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“I know you’re scared, but I swear I can feel it. Everything is going to be okay this time.”
“I am scared, but I’m going to believe in the best outcome.”
“Still upset about being sick?” I ask with a smile.
She shakes her head and puts her hand over mine on her stomach. “Nope. This might be the best Christmas gift ever. I don’t know if I can keep it from everyone today.”
I graze my thumb down her arm. “Maybe we shouldn’t.” She turns to me with raised eyebrows. “Everyone knew when you miscarried. That wouldn’t be any different if it happened again. We don’t have to tell everyone yet, but Sarah and Joel and our parents…”
Slowly, a smile grows on her face. “I can’t wait to tell Sarah. Okay. But just them for now. We’ll tell them when we open presents, and then we can wait until closer to ten or twelve weeks before we tell everyone else.”
“Deal. God, I am so fucking happy right now. Almost high. Like a weird primal feeling where I want to beat my chest and proclaim you’re carrying my baby.”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh boy. You’re going to be extra protective now, aren’t you?”
“And possessive.” I lift her shirt, then lean down and kiss her stomach. “I have two people to protect and care for now.”
“And drive crazy,” Rae mutters.
“Shut up.” I softly kiss her lips, then look into her eyes. “We made a baby.”
“Guess all that practice over the years paid off,” she says with a laugh. I kiss her again. “Doesn’t hurt to keep practicing, though.”
“Not at all,” I whisper, then pull her pants down. Just when I thought I couldn’t be more obsessed with her, now she’s having my baby. I’m a goner for her. Just like always.
We’re sitting around the living room at Rae’s parents’ house with them, Sarah, Joel, my parents, and Pete. I’m sitting on the floor with Rae nestled between my legs, her back resting against my chest. We’ve just finished opening presents—well, almost.
“So, we actually have one last present for the group,” Rae says.
“Oh, really?” Kara asks. “Spoiling us this year?”
“Kind of. The only problem is, I won’t have it until like… August.”
Based on her last period, we figured out she’s about six weeks along.
Pete chuckles and nods, then Kara’s eyes flare, and she leaps up. “You’re pregnant?” Rae nods happily. “Oh my god!” She pulls Rae up and into her arms, holding her tightly.
“Don’t squish the baby,” Rae teases.
I laugh as I stand and walk over to my mom’s waiting arms. “Oh, honey. I’m so happy for the two of you. And maybe a little excited to be a grandma.”
“I’m excited for that, too, Mom.”
When I let her go, I’m surprised to see my dad with tears in his eyes. He pulls me into a big bear hug. “I’m proud of you. You struggled, and you overcame. You’ve grown into a strong, kind, wise, and loving young man. You have a beautiful life that is more than I could’ve dreamed for you.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I say, emotion catching in my throat. I’ve always had strong relationships with both my parents, but I’m still a little surprised by my dad’s reaction. I’m also grateful to have him as a role model. He was always supportive of me in everything I went through. That’s the kind of father I want to be.
“We’ll have to do a next generation fishing trip.”
I laugh at that. “Maybe we should go before then. It’s been too long.”
“Agreed,” Dad says, patting me on the shoulder.
When I was in elementary school and middle school, my dad and I used to spend one weekend a month—in the warmer months—going fishing. Nothing crazy. We’d hike to one of his favorite spots and stand or sit at the edge of the lake and fish for the day. We’d rarely catch much, but it was about spending time together in nature. With high school and baseball and then college, those times became few and far between. The last time we went was a couple of months before Rae and I got married. He continues to go often with his younger brother, Paul, but I think it’s time for me to join them again.
When I turn back to the group, Rae is hugging Pete, who seems to be both giving some wisdom and teasing her at the same time. That tracks.
When he lets her go, Sarah pulls Rae into her arms, and I walk over to where they’re standing with Joel. He puts a hand on my shoulder. “Congrats, man. It’s about time there were little Rae and Aaron babies running around.”
