“Yeah? I take it you and lover boy had a nice chat and things ended well?”
“Yes, and I took that pregnancy test.” I kept my voice low and tried to sound disappointed.
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry.”
“Yeah. It turns out, I’m pregnant.” I held the phone away while she squealed.
“Are you kidding me?”
“Nope, I’m pregnant, and we worked things out. I’m moving in and well; there’s more good news.”
“You’re getting married?” She was so excited, but her words hit me like a ton of bricks.
“Um, well. No, I mean.” He hadn’t asked me. “That’s not what I was going to say. We talked about adopting Star.”
“That’s huge news. You two are going to be great parents. Is she excited?”
“She’s beyond excited. She’s already trying to think of names for her brother or sister, and she can’t make up her mind which one she wants.”
“Did you tell her she doesn’t have a choice?” She laughed and then told Brady to cut down the TV.
I heard the volume lower as I thought about what she’d said. If we were going to adopt Star together, we’d have to get married, but the conversation hadn’t come up at all in all of our excitement.
“So when are you two getting married? There’s so much to plan, and I hope you know that I’m going to be super pissed if you don’t let me help you plan it.” I wanted her to help me, but I needed a proposal first. I was almost embarrassed to say anything. “Dream? Are you there?”
“I’m here. I’m sorry. It’s just we’ve been so excited about the adoption and the baby, that we haven’t discussed marriage at all.”
“Well, surely he wants to marry you. Maybe you should bring it up?”
“I think I better let him. I don’t want to pressure him, and I’m sure he’s aware. Maybe he’s planning a big proposal or something, and then I’d ruin it. It’s all happening so fast, that maybe I should I just wait and let things take their course.”
“Suit yourself, but I want to help you pick a dress. Oh, and we have to have a shower. Shit. You’re not going to quit the diner, are you?”
“No, I plan to work for a while, but I know I’ll probably leave when I’m in my third trimester.”
I heard Chance and Star coming in the back door and then her feet hitting the stairs as she ran up to her room. Soon, Chance was standing in the doorway.
“Are you feeling better?”
“Yes, but I think I want to go lie down.”
“Did you and Star talk about how things will be?”
“We did a little. It went good, so feel free to be in my bed when I go up. It’s officially our room now if you want it to be.”
“Oh, good, I was wondering how she’d be about that. I didn’t want to go through my entire pregnancy sleeping alone.” I gave a little laugh.
“No, she knows we’re together.” I gave a little nod and then waited to see if he’d bring up marriage, but he didn’t.
Instead, he gave me a kiss on the lips and headed to the studio.
I didn’t see him again until two hours later when I was tucked in for the night, and my lids were heavy from reading and Star was long asleep.
“Sorry, it took me so long. I ended up chatting with the customer and then I got so inspired by his story that I wanted to work on my app idea for a bit. I need to find someone to help me design it. I’m to a point where I can’t do too much more.”
“I know someone that does gaming apps; a guy I went to college with, actually. I can give him a call if you want. You should definitely make sure you pursue that dream. It’s important to so many people, and it’s going to change their lives.” I really believed in him and his talent and knew that with him, I’d never have to worry or struggle again. The worst was in the past for all of us, and from then on out, we’d have only the best of times in our lives to come.
He climbed into bed with me and unstrapped his leg. I liked it better when he removed it and was comfortable beside me. “You’re warm.” He stretched out, and his cool flesh felt good against me, especially when he pressed his erection against my ass.
“You’re hard,” I said with a smile.
“It’s all your fault.”
“Oh, I’m not complaining. On the contrary.” I angled toward him and brushed my fingers through his close-cropped hair and pressed my body against his.
He reached under the covers and pulled up my shirt. I helped him remove it, and then I went for his waistband, tugging it down until he took over.