“Who’s going with you?”
“I’m hoping Devon will,” I reply.
“Devon will what?” His shadow hovers over us.
“Thanks, Mom,” I grumble. “I’m hoping you’ll go with me to my cardiologist appointment.” I swallow as I wait for his response. My mother scurries off to my dad. He’s looking at her with a look of misunderstanding, but I don’t hate her, not at all. It just makes things harder on Devon.
His knees visibly buckle, and he falls to his knees in front of me. I take his hands in mine. “Why do you need to see the cardiologist?”
“I was hoping to have this conversation tomorrow, with just the two of us, but since that can’t happen…” I look at my parents, and my dad nods. “A couple of years ago, I was stressed to the max, chugging caffeine left and right. Well, my heart didn’t like it. So, after months of testing, they confirmed I have heart palpitations. To calm down, I need to be as stress-free as possible and to limit caffeine. Which is what I’ve been doing. I’ve been great for well over a year now; this is just my yearly visit. I’d like for you to go with me.”
“I wish like hell you would have told me earlier. I stressed you out before.” He wiggles his eyebrows, and I know the moment he’s talking about is when I went on my rant that was forever and a day long.
“That didn’t stress me out. It was back when I was surviving on caffeine while opening the shop.” I blow out a breath of air.
“Promise me right now, you’re okay, and you’ll let me know right away if you’re not okay? I need that from you, please.” My big strong man is brought to his knees in worry. If this is what he needs, then I’ll give it to him.
“Of course. I love you, Devon.”
“I love you, baby,” he murmurs before kissing me softly.
“You’re awfully hot while you work. I’m getting flick the bean material,” I make a joke to lighten up the situation as he goes to stand, but it does the opposite. He falls on his ass in a fit of laughter, bringing me with him.
“Okay, you two, Devon needs to get back to work.” I hear my dad chuckle.
Devon gets up first, then helps me. “Don’t be upset with your mom, baby. She meant well.” he kisses my forehead.
“I’m not, but goodness. I wish she’d use an inside voice more often,” I respond. He laughs, slaps my ass, and then marches off.
I sit back in my chair, grab my glass of lemonade, and fix my hat. My mom comes back shortly. “I really am sorry. I thought you would have told him by now.”
“It’s okay, no apology necessary. I should have, but we’ve been in our own bubble, and I know Devon will be on me like white on rice now, which is okay. I just wanted normalcy for a little bit longer, you know?” She nods, and we read our magazines she brought out earlier until our stomachs start growling. Then we head inside to make sub sandwiches, grab some chips, and fix vegetable and fruit trays. I look at all the food and shake my head, but take it out to the table she set up before everyone came over. She’s always feeding the world, I swear.
15
Devon
Today is the day Michelle has her cardiologist appointment, the one we’ll be late to if she doesn’t get her ass in gear.
“Babe, we need to leave in fifteen minutes,” I remind her.
“Devon, come here,” she calls out.
I head right into the master bathroom. The counters are spotless, so I can’t see what she’s looking at. “What’s wrong?” My hands find her hips, my chin resting on her shoulder when I see the test in front of her.
“That’s two lines, right?” she responds. “Oh my gosh, Devon. We’re going to be parents,” she squeals out.
Then I’m turning her in my arms, needing to see her eyes, letting her see the love reflected in my eyes. “Hell yes, we are, and we’re going to be the best parents ever.” Tears are shimmering in both of our eyes.
“Thank you so much, Devon.” I’m not really sure why she’s thanking me, when it should be the other way around.
I get down on my knees before her, lift up her shirt, and kiss the skin that will soon be stretched with our growing child.
“Baby, we’re in this together. Now and forever, but we really need to get to your doctor, now more than ever,” I reply, hating like hell to leave our nest of cozy celebration.
“I know. This sucks. I want to stay home instead of going to Dr. Marlow’s.” Her attitude shines when she doesn’t want to do something.
“It won’t be that bad, and I’ll take you for a drive and tacos after. Sound like a plan?” I suggest, getting us moving.