“Did Joel and Nelson tell you the big news?” She leans both elbows on the island.
“What news?” I keep my gaze on the puzzle, fitting a piece with a Y on it next to one with an O .
“They picked a name for the baby.”
I stop to look at her because this is huge. The two of them have been volleying names back and forth for weeks.
“What is it?”
“Guess,” she counters.
“You’re kidding.” I laugh. “They’ve thrown hundreds of names at me, Afton. There’s no way in hell I’m going to know which one they chose.”
She sighs. “Try.”
“Luke?”
Laughing, she shakes her head. “Nope.”
“Aftonio?”
“That’s what I’d vote for, but that’s a no.”
I drop my gaze back to the puzzle, fitting more pieces together until the word YOU’RE appears.
“I know.” I glance up to catch her staring at me. “Calvetti Walton-Neal.”
“Marti would love that.” She smiles.
I keep moving on with the puzzle, fitting a G next to an O .
“Give me a hint, Afton.”
“It’s a boy’s name.”
I stop again to lean forward to kiss her. “That’s not a hint.”
“Think of when the baby will be born.”
“December,” I blurt out. “I’m sure August will appreciate that his cousin is rocking a name inspired by the calendar too, but that’s a hell of a burden to put on any kid.”
She laughs.
“What are we supposed to call him for a nickname?” I question as I complete the word GOING on the puzzle.
“Ember?” She giggles. “Dec? Ber?”
I move the pieces quickly now.
There’s no fucking way. This can’t say what I think it does.
“If month names are a trend, then our baby will be named June. It’s too early to know if it’s a boy or a girl.”
Those words leave her lips the very same second I realize what the puzzle says. I shout it out because fuck , this is everything. “You’re going to be a dad again!”
“You’re going to be a dad again,” she whispers. “In June.”
I round the island to take my fiancée in my arms. I spin her around. “We’re going to have a baby. August is going to be a brother.”
“And Noel will be a cousin.”
I bury my face in her neck. “I’m so fucking happy. Marry me tomorrow.”
Her lips find mine. “Make it next month, and you have a deal, but let’s do it here in the garden. We don’t need a church or a fancy dress or tuxedo.”
I nod as I lower her to her feet. Placing my hand over her still flat stomach, I grin. “We have everything we’ll ever need right here.”
We do.
I never thought to dream of a life like this because I didn’t realize it could be my reality. But it is, and I’ll never take it for granted, as long as we both shall live.