“What are you doing here? You have a race.”
“I can’t race.” She glances at Lennon next.
I narrow my eyes and swirl my tongue across my teeth. “Your period is late,” I state.
“I haven’t noticed until this morning so I asked Lennon to grab me a pregnancy test.”
A grin widens across my face.
I fucking love her.
That same old fire inside me burns only for her.
She’s pregnant, I already know that. Her curves subtly change around her belly and she is emotional more than usual like how she was with Leo. I have a good guess when we conceived our baby too, I came so hard inside her there was no way I wouldn’t have gotten her pregnant.
“I already knew you were pregnant.”
“Why didn’t you stop me?”
“It’s not my choice, you can do whatever you want with your body and I know you love racing and it’s just the beginning of your pregnancy so go.” I motion with my head. “It’s not a dangerous course, you’re going to be fine and your little cheerleading team is right behind you.”
“Are you sure? Our baby is way more important to me.”
“Only if you want to, I’d support your decision like you supported mine for seven years.” I quit racing when Leo was born and became an instructor. I hold the world record of winning eight championships in a row. Most importantly, she was there for every single moment. When I crashed and when I could’ve died, she stayed.
“I really want to,” she nods, her eyes looking torn.
To infuse more confidence in her, I shoot her a wicked smile and say, “Then go make us proud, mama.”
She gazes up at me with those love eyes. “Are you happy?”
“Ecstatic.” I kiss her lips and whisper into her ear, “I’ll devour you after you win.” I slide my hands around her waist and lift her off the floor.
“You better,” she whispers back with a wide grin.
“I love you so much.” I release her.
“I love you, champ,” She says before she skips to her spot merrily. The moments I coax a grin out of her are like tiny victories that make my heart swell.
Blakely always had so much love to give and when she thought no one cared or wanted her love, she sealed it in her heart but kept it for the ones she truly loves.
Desert Peak changed everything for her, we stormed into her life unexpectedly, plucked her sad heart out of the darkness, and gave it unconditional love and light.
She changed everything for me too.
Blakely swings her leg over the bike and straddles it and when the flag goes up, my wife is a force on the road and anywhere else. I’ll be forever grateful that she chose to come to Desert Peak that summer and change all our lives for eternity.
“Daddy, I wanna see Mommy.” I lift Leo over my shoulders so he can see his mom winning the race.
“You go, Blakely, damn that girl is fast!” Ronnie, Bradley, and Amber cheer from the side as their eyes are glued to theracetrack in our private spot—family only.
Our family is from all over the country but they’re here now.
“Show them what you’re made of, bitch.” Lai screams at the top of her lungs. “Sorry kids, Aunty Lai is crazy.” They all giggle.
I feel so fucking stupid as my eyes become glossy and blur my vision but I manage to clear my voice and get a grip on myself. “Go Mommy,” I join Leo as Theo’s hand taps on my shoulder.
“No abandonamos a nadie,” he says, his eyes fixed on the racetrack as well.
