Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“But also because it’s too soon in for me. I keep thinking about how my life is going to change drastically. Then of course, there’s my parents! How the hell do I even begin to tell them?”
I sigh loudly.
“But other times, I think of this little face that would look like us. This perfect mix, and I think, yes, this is going to be okay, because I have you. We get to experience and do this together … but then I just go back to number one. You don’t want kids, and here I am, giving you a very similar surprise as your ex.” I swallow hard. “You didn’t have to say those things, though. I know it’s familiar, but really?”
“It was cold, and I promise I never for a second thought it wasn’t mine,” he pauses. “I know what I said in the mall. I was a bad father to that kid. I didn’t want that for anyone else. Especially not for our child, and of course not for you, but I want this,” he sighs, placing his hands on my stomach. “I know it’s your body and your choice, but please, please, have our baby.”
“You’re just saying that,” I roll my eyes.
“I can promise you I’m not.” He wipes the wetness from my eyes. “I’m scared too, but I want this, with you. I want everything with you.”
“It’s a little hard to believe you after how you just reacted.”
“Obviously, I don’t do well with that sort of shock,” his soft eyes gaze into mine. “I thought I was proposing tonight. Not becoming a father.”
I exhale loudly.
“Worst marriage proposal ever, huh?” He smirks.
“It started out okay,” I smile through my wet eyes.
“Luci,” his forehead falls against mine. “I’m sorry I made you feel that you couldn’t tell me. You must have been terrified.”
“Ren and Gracie were there when I took the test,” I shrug.
“That’s good. I’m glad,” he sighs. “If I blow out all these candles and run to that 24-hour drug store will you take another?”
I sit up. “Because you don’t believe me?” I accuse.
“Because I want the moment,” he explains. “I don’t want to miss anything.”
I nod, unconvinced, and he slides out from under me, leaving me sitting on the couch in a ball. I watch with caution, my eyes puffy, as he blows out every single candle.
“If you want to make a doctor’s appointment for next week I can take the afternoon or morning off.”
It takes him nearly 45 minutes to blow out all of the candles, and as soon as he does, he silently throws his shoes on and grabs his keys.
“Do you want anything else while I’m there?”
I shake my head no before blowing my nose.
“Luci, I’m excited,” he confirms.
“Okay,” I whisper.
“I know you don’t believe me,” he rolls his eyes, walking over to the couch. “I’d be lying if I said I’m not nervous, but we can do anything together, and I’ll prove it to you. Right after this one I’ll fuck another one into you.”
His light-heartedness and poor attempt at a joke still makes me laugh.
“I’ll give you so much of my baby making juice,” he winks “You’ll be popping out my kids for the next ten years!”
I laugh as he quotes the couple from the storage closet.
“There’s that smile,” he kisses me. “I’ll be right back!”
Josh returns fifteen minutes later with a bag and a bouquet of flowers, and we head into the bathroom.
“I’ll call you in when I’m finished.”
“I can’t watch?” He pouts.
“I have to pee on the stick.”
“Oh,” he makes a face.
“I just don’t think I can go if you’re watching me.”
“Yeah it’s fine,” he laughs. “I didn’t realize.”
“You really weren’t part of Holly’s pregnancy at all, were you?” I sigh.
He shakes his head.
“I’ll call you when I’m done.”
Two minutes later, he’s walking back in with a camera.
“Hold it up!” He smiles.
“What are you doing?” I make a face.
“Documenting. Hold it up.”
“It has to lay flat until the result appears.”
“Oh, okay,” he sits on the tub; fumbling with the camera settings as his leg bounces. “How are you so calm right now?”
“Because I already did this,” I laugh.
He pulls me over onto his lap. “I’m so sorry about before.”
“It’s okay,” I rest my head against him. “Alright, it should be done by now.” I get up and walk over. “Positive.”
He smiles, grabbing and twirling me around.
“Okay, now hold it up,” he says, placing me down and putting his arm around me. His leans his head against mine as he angles the camera at both us. “Smile!”
“You really are happy about this,” I shake my head, shocked by the turn of events.
“I am, Luci, I really, really am.”
January 2006
-Josh-
I'm handed our baby girl, and she’s perfect. She has my chin, and my eye color, with Luci’s cheeks and big eyes. She really is this amazing blend of the both of us.