Epilogue #3
I let out a despondent sigh as her boots scrape on the dirt, making their way over to the tree to place down my tribute.
Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I gaze down at the dirt and gravel of the road, waiting as she pays my respects but the next breeze carries with it a sudden yelp from my wife.
It’s light and breathy and comes accompanied by an abrupt skid on the ground.
Any thoughts or frets I had about being here evaporate as my head snaps over in Molly’s direction and in less than three strides I’m at her side. She’s on her ass with her legs bent in front of her, still gripping the leaf I handed her.
“Molly?” I search her face, the features pulled into a confused expression and her hazel orbs a little spacey and dilated. “Baby, what happened?”
“I-I got a little dizzy. I lost my footing for a sec but I think I’m okay,” she grips onto my arms as I help her to stand.
“Are you sure? I’ve never seen that happen to you before.”
“Yeah, it’s fine,” she nods, trying to release me but I loop a protective arm around her waist, determined to keep her steady. “We didn’t eat anything before we came out here, that’s all,” she tries to turn, but wobbles again, her eyes blinking rapidly.
“You’re not fine,” I decide, shaking my head as I bend down to hoist her up, pulling her legs around my waist in a koala carry. “We’re getting you to a doctor. They should be opening soon,” I turn to head for the truck when her next protest stops me dead in my tracks.
“Wolf, I’m pregnant.”
My heart refuses to beat, and I can hear my own breath in my ears. It’s my turn to be lightheaded, barely registering Molly unwinding her legs from my waist and sliding down my body.
“Wolf? Oh my God, Wolf?” her voice is an underwater echo, but I shake out of it and look down at her as she places her hands on my face.
Her whiskey colored eyes are searching mine, worried about me, if I’m okay.
“Wolf, I’m so sorry. I totally fucked this up.
This was supposed to be about you and we were supposed to be focused on your-”
“You’re pregnant,” the words come out sounding like they can’t decide if they want to be a statement or question.
“Yes,” she sighs, her concerned expression unchanging. Her hands are still trying to smooth down the scruff on either side of my face. “This is already a lot, I didn’t mean to add to it,” she sighs, shaking her head.
“I want to look at you.” I’m still ever the wordsmith as I take a small step back without releasing her fingers. In the fresh morning light she absolutely glows. My eyes pan her up and down but hone in on the bright radiance that’s splashed across her cheeks. “My baby’s inside you.”
She nibbles on the corner of her mouth while the other side tips up, coyly crinkling her delicate features. “Yeah.” Her reply is sweet and airy.
And before I know what I’m doing, I’m yanking her into me; just like that night at the edge of the ravine. Like she might be ripped from my arms by a single rush of water or gust of wind. My fingers thrust into her already messy braid as I cradle her close, just wanting to hold onto this moment.
“I love you,” is all that comes to mind as her hands grip at the back of my shirt, returning the desperate need to cling to each other. “I didn’t think I could love you more than I already did, but I do.”
“So,” she squeaks out, I think a little breathless from how tight I’m holding her and I ease up. “I take it you’re feeling okay about this?” I hear laughter in her voice with just a trace of tears.
“Yeah,” I exhale, before pulling back to look at her. “I had no idea how I’d feel about that until just now and I don’t think I could feel happier; more full.”
She sighs in relief as I cradle her face in my hands. “I’m so glad. Because I know we weren’t planning anything yet, but things got so hectic with getting the triage program off the ground, and I spaced on my pill a couple of times…”
I lean in, kissing her nose as she yammers on until the words finally fade out. Then we’re left just looking at each other in the enchanting sunshine. A quiet moment bursting with ecstasy of every kind.
A light breeze sends a couple rogue strands of brown hair across her face and she tucks them behind her ears when the leaf still in her hand catches her attention.
“Crap,” she mutters, abruptly turning and trying to bend to lay it at the foot of the tree and it makes me realize how much closer I’ve gotten to the trunk.
I was distracted by Molly’s dizzy spell and didn’t even think of the few feet I put behind me rushing over to her.
And the place I’m standing has new meaning all of a sudden.
It’s not just where my parents lives ended.
It’s also now the place I found out I’m going to be a father.
Molly, oblivious to this newfound significance, straightens up from laying the leaf down at the base of the tree. She tips her head to the side, her eyes searching my face. “Wolf, are you okay?”
“Yeah.” The word comes out on a cathartic exhale as I shift my weight forward, striding steadily towards her and the tree.
Locking a protective arm around her middle as my other hand reaches out.
I lay it flat against the bark and close my eyes, waiting for the torrent of intense grief to overtake me; to terrorize me.
I wait for Molly to keep me anchored as it does it’s worse.
But the wash of emotion I was expecting doesn’t come.
Instead it’s a stream of nostalgia; the sorrow a mere undercurrant. Practically dormant. Barely noticeable.
I feel Molly rest her cheek against my chest; breathing me in and I remember that the world is still turning. Life is still moving, and I have a pregnant wife to take care of.
Opening my eyes, I let out another weighted sigh and lean back away, bringing my hand to cup her chin. “I want to come back,” I tell her solemnly.
Her eyes, tilted up to me regard mine with are swimming in pools of amber serenity. “Then we will. We’ll come back, Wolf.”
Leaning down, I seal the agreement by kissing her, letting my lips fold over hers. I let it stretch out over several heartbeats before pulling away.
“But right now, I need to get some food in my wife,” I announce, reaching down to scoop her back up. She easily allows it, and after securing her legs around my waist, I walk us back to the truck and crank the passenger side door back open.
“You’re okay to drive?” She asks, not in protest this time, as she shifts and gets comfortable in the seat.
“I think better than you are at the moment.” I place a kiss on her cheek. “At least until we get your blood sugar up.” I lean out and shut the door before working my way to my side.
Pulling us back on the road, I give the old oak one last glance as it passes before swinging my gaze forward again.
“Have you seen a doctor yet?”
“I have an appointment tomorrow,” Molly answers, sitting back; completely at ease as the sun shines through the windshield, illuminating the cab like it’s our own bright and cozy bubble.
“I’m coming,” I proclaim, firmly.
“Great, so you can alienate the obstetrician with your monosyllabic answers and Resting Wolf Face,” she teases with a grin.
“Smartass,” I snicker, reaching over to take hold of her hand. “Anything else you want to tell me?” I glance between her and the road as she nibbles her bottom lip a moment.
Finally, she draws in a breath and says. “If it’s a boy, I thought maybe you’d like to name him after your dad?” She finishes by looking over at me to gauge my reaction.
The breath I draw in is sharp but elated. The easy smile on my lips can’t be helped as I look at her. Looking back out at the road, I turn it over in my mind just a few times before answering; letting the sun light me up inside and out.
“Samuel it is.”
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