“You heard me. She’s yours,” I repeat.
“Are you kidding?” He drops to his knees, and the newest addition to our family runs to him. Our girl immediately attempts to climb on his lap, her body wiggling uncontrollably as she swipes her tongue across his cheek. “Dia, I swear to God, if you’re kidding and we don’t get to take her home—”
“I’m not kidding,” I assure him.
His eyes are bloodshot as he picks her up into his arms. “She’s… She’s ours?”
“She’s ours. She’s coming home with us.”
One look at his gorgeous face and my heart swells up with longing and love.
“I… I can’t believe you did this,” he says, putting the excited puppy down and rising to his feet.
“Happy birthday, baby.” I pull him into a hug, which he returns immediately, his tattooed arms failing to wrap around my pregnant belly.
“I love you so much,” he whispers in my hair, his voice cracking halfway through the sentence, and I hold him as tight as I can.
“I love you.” I sniffle, and Finn tilts my chin forward with his index, kissing me so hard that my lungs bail on me. I’m always out of breath these days, but Finn’s kisses had me panting long before I was pregnant. It’s nice to see that some things never change.
I have to push him away before I get light-headed, and he laughs, pecking my nose before picking up the puppy that’s nibbling at his leg like it’s a chew toy.
Our journey may have been a tumultuous one, but looking at my husband and the father of my unborn daughter, I feel the need to thank the universe for every twist and turn. The rough patches and obstacles are the reason we’re standing here today.
Nora Richards was right.
Not every painful thing is meant to kill you.
Sometimes, we need to hurt.
Sometimes…
That’s how you know it’s worth it.
THE END.