When Constellations Form (Light in the Dark 4)

“I’ll send someone in with the discharge papers. You can go ahead and get dressed.”

“Uh … what about this?” I point to the monitor on my belly.

“Oh, silly me.” She laughs and takes it off of me.

She leaves the room and I hop up, happy to get out of the itchy gown and back into my clothes.

“I can’t believe I peed myself,” I mutter.

Xander chuckles. “Better that than to go into labor three months early.”

“Very true,” I agree. “Can you call your mom so she can let everyone know it’s okay?” I ask.

He nods. “Yeah, I’ll do that now.”

Xander calls her and the nurse from earlier comes back. I have to sign a mountain of papers before we can leave, but finally we’re free to go. I shrug into my coat and grab my purse.

Xander guides me outside with his hand on my waist. He knows I don’t need helping getting out, but I think he feels better to be touching me.

Today has been draining in so many ways, but eye opening in others.

I know now that I’m ready to be a mom. I didn’t think I was, or ever would be, but I don’t have any doubts now. This little girl is going to change my life, sure, but in the best possible way and I’m ready for whatever she brings.

Thea

29 Weeks Pregnant

Baby is the size of butternut squash

“Xander!” I come running out of our closet horrified.

“What?” He looks up from his shoe he’s slipping on.

I can’t even take a moment to appreciate how nice he looks dressed up for Rae and Cade’s wedding because I’m freaking the fuck out.

“I ripped my bridesmaid’s dress trying to get into it. I need you to sew me in.”

He looks at me like I’m crazy. “I play football, Thea. I don’t sew.”

I snap my fingers at his computer. “Then look up a video and learn. I need to get into this dress. I can’t believe I’ve gained this much weight

since my last fitting. This is ridiculous.” I frown at the seam in the silvery gray dress.

“Do we even have a needle and thread?” he asks, standing up and making his sure his shirt is tucked in.

“Yes, it’s a necessity when you have a house. You never know when you’re going to have to sew something.”

He sighs. “I’ll look up a video,” he promises. “Just give me a minute.”

“Thank you,” I tell him honestly. Rae’s not a bridezilla, but I don’t think she’d take too kindly if I show up in something that’s not my bridesmaid dress. It’d throw off her whole color scheme.

I grab my sewing kit from the laundry room and head back to the bedroom. As promised, Xander is watching a tutorial on how to sew a seam.

He takes the sewing basket from me and finds a needle and thread that’s a similar color, threading it through.

I stand beside him holding as still as possible.

“Don’t move,” he warns.