Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
We take our time walking hand in hand through each room. We point out things like having family dinners in the dining room, to turning the second living room area into an office for Stanley.
“Our office. In fact, we could put two desks right there on that wall, side by side.”
“I don’t need a home office.”
“But I could use one, and I want you with me so—” He shrugs.
“What am I going to do with you?”
“Love me.”
“With my whole heart.” I rise up on my toes and kiss him softly.
“What do you think?” he asks, wrapping his arms tightly around me, keeping me pressed to his chest.
“I think that this place feels like home.”
“Me too, Mrs. Riggins. Let’s go talk to the realtor and put in an offer.”
Two months later.
“I’m never moving again,” I declare as I plop down on the couch next to my husband. We just unpacked the last box in our new home. “How in the world did we get all of that stuff in our tiny apartment?”
He laughs and pulls me onto his lap. “Next time, we’ll hire movers.” He kisses my temple.
“Movers are expensive.”
“We can afford it. Besides, if we got that much stuff in our apartment, can you imagine after living here for a few years?”
“This is it, Riggins. We’re never moving again.”
“Okay, baby,” he says.
I know he’s agreeing with me because I’m worn out and exhausted. I don’t know why I’ve been so tired lately. It’s as if I can barely keep my eyes open.
“Why don’t you go upstairs and shower? I’ll order us some pizza and run to town to pick it up.”
“You really do love me,” I tease.
“Yes.” He kisses me softly. “I’ll be back in twenty.” He stands and moves toward the kitchen to make the call. “I’ll be back!” he calls out.
I hear the garage door open and close, and I know I need to keep moving, or I’m going to fall asleep right here on the couch. Groaning, I climb to my feet and make my way upstairs to shower.
In our bathroom, I stop short when I see one small box sitting on the floor. “Damn,” I mutter. “So much for being done.” With a heavy sigh, I settle on the floor, pull open the cabinet under the sink, and begin to unpack. It’s not until I reach a box of tampons that I freeze.
My hands start to shake when I realize that I’ve not needed these in well… I don’t know how long. My heart starts to race as hope builds in my chest. We weren’t trying, but we weren’t not trying either. I place my hands over my still-flat belly, and something inside me just knows.
After shoving everything in the box beneath the cabinet, I climb to my feet. I need a test. I need to know. I can’t wait. Rushing downstairs, I grab my purse and pull open the door to enter the garage. Stanley’s spot is empty, and I mentally calculate how long it will take him to get back. I should have left him a note, but there’s no time.
Ten minutes later, I’m in the pharmacy staring at the pregnancy tests. I don’t know which one is better, so I grab one of each. Excessive? Absolutely. Do I care? Not at all. Chances are, I’m going to want confirmation of whatever the result is. Although, in my heart, I’m pretty sure I already know. It’s not something that I can explain, but now the idea’s taken root, I’m certain we’re having a baby.
Pulling into the garage, every light in the house is on, and I know that Stanley is pacing the floor, worried about where I could have gone. I grab my pharmacy bag full of pregnancy tests and my purse and push open the door. He’s there, tugging it open and then crushing me in his embrace.
“Where were you? I was worried sick. I came home to find you and your car gone. Is everything okay?” He pulls back, and his eyes rake over me.
“I’m fine. I just realized after you left, I needed something, so I ran out to get it.”
“Okay.” He nods. “Good. Come on. Let’s get you fed.”
“I need to do something first.” He leads me inside and I hold up the bag of pregnancy tests. He takes it from me and peers inside. When he lifts his head, the biggest smile I’ve ever seen before in my life greets me.
“We’re pregnant?”
I shrug. “I’m not sure. I went upstairs to shower, and there was one small box I forgot about on the bathroom floor. When I started putting it away, I found my tampons. I haven’t needed them in a while. I don’t remember the last time, so—” I shrug again.
“Let’s do this.” With the bag in his hand, he picks me up, tosses me over his shoulder, and carries me upstairs. “Oh shit, did I hurt the baby?” he asks, sliding me down his body. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have carried you that way.”