“You kept our wedding rings?” I gasp softly. I shift to face him, and his lips are rolled in as he’s pinching the bridge of his nose.
“What was I supposed to do? Throw them into the river?”
“I-I…” Have no words.
He snatches the rings from my hand only to curl his fingers over them as if he can still hide what’s already been undone.
“We both have hidden things that we’ve kept. Mine is just a little more profound than a scary-looking troll from Norway.”
“Which will not be finding a shelf in the baby’s room,” I say blankly.
The line of his mouth tugs. “We’ve both been scorned by one another, but we kept little parts so we wouldn’t forget the good moments.”
“They were not just good but perfect,” I correct him sadly.
I lift my hand to set it on his chest, and his free palm covers my own near his heart. “We’re on the right path, Rosie.”
“I’m slowly beginning to see that. Healing can’t always be fast.”
A pounding nudge hits the wall of my stomach, and I flinch, instantly bringing both hands to cradle my belly. It breaks our moment.
“Are you okay?” Alarm is in his voice.
But I just let out a laugh with my beaming smile. “Very.” I giggle. “Our baby has a thing for interrupting us during crucial conversations, it seems.” I capture Carter’s hand and place it on the side of my stomach. “I’m positive that you’ll feel this finally.”
His hand stills, and his face quickly spreads into the brightest smile I’ve seen as he feels the baby kick. “That’s the baby?’
“No, it’s a dinosaur,” I deadpan before smiling brightly. “Yep, it’s the baby.” My gaze drops down to see our hands together. “Our baby who has a thing for timing when their mom is in a bra and their dad is holding our old wedding rings.”
Carter grins. “Clearly he or she is an agreement of something or simply wants to lighten the mood.”
Our eyes meet, and it’s the best warm and fuzzy feeling of the day. The baby has timing for sure.
From the moment he or she was conceived, actually. A pure mission to bring together two people, and today they are just reminding us of their scheme.
Another sharp kick flutters against the wall of my stomach. “Or perhaps… just reminding us that there are better moments ahead.”
He kisses my forehead again. “I put this baby inside of you, and they’re strong.”
“Tell me about it. The other night, I woke and its tiny feet were shuffling inside of me. But it’s the best pitter-patter.”
“Rosie…”
I lean my head forward to rest against his chin, aware of the question he wants to ask. He doesn’t need to, I answer anyway. “We’re not anywhere near rings, but… they don’t need to go anywhere. Just don’t pressure me about it. But you don’t need to hide the rings anymore.”
“Deal.”
We crack a smile at each other before another jab causes our attention to shoot down.
“Seriously, this kid added to a touching moment, but now it just kind of hurts,” I complain.
Carter begins to rub circles on my belly. “Give the baby a moment and I’m sure they will get the hint to calm it down.”
And the baby does get the clue because the kicks fade away. Carter takes the box and places it in the top of his dresser while I button the shirt.
His speed to undress to his boxer briefs impresses even me. His hunting eyes trap me, and a few swaggering saunters is all it takes before he is on his knees in front of me. The shirt on me doesn’t deter him, and his hands are already climbing up my legs as he plants a firm kiss against my belly.
“You’re so incredibly beautiful.”
