“And I thought I got my period, but now I don’t think so. Oh, goddess, I have to sit.”
Before she could move, I stood and scooped her up, making her release a watery laugh as I carted her to the couch and set her as carefully as spun glass on my lap. When she would’ve buttoned her shirt, I slid my hand into the gap, cupping her stomach as protectively as she’d done in the car.
I should’ve known. Even when she didn’t tell me things, I could pay more attention.
If I wanted to be with Kinleigh—and I did—I was going to have to.
“Anyway, I had a little spotting and I assumed it was my period, but it was super light and didn’t last very long. I figured it was just stress making it weird.”
I didn’t even let her finish before I was rising again with her in my arms. “We should get you to the doctor.”
Her laughter stopped me in my tracks. “It’s after hours now, and we don’t even know I’m pregnant yet.”
“Yes, we do,” I argued. “You said you were and I see it.”
“You see it?” She gazed down at the slice of her stomach revealed by her open blouse. “I don’t see anything.”
“Yeah, well, I spend more time in that particular area than you do. Some nights a damn lot of time.” And I didn’t mind when she blushed, because it was the truth.
She could never say I didn’t keep her well taken care of, that was for certain.
“The bleeding was weeks ago and it wasn’t
much. I got it right after I took the tests.”
“You mean—whoa.” I sank back to the sofa, still holding on to her.
“Yeah, whoa. So maybe, just maybe you did hit the mark the first time. Or we hit the mark. The male doesn’t cause pregnancy alone. Just a FYI to all you penis-wielding members of society.” She shook her head again. “Then again, John Gideon’s trick condom probably played a part too.”
“It was a real condom.”
“So you think. Could’ve been five years old.”
“You really think he got that little action?”
“I haven’t considered it. But I got pregnant somehow. Maybe I’m all wrong and it’s from practice. Maybe the condom slipped. So many maybes. But I’m choosing to blame John.”
“It could’ve been my incredible thrusting powers.”
She rolled her eyes. “Goddess save me.”
There was one point I just couldn’t let go. “But the tests…”
“Tests can be wrong. Could’ve been a little too early.” She ran her fingertips along my scruffy jaw. “Also, as an aside, I shouldn’t be turned on by the way you can hold me as easily as a sack of potatoes while standing up and sitting down, but I kinda am. Good thing I’m not nauseated anymore.”
I shut my eyes and dropped my forehead to hers. The timing for this was so crazy. Probably all wrong. I should wait until I was certain she wouldn’t mix it up with my excitement over the baby.
Holy shit, was I excited. I could barely sit still. But that wasn’t why I was about to say what I was going to say.
This moment was all about Kinleigh.
“I love you. So much it makes me act like a jackass.” I felt the shock go through her body, but I didn’t stop. Now that I had the freedom to say the words that had been lodged like a splinter in my throat for too many weeks, I wasn’t backing down. “You’re going to think it’s because of the baby. No, the reason I wanted to have a baby with you is because I love you. I’ve probably always loved you.”
Her lips trembled. “Why?”
“Why?” I repeated dumbly.
“Yes, why? I’ve been so scared of losing everything that all I’ve done is push you away. I set up this baby goal thing because, I think, I wanted to have you in a safe way.” A soft hitching laugh escaped. “Well, and I did—do—want a baby too. But if I had one, deep down I wanted it to be yours.”