“Okay,” I manage to mutter.
“I spoke to the midwife about coming by this morning.Is that okay?”
“Yes.”I hate talking to strangers about my body, and I’m not looking forward to her examining me, but I know it will be safer for the baby if I find the will to meet with her.
“One more thing,” he says.“Have you thought about marrying me?”
My face heats.It’s been on my mind in between every other thought since he first suggested it.I thought maybe he would have changed his mind and not brought it up again.But apparently, he has not.
I lick my lips.“Are you sure you want to strap yourself to a woman and a baby who have nothing to offer but burdensome noise and chaos?”
He chuckles.“I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than add noise and chaos to my life, sunshine.”He lifts a hand and strokes my cheek.“It’s far too quiet around here.I think we need to add a crying baby.”
A smile forms on my lips.He’s teasing, but he’s also serious.I stare at him.
He scoots his chair back, drops onto one knee in front of me, and takes both my hands.“Hannah Sharp, will you marry me today?I promise to love and honor you and our baby for the rest of your lives.”
I nearly choke when he says “our” baby.My heart is racing.How could I say no to him?He’s the best man I’ve ever met.I’d be a fool to turn him down.I nod.“Yes.”
Aaric jumps to his feet, lifts me to mine with both hands on my hips, and hugs me as tight as he can with my belly in the way.“I’ll make you happy, Hannah.”
He already does.
Nine
Hannah
I’m nervous when the midwife shows up.It helps that Rebekah has come over to be with me.Adam is with her.The men are hovering.Rebekah also brought me something to wear this afternoon to the courthouse.Apparently, her husband has already started buying her dresses for her future larger self.
I’m actually surprised my sister owns any dresses at all.She never wore them growing up.
She’s changed.She’s more girly now.And bless her, she has dresses.The one she brought is a pale yellow.It fits a bit snugly around my chest, but then it flows out around my stomach and down to my knees.I tried it on when she got here.It’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever worn.There is lace on the hem of the short sleeves.It’s so delicate, I feel like I’m going to tear it or get it dirty.
The best part of all is the adorable white sandals Rebekah loaned me.Her feet are slightly bigger than mine, but I was able to tighten them up.They’re perfect.
I’m not wearing the outfit now, though.I have on another T-shirt that belongs to Aaric and a gray pair of leggings that belong to Rebekah.
Adam is sitting in one of the armchairs with Rebekah on his lap.I’m on the couch next to Aaric, who’s holding my hand against my thigh.The midwife, Charlene, is in the other armchair.
The room is still filled with boxes.Rebekah giggled when she arrived, but she wasn’t surprised.We haven’t had a chance to deal with the pile of mystery items.
Charlene smiles warmly.“Aaric tells me you’re due any day.”
“Yes.”I’m shaking.This is nerve-wracking.
“And you want to deliver at home?”
I shrug and glance at Aaric.“I don’t know.I hadn’t thought about it until I got here.”
“Have you had any contractions?”
“I don’t think so.”I squeeze Aaric’s hand.He’s my lifeline.Keeping me as sane as possible.The truth is, I’m scared to death to give birth.I haven’t really let myself think about it until now.A human is going to come out of my body.It’s going to hurt.People are going to be in the room.
I know what birth looks like.Our mother took us to other people’s homes when they gave birth.Usually, we kids played in another room, expected to be quiet and entertain ourselves while the mom-to-be screamed loud enough to shake the entire house.
Once, when I was older, I was actually in the room for part of a birth.My mother asked me to get a bowl of warm water and some towels.The woman was lying on her back with her legs spread open.Four other women were holding her hands and helping keep her knees open.
I think I blocked that out of my head until now.It was traumatizing, and I’m not sure I could have coped with the reminder in the past few months.But it’s rushing back now that the midwife is here.
