“Your bed is comfy,” is all he says. It causes us both to laugh. “Daddy’s gonna tell a story,” he finishes.
“Well, this should be a good one,” Dove teases, her hand reaching for Matthew’s and holding it.
“There was once a cowboy. He walked into a hardware store to get a few bolts for the barn he was working on. The man was building a home and a barn at the same time. His parents called him crazy, but he was ready to settle down. So, that’s what he was starting to do. What he didn’t expect was the girl in the hardware store. She had him head over boots. So, this guy goes in a few more times, getting this or that and nothing in between. He doesn’t have the guts to ask her out, until he gets advice from a friend. After that, the guy does what he needs to get the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with.” My words aren’t as eloquent as Dove’s, but they get the story done, and our boy is already asleep.
“You knew that fast?” Dove asks quietly so as to not wake up Matthew.
“Oh yeah, I remember asking Blakely what to do after the third time, and she basically told me to use my common sense and take you out on a date.” Matthew moves. We both hold our breath until he settles again.
“Thank goodness you didn’t give up. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect life,” Dove’s voice is soft and sweet.
“I wouldn’t have done that, no way about it. I knew you would be mine, come hell or high water.” If I didn’t have Matthew pressed into my side, my arms would be around her.
“I love you.”
“Love you, Dove, and tomorrow, I’ll go out and grab a pregnancy test,” I tell her, giving my earlier thoughts away.
“You think so?” She’s tried not to get her hopes up for a while now. I’ve told her we’ll do whatever it takes if she was up for it, but she said it would happen in due time.
“If I’m wrong, you can have me do the dishes for a month,” I barter because she knows my hate for doing them.
“You have yourself a deal. I’ll never sleep tonight. I haven’t been checking or charting well, you know why,” she says quietly.
“I know, but like I said, it’s time to check. You may not see it, but I can tell it from your body, sugar.” She maneuvers herself so we can kiss before settling down with Matthew and me.
“Okay, but if I’m not, we’ll just completely quit trying. Honestly, I’m happy with our little family if this was all it’s meant to be.” Dove says that, but I know she’d like two children since she grew up as the only one and swears it was lonesome.
“Whatever you want, Dove. We’ll do what you need.” Dove yawns, so much like our boy when he’s not tired, yet Matthew is conked out, and I bet she’ll soon be too, excited or not. This right here, it’s all that matters, even if I do end up with a foot in the rib. I’ll take it now and forever.