Xiomara
Three months later
“It looks great in here!” Zane said as he walked through the doorway of my new first grade classroom here in Appleridge.
I beamed with pride, proud of all the hard work I put in to decorate. It was sad leaving my old school, and even sadder saying goodbye to my sister, but she was happy for me and relieved my blind date days were over. Seemingly, more so than me.
“You like it?”
“It pretty, Mara!” Teddy squealed from his father’s arms. He’d already grown so much in the short three months I lived here with Zane and him. I loved that I got the opportunity to watch him grow, and maybe even teach him in my own classroom one day.
“Thanks, buddy. I knew you’d like it. Want to see the playdoh I got?”
“Yes please!” Teddy clapped his hands and wiggled to get down. Zane set him on the floor, and he ran over to me, sliding his chubby little hand inside mine. I fell in love with this child more and more as time went own and he was starting to feel like my own son.
I set him up at the table with some playdoh as Zane watched on lovingly.
A playful grin had been tugging at the corners of his mouth the past couple of days, and I wondered what he was up to.
Last time he grinned like a fool was the day he moved me out of my apartment.
Later that day, he had welcomed me into his cabin, now our cabin he said, with rose petals and a bath, champagne, and chocolate covered strawberries.
Followed by a wild night of passionate sex I’d never forget.
Little did he know, I had my own surprise waiting for him.
About a month ago, we saw a fertility specialist and gathered our options in regard to pregnancy.
If we wanted children, we had to move fast. And considering everything moved fast between us, it didn’t phase us one bit.
The doctor said the older I got, the less likely of a viable, healthy pregnancy without assistance of things like IVF or fertility drugs.
But there was still a chance. A physical at my doctor’s office showed me in good health and though my age put me at high risk, I should be able to handle a pregnancy without issues.
All I wanted was to make Zane happy. And while he promised he was okay with adoption or even surrogacy, I wanted to give him the family he so deserved.
Besides, my maternal wants came rip roaring out of the darkness I hid them in, and suddenly, the urge to become a mother was strong.
We decided to try without any assistance at first and reassess after six months.
Well, we wouldn’t have to wait that long. Apparently, I was still fertile, or Zane’s sperm were strong and healthy, because only one month intro trying and I was pregnant.
I knew something was off when I all of sudden couldn’t stand the smell of eggs, one of my favorite breakfast foods. Then it dawned on me I hadn’t seen my period in a while and sure enough, two pink lines popped up on the test immediately.
My plan was to surprise Zane with the news but now I wondered if he knew somehow. Did he see the box and wrapper in the trash? Shit, why wasn’t I more careful? Pregnancy brain, that’s it, I’m blaming the hormones already.
Later that night, after dinner and putting Teddy to bed, Zane walked me outside onto the back porch and we slow danced under the fall moonlight, a slight crisp in the air. Before the dance ended, he got down on one knee.
“I love you so much, Xiomara. I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you. Please marry me. Become my wife and my family. Forever.”
“Oh my God, oh my God, I can’t…” Sobs pushed at my throat as I stood there in shock. “Yes, yes, Zane. Of course I’ll marry you.”
Zane got to his feet, slipped the ring on my left ring finger, and took me into his arms, lifting me off the ground and spinning us in a circle. “I love you so much, wifey. Hmm, I really like the sound of that.”
“I love you so much, hubby .”
We kissed and kissed under the stars, the night more perfect than I could’ve ever imagined.
“One more thing.” I said, my lips still tingling from the intense kiss. “You’re gonna be a daddy.” I whispered.
Zane’s head snapped back, his eyes bulging out. “What?” He cried. “You’re joking.”
I took his face between my hands and kissed him over and over. “Nope, I’m dead serious. I’m pregnant.”
“Holy shit, this is the best night of my life.” Zane cheered, happiness and excitement radiating off. I laughed and laughed and kissed my future husband, the love of my life, and now father of my baby.
A summer vacation that led to a forever love.
THE END
I hope you enjoyed Zane and Xiomara’s story!