“If that stick is positive, there will be few mysteries left,” he says, and my stomach immediately erupts with butterflies.
“If it’s positive,” I say as I cap the stick and finish my job, then pull up my pants. “Everything is going to change.”
“In wonderful ways,” he says and turns when I flush and wash my hands. “How long do we wait?”
“Three minutes.”
I set the test stick aside and walk into his arms, soaking him in. “What if it’s negative?”
“We get to keep trying,” he replies. “Today.”
“I’m being serious.”
“So am I, sweetheart. I can’t keep my hands off of you.”
I laugh and glance down. “Has it been three minutes?”
“No, it’s been one minute.”
“Well, that’s all it took.” I pick it up and grin. “Because this second line is as bright as can be.”
“What does the second line mean?” He reaches for the box, but I take his hand in mine.
“We’re having a baby.”
He blinks as if the news is unexpected, which only makes me laugh.
“Uh, Noah? This happens when you try to get pregnant. Well, if you’re lucky. And it seems we are.”
“Holy shit.” He grins and lifts me off my feet, spinning me in a circle. “Holy shit! We’re having a baby!”
There’s a knock on the door.
“Hello?” Gray calls out. “We want to open presents out here. Come on already.”
We smile at each other. “We’d better go tell them.”
“Why did we invite the whole family here for Christmas morning?” Noah asks. “I want to take you to bed and celebrate.”
“Later.” I open the door and smile up at Gray.
“Stop it with the Christmas hanky-panky already.”
“Stop trying to ruin my fun,” Noah counters as we walk out to the living room. Noah’s parents came up from Arizona for the holiday, and even Lacey came from Portland. Gray and Autumn are passing out presents.
Noah raises a brow at me, but I shake my head.
Not yet.
Once all of the paper is torn, and we’ve gorged ourselves on cinnamon rolls and hot beverages, I nod at Noah.
“We have one more present,” he says, taking my hand in his.
“We’re having a baby,” I announce.
“We know,” Gray says, taking another cinnamon roll off the platter. “You were back there forever.”
“I listened in like any self-respecting mother does when she hears the words pee on the stick,” Susan adds.
I look at Noah, and we dissolve into laughter.
“You didn’t say anything!”
“We didn’t want to ruin your announcement,” Doug says as he pulls me in for a hug. “But I sure am happy, sweet girl.”
“Looks like we’ll be spending more time in the cabin,” Susan agrees. “Because I’m not missing out on my grandchildren. What a blessing this is! Daughters and babies.”
Autumn smiles, her hand on her swollen belly.
A blessing, not a burden.
That’s what family is.