Keeping Score

Hunter was busy with a set of cars that raced each other on the track. We had our own moment on the couch. The two presents rested between us.

As soon as she held the box in her hand my chest tightened. My life was getting ready to change. The lid on the box cracked as her eyes widened.

“Oh my God,” she gasped.

I dropped to my knee. “Will you marry me?”

> I plucked the diamond from the velvet cushion and held it toward her finger.

She nodded, the tears filling her eyes. “Yes. Oh my God. Yes.”

I slipped the ring on her finger. It looked good. Huge. Glittery. Expensive.

She looked at me nervously. “Now you have to open mine.”

“Got it.”

I tore the paper from the box and dropped the lid on the floor. My jaw fell. I stared inside.

My eyes met hers. “This is for real?”

She nodded. “It is.”

I picked up the stick with two double lines on it. “You’re pregnant?”

“I took it yesterday.”

And I thought the ring was a big deal. What the fuck did I know?

“This is unbelievable.”

“But unbelievable good, right?” Her voice was shaky.

“I’ve never had a better Christmas ever.” I kissed her, pressing my lips against hers. “I love you, baby.”

“I love you too.”

Hunter walked over. “What is going on?”

“We’re getting married, bud. And having a baby.”

His eyes widened. “Wow.”

It was pretty fucking wow.

Julie pulled him into a hug. She didn’t seem to have to ask him anymore. He fell into her embrace just like he had always belonged there.

“Are you ok with all of this news, honey?”

He nodded. “I get to stay?”

“Oh, yes. Of course. That doesn’t change. It just means you have a baby brother or sister now,” she explained.

“Can we open more presents?”

We both laughed. He was eight after all. On to another topic before we had even digested the first one.

“Yeah, let’s do that. I’ve got a game this afternoon.”