“There’s something else in there,” I finally said.
“Really?” He reached inside. “Oh shoot. You’re right.”
Matteo lifted out a third pair of buffalo-plaid footie pajamas. He unfolded them and held them up to read the words on the front: Baby Hooker.
He grinned. “Sweet! Someday our future baby can wear this.”
He wasn’t getting it.
I bit my lip as my heart pounded. “Well, if the future’s in eight months…yeah.”
It took him a few seconds to process.
“Wait, what? You’re…you’re pregnant?” He shook his head in disbelief. “How?”
“Turmeric.” I laughed nervously.
“Huh?”
“Turmeric. I started taking supplements. Heard turmeric had lots of health benefits. Didn’t know one of those benefits was interfering with birth control.”
He blinked repeatedly. “I fucking love turmeric! Gonna put that shit on everything now!” Still holding the pajamas, he wrapped his arms around me.
“You’re happy about this?”
He squeezed me tighter. “Of course I’m happy. This is best Christmas gift you could give me.”
“I was worried it was too soon.”
“It can’t come soon enough.” An adorable excitement flashed in his eyes. “Be right back. I have to get something.”
Matteo walked over to the closet and removed a box from the top shelf. He opened it and took something out. “I was saving this. But I think it’s time to bring it out now.”
He held up a little baby figurine and walked over to the dollhouse. He reached into the second floor bedroom and took the small box out of the man’s hands. He adjusted the guy’s legs so he was standing across from the woman. Then he positioned both of their arms out and placed the baby in between them. It was one of the sweetest moments of my life.
Matteo knelt down and placed his cheek on my stomach.
“Hey, little guy or girl. It’s your daddy.” He looked up at me.
I smiled down at him as tears came to his eyes. It was rare to see him cry, and now I was crying, too.
He continued talking to our baby. “I thought your mom’s hair in that Ziploc bag was my favorite keepsake from our time together. But nope. You, little one, will always be my favorite souvenir.”