Paige’svoice startled me, andIyanked myself away fromValen’sbody.AsIattempted to rise, he rushed to sit up.Wetangled worse around each other, bumbling over each other’s bodies like a human pretzel in a sofa version of the gameTwister.Severalmortifying seconds later,Imanaged to untangle my limbs and stand upright.
“Paige.”Ismoothed my clothing, a lame attempt at seeking composure after being caught making out on the couch. “Wewere…um…well,ValenandIwere just…”
“Kissing,” she finished with a giggle.
“Yes, erm—we were—kissing,”Ibegan, not knowing whereIwas going to go from there while my cheeks burned.
Sheglanced from me toValen, who now stood beside me.Heturned to me with a look that questionedWhatshouldIdo?
LikeIhad a clue.
Paigetilted her head. “Doesthis mean you’re officially boyfriend and girlfriend?” she asked in a sing-song tone.
Iglanced atPaigeand thenValenand it all became clear.Itwas time not only to admit what was going on to myself but to my daughter.
“We’remore than that, sweetheart,”Itold her. “We’restarting a family.”Placingmy hand on my stomach,Isaid, “I’mgoing to have a baby, which means you’re going to be a big sister!”
Paigegasped and then ran over to hug us both. “I’vealways wanted a little brother or sister.Whichis it?”
Iwrapped my arms around her, savoring the affection. “Idon’t know yet.We’llfind out when the baby’s born.Itwill be a wonderful surprise.”
“Absolutely,”Valensaid, enclosing us both in his massive embrace.Thenhe whispered, “Family.”
* * *
“Doyou think the baby will be a boy or a girl,Mommy?”Paigeasked whenIpicked her up from school.Thatwas her number one question sinceI’dtold her about my pregnancy.
“Idon’t know, sweetie.I’mhappy with either.”Aftera few seconds,Iasked, “Howdo you feel about having a baby brother or sister?”
“Ican’t wait,” she declared.
WhenIglanced into the rearview mirror, she was smiling.Thatwas a relief; not thatIthought she wouldn’t be happy about our growing family.Butsince it had been the two of us for so long,Icouldn’t help but worry how she’d react.
Aswe drove home,Imentally went through whetherI’dforgotten anything thatIneeded for dinner.Valenwas coming over tonight, andIwas going to make lasagna.
“Valenis going to bring your favorite ice cream for dessert tonight,”Itold her.
“Yay!”
“Makesure you do your homework whileImake dinner.”
“Okay,Mommy.”
Aftertaking a deep breath,Iasked her something that had been on my mind.Withall the changes to our family,Iwas worried about how it might affectPaige. “Doyou likeValen?”
“Yes,” she replied right away.
“Whatdo you like about him?”
“Heplays with me at the park, and he’s bringing me ice cream.”
Ichuckled.Perhapsmy worry was needless. “Yes, those are two big pluses.”Iliked him for far different reasons.
Oncewe got home,Istarted on dinner whilePaigedid her homework at the dining room table.Valentexted to see ifIneeded anything else from the store besides ice cream.
Justyou,Itexted back.ThenIsent a heart emoji.
Ibent my head back and rolled my eyes at myself.Bumblingbroomsticks, how sappy—Imade myself sick.
