Beautiful Mistakes

"That's not a problem," he said, rolling his eyes. "If it's my kid then I'm going to be financially responsible regardless."

Grinning, she leaned on his arm and said, "I'm sorry, I just need a mushy moment. Do you know how much happier I would be about life if it would have been you to give me a poppy seed instead of him? Just… this little glimpse here—it's so appealing."

Smiling slightly, he said, "Trust me, I wish I was capable of making my own poppy seeds."

"And if we really do this together… God, Aaron, it's going to be so great! I mean, I know since we technically just got together cynics might call it less than ideal—”

"How dare they be sensible!"

Julie lightly rolled her eyes, but she went on unperturbed, “I can see us in a few months, my baby bump protruding—not to the point where I can't see my toes or anything, but just enough so that people walk by and smile at my tummy—as we hold hands, walking through the stores looking for just the right crib. I have to say, it makes accidental pregnancy feel like a whole lot more fun to me."

"Well, there's your silver lining," he said, smiling right back.

"Come here, you," she said, pulling him by the shirt and standing up on her tiptoes, leaning in and kissing him.

"Wait," he murmured, pulling back. "Did we figure out all that pen and paper stuff?"

"Screw pen and paper stuff; you can have whatever you want. Write me up a draft and I'll sign it," she said, kissing him again.

Chuckling, he said against her lips, "Wow, you suck at negotiating."

"So I'll never get a career as a negotiator; big deal."

Letting his hands settle around her waist, Aaron seemed content to just kiss her for a few minutes, then he pulled back and just rested his forehead against hers, smiling a little.

"What are you thinking?" she asked, liking the way he looked.

Happy looked so much better on Aaron than grumpy did.

Shaking his head just slightly, he said, "I just… it's been so long since I ever thought I would be able to do this with someone."

"Do what?" she asked, confused.

He placed his hand on her still flat stomach. "This. I didn't think I could have kids, have a family, so… I never thought I'd be able to look forward to being a dad."

Grinning, she said, "Does that mean you don't need time for the shock to pass and the sinking in to begin? Because I was thinking with all the shock and the fact that I still technically have to deal with Matt… that maybe I shouldn't get all official on you yet."

"Why should we worry? You're the mother so you're automatically favored unless something is wrong with you and you're unfit. Since that's not going to be a problem and you're putting me down as the father on the birth certificate…"

"But if Matt demanded a DNA test—”

Scoffing, Aaron said, "Julie, do you honestly think Emma would let him do that?"

"Oh… well, no, probably not."

"Definitely not," he said. "He can’t get in our way unless he wants to blow up his own life. I know Emma will give us her full support on this, because if I take you over she doesn't have to worry about her husband straying in this direction."

"The silver linings just keep on coming," she said, shaking her head.

"We have one damn shiny black cloud."

Taking his hand she said, "You know, pregnant women commonly take naps."

"They do?" he questioned, frowning slightly.

She nodded solemnly. "They do. And I'm thinking that perhaps we should take a nap together."

"A nap?"