“That’s great you could get an appointment on short notice.”
“It wasn’t easy. They’re not normally doing prenatal massage on Sundays, but the therapist agreed to come in.”
“On their day off?”
“I’m paying them double.” That probably wasn’t the right thing to say. Buying special favors at the expense of a service worker’s downtime probably doesn’t sit well with Luke. “My doctor says she’s the best in the state for prenatal massage. The place is medically certified, and I’ll be in good hands.”
“I’m glad you get to do it.”
“Me, too.” I know he’s worried about me making this trip. “We’ll be close to good hospitals if anything happens.”
“In Sheridan?” Luke scoffs. “That’s at least half an hour from Salem.”
Here’s my chance to tell him. To admit my dad’s transfer came through last week. That my father has already settled in at a minimum-security camp close to Joyner. I’ve opened my mouth to say it when Luke speaks again.
“It’s okay, Hazel. I don’t mean to sound like I don’t trust you. If your doctor says it’s fine, I know you’re a grown-ass woman who makes thoughtful decisions.”
That’s when I think maybe he would understand. Maybe I’m making a big deal over nothing. I remember my cousin’s response over lunch when I guiltily told her about trying to get my dad moved.
You don’t need to run those decisions by me.
You do what’s best for your branch of the family tree, Hazel.
Maybe it’s best not to tell Luke now. Once I give birth, we’ll have a long stretch of time where I won’t be able to visit my father at all. Then, when the doctor okays it, I’m hoping to take the twins for a visit. That’ll be a whole conversation with Luke, and I’d like to prepare. I’ll make notes and practice beforehand.
“I sure missed you today, Haze.” His voice fills me up with a warm, golden light.
“I missed you, too.” The next words burst out of me, too fierce to hold back. “God, I love you. So much.”
“I love you, too.” He chuckles. “What brought that on?”
“I don’t know. Just thinking about how good it feels to trust you completely. To know you’re my dependable partner beyond our plan to raise babies together.” Self-consciousness seizes me when he doesn’t reply right away. “Sorry, I just?—”
“Coral,” he says. “That’s a nice sea-inspired name. Or maybe Rain.”
“Luke—”
“That’s a terrible name for a girl.” His voice goes a little raspy. “I love you so much, Hazel. Sometimes I wonder if there’s any way I could possibly deserve you. If you’ll wake up one day and realize you could do so much better than a financially insecure ex-con without a college degree.”
“Don’t say that.” Tears sting my eyes. “You work for an excellent company. Besides, you’re insulting the father of my children. A man who happens to be kind and considerate and sweet and hardworking and trustworthy and?—”
“Okay, okay.” He chuckles. “Now you’re giving me a big head.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Something sounds new in his voice. A height of emotion I haven’t heard before. “God, Hazel. I can’t wait to form a family with you. To raise our girls to be strong, smart, capable women like their mother.”
Blinking back tears, I stroke Squash’s sleek fur. “And I can’t wait to teach them to be honest and kind and sincere like their dad.”
“Good night, Haze,” he says with a twist in his voice. “Drive safely tomorrow.”
“Goodnight, Luke. Sweet dreams.”
I hang up and crawl into bed for sweet dreams of my own. Dreams of a future with Luke and our girls.
“This is amazing.” Dad turns the cardboard pages in the kiddie book. “I can’t believe you can get something like this custom made.”
“Betsy’s Beach Reads just started offering them.” I watch as he flips through his very own copy of Numr Ne Randpa. “The artist is local, and she works with each client to come up with the story and drawings.”
