Chapter 33 – Kenna-Present
Chapter Thirty-Three
LET THE BUMPING BEGIN
KENNA-PRESENT
It’s been a month since Cole and I got married, and I still wake up every morning with a quiet, stunned sort of disbelief, like I’ve stumbled into someone else’s dream. But no—it’s ours. This life, this home, this family are all real.
The house feels different now. Not just because of the wedding, but because of what it represents: a new chapter. There’s more warmth in the walls, more laughter echoing through the rooms, and more life in the small, ordinary moments, like tonight.
We’re sitting on the living room floor, the soft glow of the lamp casting a golden hue over everything. There are rolls of wrapping paper scattered like fallen dominoes around us, and empty boxes that once held secrets now lie in cheerful disarray. Ribbons curl at our feet like question marks.
Cole’s beside me, bent forward with the same care and precision he brings to everything. He’s wrapping the Nintendo Switch, the last gift for Cohen. His brow furrows slightly as he smooths a corner of the wrapping paper and places the tape with practiced gentleness.
I watch him, feeling something inside me catch and settle all at once. He’s so focused. So present. So tender in the smallest of things. That quiet concentration, the way his hands move with a kind of reverence, makes it clear he knows even this small act is meaningful.
“I can’t believe we got him everything he wanted,” I say softly, glancing at all the gifts. “A 3D printer, a boat, and the Switch. He’s going to freak out tomorrow.”
Cole looks over at me, his eyes lighting up with that warm, steady affection that always makes my breath catch a little.
“I just want his first birthday as my son to be a good one,” he says, his voice sincere. “To show him how much we love him.”
My throat tightens. There it is again, that quiet way he roots himself in us. Not through grand gestures or loud declarations, but through steady truth. With intention. With a love that doesn’t waver, but shows up, again and again.
I feel a wave of emotion crash over me, thick and warm. My throat tightens, and I have to blink back tears. How did I get so lucky, to find someone who loves not only me but our son with such fierce devotion?
“You’re too good for us, you know that?” My voice wavers slightly, thick with unshed emotion. I don’t say you saved us, but I feel it in every breath.
Cole leans back, his hands resting on his knees, and he grins at me. “Well, you guys are stuck with me. Forever.”
Before I can even find a witty comeback, he’s leaning in, kissing me.
It’s soft, lingering, the kiss that makes my chest feel like it’s swelling with a million unsaid words.
In that kiss, I feel our whole life. The past, present, and the infinite future folding around us like a warm blanket. I close my eyes, savoring every second.
“I’m the lucky one,” I whisper when the kiss breaks.
Cole chuckles softly and returns to wrapping the gift. “We both are, Sunshine.”
The next morning, Cohen is up before the sun. I hear him from down the hall, the quick patter of his feet echoing like a starting gun. Then—thump, thump, thump—the bed dips beneath his weight as he launches himself onto it. Laughter spills from him like it can’t be contained.
“Wake up, wake up, Mom and Dad! It’s my birthday!”
And just like that, sleep slips away, replaced by the joy only a child can summon so effortlessly.
I groggily open my eyes and look over at Cole, who’s already half awake, a smirk on his face. “You’re up early,” I mumble.
“Birthday energy,” Cole says with a yawn. “It’s a real thing.”
Before I can pull myself upright, Cohen’s already grabbing at Cole’s hand, trying to drag him out of bed with more strength than a nine-year-old should have.
“Come on! Pancakes!” he shouts, his joy contagious.
Cole laughs, rolling out of bed without resistance. He throws me a wink over his shoulder before disappearing with Cohen down the hallway.
Nine years. Nine whole years of being Cohen’s mom. Sometimes, it feels like it just began yesterday; other times, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
As Cole and Cohen go downstairs to make breakfast, their voices already fill the house with uninhibited laughter. I pause by the mirror to finish getting ready. My reflection looks tired but hopeful.
And then, a sudden memory hits me with the force of a tidal wave: the day I brought Cohen home. I was seventeen, trembling with fear and doubt, wondering if I could really do this, if I was enough.
But then I looked into his tiny eyes, and everything fell into place. The fear melted away, and fierce, unwavering love replaced it. That love has only grown.
As I brush my hair in front of the mirror, I glance at my reflection a moment longer than usual. I look the same, mostly. But inside, something feels…different.
