Page 83 of Accidentally Perfect
“No?” Laney questions.
“No, you’re right. They don’t. You and I are a team and the girls make us a family. This baby and any other baby we may have in the future is our family. We're the only ones that matter.”
“So you’re okay with it? You’re okay with the baby and the crying, the dirty diapers and the sleepless nights?”
“Sleepless nights? Wait a minute. That may be a deal breaker. I need my beauty sleep you know. I’m not getting any younger.”
“Seriously?” she scoffs.
“Yes, I’m serious. How about I take the day shift, and you can take the night shift.” I can’t help but smile at her.
“No way!” She laughs.
“Okay, I guess I’m okay with the sleepless nights then.” I give her a wink.
“So we’re gonna have a baby.”
I wrap my arms around her waist, lowering her to the ground. Her smile is still evident as I move down her body, stopping at her stomach. “We’re having a baby.” I stare at her stomach in disbelief. I press my mouth firmly to her abdomen. “I’m gonna be a daddy, I mean, I’m already a dad, but I’m going to be a daddy.” I look up and meet her eyes, “Thank you, baby, thank you.”
The anxiousness that was evident in her eyes melts away. She lets out a long breath and nods her head. I watch as a single tear rolls down her cheek. I don’t know why she ever doubted me. I know I’ve never given her reason to, but I can understand her fear. This is new, everything about us is new and a baby is a lot. But here’s the thing, baby or not, I’m committed to her, to us and this life we’re just now starting. We’re going to welcome a life that she and I created, something that’s ours, something that’s mine.
“Sorry to interrupt you two.” I look up to find Stella standing in the doorway. “But the girls are getting restless about their presents. Are you two done sucking face and celebrating the new baby because if you aren’t, tough shit, my girls want to open their presents.
“Get your asses out here, pronto.” She turns and walks back outside.
“I guess we need to finish the party,” Laney says.
“Yeah, we do. Um, I have to get my presents for the girls. That’s what I was on my way to do before I got sidetracked.”
“What did you get them?”
“You’ll find out, sweet girl, just as soon as they do.”
“You didn’t get them instruments did you? I can’t handle instruments, Nathan. They will be permanently at Auntie Nat’s if that’s what you got. I’m not dealing with two six-year-olds banging away on metal.”
“No instruments. No drums, no saxophones, no guitars. It doesn’t even make a sound.”
“All right, I can do no sound.”
I’m sitting on a chaise lounge with Laney on my lap, my hands resting on her stomach. I know it’s early, and I know I won’t be able to feel the baby move, but I already feel protective. The girls have nearly gone through the mound of presents. I made sure when I invited everyone they knew they didn’t have to buy for both. The girls are great at sharing everything, so one present for them to share was good enough. If they did want to buy for both, I suggested it should just be something small. This party wasn’t about the girls getting loads of gifts; it was about them spending time with their friends.
Natalie places a few boxes in front of the girls. She tells them the gifts are from me, and they both look at me with huge smiles on their faces. They rip the wrapping and then open them, each pulling out a pair of riding pants, boots and a helmet, all pink of course. They look at me questionably.
“That’s riding gear, girls,” Natalie explains. “For horses.” Their eyes go wide with excitement.
“I thought you girls would like to learn to ride, here at the estate on the weekends. Would you like that?”
“Yes!” they scream.
“If you really like it then maybe we can get you both a horse of your own to help raise.”
Amanda comes running and jumps on Laney’s lap. I immediately block her stomach making sure my hand takes the impact and not Laney. “Careful, Bear, you need to be careful with Momma, okay?”
“Why?”
“Just because, baby. Just because.” Laney answers.
“Thank you, Nafan, thank you for the prethentth.”
