Please, please don’t let it be bad news. Life is just too good right now to believe.
The elevator ride seems to take forever, then finally, the doors open.
“Fiona?”
I walk briskly toward her. She’s standing in the middle of the hallway in her nightgown, her eyes red from crying, something clutched in her hand.
Even now, I have to stop my carnal instincts from kicking in, especially when I see her gorgeous bare thighs.
I focus on her tears.
“What is it? Is something wrong?”
She shakes her head, her lips parting in a smile. “Not wrong. No.”
I’m almost scared to uncurl her fingers around the object, just in case the hope pulsing deep within turns out to be wrong. My hands are trembling even more than they were when I proposed.
She opens her hands, revealing a pregnancy test.
“Don’t worry. I cleaned it,” she giggles adorably. “It’s positive, Felix! We’re going to have a baby.”
It’s difficult to find the words as I pull her into a hug. I hold her like that for a long time as she cries happy tears against my chest. I sink my hands into her shoulders, keeping her as close to me as a person can get, cradling her gently.
“I love you,” I whisper after a pause. “So, so much, Fiona. I’m going to love our child, our little mystery man or lady.”
She laughs through her tears, leaning back in my arms, always knowing I’ll support her. “I love them already. I can’t wait to start this journey together.”
I smooth my hand down her body, holding it in place over her belly. She blinks, and tears slide down her cheeks, her hand coming to rest on mine. She presses it down, and our eyes meet, our smiles mirroring each other as the future takes shape before us.
“I never could’ve imagined this,” I whispered. “One text, and here we are.”
She stands on her tiptoes, bringing her lips toward mine.
FIVE MONTHS LATER
Fiona
You know you’re not allowed to see me before the wedding
I sit up in bed, my heart pounding whenever I think about tomorrow morning. Finally, everything’s arranged, and now there’s nothing else to do except close my eyes and go to sleep.
I would do that if a certain fiancé didn’t insist on texting me.
I send off my message, nervous energy whispering through me as I wait for his reply.
I was wrong when I thought I was over those little flashing dots. I thought I could overcome the anticipation.
Whenever my man texts me, my belly churns like it’s the first time, my pulse quickening.
We can’t be together tonight, but at least I know the next time I see him, he’s going to be standing at the altar, waiting for me, waiting to start our lives.
My hand moves over my pregnant belly, a smile on my face when his response arrives.
It’s killing me being apart from you. I hope the little bump is okay
We’ve decided not to learn the gender. We are keeping it a surprise for when I give birth. Every time we call our child the little bump, my heart swells with so much love and perfection.
I know how lucky I am and how blessed I’ve found the right person for me.
They’re doing very well. We both miss you XXXX
Outside, a light breeze blows against the hotel room’s window. The night is dark, the lights turned low, just me and my phone screen and thoughts of tomorrow.
There’s so much to be happy about.
Lucy is on the upswing, recovering with patience, stubbornness, and dedication. Sebastian and Rachel have been together for months, and their relationship gets better every day, according to my maid of honor, Rachel.
Best of all, everything is going well with the pregnancy.
I miss you both too, Felix writes. It won’t be long now, and we’ll be husband and wife xxxx
I can’t wait XXXX
Neither can I, mystery girl
My body sparkles when I read the nickname, making me light up even more now than it did in the beginning.
There’s so much love growing between us every day, every second.
I’m not much of a mystery anymore
Those three dots appear and stay there. He’s typing a long message. I tap my fingernails against the back of the phone. The sound seems far louder than usual. It must be the quietness of nighttime, the wind, and the rustling of leaves outside.
Finally, his message appears.
You’ll never stop being a mystery to me, Fiona. It’s a mystery how you made me feel…anything, how you broke down those walls. And you didn’t have to do anything special. You didn’t have to try extra hard or change anything about yourself. All you had to do – all you ever have to do – is be yourself. I love you, so so SO much xxxxxxxxxx
Tears flood my eyes as happy emotions bounce around inside of me.
Somebody’s feeling emotional tonight
Always, with you… but remember, this is the first night we’ve spent apart