A subtle heaviness. A pull in my core.
And then the realization comes.
My period. It’s late.
I freeze, brush suspended midair.
Could it be?
I try to shake the thought. This isn’t the time. Today is Cohen’s day. But the whisper won’t go away.
I walk into the bathroom quietly, my hands moving automatically. I find the unopened test from beneath the sink—leftover from a hopeful moment months ago, when Cole and I first started talking about maybe, one day, trying for a baby.
And now...
My fingers tremble as I open the wrapper. Even though I’ve done this before, I follow the instructions. I set it down. I wait.
The longest three minutes of my life.
I stare at the counter, heart pounding in my ears. I try to breathe, but my mind is a kaleidoscope of emotions—hope, fear, disbelief, joy.
Then I see it.
Positive.
The breath leaves me like a quiet sob. I sink onto the edge of the tub, a hand to my mouth.
Tears spill down my cheeks. Not just from joy,
But from the weight, the beauty, the miracle.
I think of Cohen. Of how scared I was the day I brought him home. Seventeen and alone. But he made me strong. He made me a mother.
And now, another baby. A new soul. A sibling.
I already feel the love forming inside me like a seedling pushing through soil.
This baby will be so loved.
When I finally go downstairs, I catch sight of Cole and Cohen in the kitchen.
They’re standing by the stove, Cohen bouncing on his heels as he helps Cole crack eggs into a bowl. I watch them for a moment, my heart full as I take in the scene.
It’s perfect. Just like I’ve always imagined it would be. A father and son, side by side, working together. And I can already picture what it’ll be like in the future, with another little one running around, joining in on the fun.
I pause in the doorway.
This is it. This is the life I used to daydream about when I didn’t think I’d ever have something whole. Something safe.
Cohen spots me first. “MOM!” He bolts over and wraps his arms around me like a rocket ship docking at home base. I lift him up, feeling the warmth of his embrace, the pure happiness in his touch.
“Happy Birthday, lovebug,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
He pulls back and grins at me. “This is the best birthday ever!” he exclaims, his voice filled with so much excitement that it makes my heart burst.
And it’s only just begun.
I set him down and glance over at Cole, who’s walking toward us now. The three of us stand there for a moment, just holding each other, wrapped in the love that feels so strong it could move mountains.
Cole walks over, leaning in to kiss my temple. His hand rests gently on my lower back.
And in that touch, I know.
Soon, I’ll tell him.
I’ll tell both of them.
On the way to Cohen’s party, he can hardly contain his excitement. He’s been guessing his surprise all week, but he keeps getting it wrong, much to his frustration. I smile, letting him guess a few more times, just to see him squirm.
When we pull up to the lake, Cohen’s jaw drops. His eyes go wide, and his face breaks into a huge grin. “This is the best boat ever!”
I laugh, squeezing Cole’s hand as I tell Cohen, “This was the surprise. We bought a boat. Just for you.”
His eyes light up, and I swear I see a little tear in his eye. “This is the best birthday ever!” he says again, his voice full of awe.
Cole squeezes my hand.
“You were right,” I whisper to him. “This is the perfect surprise.”
The party is a huge success. Cohen has the time of his life surrounded by his friends, water tubing, and water skiing. My siblings are all there. Reuben, Asher, Millie and Gabriel, with their daughters Aura and Mars, and Lucie.
Everyone’s laughing, celebrating, and soaking in the joy of the day.
When Cohen opens his presents, his face lights up even more when he sees the Nintendo Switch and the 3D printer. I can feel Cole beside me, his hand resting on my back, as we both watch our son’s face light up.
We did good.
As the sun sets, the warm glow of evening falls over us, and the sound of laughter fills the air.
Everyone gathers around the bonfire on the shore, roasting marshmallows, telling stories, and sharing memories.
Cohen and his friends race around, trying to catch fireflies, their giggles ringing through the air like music.
Cohen pulls me aside, his face serious. “Mom, can we go on the boat again tomorrow?”
I laugh, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. “Of course, sweetheart. We’ll go whenever you want.”
As the party winds down, I pull Cole and Cohen aside. This is the moment.
“Guys,” I start, my voice trembling with emotion, “I have one more present.”
