"Hey, Ken doll, hit me first." But Taylor's joy was infectious, and Greer could not help but share in it. His frown slowly gave way to his own smile, which rivaled Taylor's. In a singsong voice, he said, "I was right. We are going to have a baby. The doctor said you had no idea you were pregnant. How could you not know?"
"I really had no idea. I have never been regular, and given my past medical history, I truly didn't think it was possible. This baby is a miracle baby."
Giving him a serious look, Taylor continued, "You are happy about this, right? I mean, if you're not, I can do this alone."
"Of course, I am happy about this. And don't be ridiculous; we are doing this together. At that moment, Greer handed thesmashed roses to Taylor and said, "These looked better before they got thrown against the wall." He then leaned in and gave her a long kiss.
After the kiss, Taylor took a moment to admire the wonderful aroma of the roses before she said, "Thank you." Holding the broken stems and crushed flowers, she added, "At least they still smell nice." After pulling out the four or five flowers that survived the hallway fight, Taylor handed them back to Greer and asked, "Could you put these in some water, please?"
Nodding, Greer took the flowers and put them in a glass of water as he replied, "I bought them at the airport as an 'I am sorry that I am an idiot’ gift. I suppose now they are a ‘we are having a baby' gift."
Lying back against the pillow, Taylor sighed and said, "Can you believe it? I can hardly wrap my head around it. It's still so wild. Just a few months ago, I was so sad and alone. I had to accept the fact that I would probably never have a child. Now I have you, and we are going to have a baby. I am thrilled but a little worried, too. You know?"
Kissing her again deeply, he said, "I know you are, but this time will be different. It wasn't right before. And, you told me yourself, the doctors never gave you a reason why you couldn't get pregnant naturally or carry to term. Maybe it was just nature's way of waiting until the time was right."
Laying her hands on her stomach, Taylor said, "As crazy as that sounds, I think you might be right. This time feels different. Before, I always sort of knew things would end the way they did. This one, I know, will end differently."
"Of course, it will," replied Greer, taking Taylor's hand. Kissing them softly, he added, "Our little guy has my powerful, manly genes.”
"Our little guy? Sure it is a boy, are you?”
“Boy or girl, I don’t care. I am just happy that it is healthy.”
“Me too. It's as if this was fated to happen. After all those years of heartache and one time with you, bam, I am further along than ever before. That must be some mighty powerful stuff."
Shrugging his shoulders, he replied, "What can I say? It's true. I am a stud, a very happy stud."
Taylor could not help but giggle. He could be so irritating but also sweet and silly. Looking at him with love in her eyes, she asked, "Really? Are you really happy?"
"More than you will ever know. When Bennett answered your phone and told me you had been in a wreck, I almost died." Laying his hand on her stomach, he added. "You two are my whole world. I don't know what I would do if something happened to you."
Reaching down and lightly grazing her lips with his, he added, "I met Dr. LaGay earlier. She said that everything looks great."
"Yeah, I told her about the problems I had in the past. She sees no reason I should have any issues now, but she wants me to use a high-risk doctor just in case."
"She told me that, too. I have a buddy in Gulf Shores who will be perfect. He is an outstanding high-risk OB. I will call him in the morning and get you an appointment next week."
"Gulf Shores?"
"Well, yeah, you are not staying here. TJ. You are going home with me so I can take care of you and the little guy."
"Oh, I am, am I?" Taylor was trying to act like she was offended that he was making plans and issuing orders. But, honestly, she didn't care. She was too happy to care because she was getting everything she had ever wanted.
"Yes, you are. The sooner you realize that, the better."
Teasing him, she said, "Really? Well, we will have to see about that."
Not realizing she was joking, Greer pulled back and said very seriously, "Damn it, TJ, I love you and this baby. You are mine, and I will never let either of you go."
Seeing his intense reaction, Taylor's eyes widened, and she tried to hide her amused expression. She knew she had pushed him too far. She reached for him and said, "Oh honey, I am sorry. I was just teasing you. Of course, we love you too, and if you ask nicely, we will consider it."
Suddenly, it dawned on Greer that Taylor had just been teasing him. Reaching over and touching her face, he said, "Oh, you think this is funny?" Reaching into his pocket with his left hand, he pulled out a small velvet box.
Taylor gasped. She had not been expecting this. With her eyes wide, she stared at him, all her laughter gone but saying nothing.
"I had planned to do this at a much more romantic moment, but since you and the little guy are so set on being asked nicely, I guess I will have to do this now." Opening the ring box to reveal a two-carat diamond solitaire, he looked into her eyes and said, "Taylor Stroupe Carrington, will you marry me?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Taylor squealed, "Yes! I would love to marry you just as soon as I can get divorced!" This made both of them laugh.
