“I thought you had a counseling session.”
“I do. I was hoping you would join me.” Samuel took her laptop bag. He couldn’t help but touch her while they walked. He placed his hand at the small of her back.
“How come?”
“She forgot her husband at home.” He supplied drily.
Hannah laughed, “So you ran down here to get your wife?”
“Yeah! Sure did.” He wasn’t ashamed to admit it.
“I’ve got you.” She winked. It did something to him to hear her voice the same sentiment he normally did.
Poppy Deville somehow managed to have even less clothing on when he returned with Hannah in tow. The little sweater thingy was gone. Her smile immediately dropped when her eyes landed on his wife.Well, isn’t that too bad.The woman couldn’t have been more obvious. They were seated for five minutes when she made an excuse to abandon the meeting.
“When you have the time, we will be happy to see you,” Samuel offered so there would be no questions. No, Poppy Deville and he would not be meeting alone. Ever.
They just looked at each other and smiled. “Early lunch then?” Hannah suggested. It sounded good to him. Neither of them had any appointments in the afternoon, they could head home afterwards.
Having made it home, Samuel was looking forward to spending a little horizontal time with his wife. She had other ideas.
“Have a seat. I have something for you.” She instructed, ruining his plans. Then she raced out of the room and was gone for some time. “Hey, do you need help with something?” He called.
“No, I’m back.” Hannah held her hand behind her back. She looked a bit… nervous. But at least she sat beside him. “This is for you,” she announced. Handing him the gift box that she had held behind her back. He frowned slightly as he took it. It looked suspiciously like the kind of box one would put a tie in.Not this again.“Jagiya?”
“Just open it. Please.” He lifted the lid slowly. The content of the box wasn’t what he expected. There was no way he could have guessed. His mind registered what it was but, he still asked, “What is this?”
“It’s a pregnancy test.”
He lifted the white stick, and his heart began to race as he read the word in the window.PREGNANT.“You’re pregnant?” He asked. She nodded, biting her lip. “But you said… we’re having a baby?”
“Yup. I’m just as surprised as you are.” It took a moment for it all to sink it.
“And, you’re sure?”
She smiled at him indulgently. “Yeah, I’m positive. Don’t get mad, but I’ve known for a couple of days. I had to have my doctor confirm before I shared the news with you. So, it’s official. I’m six weeks along.”
I’m going to be a dad!When Hannah had told him she couldn’t have children, he accepted it. He was content as long as he had her in his life. However, now that he knew their family was growing, he embraced the addition. Standing, he reached for her hand to bring her to her feet. Samuel cupped one side of her face. His hand lay on her doughy middle. In there, she was growing a life that their love was creating. He sent up a silent prayer of thanks to the creator. He said his thanks to her out loud.
“Thank you for this amazing gift.” He pressed his hand into her belly.
“Well, I can’t take all the credit.” She smiled.
Samuel pulled her into a tight hug, then immediately tried to loosen it as he apologised to her. “It’s okay. I won’t break.” She murmured into his chest, holding tight.
The two of them had so much to look forward to. A future to plan for. Within an hour, he had a list of things he needed to tackle. The top of his list was to throw a celebration. Their wedding had been a private affair for the two of them, which he didn’t regret. However, he wanted to shout from the mountain tops his joy that Hannah was having his baby.
“I’m all for the celebration, but I’d like to hold off on it. Our immediate family already knows.” Hannah explained how silly she felt that the women in their family figured it out before she did. “It’s recommended we wait to share the news until after the first trimester. We can announce the joyful news to the congregation. Then I’m happy to have a huge celebration. I’m sure our moms will be so excited to get to planning.”
“No. Leave it to me. I just want everyone to show up and have a great time.” He knew just where they would celebrate. Samuel had a favour he was going to call in to make it a special occasion.
After waiting an additional month after her first trimester, they announced their pregnancy to the congregation. The couple was overwhelmed with joy as they saw the congregation’s faces light up with excitement and happiness. They felt a sense of relief and gratitude, knowing that they were surrounded by a community that would support and celebrate this new chapter in their lives. It was a moment of pure happiness and anticipation of the journey ahead.
The evening of the celebration, Samuel and Hannah matched in warm earthy tones. She looked stunning in a copper satin wrap dress. Her baby bump still hadn’t made an appearance. He was actively on baby bump watch. His eagerness grew as he awaited signs of her pregnancy. Let’s say… she was indulging him. He was certain it wouldn’t last.
The atmosphere of the celebration was filled with joy and excitement as friends and family gathered in the private dining room at Fusion. This was the favour Samuel called in. When Brooke Ma launched her talk show Speak to Me, he’d given her a much-needed exclusive interview. Her husband was the famous Chef Aaron Ma, and reservations to his restaurant Fusion were much sought after. The waiting list for the room their party was held in was over a year long. One call to Brooke and the restaurant’s coordinator was reaching out to Samuel to book the room. When Samuel and Hannah stopped by to discuss the menu, Chef Ma had joined the meeting. So, a world-famous chef curated their celebration’s menu.“You helped Sherbrooke out when she needed support. It’s the least I can do.”
They couldn’t have asked for a better night. The family and close friends were honouring the life growing inside Hannah, but they were also commemorating the couple’s union. They had come full circle and were finally where they were meant to be after all these years.
