“What? Why’s that?” She laughs.
“We just didn’t start out on the right foot.” I don’t get into detail about our history of each dating the other half of a couple that’s now married.
“It doesn’t matter now, but Mom, I promise you, he’s good to me and for me. He’s . . .” I can’t even put into words how I feel about this man. “He’s the love of my life, Mom.”
“Oh, sweetie, that’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.” She pulls me into a tight hug just as Lucia enters the kitchen and walks over to join us in a group hug of tears and excitement.
I answer the dozens of questions thrown at me as best I can. I fill them in on my due date, when we’ll find out what we’re having, which hospital I plan on delivering at, and on and on. The only one I don’t know yet is where we’ll be living.
We’ve discussed the advantages of living here in Denver—of having family and Grant’s main hospital close by, plus he already owns this massive penthouse, but that would mean leaving behind my business in Grand Lake and the friends and connections we’ve made there.
I excuse myself and find the men talking in Grant’s office. I try not to spy, but I see Grant lean down and place something back in his safe before closing it. My dad shakes his hand and then pulls him in for one of those manly half-hugs.
“What are you handsome men up to?” I say as I open the door and step inside.
“We were just about come find out what that delicious smell is,” my dad says, placing his arm around me as we head back out to the living room.
My parents are speaking to Grant as he points out different landmarks around Denver from the living room.
“You make him the happiest I’ve ever seen him.”
I spin around and find Lucia sipping a cup of tea as she approaches me. She slips an arm through mine.
“You and your husband raised an amazing son.”
She nods her head. “He’s just like his father. I don’t know how much he’s told you, but his dad was an amazing man. He put his family above everything else.”
She turns to face me, placing her teacup on a small table. She grabs my hands, holding them in her own as her smile reaches her eyes.
“You are a wonderful woman and I’m so glad that you’re the one who won his heart. You’re going to be an amazing mother.”
She squeezes my hands a little tighter before glancing over her shoulder at the laughter coming from Grant and my parents.
“But if he ever breaks your heart or treats you less than you deserve, you better tell me so I can remind him how he was raised,” she says, winking. “We both know he can still be a hard-headed man sometimes.”
“A girl?” I can’t hold back the tears as the doctor nods.
“A very healthy baby girl.” He smiles and stands. “I’ll let you two have a moment. I’ll meet you up front when you’re ready.”
I leap off the table and into Grant’s arms when the doctor steps out of the room. He spins me around, kissing my face.
“I—I,” he runs his hands through his hair after setting me down, “I don’t know how to raise a girl,” he laughs as he begins to pace back and forth. “What happens when she starts liking boys or needs me to braid her hair if you’re not home?”
I laugh, taking his hands and placing them on my belly as I wrap my arms around his neck.
“It’s kind of cute to see you all exasperated.”
“It doesn’t feel very cute.” His eyes look worried as he studies my face.
“It’s just that you’re always the level-headed, cool one. It feels nice to be your rock for once. Don’t worry, I’ll be right by your side through raising a girl. I know a few things.” I lean forward and kiss his lips.
The last several weeks have been surreal. It felt like time flew after my 18-week appointment. It also feels like all of the pregnancy hormones kicked in at once, which Grant has been appreciating.
We just entered month five, and my belly has officially popped. I’m still adjusting to trying on clothes only to realize they no longer fit. I’m also getting used to having crazy vivid dreams, heartburn at the drop of a hat, and fun new cravings that have me rummaging through the fridge at all hours of the night.
I was worried being pregnant would make me feel like a stranger in my own body, but Grant has made sure that hasn’t happened. I think he might like my body even more when I’m pregnant, which I didn’t think was possible.
“Mmm, there you are,” he says, coming up behind me as I fold the massive set of onesies, bibs, and clothing we received at our baby shower yesterday. I smile as he wraps his arms around me, his hands immediately going to hold my growing belly.
“Look at you nesting.” He runs his nose up my neck, causing a tingle to run through my body. “The nursery looks amazing.”
“Grant, we need to figure out our living situation.” I spin around in his arms to face him. I place my hands on his chest.
“Are we going to keep splitting our time between here and Grand Lake? Our daughter needs stability. I need stability, especially in the beginning.”
“Where do you want to live, baby?” He brushes my hair back. “It’s completely up to you.”
I study his face for a moment. “What if I said Grand Lake? How would that work with your primary job being here in Denver?”
“Then I would switch to being the primary doctor in Grand Lake full-time. We’d make it work; I’m not worried about that.”
“You mean that?” I’m amazed at his constant selflessness. He nods his head.
“Well, as amazing as that is, and as much as I love Grand Lake, I do think staying here in Denver makes the most sense.”
“Honey, if you want to live there, let’s live there. Don’t do this for my job.”
“I know, but your mom is here, my family is here, and it just makes sense. Plus, once she’s six months old, we can easily take weekend trips back to Grand Lake and I’ll feel more comfortable going back and forth to the studios.”
Steph is already running the Grand Lake studio like a pro, and she’s also been auditing classes when Janelle teaches, and working on her own certifications. We both know she might not stay in Grand Lake come next year, but for now, she’s killing it and I’m not going to take that away from her on the off chance she has to skip town.
“Driving back and forth? How often?” His brows knit together.
I turn back around to finish folding the items. I shrug. “Not sure yet, but we’ll figure it out,” I say nonchalantly when I feel him reach down and pinch my ass, causing me to yelp.
“Hey!” I say, smacking his hand away.
“You’re not going to just be driving back and forth between Denver and Grand Lake, Leigh. Not unless I’m with you.”
“Okay, I didn’t mean I’d do it with the baby all the time, and you’re not going to tell me what to do.”
I go to turn back around, but he grabs my arm and walks me forcefully backward until I gently hit the wall.
“I will tell you what to do. You’re mine and I want you safe.” His nose is practically touching mine and his look has gone from commanding to possessive in an instant. I know there’s no point in arguing with him when he’s like this, but I like the results when I tease him.