In with the New Baby

“Wait a minute,” I tell him. “You have a jet?”

He nods, sheepishly.

See what I mean? Not pretentious at all. No one would ever guess how much money he has, because even though it’s a lot, he doesn’t brag about it.

“Okay,” I tell him. “So you came all the way here to tell me that. Thank you. That was genuinely quite the gesture.”

I’m not sure I want to forgive him so easily. I kind of make him want to beg for it.

“Not only that,” he says, “but to tell you that my mother called, and for once in her life, she seems apologetic, and so I’ve gone to see her, before coming here. She has been in a sober living facility and is getting her shit together, too, so that maybe we can be some kind of family again.”

I look at him, wondering what exactly he means by that.

As if reading my mind, he adds, “Her and me. And you. And your parents. And whoever else is family to us. But I want you and I to be family. Because I love you. I really, truly love you.”

“I love you, too,” I tell him, quickly giving in to my desire to be happy with him despite what’s happened in the past. “And I’m glad you love me and want to be a family with me, because I’m pregnant.”

“What?” he exclaims.

But he doesn’t look upset. He looks happy.

“This is amazing! I’m going to be a dad.”

No one would ever believe me, but I swear that just then fireworks started going off. There’s a fair downtown where they put on fireworks for all the residents to see, and since it’s such a small town and downtown isn’t very far away, we can see some from here, just overhead.

“This is going to be a new year of both forgiveness and redemption for me,” Lincoln says. “And I want to have you by my side every step of the way.”

I really wish we could have sex but I know my parents wouldn’t approve. They’re so old fashioned. They’re going to have a fit when they find out I’m pregnant, but with Lincoln by my side, I’m not as scared to tell them.

So, we can’t do the deed – that’s out, at least until my parents are asleep and one of us can sneak into the other’s room, because they’d never let us sleep in the same room.

But since it’s midnight and it’s New Year’s Eve, we kissed, passionately and deeply, and I put a hand over my belly, so happy to be starting a new year and a new life, with Lincoln and our baby.

Epilogue

Amanda

One Year Later

This year is quite different than last New Year’s day. Last new year’s day, we’d had dinner with my parents and told them the news. They didn’t take it so well, but they’re over it now. In fact, they’re ecstatic now, and so are Lincoln and I, ever since little Kate arrived. Should for Catharine.

Yes, I named my baby Catharine, after my best friend. I really appreciated her support in all of this. She’s also the baby’s godmother. She’s got her wrapped around her little finger – but Kate seems to have that effect on everyone.

Now, Lincoln is rocking Kate to sleep after we ate a simple dinner of ham and mashed potatoes at home. We have a modest house, even though we could afford much more. I enjoy keeping things simple and so does Lincoln.

Kate’s room is nicely decorated in pink and white, and she has a crib and everything else she needs. Rex, who follows Kate around protectively, has a big dog bed by our bed, and a nice dog run outside.

Everyone has all the necessitates. That’s what matters. Lincoln has made good on his promises. He no longer fights. He’s done full treatment on his knee and eyes. And he still sees Dr. Mack for PTSD treatment, which really help keep his tendency towards anger issues in check.

He and his mom talk now and again. She flew out to New York and met Kate once she was born. They have a pretty good relationship, or at least as good of one as they can have in their situation. There is still a lot of hurt there, but they’re working through it.

And Lincoln and I are great. He’s been the best father. Like, right now, he kisses Kate and puts her down in her crib. He says, “Good night, my sweet baby,” like he always does at her bedtime.

Then he swoops me up into his arms and says, “Now it’s time for my other baby and I to have some fun.”

He carries me across the hallway to our room and lays me on the bed. Often times he’s rough, and I like that, but right now, he’s gentle. He can’t do everything he would usually do with my breasts, since I’m nursing. But he starts rubbing my clit, moving his fingers all around it, and driving me crazy right away.