When I get home two hours later, I’m about to call Teagan’s name to tell her about my conversation when I see her passed out on the couch.
Quietly, I kick off my shoes and make my way over to her.
She’s got a throw blanket strewn over her legs, with her black T-shirt riding up, exposing her baby bump.
I crouch down beside her, not wanting to wake her because she looks so serene, but I also don’t want her sleeping on the couch all night.
It brings me back to the night I took care of her when she was sick, and it makes me smile at how far we’ve come since then.
This fiery, confident woman has become the forefront of my thoughts, and I don’t see her leaving anytime soon.
A dark lock of hair rests across her cheek, so I gently swipe it away as her eyes flutter open.
“Hi,” she croaks, groggy from sleep.
“Hi,” I say, then press a hand to her belly. “Hi, baby.”
“You know, I saw online today that they can hear our voices. I wonder if she’s listening right now,” she says, her hand resting on top of mine that’s on her belly.
“Well, if that’s the case…” I clear my throat, then usher in a low voice. “Hi, baby. It’s your dad, and I can’t wait to meet you. And Ipromise you that no one will ever hurt you as long as I’m here, got it?”
Teagan giggles, and I feel the vibration of it through my hand. “Typical overprotective dad is already kicking in, huh?”
“Pfft, you should know that,” I tell her, then switch back to my low voice. “I wonder who you’re going to be. A baseball player like me, or maybe a gymnast like your mom. Whatever you decide, we’re going to love and support you.”
A love so strong for this baby overwhelms me, so much that I need to say the words out loud.
“God, I love you so much already, you know that?”
A sniffle draws my attention to Teagan, who’s wiping under her eye with her free hand. “She’s lucky to have you, and…so am I. You’ve been so good to me,” she admits, nearly knocking me on my ass.
“You deserve to be treated this way, Teagan. I’m sorry someone made you feel like you shouldn’t be, because you’re worthy of being cared for so deeply,” I tell her, my eyes intent on her as I speak.
Teagan’s brows pinch together softly, her head tilting as her eyes water. “I’m glad that out of everyone in the world, I accidentally got pregnant with you.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” she says as her lips fold together, then erupt into a smile. “Who else would make desserts the way you do?”
A laugh leaves my chest. “Ah, so you’re just after my pastries, huh?”
“Yup. Once I figure out how to make them, I’ll be out of here.”
“I guess it’s a good thing you can’t bake for shit.”
Her eyes sparkle as her fingers toy with mine on her belly. “Yeah, I guess it’s a good thing.”
Our eyes linger, my heart beating rapidly in my chest because to me, her eyes tell me she feels whatever this is between us.
In this moment, it feels like our eyes are speaking what we haven’t dared to say out loud. All of the yearning, the desire, and care that we have for each other.
Her hand that’s atop of mine on her belly moves from merely resting to holding my hand in hers. I flex my fingers, giving her hand a gentle squeeze in mine, our eyes still gazing at one another.
I lean forward, pressing my lips to her belly, then place a kiss on her hand that’s wrapped in mine. “Tu es si belle. Ma vie est belle grâce à toi.”
She smiles, her cheeks pinkening.
“I didn’t understand that, but I’d love to learn one day,” she says, surprising me.
