What choice do I have?
I wouldn’t force the issue. If I did, I might never know if his feelings were genuine. I didn’t want to ask him how he felt and put him on the spot. He was already being so careful with me and my irrational feelings as it was. I didn’t want him to say something he thought I wanted to hear just to avoid a pregnancy-induced meltdown.
"Where did those come from?" Max asked as he got ready to leave for work.
"Alex." I smiled. "They just got delivered."
"They must have cost a fortune."
Yes, they probably did, but no one had ever sent me flowers before, and I was enjoying them.
"Doesn’t he know we have other expenses to think about? He shouldn’t be wasting his money on frivolous stuff."
Didn’t Max know I was tired, sad, and worried? And getting flowers from Alex totally made my day?
"I mean really, Jocelyn." Max frowned. "Even you would agree this is excessive and irresponsible."
I nodded and tried to hold back the tears, but it was too late.
"Oh crap," he grumbled. "Please don’t do that. I’m sorry. The flowers are pretty."
"Sorry," I sobbed. "It’s just getting these flowers today made me feel special."
"You are special," he said.
I roughly wiped the tears from my eyes, embarrassed over how easily I got upset.
"So, you and Alex back together?" He was trying hard not to hurt my feelings and make me cry again. He feared the pregnancy-induced meltdowns just as much as Alex did.
"I don’t think so," I said. "We haven’t really discussed that."
"He’s been here every night since he's been back, in your bedroom." He frowned again.
"I know you don’t like that, but you do know we’ve already had sex, right?
That’s how I got this way."
"Oh God," he said. "Please."
"Sorry." I smiled. "I like having him here with me. He helps me fall asleep, plus, when we lie there at night, the baby moves, and Alex really likes that. It’s his way to bond with our baby. He's already missed so much. So, could you please lay off him when he comes up to bed with me?"
"Hey, I think I’m being more than generous," he said. "I didn’t shoot him when he showed up here the other day, did I? And now I let him go to your room and snuggle up in your bed every night. What more do you want?"
"I want you to let him sleep here all night," I said, figuring the answer was alwaysnounless you asked.
"No!" He shook his head. "Not happening."
"I’m having a baby with him." I reminded him. "It’s not like we’re doing anything inappropriate upstairs."
"Not anymore." He sighed. "Look, I have to work nights this week, so he can stay when I’m not here, but if I’m home, he doesn’t sleep in your bed. Please, spare me that?"
"Thanks, Dad." I smiled, hopped up, and kissed his cheek.
"Okay," he said. "I have to go to work, but Anna wanted me to remind you that we’re having Thanksgiving dinner with them, unless you’re eating with the Jordans?"
I always had Thanksgiving dinner with Max, and besides, Alex hadn’t mentioned what he was doing for the holiday.
"No." I shook my head. "Of course I’m eating with you."
