“Hey, you know when that thing pops out like that, it means you’re done? Like a turkey?”
“What?” She jerks the phone back to her face, her eyes huge. “I’m not due for another… Oh!” She shakes her head. “Screw you, you bitch! I should’ve known not to take anything you say seriously. You’re a terrible, terrible human being!”
I blink at her mutely for a second, and her face drops.
“I’m joking! God, Andy…you know I didn’t mean that, right?”
“Of course not.” I don’t sound convincing.
“You’re amazing, Andy. The best person I know…the best I’ve known ever! I’m serious.”
I heave a breath and pinch out a smile.
“What’s worrying you, babe?” She knows me so well.
“I…” I swallow hard. “It’s just that… Dammit. You know how fucked up my folks were. What if I end up that way too, Niks?”
“Are you kidding me?” she shrieks. “No! Nuh-uh!” She’s shaking her head so hard that the camera gives me wild views of her room. “Not a fucking chance, Andy!”
“I’m just worried that—”
“Stop!” she half-yells at me. “You take that thought right out of your mind this minute, do you hear me!” I nod mutely. “You are going to be an amazing mom, Andy! The best mom ever. Except maybe for me.” She smiles gently. “I’m so happy for you, my friend. I know you weren’t expecting any of this. But it’s going to be amazing.You’regoing to be amazing.”
I think back to those dark days of plotting revenge, the abuse I inflicted on my body. I’m still terrified at each scan, waiting to hear the doctor tell me there will be lasting effects from the alcohol I drank.
I’m so sorry, baby.I stroke my belly. I’m making it up now. Watching my diet, getting plenty of water and fresh air. Mateo and I walk through the park every day. He won’t let me run. As if the jarring will hurt the baby. I’d be impatient if he weren’t so damn wonderful about it.
“So, get back to the question,” Nikki’s voice drags me back to the present. “When are you coming? Surely they can’t need Matt there for too much longer?”
“We’ll see. I don’t know much about these things. I’m just…living in the moment, I guess.”
“Yeah…I hear ya. Especially after what you went through. Still, it’ll be great to have you home. We can talk baby stuff together. Hey! Why don’t we have a combined wedding?”
“You’re a nutjob, Niks.”
“No! I’m serious! What could be better? You and me, walking down the aisle. Our babies in matching rompers…it’ll be divine. Let’s do it!”
Sheesh!She’s really getting into this thing.
“I don’t know…” I pause. I don’t want to hurt her feelings. “You know, I’d be quite happy just to keep it private. Heck, I don’t mind skipping the wedding and going straight to the honeymoon.”
Nikki chuckles. “If your guy’s anything like mine – and I know he is – I suspect you’re already on honeymoon, babe.”
I grin back at her. She’s right. Mateo pretty much dotes on me, waiting on me hand and foot. It’s almost too much…but then could it ever really be too much?
“Okay, you have a point,” I admit. “He’s pretty damn amazing. Rubbing my back, reading me baby books. He even slices my apples and peels my grapes, for heaven’s sakes!”
“Enjoy it, my friend. You deserve every minute. Besides, we never know when they’re gonna get tired of it, right?” She pops another cube of Turkish Delight in her mouth, and I think on her words for a moment. I think of Mateo and that unwavering intensity of his. His unflagging need to nurture and protect.
No. I don’t think he’ll ever get tired of it.
Chapter 18
Mateo Ricci
There’s a soft, sleeping woman at my side, a satisfying ache between my thighs, and the sun is beginning to filter through the bedroom drapes.
I’m getting used to waking up like this. Next to my Andy.
