When she heard footsteps coming into the room, she kept her eyes closed and pretended she was asleep. Nick sat down next to her on the couch and sighed. After a few seconds, she felt a hand on her stomach. “I didn’t mean to freak out before. You just kinda shocked me. I thought about it now, and I feel a lot better. I’m actually kind of excited.”
She almost opened her mouth to reply, but he continued talking, and she realized he wasn’t talking to her.
“You know, your mommy and I will take such good care of you. You’ll have the best of everything. You’ll get the best education imaginable, and you’ll live in the best places and get all the best toys. I’m gonna spoil you rotten.” He snickered a little bit. “You’re gonna be a girl. I know it. I feel it. I’m gonna be so overprotective of you. You won’t date until you’re in your thirties, and you’re never getting married, unless I get to choose the guy. You’re gonna be daddy’s little girl. You’re going to be so beautiful. You’ll look just like your mommy, and she’s the most beautiful person in the world. I really love her. I’m gonna love you so much. I already do.”
Michelle couldn’t help but sniffle, accidentally letting him know she was awake.
“Shelle?” he whispered. “Are you all right?”
Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at him with a smile on her face. “That was the cutest thing I ever heard.”
He blushed. “I didn’t mean to wake you up.”
“I woke up when you came in. I was waiting to talk to you.” She sat up and crawled into his open arms. “So you’re okay with this baby thing?”
He grinned and kissed her gently. “Are you kidding? I can’t wait. We’re gonna be the best parents in the world.”
“I think so.”
Suddenly, he tensed up. “I’m really sorry, Michelle. I should have been more supportive.”
“It’s okay. When I found out, I was just as shocked as you were.”
“How did you find out? When?”
“Well, I was supposed to get my period right around the time I left, and after a week, I started to worry. I couldn’t remember if you had used anything or not, but since we were in a car and it was very spur of the moment, I assumed you hadn’t. I went to my mom’s doctor, and sure enough, I was pregnant.”
“Does your mom know?”
“Not yet. I realized she would tell your mom as soon as she found out, and I thought you should be the one to tell your mom.”
“I don’t wanna tell her over the phone. How am I gonna do this?” he groaned.
“My mom said she was going to Jane’s house for Thanksgiving, and I figured you would be going, too. Maybe we can all go together.”
“Why doesn’t your mom go to some relative’s house?”
“I never told you anything about my family, did I?”
“No, not really. I know you have an older brother named Joey and a mom, and your dad died when you were a baby, but that’s it.”
“Well, my mom has a sister, but they really aren’t close. After they moved out, they went their separate ways, and they both have families now or whatnot. They talk every once in a great while. My grandparents died when I was fifteen. I never knew my dad’s parents. They died shortly after he got married. He didn’t have any brothers or sisters. Basically, the only family I have is my mom and Joey.”
“Oh. I never did understand why she always celebrated holidays with us. That explains it.”
“So we’re going back, then, right?”
“Yeah, sure. We can tell them all then.”
She rested her head on his chest and let out a deep breath. “I’m scared.”
“I am, too, but we can do this, Shelle.”
“If I had to get pregnant, I’m glad you’re the father,” she whispered.