by Mina Holt
But more often than not it was.
This morning it sure felt like it. We’d been together for two years and had recently purchased a larger place, still downtown and still on the water. It was a four bedroom penthouse with the most spectacular three hundred and sixty degree views I’d ever seen.
We had moved in last week and I was sitting on the toilet with a pregnancy test in my hand.
In the rush of moving and traveling with Gavin for work, I hadn’t noticed how late I’d been.
I took a deep breath, peed on the stick, finished up, washed my hands and went into the bedroom.
“Well?” Gavin asked his face lit up with joy.
“We have to wait,” I said, “It takes a couple minutes.”
“Dear god this is going to feel like hours,” he complained and I playfully punched his arm.
“It’s going to feel like years for me, you ass,” I said, “I’m the one who’s going to be carrying this baby remember.”
“I’ll be the one going out at midnight for ice cream,” he laughed.
“Yeah, yeah,” I smiled and he kissed me.
It was a passionate kiss, but tentative because of the nervous energy we both had coursing through our bodies.
We were going to be parents, I was sure of it. We’d been married last year, a private secret affair in Bali, and hadn’t been really trying, but it had happened.
Obviously we’d wanted it to happen, buying the big apartment and all.
I was nervous that our lifestyle wouldn’t suit a baby. I still ran the bookstore, but had mostly handed the reins over to Sylvie. Marta was still there a couple times a week, but she mostly did tarot readings in Auntie G’s house. Well, I should call it Marta’s house, I’d given it to her shortly after Jane and Ethan’s wedding. She had cleansed the energy and it felt fresh and clean.
I could even visit her now without being haunted by everything that had happened there.
Ethan and Jane were expecting again, so this baby would be perfect timing in that sense. I could go through everything with my best friend who was also experienced in all of this.
“Can we check it yet?” Gavin asked, breaking into my daydreaming.
“Yes,” I said, “Are you ready?”
“Of course,” he said and grabbed my hand. We walked together to the bathroom and I picked it up.
I turned to him with a grin, held it up and said, “Congratulations, Daddy.”
He had tears in his eyes when he picked me up and swung me around, laughing.
I had tears too, tears of joy to match his. I was breathless with laughter by the time he set me down.
“Shit, I shouldn’t do that again,” he said, “It’s not good for the baby.”
“I’m pregnant, not sick,” I told him, “I can still do pretty much everything I used to except eat sushi. Or drink wine.”
“I’ll swear off everything you can’t have,” he said and kissed me on the tip of my nose. “I love you, Sarai. I can’t wait to tell the world.”
“I love you too,” I replied and wondered what his family would say.
***
I was heavy with my pregnancy and crankier than I thought humanly possible. Of course I would have to get knocked up just in time to enjoy the hottest summer on record. I didn’t know if it was the heat or the humidity or my swollen ankles that would kill me, but I was positive it was one of them.
I was lying on our deck overlooking the ocean, wearing a loose white shift and no shoes, when the doorbell rang.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” I grumbled. Gavin was home, so I let him get it. It must be the baby monitor I’d ordered, but usually the doorman would take parcels for us. I’d have to remind him that I was a bloated, angry pregnant woman who didn’t want to be disturbed the next time I saw him.
A cool breeze swept over me and I closed my eyes to enjoy the day. It wasn’t that big of a deal, I probably wouldn’t say a thing. My crankiness was simply hormonal and discomfort. I didn’t need to punish anyone else for it.
I heard Gavin talking in the apartment and realized there were a few voices. I opened my eyes and struggled to get up off the chaise lounge. I managed to get sitting up when Gavin came onto the deck.
“Sarai, love,” he said with a huge smile, “I’d like you to meet my family.”
“Family?” I said, not comprehending what he was saying.
People flooded out from behind him, Madeline was in the lead with a grin. “You don’t have to introduce me,” she said, “I know Sarai.”
She was right, she’d been at our wedding and a huge support since Gavin had been cut off.
I didn’t recognize the rest of them, although I saw bits of Madeline in the elegant older couple standing awkwardly a few feet away. I recognized Gavin’s siblings, spouses and their children from photos on Madeline’s Facebook account.
It was his entire family.
I didn’t know what to say. Part of me wanted to rage at them for putting him through hell all this time, but part of me was elated that they’d come through for us and our child.
“I would like to be the first to apologize,” Gavin’s dad said and took a step towards me. “We are stubborn in our family, and sometimes it gets in the way of us being decent human beings.”
“I’m sorry,” Gavin’s mom said, “Please forgive us.”
Gavin came to my side, put his arm around me and said, “It’s up to Sarai. She’s the one who was hurt the most by your actions.”
I sighed, stood up with Gavin’s help and looked at them all, standing there expectantly, waiting for my response.
I felt our baby kick, and I felt another cool breeze wash over me. I looked up at Gavin, took his hand and squeezed it.
“Of course I forgive you” I said with a smile, “I’m so pleased you were able to come see us.”
With that, the tension was gone. I was surrounded by family and love, talking and laughter. They felt my belly and asked about the baby. We showed them ultrasound pics and we chose a restaurant for dinner.
In short, it was a typical day with the family, and it was exactly what Gavin and I had been needing to make our lives complete.
In case you were wondering, Gretta Olive James was born almost exactly a month after that. Named for my Auntie G, she was big and healthy and has filled our world with more love than either of us knew existed.
Gavin had proven that it was possible to fall in love with somebody at first sight, and our daughter proved to both of us that it was possible to do it over and over again.
I would never tire of falling in love with Gavin James.
The end.
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READING LIST
As Mina Holt:
COVERED SERIES
Covered, part 1
Covered, part 2
Covered, part 3
As Jaden Wilkes:
BEAST SERIES
The Beast
Perfectly Normal
Little Dove
The Beast Series Boxset
SERIAL SERIES (with Lily White)
Serial Volume 1
Serial Volume 2
Serial Volume 3
Serial Volume 4 (coming soon)
STANDALONES
Freakshow (coming soon)
Therapist
Dirty Little Freaks
Reverse Cowgirl
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