33. Hannah #2
It’s wild, how easy it was to spend the afternoon with the biggest popstar in the world. Lake’s incredibly down-to-earth. So much so that on more than one occasion, I had to remind myself of who she actually is.
I swear she was even a little shy and uncertain when she asked if she could throw a baby shower for us.
Listening to her and Millie talk about who our child might favor, whether he or she will play hockey, and about how fun it will be once all three of our kids can play together made it all seem so real.
I could picture all of those things, and none of them seemed scary.
Daniel walks out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel, and my mouth goes dry.
My sex drive has always been on the high side, but now that I’m pregnant—and now that I’m in such close proximity to this man so often—it’s practically out of control.
When I’m near him, all I want is for him to fuck me hard.
I’m just about to tell him that when the strangest flutter-roll-spasm thing happens low in my belly. “Oh!” I cup my abdomen and press my hand to where I’m pretty sure our baby has just kicked me.
Daniel rushes to me, concern written all over his face. “What’s wrong?”
Though my eyes well, there’s no tempering my wide smile. “I think the baby just kicked.”
“You think?” He kneels between my thighs and blows on his hands to warm them. Holding them inches from my bare belly, he peers up at me, hope swimming in his eyes.
I slide my fingers through his and drag his hand to the right spot. For the first time in a long, long time, I don’t feel lost. “I don’t think,” I tell him. “I know. Our baby just kicked me hello.”
“Hey, peanut,” Daniel murmurs, dipping his head close to my stomach. “Can you give me a fist bump? I’d really like to feel you.”
I can’t help but watch him, in awe of his gentleness. He’s folded over me, our hands melded together, his focus so earnest. And when our baby does it again, a tear slips down my cheek.
Daniel laughs. “Oh my god. I just felt him. That’s our baby, Han.” He blinks up at me. Then, with a shake of his head, he’s back to concentrating on my belly like he’s waiting for another kick.
“We don’t know he’s a him,” I tease, though my words come out a bit garbled because of my emotions.
Glassy brown eyes meet mine, but there are no tears. No, it’s all wonder. “You think he’s a him too, and you’re never wrong.”
I bite my lip, my heart fluttering. “I guess we’ll find out next week.”
While his head is bowed again, his focus intent on our child, I work up the nerve to bring up his comment from this afternoon.
“Did you mean it today?” With my free hand, I run my fingers through his dark hair.
He leans into my touch and lays his head against my stomach. “I mean everything I say to you, but be more specific.”
Warmth spreads through my limbs. Not just because of his words, but because of the way he says them.
Because of the way he’s holding me and our child.
His mere presence has the ability to settle the chaos in my head.
He knocks down my walls before I have a chance to erect them.
I’ve never been so comfortable with a person in my life.
Tears clog my throat, but I force the words out. “That we’ll figure it all out together.”
“Yes. Of course we will.” He nuzzles my stomach. “Right, peanut? It’s not all on your pretty mama. We’ve got this.”
That’s what does it. That’s what sends the tears cresting over my lashes and rolling down my cheeks.
It’s so natural, the way he loves on us both.
In this moment, I know I’ve fallen in love with the father of my child.
The feeling hits me smack in the chest, the overwhelming tidal wave washing away every insecurity.
The how s, the what-ifs , the can we really s?
In their place is this certainty.
An overwhelming knowledge that, no matter what happens, I’ll be okay. We’ll be okay. And it’s all because of him. Because of the way he looks at me. The way he holds me. The way he has me.
“You’re going to be an amazing dad,” I rasp.
Daniel peers up at me, his throat bobbing. “Yeah?”
With a swipe at my cheek, I nod. “You were so incredible with Nash and Vivi today. I couldn’t stop thinking about how you’ll be with our baby. How, in a matter of days, we’ll know what we’re having and…you’re just going to be so good, Daniel. I’m so happy you’re the father of my child.”
I have so much more to say. There are so many words beating wildly against my breastbone. But they remain lodged there. I’m too overcome to let them out.
Daniel kisses my belly, whispers something to our little peanut, then climbs up my body. “Can I ask you a favor?”
“Anything.” I ease back, rapt by him.
He hovers over me, his elbows planted on either side of my head. “I feel like we missed out on the excitement of announcing our pregnancy because?—”
“Because it was more oh shit, we got pregnant .” I laugh.
He nods. “But now it’s more like oh shit, we’re pregnant .” The words are the same, but his tone is full of wonder. He strokes the hair from my face and cradles my cheek in his warm palm. “And I want to celebrate that we’re having a baby with all our friends.”
My heart trips over itself. “What do you have in mind?”
“Do you trust me?”
My response is immediate. “Always.”
“Then let me take care of everything, dream girl. I want to do a big gender reveal. Is that okay?”
“So we’ll find out with all our friends there?”
He nods and presses a kiss to the tip of my nose. “I promise I’ll make it fun. You’ll be happy.”
I pull him to my chest and hug him tight. “I already am. But yeah, we can do it your way, Playboy.”