by Vivien Vale
I was born and raised in cities, I traveled to other cities…I really never knew there were so many stars. Countless, limitless, stretched as far as the eye can see.
Even now, I’m amazed.
Michael squeezes my hand, drawing my attention back to him.
“Can’t get used to it, can you?”
I laugh. “Why would I wanna do that?”
He nods in understanding.
“One of the mid-wives told me she thinks it’s a boy,” he says, looking again at my stomach.
My hand goes to the bump there instinctively.
“Really? I don’t know, feels like a girl.”
“You just want it to be.” he replies, laughing.
“No, I don’t care which it is, as long as it’s healthy…and it’s ours.”
“Well, it’s definitely ours. You’ve felt how it kicks.”
“Damn right. I blame you for it, though.”
“Me?!”
“Uh, yeah. You just had to go throwing those strong, sexy genes around!”
His laughter echoes in the silence.
“Well, I don’t care who they take after… as long as they don’t get your attitude.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh.
He scoots closer to me, and I rest my head against his chest, the steady beat of his heart feeling like home.
“I love you, Michael.” I say, almost a whisper.
“I love you, too.” he replies.
We sit there for a long time, stars beaming, wind rusting the grass around us.
It feels like the future is incredibly bright.
Probably because it is.
I feel our baby kick inside me as Michael holds me tight.
I guess good things really do come in big packages…
And little ones, too.
