“If I can just kick this flu, I’ll be great. I’m looking forward to relaxing a bit. I want to get back into exercising — I haven’t done any real exercise in months.”
“I think you probably got your steps in at the clinic.”
She shrugged. “That’s true, but I mean running, weights, that kind of thing. You know how much I love to work out. I feel agitated when I don’t get to do it.”
“I’m the same way. Maybe we can start working out together in the mornings before I leave for work.”
“That would be really nice,” Matilda replied, imagining the two of them lifting weights together in the downstairs gym at the house. She was always keen for activities they could do together. They never seemed to get enough time with one another.
Their food arrived, and it was steaming hot and smelled delicious. Matilda decided to start with the grits. She added butter and watched it melt as she stirred it in. Then she spooned a large bite of it into her mouth. It had a surprising taste and texture, but she liked it.
“It’s different. But it’s good.”
“It goes well with the eggs and bacon,” Ryan replied as he made a forkful for himself.
She tried it again, this time together, and found that it was delicious. The waffle was the star of the meal, though. She’d never had one quite as good in her life . If she hadn’t been stuffed completely full, she might’ve ordered another one, although by the time she finished eating it, she already had a sugar high from the syrup. Her head spun.
By the time they made it home, Matilda was feeling much better. Life was good. She didn’t have to go to work today, and her flu seemed to be abating. The waffles and eggs left her belly satisfied and her heart was full as Ryan opened the truck door, helped her out, and kissed her before she could take a step toward the house. Then he swept her off her feet and carried her the rest of the way with her giggling like a schoolgirl. He set her down gently on the steps and unlocked the door.
He chased her into the house, and she ran up the stairs squealing. He caught her at the top of the stairs and pulled her to his chest. They were both laughing and breathless.
“I wish you didn’t have to go to work today.”
“I wish that too. But I do have to…”
“You could play hooky.”
“I want to…”
Her phone rang. She disentangled herself against his protests and ran to answer it. Her sister’s voice rang out.
“Tilly! I miss you. Why don’t you ever call me?”
Matilda laughed. “Hey, Stell-bell. I’ve been really busy. But that’s all changing. I’m a lady of leisure. At least for now, anyway. I sold my clinic.”
“You did? Wow, I can’t believe you went through with it. That’s a big deal. I’m really proud of you for choosing your health and happiness. It’ll be worth it.”
“I think so too,” Matilda replied. “And as soon as I get rid of this flu, I’ll be golden.”
“What flu?”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I feel nauseated sometimes, but not other times. I keep thinking I’m better, and then I’ll have an entire day when I’m dizzy. Do you think I should go to the doctor?”
Stella laughed. “I think you should take a pregnancy test.”
Ryan waited outside the bathroom while Matilda took the test. Then he knocked softly on the door. “Can I come in yet?”
“Come in,” she called.
She stood by the basin, looking at the test stick. He stood beside her, one hand on her shoulder, and they watched it together. It didn’t take long.
Pregnant.
She looked up at him, a smile lighting up her features. “I’m pregnant.”
He grinned and picked her up off her feet to kiss her on the lips. They both laughed with joy together. She’d begun to think it would never happen. She hadn’t taken a test in weeks because she was so tired of the disappointment. She wasn’t sure how much more of it she could take, and now it’d really happened.
“Are you happy?” she asked him as he set her feet back on the bathroom floor.
