“Let’s just take the test.” I know she’s not going to tell me. I can see her mind is made up and she’s freaking out on the inside.
“You’re right. Let's take the test,” I agree. I lock my arm with hers. “I’m here for you.”
Myra and I have done a lot of things together, but I never thought peeing on a pregnancy test would be one of them.
“I know.” She pushes me towards the toilet area. “You go first.” I rush over and do mine then move out of the way for her to take her turn.
After we both clean up we stand there and wait together.
“You going to tell me who?” I ask as hers comes up pregnant before mine. It almost appears immediately, which makes me think she’s further along than I am.
“Not today.” I can tell she’s freaking out but she’s smiling too.
Mine starts to slowly show two lines next and relief and excitement build inside me.
“We’re pregnant,” I say out loud.
I turn to face my sister, who had a giant role in raising me and is going to walk me down the aisle today. But oddly enough I know it’s her who needs words of encouragement right now. Between her and Timber, I know my life is going to be wonderful. I will have everything I could ever dream of.
I grab her hands and look into her eyes. “You’ll make a wonderful mom. I know that because you’ve been one for me.” Her eyes begin to water and she pulls me into a hug.
“We’re having babies together.” She squeezes me tighter and I can’t help but smile so big it hurts my face.
“It’s crazy but this was meant to be.” I pull back to look at her. “You sent me right to my happily ever after. You’re going to get yours too.”
“Not everyone gets a happily ever after, Pippa.” She plays with the end of my hair and I realize I’m not used to seeing her look so uncertain.
“You will,” I reassure her.
I can feel it and she deserves it. She’s spent her whole life worrying about everyone else. I can’t believe fate wouldn't give her someone like Timber for her very own. I know he would argue, saying I was brought to him, but I need him too. We fit together perfectly and my sister is going to have that one day.
“Let’s get you married.”
“I get to tell Timber.” I buzz with excitement. “Help me put on this thing.” I pull her from the bathroom and strip out of my robe. It takes the two of us to get me into it, but once I’m there it fits perfectly.
“You look beautiful.” I know the dress is a little extra but I’m getting married in a castle. I had to pick out a dress fit for a princess.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” I nudge my sister. She always looks killer in any dress. She can roll around in heels all day and not be fazed. I have no idea how she does it. I’m happy my dress covers my feet and I can rock flats. Plus I’m going to dance tonight and it’s going to be a party. It might be a small one, but it’s going to be the best one ever.
My sister picks up her phone and is texting to tell them we’re coming down. “They’re ready,” she confirms.
“They must be tired from holding Timber back,” I tease as we lock arms and leave the room together.
“He’s been a handful today.”
I snort because I’m sure he has. If Timber can’t be next to me he’s like a bear with a thorn in his paw. We thought he was grumpy before but it’s worse when he goes a few hours without kissing or touching me. The man is starved for me and I eat up every bit of his affection and give it back with all I have in me. I want to shower him in love and I will for eternity.
We stop at the top of the stairs and I smile down when I see Timber at the bottom. The whole entryway is covered in frangipani flowers and my eyes well again. His whole face lights up when he looks up to see me standing there.
I’m coming, I mouth to him, knowing he’s about to bolt up the stairs to get me. I nod towards my sister so he knows it’s important that she does this. I peek over at her as the music starts but she doesn't move and looks almost shocked. I follow her line of sight and see her boss. What the hell is he doing here?
“Is that—” I start to whisper.
“Let’s do this.” She takes my arm and finally starts to move. We descend the stairs together.
When we reach the bottom I turn to her and we share a moment. She kisses both my cheeks before passing me over to Timber, who pulls me into his arms. He lifts me off my feet and makes me laugh just before it’s silenced with a kiss.
“We’re not there yet,” the officiant cuts in with a laugh and everyone else cheers.
I pull back a little to whisper in his ear. “I love you,” I tell him.
“I love you too,” he says instantly.
“Now put me down so we can get married.”
“I don’t have to put you down for that.”
I laugh harder in his hold and kiss him below his ear. “Well, I’m pregnant so I guess you might want to enjoy being able to lift me while you still can,” I tease. I could be twenty months pregnant and Timber could still lift me, but it’s my way of telling him.
His hold on me tightens a little as he leans in. “Give me another kiss.”
I do as he says and kiss him deeply, not caring everyone is watching us. I slide down his body as he puts me on my feet and kisses the tip of my nose.
“You knew, didn't you?” I say, scrunching my nose. He smiles so big my heart grows three sizes. His smile kills me.
“You’ve been knitting baby clothes.” I bite my lip. Busted. I was just preparing, but with the way we’ve been going at it this was bound to happen sooner or later.
“Are you two ready?” The officiant breaks us from our little whisper fest.
“I’ve been ready since I got here,” I admit.
“That’s good because I’m not letting you go.” Timber pulls me into his side and I lean into him while he becomes my husband.
I’m never going anywhere because I’m home.
Epilogue
Timber
Ten years later…
My oldest son helps me stack up the wood we chopped earlier this morning. He’s getting so big and when I look at him I can see he’s growing up. He’s not my little guy anymore and it makes my chest hurt. I love seeing him becoming a young man, but I miss him as a baby. He was the first to make us parents but certainly not the last.
Just as soon as I have the thought my wife comes out of the house bouncing our two-year-old on her hip. I smile at the sight, how beautiful she is and how she still takes my breath away. Even after having six kids she still looks as beautiful as the first day I saw her standing in the same spot. I knew I’d never not want her, and even now I ache to have her in my arms.
“Is this enough, Dad?”
I look at the pile we’ve just made and then out to the woodshed. “I think that’s enough for today. Good work, son.” I pat him on the back and he takes off to go join his other brothers playing basketball. Or at least attempting to. As the oldest, I’m sure he’s about to go tell them exactly what they’re doing wrong and how they need to do it his way.