Page 121 of Lyric Squared

Muah.

Muah.

Muah.

Muah.

One after the other, he kissed around my belly before resting his head on it. Right there was where he fell asleep minutes later.Too consumed with my emotions to even close my eyes, I silently thanked God for such a brilliant father for our child. Though we had many months before the baby was due, I knew that Keanu was fitting for the job.

I wokeup alone in bed. There wasn’t a trace of Keanu when I opened my eyes. I checked the time on my phone and saw that it was past four. That could only mean one thing. He was out with the boys playing basketball.

Laike, you’re in last place, I thought as I rolled out of bed and stretched my limbs. A slight pain ran the length of my spine, prompting me to end my stretching prematurely. I journeyed to the bathroom, a hand covering my mouth for the constant yawning I was doing.

It felt like I hadn’t emptied my bladder in months, but in actuality it had only been a few hours. Before leaving my doctor’s appointment, I’d stopped by the restroom. Nevertheless, it felt like a slice of heaven as my urine raced from my body.

Simultaneously, my stomach protested the few hours I’d placed between meals, and suddenly, Keanu’s question resurfaced.Yes. Now, I was hungry and was ready to eat now and not later. After finishing up in the bathroom, I redressed in my bedroom. I wore the same dress that I’d worn to the doctor. It was simple and easy to pull over my head. I didn’t feel like wearing pants or finding a matching top.

In only a few minutes, I was downstairs and out of the door. There was one place I had in mind. It didn’t matter that it was getting late in the evening. Maple Berries Brunch House wascalling my name. Baisleigh’s would’ve gotten my vote but Maples was closer.

When I was comfortable in my truck and the Bluetooth was connected, I wasted little to no time calling the one person I could hand my dirty laundry and it would never come out of their mouth. Ever’s line rang continuously before she answered. I was silently thanking God that she didn’t sound exhausted as she must’ve been after birthing an eight and a half pound boy.

“I’m glad you called. I was thinking about you,” she said as soon as she answered.

“Good things, I hope.”

“Yes. Of course. I just hadn’t heard from you since yesterday and it sounded like you were up in the air about something. I just made a mental note to call you before bed.”

“Well, now you don’t have to. Who’s getting the girls?”

“They’re at your mom and dad’s for the rest of the week and Saturday. Then, my mom will get them on Saturday night for church on Sunday. She’ll bring them back Tuesday when the baby and I are well rested,” she explained.

“Teamwork makes the dream work,” I cheered, “I’ll go by and see them tomorrow. Maybe take them ice skating Saturday. Essence has been talking about getting on the ice.”

“She’d love that.”

“Yeah. She would.”

“So, what’s on your mind, Lyric? I know you, and I know there’s something you’re itching to tell me,” Ever inquired.

“Are you psychic or something?” I chuckled.

“I don’t have to be psychic. I know your heart and it’s troubled.”

“I’m pregnant,” I blurted.

Silence covered the line. Then, finally, Ever spoke again.

“This, I knew,” she admitted, “but congratulations on your discovery.”

“How? How’d you know?”

“I just knew, Lyric. Aside from the breakup, there’s just been something different about you. When I saw you the night I had Lucas, it was confirmation for me. The stomach bug you claimed to have, I knew it was a little baby making you feel like you were losing your mind.”

“Mornings are so tough for me, Ever. I’ve been struggling for three days straight. The thought of food is exciting, but even something like the smell of it can make me change my mind. I don’t know how long this stage lasts, but I really hope that it isn’t long.”

“It won’t last very long, usually. Maybe the entire first trimester. You should be fine by the second one. Does he know?”

“Yes. He bought the tests the night I came over after Lucas was born. Six. All six said the same thing. He scheduled an appointment for us at his aunt’s office and we went there this morning.”