. “I was scared to death to tell anyone I was pregnant. I worried constantly that something would happen and then I’d have to tell all those people I’d no longer be having a baby. Of course, I was older than you and I’d had problems conceiving before.” She pushes Stella’s bangs out of her face, using a wipe to clean up her mouth. “I love this one, and I’d like to have one more, but I just don’t think it’s in the cards for us. We’ve tried off and on since we had her, but still no positive pregnancy test.” Her voice sounds wistful. “How many times did it take you and Mason?”
“Just once.” I let a smirk play across my face. “Surprised us both, to be honest. I thought I was coming down with the flu or something.”
“Same here.” Whitney gives me a one-armed hug. “Ryan and I weren’t even trying; I didn’t think I could actually get pregnant. My ex-husband and I tried for years, but nothing happened. Luckily for us, Ryan had great little swimmers.”
I snort as she talks about Ryan and his swimmers.
“Now I just think God is trying to tell us this one’s gonna be a handful and we don’t need another one.” She bounces Stella in her arms.
Looking at the two of them, I hope I can have a relationship like they have with the child I’m having. Reaching down, I put my hand over my stomach as I watch Stella grab for the pearl earring in her ear, rubbing the stud. At the same time, Whitney reaches up and rubs her fingers along the pearl necklace she always wears. They are two peas in a pod, and it’s easy to see how much they love each other. And when the boys return, the way Stella reaches for her daddy has my heart bursting. I can’t wait to see our child reach for Mason like that.
“Let’s go, ladies.” Mason holds on to some of Ryan’s food as he scoops Stella up in his arms, carrying her up the bleachers to where our seats are.
Whitney barely holds in the squeal as she sees how good they are. “I can’t believe you all brought me to this, like I don’t think you realize just how much I love you all.”
