I tuck my surprise behind my back and creep towards the bed. Adam stares at me, confused.
“What on earth do you have behind your back?”
“I don’t know. You’re the sock man. You tell me.”
“I couldn’t imagine.”
I produce a plain black sock, and Adam’s brow creases in confusion. “Uhh, okay. Want to tell me about that?”
I sit down on the foot of the bed and hold out the sock. “It’s not just any sock. This is a time machine sock.”
Adam’s confusion turns into a broad grin. “It’s either too early in the morning for this, or there’s a punchline coming.”
“No punchline. This really is a time machine. This sock will take you back to your childhood—all those fun moments. Favorite books, favorite toys, and all the things you thought you’d forgotten. This sock will bring so much joy, and it has the power to change the future by changing how you think about the past. This sock is going to change everything.”
Adam’s grin grows wider. He’s game to play along even if he’s not sure what exactly I’m getting at. “When does it go into production?”
“Well…it’s already in production. It should be ready in about seven months.”
“Where should we go first? Who should we visit? Can we go together? Are there going to be multiple pairs made?”
I roll my eyes. Of course, he doesn’t get what I’m trying to tell him, so I slide the pregnancy test out of the sock. Adam nearly falls off the edge of the bed.
“Oh. Oh, that’s what you mean. Holy. Shit. Is that…you’re…”
“Yes, I’m pregnant. I took it this morning, first thing. They say morning pee is strong, so I thought it would be best to wait. I wanted to wake you up and tell you, but then I thought about the sock, and it was too good. I couldn’t help it.”
“That was good.” Adam opens his arms, and I shift closer. The best feeling in the world, I’ve decided, is being wrapped up in those arms. “That’s a very good surprise. You’re good at marketing. I think you should consider making a switch.”
“Nope. I save all my good ideas for you.” I reach up and caress his jaw, the thick stubble now tickling my fingers instead of burning them since it’s been so many days that it’s almost soft now.
“A baby?”
“A baby.”
We’ve been trying to get pregnant for five months now. It’s not exactly a surprise, but well, when is finding out you are pregnant, not a little bit surprising? And scary? And wonderful. And amazing. We’re going to have a baby. A baby who looks a little bit like me and a little bit like Adam, and he or she is going to be perfect.
“I’m going to have to design a new line of socks to celebrate,” Adam whispers at the top of my head. He kisses me softly there before tilting my face up.
“They’re going to be the best socks ever, and I think we should make it a thing. You know, to go beside the engagement socks, my wedding socks, and the pair you’ve given me for every anniversary so far.”
“That baby is going to get a pair of socks for every single birthday.”
“Don’t forget Christmas.”
“Hey, everyone loves getting my socks for Christmas.”
“That’s true. They do. Because everyone who knows you loves you. Take me, for example. I happen to love you very, very much.”
“I happen to love you too.”
Adam starts stripping away my clothes—the big sweater and the tank underneath. His hands feel so good, so right, so perfect on my skin. His lips create fresh wonder in me every single time they kiss me. He gently lays me back on our bed and kisses his way to my stomach. It’s still flat. Not a single bit of change, but I know it will only take a few months. He kisses me there reverently before he looks up at me, and I’ll never forget his expression, shining with love and astonishment and pure joy.
“I can imagine them now. All those baby socks.”
“A real reason to celebrate.”
“Socks are always a reason to celebrate.”