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TWENTY-TWO

ALEJANDRA

Gage hustles out of the house, leaving me snickering in the shower as I finish washing up, then get ready for a long day with Zoe.

After pulling on a pair of yoga shorts and a comfy dress, I head into her nursery.

She’s awake, not upset, but cooing a little at the mobile above her.

“Good morning, Princesa .” I reach for her and I’m greeted with a squinty, gummy baby smile.

She stirs so many emotions within me, bringing to the surface things I wanted but would never allow myself to think about.

But now, her father—my husband—is going to make them come true.

I change her diaper and get her dressed for the day, then we head downstairs so I can eat breakfast. Zoe goes into the little bouncy seat while I get her bottle ready, and while I wait for the bubbles to dissipate, I scarf a protein bar and pull my container of cold brew coffee from the fridge.

Filling my shaker cup with ice and the little metal ball, I pour in the coffee and add a scoop of vanilla protein powder.

My phone pings just as I sit in the armchair with Zoe. I take a drink of the coffee, putting it down on the side table and pick up my phone.

Gage

Hey, Pretty Girl, just checking in.

Ale

Everything’s all good over here. Princesa is being fed right now. Then I’ll have her on the floor for her tummy time.

Gage

And what about you?

What about me?

Gage

Ale? Tell me you’ve actually eaten something.

Before I can answer, another text pops up.

Gage

No, iced coffee and the scoop of protein powder you put in it doesn’t count.

This man knows me too well already

Ale

I had a protein bar.

Gage

JFC

Gage

Amor, please. Don’t make me come home and sit you in my lap and feed you myself.

Ale

You’re not helping the situation.

Gage

Be a good girl and eat for me. Gotta have you all fueled up for later.

Ale

Seriously?! Aren’t you running on empty yet?

Gage

Not even close.

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous out and while I’ve been taking Zoe out in the backyard for some outdoor tummy time, I think it would be nice to get her out of the house for things other than doctor appointments or errands.

I’m hoping I can convince Gage to get one of the nice jogging strollers so I can go running with her.

Speaking of money. I need to call Tia to see how Pedro and Juanita are.

It’s getting to be that time where they will need groceries and help with the bills.

Zoe has been down for over an hour for her midday nap, which I am totally taking advantage of. I’ve gotten two loads of laundry washed and folded and prepped the ingredients for dinner tonight. My phone vibrates in my dress pocket and I fish it out, pausing the music and checking my texts.

Pedro

Tia doesn’t know I have this phone, so please don’t tell her. I found an apartment for after graduation. Juanita can stay with me. Are you okay with that?

My fifteen-year-old sister and eighteen-year-old brother living on their own. I’m not crazy about the idea.

Ale

I don’t know, Pedro. I’m thinking of bringing Juanita here to be with me.

Pedro

She doesn’t want to leave Mexico. Neither do I.

Ale

Pedro, it might be for the best.

Pedro

Best for whom, you? Why don’t you come back?

Shit. He still doesn’t know about me being married.

Ale

I can’t.

Pedro

Why?

Ale

Because I’m married now.

Pedro doesn’t respond, leaving me on read for ten minutes and it’s at that point I slip my phone back in my pocket, silently crying as I fold clothes.

The sound of Gage’s truck alarm beeping has my heart fluttering in my chest. Even though today turned out to be shit, I know seeing him will make it a little better.

I’ve got Zoe on my back as we dance around the kitchen, making dinner.

The front door opens and I hear Gage drop his key on the entryway table, his boots thudding across the hardwood floor as he makes his way to the back. “Ale?”

“We’re in the kitchen,” I shout over the sound of the tacos frying in the skillet. I transfer them to the paper towel-covered plate to rest and pop another two in the pan just as he comes into view.

“How are my girls today?” Gage stands there, his blouse unbuttoned and his tight khaki undershirt clinging to his skin.

The Marine Corps is doing us women all the favors by making these men look like a whole damn meal in their uniforms. No wonder everyone is always pregnant.

And with the way this man looks at me, the way he fucks me, it’s no wonder I’m not already somehow pregnant.

If I’m not already and just don’t know it yet.

“ Princesa had a very good day,” I turn toward him. “She had lots of awake time and ate like a champ.”

“And,” he moves closer and I can feel my breathing pick up. “What about Mommy?” Gage moves behind me, kissing Zoe on the top of her head, then running his nose up the side of my neck. “Did my wife have a good day?”

This man.

“I talked to my brother today, well, more like he texted me.” I try my best to keep myself in check, but I know my voice probably sounds strained.

Kiss. “Yeah, and I’m guessing that didn’t go well.”

“No, it didn’t.” I take a deep breath and hold back the tears. “He said he found an apartment and said he could just have Juanita live with him and asked if I would be okay with it. I told him I wasn’t a fan of the idea.”

“Just give him some time, Hermosa . Maybe his ego is just a little crushed.” Gage turns to grab two plates and takes them to the dinner table.

