I couldn’t bear the thought of putting any child through what I went through. But I couldn’t let the wish go to see her carry my baby.
I’d been so startled that I’d hidden the painting away.
I thought it was over, she wouldn’t see. I knew I couldn’t let her go but I had to give her time…and then she came to me.
We made love that night, and I couldn’t stop myself from planting my seed in her. That was the day I threw away my doubts about being a father. With her, by my side, I could do anything.
I could be a good father, brother, and…son. With Melody by my side, I could open my heart to and let go of my past just like she had with her mother.
“It was that day, right?” Melody asks, twisting her head so she can look me in the eyes. “The day you came inside me for the second time, right?”
“How did you know that,” I ask, surprised that she actually guessed correctly.
“I knew you were acting strange that day,” Melody replies with a shrug.
“Yet, you accepted me without complaint,” I say, feeling my throat constrict with emotions.
“I knew you were hurting,” Melody says, raising a hand to my face. “I just wanted to do everything I could to comfort you.”
I let my mouth pull up in a slow, deliberate smirk. “Honey...I think I’m in need of some comforting right now.”
“What?” Melody says with an amused laugh. “Look how heavy I am.”
“So...” I drawl, clearing my throat. “The other night, I was reading up on comfortable positions for heavily pregnant couples, and you’d be surprised at the amazing things I found. I could show you some of them right now.”
Melody gasps playfully.
“No sex. Not when I look like a big bag of potatoes. And don’t say I’m the most beautiful woman in your world.
“But you are,” I reply with a chuckle. “You’re still as beautiful as the night I found you sleeping in my bed. Even more.”
“Gosh,” Melody says, her cheeks coloring up in an adorable blush. “You do have a way with words. And this painting. Oh my God, it’s so beautiful. It looks like me just now. How’s that even possible?”
I clear my throat loudly.
“Apart from the fact that your husband is a genius, should I say it was some sort of epiphany?”
Melody laughs.
“Modest much, aren’t we?”
“You love me like that,” I reply with a cheeky smile.
“Of course I do,” Melody says, snuggling deeper against my chest. “More than the world itself.”