“Married and expecting. Time flies.”
James looked down at my stomach and then back up to me. “You can’t tell at all. No one would ever guess that you’re pregnant.”
“Will you still love me when my stomach is huge?”
“I love you more each and every day. So… yes.” He leaned over top of me and kissed my stomach.
The position made his tattoo visible. I reached up and ran my finger along the pulse lines of it. “When did you get this?” I had been wondering when he had gotten it the whole time he was in his coma.
“The morning after our fight.”
“You got it when you thought we were done? Why?”
“Because even if you left me, it didn’t make it less true. My world changed when you walked into it. For the better.”
“James. That just makes it that much sweeter.”
He smiled. “I forgot that you hadn’t seen it yet.”
“I have already seen it.”
He raised his left eyebrow. “Did you rape me in the hospital?”
I laughed and pushed his chest so that he was lying down again. “No. I wanted to find it. I just stripped you a little, that’s all. And just for the record, you started to wake up right after that. Apparently you just missed having my hands all over you.”
He smiled. “Oh, I definitely missed that.”
“But seriously, James. That is the sweetest gift you’ve ever given me. How am I supposed to compete with that? And your birthday is tomorrow.”
“This is pretty good.” He kissed my stomach. “Actually, this is really, really good. I love it. I couldn’t have asked for a better present.”
“It is a little terrifying though.”
“It’s okay. We’re going to be fine.”
“How do you know?”
He pulled me into his arms. “Because everything’s alright as long as you’re with me.”
I sighed as I listened to his steady heartbeat. There was no better sound in the world. No better feeling than his arms around me. Nothing at all was better than this.
“Thank you for tonight, James. It was perfect.”
He kissed my forehead. “Thank you for taking a chance on me.” He yawned and pulled me even closer.
“Thank you for choosing me,” I whispered against his chest.
“I’ll always choose you.”
***
I slipped out from underneath his arm and grabbed my phone. I needed to make his birthday special. Despite what James said, I needed to give him something great. I wanted to surprise him. I clicked on Rob’s number in my phone and held it to my ear.
“It’s a little late,” Rob said and cleared his throat. “Daphne’s going to think I’m getting a booty call. Wait, is this a booty call? Am I dreaming?”
“I’m sorry to wake you, but I need a favor,” I whispered, ignoring everything he had just said.
“Whatever you need, baby mama.”
I laughed and sat down on the couch. “I’m going to have to get used to that nickname. I was wondering if we could somehow manage to put together a last minute surprise party for James? Maybe at Mason and Bee’s? James and I stayed at their hotel last night…”
“Done.”
“You didn’t even ask them.”
“I’ll make it happen.”
I smiled. “Thanks, Rob. And can we maybe make it a small thing? Just our closest friends?”
“You want me to uninvite people?”
“What do you mean uninvite people? I only just told you about it.”
“I already sent out 150 invites while we were talking.”
“What?”
“I’m just kidding. I’ll take care of it.”
I couldn’t tell if he was kidding or not. But when he said he’d take care of it, I knew he would. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired. But I’m super excited to be an uncle. And James seems really excited about it too.”
I glanced at the bed. “Yeah, he does.” I smiled at the thought. He wanted the baby. He hadn’t been upset at all. He was just happy. We were happy.
“You’re going to make great parents.”
“Thanks, Rob.”
“But it’s not even going to compare to how awesome of an uncle I’m going to be. Speaking of which, are you going to do that thing where all your friends also call themselves aunt and uncle to the baby? Because I kind of like the idea of being the only uncle. Since I’m technically the only actual uncle.”
“I’ll talk to James about it.”
“I’ll take that as a yes. Mason and Matt can suck it.”
I laughed.
“Okay, I have to go. I have a lot to do. Plus, I need to buy James a bunch of presents that I originally wasn’t sure I was allowed buy because I didn’t know if he knew yet. You know?”
“Shouldn’t you be taking it easy? Maybe…”
“My older brother only turns 30 once. And I didn’t… I mean, I didn’t know if he was going to get to. I want to make it special.”
I closed my eyes. He was right. It had to be special. “Thanks, Rob. I’m sure whatever you get him he’s going to love.”
“Lots of tequila and strippers?”
“Please don’t do that.”
“Ugh. Fine. Go back to bed, Penny. I got this covered.”
“No strippers.”
“What was that? I’m going under a tunnel. I think I’m losing the connection.”
“Didn’t I just wake you up? Hello? Rob?” I pulled the phone away from my ear. The line was already dead.
Sunday
I slowly opened my eyes to see James staring at me.
“I’m the luckiest man alive,” he said with a smile.
I blinked, letting his face come into focus. “Happy birthday, baby.” I reached up and ran my hand against the scruff on his chin. “You’re also the handsomest man alive.”
He turned his head to kiss my palm. “I was thinking for my birthday that I just want to relax and hang out here today.”
“Are you sure? I thought maybe we could go out to dinner somewhere and tell everyone the good news.”
“I don’t think you’ve ever turned down a lazy day in.” He lowered both his eyebrows.
“I wasn’t the only one that almost lost you. Your friends and family experienced that pain too. They want to see you.”
“Mhm.” He yawned and slowly sat up. “I think you’re planning something.”
“I’m not planning anything.” I smiled at him. “I’ll even let you choose the restaurant.”
“Okay. But we’re going home right after dinner.”
“You turn 30 and suddenly your new bedtime is 8 o’clock?”
He laughed. “I just want to be alone with you. Maybe we can go for a walk in Central Park tonight?”
“That sounds perfect. The simplest things are my favorite things to do with you.” I gave him a swift kiss on the lips. “Now get dressed, old man, we have places to be.”
I squealed as he pulled me on top of him.
“What’s the rush?”
There was no rush. Right now all I wanted was for us to get lost in each other again.
***
“Oh, I almost forgot. Bee accidentally left her sunglasses at the hospital. I told her we could drop them off for her.” I pressed the button for their floor after we stepped onto the elevator.
“We can just give them to her at dinner tonight.”