“I’m pregnant,” she blurted.
He sat back, blinking. “Really?”
She nodded.
“Shit, that’s fantastic!”
“You think so? I didn’t want to tell you over the phone.”
“I want to be there.” His face was a blend of excitement and concern. “I missed too much last time. Too much. That’s not happening again.”
“That’s why I wanted to let you know.”
“I’m coming to you. I’m done with this lockdown. They’re easing restriction, increasing the number of people we can see. I’m coming to you.”
Riley licked her lips and couldn’t keep the eagerness from her tone. “When?”
“Two weeks. The protesters did their best to social distance and most were wearing masks, but it was still a lot of people. Give me two weeks and I’ll be there. If it’s okay with your folks we’ll stay there, and if I come into contact with anything or anyone that increases my risk, I’ll separate and stay away again.”
“Okay.”
It was almost too good to be true. She’d be able to hug him again. Seth would be thrilled.
“I want to be there. Midwife appointments, morning sickness. All the stuff I missed before. I can’t believe this. You’re going to give me another baby.”
The excitement in his voice brought tears to her eyes.
“When did you take the test?”
“Two weeks ago. I’d been feeling off and then my period was late.”
“Damn, you’re the best. This is fantastic.” Heath’s smile was brighter than she’d seen it in weeks. “You know I’m going to marry you, right? One day.”
Tears slipped passed her lashes. “You don’t have to say that.”
“It’s true. It’s always been true, but I didn’t want you to think it was because of Seth. And I want you to have the wedding you’ve always wanted. Not one where you can’t drink because you’re nursing or nauseated. Start sending me pictures of rings, so I know what you like.”
Riley couldn’t keep the frown at bay as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. Surely, he should be able to pick out a ring for her. She shouldn’t have to pick her own. “You don’t know what I’d like?”
“Nah, I know.” He twisted away from the screen, his muscled back stretching as he reached to the nightstand. “Your surprises are always so much better than mine.” Turning back, he set an open box before the screen, a diamond ring flashing in the center of all the black velvet.
Her mouth dropped open. “Oh my God.”
“Marry me, Riley.”
A giggle escaped. “This was not how I pictured getting engaged or telling you I was having a baby.”
“Our plans never seem to work out in the picture-perfect way. Who needs all that lovey-dovey crap? I just need you.” He gave the box a jiggle. “Say yes.”
Remembering Mercedes’ earlier mischief with Scott, Riley grinned. “I don’t know, Heath. You made me wait an awfully long time for you. It’s only fair that I return the favour.”
Heath hung his head, before shaking it slightly. “I admit, I was a bastard. A total and complete bastard. I made us both wait.” His gaze locked on hers. “Don’t make me wait any longer, Riley.”
“Maybe I ought to make you beg,” she teased.
That sexy grin tugged at his lips. “Payback’s a bitch, you know.”
“And you’ve got the good handcuffs. So…” She dragged out the word.
“I love you, babe.” Surprisingly his patience didn’t seem to be thinning, and for a moment Riley really thought he’d wait, he’d beg, he’d do just about anything for her answer. “Say yes.”
One word slipped passed her lips. “Yes.”
Two Weeks Later
Heath was due any minute. It was the first time she’d be able to hold him, touch him, to kiss him in months.
Sure, she’d seen him a few times. Once the weather had grown warmer, they’d stayed six feet apart as he played soccer with Seth. Seth was too young to really understand what was going on. He didn’t understand why Daddy wasn’t coming home with them, but as long as he saw Grandma and Grandpa afterwards, he could be easily distracted. But distraction hadn’t worked on Riley. No, she’d cried in the car each time they parted ways, and then again later each night.
Now she was waiting for him, nervously tapping her fingers against her parents’ granite kitchen island. Why she was tense, she didn’t know. They were engaged, had a kid together, and another on the way, yet here she was anxious as a teenager waiting on her first date. She’d changed her outfit three times.
The doorbell rang. Despite eagerly waiting for it, the sharp noise still caused her to jump.
Her mother placed a hand atop Riley’s. “Relax, sweetie.”
With a nod, Riley slipped from the stool and called for Seth. She wrapped her hand around Seth’s tiny fingers and tugged him toward the entry.
A bundle of nerves and excitement, Riley pulled the door open.
In the bright morning sun, he stood on the front step. His hair was still damp from the shower he’d had after work, and his jaw was absent of the scruff he’d accumulated in the past few days. In one hand he held a duffel bag, indicating just how real this was. He was home, or at least with them in their temporary home, and he planned to stay.
Their gazes raced over one another, and a smile graced his mouth. Dropping the bag, he squatted down and held out a hand to Seth.
The boy hesitated, clinging to her pant leg. It broke her heart to see Seth so unsure of his own father. This stupid virus was truly awful, on so many levels.
Heath, however, wasn’t fazed by his son’s reluctance. He glanced up at Riley. “I figured this would happen, so I came prepared.” Reaching into his bag he withdrew a big blue ball with green speckles.
Seth’s eyes lit with joy.
“Remember buddy? We like to play catch. Ready?” He held up the ball. Seth caught on quickly and raised his arms. “Bribery works every time.”
They tossed it back and forth a few times, before Riley’s mom interrupted. “Maybe Daddy would like to come in, and not stand in the doorway all day.”
Heath shuffled forward a bit and closed the door. Seconds later Seth launched himself at Heath.
Her fiancé wrapped his arms around the toddler and pulled him in for a tight hug. “I missed you, little man.” He kissed his cheek and gave him another squeeze before setting him free.
Her father walked in from the living room, phone in one hand and glanced up. “Heath, how’s it going?”
Straightening, Heath shook her dad’s extended hand.
“So, you’ve knocked my daughter up twice now.” Her dad faked a gruff tone, but the smile on his face gave away his true feelings about being a grandpa again. “Let’s see this ring she’s been telling us about.”
Objecting, her mom elbowed him. “Let him get in the door!”
“He’s in the door.”
Rolling her eyes, his wife replied, “Give them a few minutes to themselves, before you start. You know maybe she’d like to see the ring first.” She took Seth’s hand. “Come on, baby, let’s go get your bathing suit on.”