Cole’s eyes narrow slightly, curious. Cohen leans in like he’s expecting a secret code.
I take a deep breath, steadying my hands.
“I’m pregnant. We’re going to have another baby.”
Cole freezes. Cohen’s mouth drops open.
Silence. One heartbeat. Two.
Then—
“I’M GONNA BE A BIG brOTHER?!” Cohen screams, jumping like a pogo stick. “FOR REAL?!”
I laugh, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.
Cole turns to me slowly, his eyes filled with wonder and tears.
“Are you sure?” he whispers.
I nod, my heart full. “I’m sure.”
We all end up tangled in this big hug, and for a second it’s like the rest of the world just disappears. My chest feels too full in the best way. The love between us, the family we’ve somehow built, and the baby we’re about to add to the mix—it all hits me at once. This is it. This is everything.
As we stand there, in each other’s arms, I know that this is just the beginning. This marks the start of another beautiful chapter in our story. And whatever comes next, we’ll face it together, just as we always have.
The fire is still crackling as the kids finish their games and come running back toward the adults. Cohen’s smile is wider than ever, his cheeks flushed from the excitement. He’s practically bouncing on his feet, holding onto his friends’ hands as they gather around.
“Okay, okay,” he announces, jumping up and down to get everyone’s attention. His voice is louder than usual, as if he’s been waiting for this moment. “Everybody, I’ve got a super important announcement!” He looks around at the group, the firelight dancing in his eyes.
I glance at Cole, who’s watching Cohen with an amused smile. We both know what’s coming.
Cohen clears his throat dramatically, standing up straighter and placing his hands on his hips. “So, you guys know I’m gonna be a big brother, right?” He grins, proud of himself for remembering.
There’s a moment of silence as everyone looks at him, puzzled.
“Wait...what?!” one of Cohen’s friends, Caleb asks, his face lighting up in confusion and excitement.
Cohen holds up his hands, his face lighting up with pure joy. “I’m gonna have a baby brother or sister! Because my mom’s pregnant!”
There’s a stunned silence before the entire group erupts into cheers and laughter.
“What?! You’re gonna have a sibling?” Tommy exclaims, eyes wide. “That’s so awesome!”
“You’re gonna be such a good big brother!” Caleb says with a grin.
“Seriously?” Reuben calls out from his spot by the fire, his voice teasing but full of joy. “You’re giving us more little ones to chase around?”
I laugh, feeling a mixture of surprise and happiness as Cohen practically glows with excitement. His announcement has everyone gathered around, everyone’s attention focused on him.
Cohen stands tall, looking like the proudest kid in the world, puffing out his chest. “Yep! I’m gonna be a big brother. And I’m so ready!” He spins in a circle before pointing dramatically at me. “Mom’s pregnant, and I can’t wait for the new baby to come!”
Cole steps forward, pulling me close to him, his eyes full of pride as he looks at our son. “Looks like the secret lasted all of a couple of hours,” he says with a soft chuckle.
I smile, my heart swelling with warmth. I’m still processing the news myself, but hearing Cohen announce it, so full of joy and pride, makes it all feel so real. So right.
“Congratulations!” Millie says, her voice filled with excitement. “Another little one to add to the family!”
Lucie, who’s standing nearby, smiles warmly. “That’s wonderful news! We’re all going to be one big happy family.”
Cohen beams at all the attention, loving the moment. He turns back to me with a wide grin. “See, Mom? I told you I could keep a secret!” He winks at me, clearly proud of himself.
I laugh, bending down to hug him tightly. “You did, sweetheart. You did so well. It only took you two hours to spill the beans.”
“Does this mean I get to pick out the baby’s name?” Cohen asks eagerly, his eyes full of possibilities.
“Maybe,” Cole says, ruffling Cohen’s hair. “But we’ll have to talk about it first.”
The laughter continues, the warmth of the fire wrapping us all in a cocoon of love and joy. In that moment, it feels like the whole world is sharing in our happiness. Cohen’s announcement has made everything feel even more real, and even more exciting.
I look at Cole, my heart full, and he smiles back at me. We’re not just growing our family with another baby. We’re growing in our love. And that love is the foundation of everything.
Cohen, bouncing on his feet, looks out at all the people around him. “You know,” he says, his voice full of confidence, “I think this is gonna be the best birthday ever.”