“I told him I was married, Gage.” I look over at him, a tear sneaking down my cheek. “He asked why I couldn’t just move back and I told him, then he ignored me.” I let it all flow out because why hide the fact that I’m hurting?

“Fuck, Ale.” Gage crosses the kitchen in two strides and wraps his arms around me, resting my head on his chest. “It’s okay, baby. Maybe he’s just processing, you know? Give him some time.”

“Normally they are asking for money by now and he didn’t, and I don’t know what to do.” Gage turns the burner off and moves the pan. “I don’t want them to go without because they are mad at me.”

“Listen to me, baby. If they need it, they will ask for it. Even if they are mad.” He tilts my chin up and stares into my eyes, using his thumbs to wipe my tears away. “Give it time. Te lo prometo, todo va a estar bien.”

He’s right. If they need it, they will ask.

“Okay,” I sniffle, feeling his steady heartbeat against my cheek, grounding me. “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”

“Sounds good to me. I’m starving.” He pulls me back and leans in, taking my lips in a soft kiss. “Then I can have you for dessert.”

Gage hovers over the sink washing the pans from dinner while I change Zoe in the living room.

I lay out her blanket on the floor and set her on her tummy.

She’s been getting so close to rolling from her belly to her back.

On the floor with her, I whisper words of encouragement.

“You can do it, Princesa . Let’s show Daddy how strong you are. ”

“ Hermosa ,” Gage rounds the corner into the living room right as Zoe rocks on her side. He freezes as she goes from her stomach to her back in one swift motion. “Oh shit! Is that the first time she’s done that?” Dropping to the floor to lie with me across from her.

“Yes,” the grin on his face is everything, knowing he got to be here for one of her firsts. “She’s showing off for you.”

Gage stares at Zoe in awe and it just makes me fall more in love with him, seeing how devoted he is to her. Our children are going to be the luckiest kids on the planet to have a father like him. “Hey, I wanted to ask… do you think we could get one of those jogging strollers?”

He inches closer to her, getting face-to-face, and Zoe coos at him, giving him a little smile. “Yeah, you wanna go now? I can go get changed.”

“Could we?” I tug at his undershirt and run my hand up his back, feeling his muscles relax under my touch.

“Not if you’re going to touch me like that. You keep doing that, Ale, and the only place we’re going is to the bedroom.”

I give him a sheepish grin and he pushes himself up onto his knees. “Maybe when we get home. Go change. I’ll get her ready to go.”

Twenty-five minutes later, we’re staring at a bunch of strollers trying to determine which one is the best to go with. Gage has his phone out and a YouTube video up on one of them. “Okay, it’s between these two.” Pointing them out to me. “Which one do you like better?”

“Whatever one you pick is fine.” I shrug my shoulders. I still feel weird spending his money.

Technically, it’s our money now that I’m his wife.

I have a bank card for his account, or I should say our joint account, as he called it.

“ Hermosa , you’re going to be using it more than I am. I want you to pick the one you want.”

I turn back to the strollers and my eyes drift over to the double strollers.

Should we even be bothering with a single when we soon could need a double?

It’s a valid thought, because with how we are with each other, another baby is bound to happen.

And now that I’m thinking about it, I really should buy a pregnancy test. My period is due any day now.

“Maybe we should wait.” I whisper, looking up at him. Zoe stirs on his chest in the baby carrier, looking absolutely content with him.

“Why?” Then his eyes fall on the row of doubles and he smirks. “Do you think you are?”

“I’m not saying I am, but it’s something to consider. Why waste money on something that we’ll need to upgrade, potentially soon?” I let out a small chuckle. “We should probably buy some tests to be ready.”

“Let’s just get this one and if you are, we’ll worry about getting the bigger one then. I want you to go on your runs when you want to.” He loops his arm around my waist and pulls me close. “Now, let’s go find those tests.”

A stroller, a box of pregnancy tests and a bunch of other stuff we probably didn't need later, and we are back home.

Gage is in the garage putting the stroller together and I just bathed Zoe and have her in the glider with her bottle.

My mind is on the box of tests sitting on our bathroom counter. Just waiting for me to take them.

“ Princesa , I hope you won’t resent me for giving you a sibling so soon if Mama is pregnant.” I pause for a second. Mama . I called myself her mama. That stirs something within me, and I feel my eyes water.

“She won’t.” Gage says from the doorway, startling me. I didn’t even hear him come up the stairs, let alone come back into the house. “You’re her mother, Ale.”

I’m her mother.

I’d do anything for this perfect little girl.

Gage leans against the doorframe and watches me feed our daughter. “You want to shower with me, or should I clean up while you’re getting her ready for bed?”

“Would you rather have me in the shower again or in our bed?”

“Quick shower, now it is.”

“I love you, Gage.” I mouth to him as Zoe’s eyes flutter closed.

“I’m so in love with you, Ale. More than you could ever imagine.”