To hear Austin say these words makes me think, can we do this forever? Co-parent a child yet have separate lives with other partners. Uncle Noah and Kate did it, plus they made it look easy. At least, to me, it did. If boundaries are established, why would it be a problem?
But do I really want another woman playing mother to my child?
A burning sensation spreads across my chest, forcing me to clench my teeth. God, how can I be jealous of someone who doesn’t even exist? Calm the fuck down, Ava.
I lean back into the sofa, raising my hands to my face. “We screwed up.”
Austin glances at my stomach as my tank pulls up, exposing my skin.
“You’re showing,” is all he says.
My eyes drop to my stomach. Then, in a rush, I pull my tank down.
“Yes, only this week.”
“You look beautiful, Ava,” he murmurs. “You have that pregnancy glow.”
“It’s called vomiting.”
Austin dips his head with a smirk. “Have you been taking any folic acid supplements?”
“Uh, Dr. Taylor mentioned something, but I was kind of in shock.”
“Folic acid helps form the neural tube,” he asserts with a straight face. “It’s also very important because it can help prevent some major birth defects of the baby’s brain.”
“Okay, you’re freaking me out,” I confess while rubbing my stomach. “Birth defects?”
“Sorry.” He cringes then relaxes enough to smile. “It’s the doctor in me.”
“It’s okay. It’s good to have a doctor around, and it doesn’t hurt that you’re not bad looking,” I muse.
Austin chuckles softly. “You’re a tease, Ava. Always have been.”
And then it all begins to shift, a moment, a few simple words which question whether I have it in me to last a lifetime not falling in love with the father of my child.
Austin is a great guy. He will be in my life forever.
Yet, in so many ways, it feels like he has always been in my life.
Taking a breath, I ignore my racing heart and blame my unstable hormones. Then, I remember my scan tomorrow morning before I fly out.
“My first scan is tomorrow morning,” I mention, not wanting to push him. “Sorry, I’m only just telling you. My brain is scattered and—”
“I’ll be there, Ava.” He smiles, then moves my hair away from my shoulder, causing my breath to hitch. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
I tilt my head, finally allowing myself to look at him properly and not through a side-eye. Austin has beautiful eyes and one of those faces which light up when he smiles. His perfectly straight teeth are white, making his smile endearing. Our child will be beautiful if he or she is anything like him.
“I hope our baby has your smile,” I profess softly.
“Hmm…” He rubs his chin, then breaks out into a relaxed grin. “And your eyes.”
“My eyes?”
“Emerald.”
Pursing my lips, I silently cuss myself for having a blonde moment.
“The Edwards’ gene is strong that way,” I muse.