Page 34 of The Forever Experiment

He looks up at me, resting his chin against my stomach. “I know. It’ll be scary, but we’ll figure it out together. We’re going to do great.”

“What about our jobs? Neither of our parents live nearby, neither do my siblings, and yours are busy. We’re kind of alone out here, but I don’t want to leave California. I just don’t know how we’re going to do this without help. I don’t know how to baby.”

His brows furrow before he lights up with laughter. “I don’t know how to baby either. But we can take classes, and last I checked, our parents have cellphones, so that’s good. There are books to read, YouTube videos that’ll teach you how to do anything.”

I frown, because YouTube parenting advice doesn’t make me feel confident in the slightest.

“I’m kidding, Maya baby. We’ll be okay. I’m sure our families will fly out for the first little while until we get the hang of things.After that, we can look into getting a nanny, or find a great daycare, or…I could stay home with the baby.”

“Are you serious?” I ask.

He stands, keeping his hand on my stomach. “Fuck yeah. I’ve always wanted to be a dad. I can’t wait to coach soccer teams and carpool. Fuck it, I’ll drive a minivan. I don’t care.”

“We will never own a minivan.”

“Fine,” he scoffs. “I’ll settle for a Yukon then.” He takes my face between his hands, resting his lips against my nose. “I can still work for the firm from home, reviewing contracts and whatnot, but while you handle the bestsellers of the world…” He smiles down at my belly. “I can be here with nugget.”

“We’re not calling them nugget.”

“I was eating chicken when you told me. You set us up for this, Maya.” He rubs his hand over me. “Hi, nugget. Daddy loves you already.”

I sigh; I can’t help the flutters inside me at the way he’s already referring to himself asDaddy, the affectionate tone he’s using when speaking to my stomach. There is no doubt it’ll be challenging, and sometimes, I’ll be afraid, but I know there is no one else I’d want to have a baby with, no one else I’d rather call my husband.

Easton Mason is it for me.

As if I’d said the words aloud, his eyes snap to mine, boring through me. Golden light filters across his face, setting him on fire. He cups my cheek, and I nuzzle into the familiar warmth of his touch.

He inches into me, feathering his lips between mine. “I love you, Maya baby.”

I smile against his mouth. “I love you, pretty boy.”