12. Epilogue
Dominic
I 'm off early from work. I do that more often now that I'm married to the love of my life. I check the bags I've got with me. It's taco Tuesday and I got extra guac and sour cream. I walk into our house to find everything eerily quiet.
I put the bags in the kitchen counter and start looking for my wife. The first place I look is her home office and I see her there, sitting at her desk, tears rolling down her face. I run up to her and grab her hands in mine.
"What's going on, beauty?"
She doesn't answer me, just sobs. I grab her out of the chair and carry her to the sofa that's in a corner of her office. I sit down and place her in my lap. She immediately puts her face in the crook of my neck and I breathe a sigh of relief.
When she gets like this, she'll tell me her secrets once she feels safe in my arms. I decide to nudge her a little bit.
"Is this a bad news cry or a good news cry?"
More sobbing, but I feel her body loosen up.
"Go-good."
I run my hand up and down her back, trying to soothe her. We have all the time in the world and I place a kiss on the top of her head.
"I brought tacos."
"Tacos can wait."
If she's postponing eating her favorite food, this has got to be some really great news.
"Tell me, beauty."
"You remember my book was out on submission, right?"
"Yes, you were very hopeful."
"There was an auction and my book sold for a six figure deal."
I pull away from her so I can see her face. She's beautiful and smart and all the things I could ever wish for in a wife.
"I'll pop open the champagne."
She starts sobbing once again and I'm perplexed.
"I can't drink alcohol. I'm pregnant."
Now it all seems to make sense. The hormones are making her more sensitive than usual. Then I realize I'm going to be a father. I jump up with her in my arms and twirl us around the room.
"Stop! Stop! I'm going to throw up."
I set her down on the floor and reach for some tissues at her desk. I carefully dry her tears and push her hair out of her face.
"This moment, right now, is worth celebrating. We'll stuff ourselves on Mexican food and stay up late thinking of baby names. All I know is that you are magnificent, and I love you with all my heart."
"Thank you. It's a lot."
"But we'll face it together. That's all that matters."
"Yes, I love you so much Dom."
"And I love you, my beauty."