LENA
Five Years Later
I bought a giant house on a whim half a decade ago, but when I read the two pink lines on the pregnancy test, I'm infinitely glad I picked such a big place back then.
It's my second pregnancy, and I know Owen is going to be thrilled. He'll probably be a bit less thrilled when we have to renovate another room into a nursery, but what's the point of marrying a carpenter if I don't get the perks along with it?
Our daughter, Emily, left for kindergarten hours ago, and it's a rare day when Owen is able to go to work a little late. I find him at the kitchen island, drinking strong black coffee that would give me heart palpitations and sketching something in a thick notebook.
The positive test is in my jeans pocket, burning like a secret, dying to be told.
"Slow morning?" I ask, leaning in to kiss his cheek. His eyes are still tired, but he manages a small smile for me.
"Yep, trying to figure out some ideas for a project." He shows me the blueprint sketches and tells me about how he wants to expand his contracting business to include renovating entire houses. Not just single floors. Not just rooms. Entire homes.
I listen to Owen talk excitedly about this dream, feeling pride swell in my chest. Even though I'm a professional photographer with awards and recognition under my belt, there's nothing quite like seeing your husband happy at work.
Finally, I can't take the secret anymore. "Babe?" I interrupt him as he's going on about floor plans. He raises an eyebrow curiously and nods for me to go ahead.
"I have something to tell you," I say. I reach into my pocket and pull out the positive pregnancy test. His eyes widen and then soften as he takes the plastic stick from my hand.
His jaw drops. "Really?"
"Yes, really." I laugh breathlessly. "We're having another baby!"
He lets out a whoop and sweeps me up in his arms, kissing me soundly on the lips. When he breaks away, we're both grinning from ear to ear.
"This is amazing." He rests a palm on my still-flat stomach, stroking it tenderly. "When did you find out? How far along are you?"
I explain that I took the test yesterday but wanted to wait until today because of how tired he's been lately. I planned on doing something fancy, maybe putting the pregnancy test in a wristwatch box or wrapping it in ribbon and paper. But it was impossible to keep the secret any longer.
His grin widens even more as he cups my face and kisses me again. "I can't believe you waited this long to tell me. We need to celebrate."
I lean into him, "I was hoping you'd say that."
“I love you, baby. Every fucking inch of you.”
Tears prick my eyes, emotions clogging my throat. “And I love you … every fucking inch of you.”
Owen picks me up, all of his fatigue gone in an instant, and he carries me upstairs. Whatever projects he has today will just have to wait. Right now, it's just Owen and me, a king-sized bed, and our favorite sort of celebration.
The End
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