She opened the door a few seconds later. Before she could even part her lips, I held the pregnancy test up for her to see. She gasped, putting a hand on her mouth. I went inside without waiting for an official invitation.
“Where did you?—”
“It was in the trash, by the kitchen.”
“Oh my God. I didn’t even realize I’d thrown it there. I’m sorry, I should’ve taken it with me.”
I turned around, taking her in. Her face was a little puffy. Had she been crying?
“That’s what you’re sorry about? Or not telling me?”
“Oh, Beckett!” Her shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry. I’ve been all over the place since I found out.”
I stepped closer to her, putting my hands on her shoulders. “Why?”
“What do you mean, why?” She averted her gaze. “Because we haven’t been together long.”
“So?”
She looked at me quickly but then glanced away again. “And Charlotte is so young.”
“Again, so?”
“You really want me to say it out loud?”
“Yes. This isn’t like you, Piper. You’re not coy. You always say what’s on your mind.”
“I know, but… I’m not sure if you want more kids.”
“Why wouldn’t I, especially with you?”
She finally made eye contact but didn’t say anything.
“I want to know why you didn’t tell me the second you saw the test.”
She lowered her gaze again and grimaced. “I wasn’t sure how you’d react.”
“Look at me, beautiful, so you know that I mean every word.” When her eyes were on mine once more, I told her, “I’m so fucking thrilled, I can’t even explain it.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I can’t believe you’re surprised.”
She frowned. “You always said that you have enough on your hands with Charlotte.”
“Yeah, and I do. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want us to have kids at all.” I grinned. “Fuck me, we’re going to be parents.You know how amazing that is?” I didn’t get to share this elation the last time because Ella didn’t want either of us. But I wanted Piper, our peanut, Charlotte, a picket fence, and all that romance horseshit women talk about as soon as Piper said yes.
She smiled. “Yes, I do. God, I do.” Her entire body turned soft under my touch. Her shoulders relaxed, and the tension in her neck melted away.
“Why is your face puffy? Have you been crying?”
“No, just throwing up. Another reason why I was hiding this morning. Nothing sexy about throwing up.”
“I don’t care. I don’t want you to keep things from me. I want to be there for you every step of the way—for the good and the bad. Let’s sit down. You need to rest a bit, right, if you’ve been sick?”
“I haven’t been sick rightnow. I think the puffiness will take a while to go back down.”
I glanced down at her belly. “How far along are you?” I asked as I put my hand on it. My son or daughter was inside the woman I loved. This was the best feeling in the world. Nothing else even came close to it.
