But then my man shoots me a lopsided smile.
“So how did Henry do when you put him to bed tonight?” Rick asks as he strokes my hair with gentle fingers. I sigh because I adore how Rick thinks of Henry as his own. It warms my heart and causes me to glow from the inside out.
“Overall, okay. Teething is awful, but that’s the ten-month mark for you. The ice cream treats seem to help, at least,” I murmur. “He’s like me. We both love mint chip.”
Rick smiles down at me indulgently.
“You do. I still remember how many bowls of that stuff you downed when you were pregnant. But is your stress level okay, honey? I’m at work most of the day, leaving you alone with the baby. You know that my offer of a nanny still stands.”
I laugh silently and crack one eye open so that I can see Rick’s face. “I’ll consider it, and only consider hiring a nanny when we have our next child. One I can manage. But two? That could be a different ball game.”
Rick goes completely still, his big body still sheened with sweat. I can feel his chest rising and falling rapidly, and the flutter of his heart is going double time beneath my ear.
“Baby,” he says in a hoarse voice. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” But then, he sits up suddenly and reaches for my shoulders, shifting my body so that I’m facing him. “Hannah, do not tease me about this,” he warns, his tone laced with pain. “This isn’t funny.”
I shake my head quickly, suddenly earnest. “I’m not Rick, I would never be so cruel.”
His blue eyes search mine. “What are you telling me then?” he asks in a hoarse voice.
I take his hands in both of mine, holding them against my breast. “I’ve changed my mind, Rick. I want a baby with you.”
His heart seems to stop entirely, before starting again with a rapid thrum.
“You do?” he asks in a cautious tone, perhaps not fully believing me.
I nod vigorously. “I do Rick, I really do. I want another baby, and I want to have this child with you. You’ve been an amazing father to Henry, and an amazing partner to me as well. I think another child would be the perfect addition to our family.”
Rick leans back but his gaze is still a bit suspicious.
“Yes, but what changed your mind, if I may ask? Last time we talked about it, you were a hundred percent opposed, if I remember correctly.”
I sigh deeply, unsure how to explain myself. But I know that Rick needs to hear this in order to really move forward, so I search for the right words.
“It’s hard to explain, but over the last ten months, really ever since we met, you have been incredibly good to me,” I murmur. Tears spring into my eyes, but I don’t wipe them away because they’re happy tears, and I want Rick to see how sincere I am with my change of heart. “You’re not only good to me,” I continue after a long, indrawn breath. “But you are an incredible father to Henry. You’ve taken to parenthood like a duck to water, and I couldn’t ask for more.”
“I love him,” Rick states, his voice trembling. I nod.
“I know, and I know you love me too. You’re an incredible man, and you’ve stuck with me through thick and thin. Through the crazy times with City Girls, down to my latest demand, which is only anal all the time. It couldn’t have been easy, and I appreciate it.”
Rick draws in a deep breath.
“So what does that mean?”
I smile although my vision’s obscured by my tears.”
“It means, silly, that I want to have a baby with you now,” I say in a soft tone with gazing into those bright blue eyes. “I love you, and want to show you how much by creating a life that’s drawn from both of us. I hope it’s going to be a baby boy who looks just like you, Rick. One with your caring nature and deep kindness for others.”
My man has tears in his eyes too, but he shakes his head.
“You know, Hannah, that my love for you isn’t conditional. I’m okay with not having another child if you’re still wary about the idea.”
But I shake my head as my tears spill over.
“No, I’m sure because a man who loves you this much is no joke. You’re the love of my life, Rick Taylor, and my everything. I want us to have a baby together.”
Before another word can escape my lips, Rick’s mouth is on mine, ravenous and soulful, claiming me as his until the end of days.
“Thank you, baby,” he rasps, those blue eyes glinting with tears. “You’ve given me the best gift a woman can give a man, and I can’t thank you enough.”