“Sure. Take your pick. I have three showers in thisplace.”
“I’ll take whatever one you aren’t using.”
“I’m using the ensuite. You can use whatever other one youwant. The linen closet is in the hallway.”
“Sounds good.”
We bothshower and I hear him in the kitchen again. I could swear he’smaking breakfast, and when I get downstairs, he is. “I’m afraid I’mnot too apt in the kitchen, darlin’, but I figure some bagels andorange juice isn’t a bad start to the day.”
“Not bad at all. That’s what I would have made. Thanks.” I sayto him. I notice that there’s a white gift bag on the table with ared bow on the front. “What’s this?”
“A little present.” He says. “You can open it whenever youwant.”
I can’thelp but smile. I don’t remember the last time I got a present,except for my birthday and Christmas. But an unexpected gift…thatnever happens. When I sit down at the table, he brings me mybreakfast, and he sits next to me. “It’s nothing big. Justsomething I picked up.” He explains.
I stickmy hand inside the bag, and pull out a little onesie. It’s the sameone with the bunny ears and bunny snout soother to match, that wesaw in the store window last night, before dinner. The lump in mythroat is too much. I immediately start sobbing. “Gosh, Maverick,thank you. It’s…so sweet.”
He comesover and hugs me. “Aw, darlin’, I didn’t mean to make you cry. Ijust thought you liked it so much last night, I went and picked itup today. And after y’all said that you wanted to keep the babylast night, I figured now’s as good a time as any to give it toyou.”
“Thank you. It’s lovely.” I gasp, holding it up. “But what ifit’s a boy?” I ask, realizing that it’s pink.
“I’ve got it in blue in my truck.” He can’t help butsmirk.
It takesus both a second to chuckle out loud. “God, you are so cut out tobe a daddy.”
He tipsmy chin up to meet his gaze. “And you are cut out to be a mama,too. You’ll see.”
***
Sloaneshows up at lunch time, and I really hope that she’s gone beforeMaverick arrives. He texted me earlier to say that he’d be coming.Stupidly, I forgot to put the little onesie away before she seesit. “Oh, wow. Where did you buy this?” she asks, looking at me likewe haven’t been fighting like cats and dogs recently, or that Ididn’t veto the idea of having a baby the last time I sawher.
“I didn’t buy it. Maverick did.”
“What a sweetheart.” She looks at me tentatively. “So, I’msurprised you didn’t burn this when he gave it to you.”
I giveher a look. “I’ve decided to keep the baby.”
Her eyesbulge. “Really? Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” I say, with impatience in my voice. I don’twant to talk about this with her for some reason. Talking aboutMaverick with Sloane just makes me uneasy. I’ve painted a rathergrim picture of my relationship with him, and I don’t want herthinking anything like what I think she’s thinking, based on hercomment.
A handgoes to her hip. “What changed?”
I sigh.“Look, Sloane, I was wrong about Maverick. We’re on the same level,and he wants so badly to raise this kid, and he’s willing to do itwhatever way I feel comfortable.”
Shetakes a step towards me. I have my laptop open on my lap, as I siton the couch. I can feel her eyes burning through me. “Did I justhear right?” she asks.
“Yes, you heard right, now leave it alone, before I change mymind.”
“But, Ellie, you were so dead against having it. Youwere…terrified. What, did you…did you sleep with him again? Whathappened in the last forty-eight hours that has made you make acomplete three-sixty?”
I shrug,drawing in a deep breath. Then on exhale, I say. “I don’t know.Maverick’s got a way with words, I guess.”
“Well, that’s how he got you into bed, isn’t it?” her tone issnide.
“Careful, Sloane.” I warn. “You’ve got Maverick all wrong,too.”
Shechanges the subject. “How did the ultrasound go?”
