“I did.”
“That’s wonderful!” He lifts me up and spins me around. My body tenses and I’m glad it only lasts a second. Once I’m on my feet, I take him by the hand. “And I treated myself to a little redecorating to celebrate.”
“Is that why you wouldn’t let me into your office the last week?”
My eyes sparkle as I smile. “Uh-huh.” I begin dragging him down the hall. “Come on, you want to see it?”
“I don’t think I have a choice.” He teases, and I slap him on the arm.
We make it to the door and I stand behind him, reaching from my tiptoes to cover his eyes. “Close’em.”
Rex sighs. “That spread in there looked so good. I’m starving…”
“Close’em, Mister.”
Once I feel his eyelids close beneath my palms I reach in front of him and open the door. “Okay…open!”
Rex opens his eyes and takes a step inside. For a long time, he doesn’t say anything at all. He just walks around the room, taking it all in and stops at the side of the crib. His head darts in my direction. “Hope, you’re…?” His face erupts into a smile and he covers his face with his hands. “I’m…going to be a father?”
Tears fill my eyes, and I nod my head. Rex rushes over and puts both hands on my cheeks, pulling me into a deep kiss. All of my dreams are coming true. The man of my dreams has given me the career, and now the family, of my dreams.
I knew he’d be excited. Though he’s expressed his hesitation of taking on a work/life balance, I’ve repeatedly reassured him that we are strong enough together to get through anything and win. After all, I’m Hope Nichols. I can do anything.