“Peanut, you’re going to be a big brother.” Ben’s hand still rested on the puppy before his lips landed on mine and his tongue quickly entered my mouth. We didn’t let go of each other for a long time.
Pulling back, Ben stood. “What did the doctor say? Does he ... or she ... know I’m a doctor? Did they give you any information? Did you hear the heartbeat?”
“She said you’d be upset about not being there, and told me to come back on Friday with you so you could hear the heartbeat too.”
“Smart doc.”
“She’s very well regarded, and is going to ask around for a referral in Vermont for me.”
“You know what? You’re making me the wealthiest man alive, Murphy. Damn straight, the richest.”
He moved close, being careful of the puppy as he kissed me, then pulled back. “We should probably add on to the house, in the back.”
Deciding to distract him, I asked, “Does Peanut have a crate?”
“In the front hallway,” he said, raising an eyebrow.
“Let’s go, Baby Daddy,” I said playfully.
Ben placed Peanut in his crate before lifting me gingerly and carrying me off to the bedroom.
I snuggled close, whispering, “Funny how I never wanted our friendship to leave my dorm room at Pressman, and now you never want me to leave the bedroom, period.”
All I got was a huge laugh.
* * *
Later that week, we were spread out in bed, naked and our limbs twisted in the sheets as Ben ran his palm up and down my thigh, deep in thought.
That morning, he’d heard the baby’s heartbeat for the first time and had immediately cried. “I’m sorry, I know I should be tough or maybe not so affected by this because I’m a doctor, but I can’t help it,” he’d said in front of the obstetrician. With his finger, he’d traced the alien form on the screen like a small boy in wonderment over a new toy.
“That’s our baby,” he’d whispered, and we shared a quick kiss.
Now I asked, “What’s up?”
I looked over and caught a glimpse of his bedhead and scruffy chin. Always the same Ben, no matter how many zeroes were in his bank account.
“I just want you to be happy. I want you to have the life you always dreamed about.”
Emotion clogged my throat. In all the years I’d known Ben, he’d never been able to shake this odd insecurity. It wasn’t an overt part of his personality, but it was there, an undercurrent that showed up in some conversations.
“I’m beyond happy,” I told him. “Honestly, I never dreamed of any kind of life in particular, but if I had, this would’ve been it.”
His hand found mine, and our fingers wove together.
With Ben’s latest bonus, we were very comfortable. Not as wealthy as my parents, but who needed all the pressure that came with that kind of money?
“Ben,” I said, making sure he saw me. “I love you, and I would love you with money or no money. Here, there, or anywhere.”
“Dr. Seuss?” he asked with an eyebrow raised.
“Yep. I’ve been brushing up on my reading for when the baby comes. I can’t read her or him romance novels.”
This got me a huge laugh, and his tension disappeared.
“Speaking of, I got these today.” He slid out of bed and walked toward the closet, his ass on display.
Smiling, I had no idea what to expect because this was Ben.
