Her eyes well up with tears.
“Yeah, but it’s still my fault,” she says with tears rolling down her cheeks. “I basically forced you to take me in, and then I pushed you into a relationship when you thought it was a bad idea. I wish I hadn’t.”
I stroke her back, gently running a big form over her spine.
“No, you didn’t force me to do anything I didn’t want to, baby. I’m an adult male who’s been in charge a long time. Trust me, I’m with you because I want to be with you, and for no other reason.”
“But still,” she cries. “You’ve lost out on a child because of me! That’s a huge sacrifice.”
I lean forward to press a kiss to her temple.
“No sweetheart,” I soothe, taking her chin in my hand lightly and dragging her gaze to meet mine, “you’re worth it. This doesn’t matter. With you in my life, I could never feel unfulfilled or lonely, and you make all of this okay. I’m willing to give up adopting if it means that I get to be with you, because I love you, Selena Fillmore. I would sacrifice anything to be with you.”
She hiccups a bit and then looks up at me from beneath damp lashes, her brown eyes sparkling with tears.
“You love me?” she whispers in a disbelieving tone, and I nod, leaning forward to press a soft, passionate kiss on her lips.
“More than I’ve ever loved anyone,” I rasp. “I’m crazy about you, baby, and I want to be with you. No matter what it takes.”
She smiles through her tears, and it might just be the most beautiful expression I’ve ever seen. “I love you, too,” she whispers. “But are you sure? A child is a big thing to forfeit.”
I nod seriously.
“First of all, honey, I haven’t given up any specific child. I never met any children, or even saw any pictures if we’re being honest. So I haven’t forfeited a child, and it’s not that bad. Secondly, if I have to give you up to stay with Children’s Hope, then I don’t want it,” I say simply. “If the agency is going to judge us for being in love, then they’re right. I’m not a fit for them, and they’re not a fit for me either. I understand their qualms but the long and the short of it is that I’d rather be with you.”
When I lean in to kiss her again, my hand snaking around the small of her back, Selena sniffles a bit but then smiles with tears in her eyes.
“Well, it’s not that black and white actually,” she says in a low voice.
I nod vehemently.
“Yes, it is,” I reply. “I’d rather have you than anything in the world.”
But the curvy girl shakes her head again.
“No, it’s not because life is unpredictable, Clancy, and I’m a young, fertile woman in my prime.” Suddenly, I realize what she’s getting at and stare, unable to believe the words on her lips. Selena giggles a little and nods before taking one of my hands and gently pressing it to the mound of her stomach. “There’s more than one way to get a baby,” she says gently. “If you want a child… well, we went about it the natural way is all I’m saying.”
I can’t contain my shock.
“Holy shit,” I whisper. “Really, sweetheart?”
She smiles gently.
“Yes. I’m pregnant, Clancy,” she says in a soft voice. “We’re going to have a child together.”
I’m dumbfounded and can’t speak at first because this is too much. I was just getting over the disappointment of my failed adoption, when suddenly the world’s done a one eighty. Holy fuck! I’m going to be a father! My initial disbelief begins to fade, and what’s left is sheer excitement and joy.
“I can’t believe it,” I murmur, my lungs feeling tight from lack of oxygen. “Really? You’re pregnant? Are you sure?”
The beautiful brunette kisses me on the lips, laughing as she does so.
“Yes, I’m sure,” she says. “I already took a pregnancy test. See?” she says, pulling an indicator out from behind her back. “I came in here to show you, and now, you can see that you’re going to be a daddy in … oh, about seven months or so.”
I stare at the blue stripes, my vision blurring from tears before clasping the curvy girl close.
“I love you, Selena Fillmore,” I breathe into her hair. “You mean the world to me, and having you come into my life is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
She raises her chin for a kiss and smiles mischievously.
“Well, I came into your life for the first time when I was ten, but re-meeting me at twenty-five was the best thing, right?”
I shake my head.
“Either way. Both times are the best, sweetheart,” I growl. “It doesn’t matter because I adore you, honey, and I want you and the child more than life itself.”