Her fingers tighten slightly against mine.
“I’m pregnant.”
That… wasn't what I was expecting.
Maybe I’m hearing things.
“Are you serious?” I ask, trying and failing to contain my excitement.
Her eyes fill instantly, and my chest tightens. I can't tell if it's fear or hope sitting there, and I hate that she even thinks she has to worry about how I’ll react.
“I know it's soon, and we’ve never really talked about kids, and you like your naps, and I’m on birth control—but then again, I’m not surprised because we practically go at it like Duracell bunnies—”
My hand covers her mouth, cutting her off, my shoulders shaking with a quiet laugh.
“I love your rambling.” I brush my thumb over her cheek. “You have no idea how happy you've just made me.”
“Really?”
“I love you, Willow, and you've just told me we’re having a piece of us… so yeah—I’m fucking ecstatic.”
I’m over the fucking moon.
My gaze drops to her stomach, knowing in a few short months she will have a bump. She will look so god damn radiant; I don’t even know how I will keep my hands off her.
I never thought I would have more children, and this incredible woman who chose me is carrying ours.
“How do you feel?”
She drags her tongue over her lip, nerves flickering across her face. “I’m scared,” she admits. “I think just because I wasn't ready for it, but knowing it's with you, it makes it easier. You make everything easier, and I know I've given this baby the best dad they could ever have.”
That means more than she could ever know, and I’m not one to get emotional, but I’m seconds away from bawling like a baby.
I press a kiss into her hair.
“I’ll always be here. Every step. Every second. If you want some weird-ass craving at two in the morning, I’ll find it. Don't care where I have to go to find it for you.”
A soft, broken laugh escapes her. The tension finally loosens as relief washes over her.
“We're having a baby,” she whispers happily.
I nod, a grin breaking through, impossible to hold back. “We’re having a baby,” I repeat, like I need to say it again to make it real.
“I’m going to be a mum.”
I cup her face. “You're going to be the best damn mum—no question about it. And your dad will be right here with us. Watching over you and our baby. I know he would have loved this little one more than anything.”
Her fingers lift to the necklace at her throat, holding it for a moment before they drift over the ink on my skin, the marks I carry for my little girl.
“So would she.” The words brushed against my lips. “She would have been the best big sister.”
My eyes close, just for a second.
If there is a place where she exists beyond this, I’d like to think Leon will be there with her… watching over her and keeping her safe in a way I couldn't.
It's mad to think you can miss someone so much when you never even met them.
Willow's lips find mine, and the pain deflates.
