Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“That gym is your baby.”
I smile at that. “Not anymore.”
We agree to meet in a few days to brainstorm how to set my plans in motion. I drop the prescription off at the pharmacy, and they tell me it will be twenty minutes. While waiting, I wander through the store. I grab a bag of peanut M&M's which are Winnie's favorite and find myself standing in the baby aisle. It's a little overwhelming, but a smile still tilts my lips when I think of our baby. Slowly, I make my way down the aisle, taking it all in when something catches my eyes. The tag claims it's a onesie, but I'm not worried about what it is as much as what it says. “If you think I'm cute, you should see my mommy.” I can't wait to see her face when I give it to her.
When I get back to the house, Gabby's car is still in the driveway. I find the two of them curled up on the couch watching reruns of Grey's Anatomy.
“I thought you went for my prescription?” Winnie asks when she sees the bag I'm holding.
“Yeah, I picked up a few things.” I hand the bag over. I watch her closely as she reaches in and pulls out the M&M's.
She smiles up at me. “Thank you.” She sets them to the side and pulls out the white pharmacy bag that holds her prescription. That too gets set aside. The next item she pulls out of the bag is a book. “What To Expect When You’re Expecting.” She reads the title.
“Yeah, that one's kind of for both of us. Probably more me, since I thought I should learn.” I shrug.
“What's this?” She pulls the tiny outfit out of the bag. I watch as she reads what it says. “Harrison,” she says breathily.
“It's black and white, so it's good for a girl or a boy, right?”
“It's perfect.”
“Let me see." Gabby leans over to read what it says. “Aww,” she coos. “You did good, Daddy.”
My heart stutters in my chest.
I'm going to be a daddy.
Chapter 8
Winnie
* * *
He’s driving me crazy.
Just a few hours into his self-imposed move-in, and he’s completely making me insane. Sundays are usually spent catching up on laundry, grocery shopping, and getting my week ready for school. But not today. Today, I’m being held prisoner by my ex-husband, who won’t let me move a muscle from the couch. Is it bad? No. I know he’s doing what he thinks I need, but not letting me walk to the bathroom to pee is a little overboard, ya know?
I’m four episodes into a Friends marathon when I start to slide my feet out from under me. “Where are you going?” Harrison asks, glancing up from the book he’s reading in the chair. He has a pair of readers perched on his nose, something that’s new since our time together. A ping of longing slides through my body, and I can’t help but wonder what else I’ve missed over these last several months.
“When did you start wearing cheater glasses?” I ask, ignoring his questions and asking my own.
He dog-ears the page he’s reading, and I can’t help but gasp. “What?” he asks, his entire body filling with tension as he starts to move in my direction. “Are you okay? What’s wrong? Do you hurt? Is it the baby?”
Rolling my eyes, I reply, “I’m fine. Or at least I am physically. I think you just crushed a piece of my heart when you bent that page over.”
Harrison glances down at the book he haphazardly tossed on the end table. “Shit, sorry. I forgot you hate that.”
"You’re a monster," I tease, fighting the grin that wants to slip out.
He glances my way and smiles. "A monster, huh?"
"What’d that book ever do to you?"
"That book didn’t do anything to me, except maybe offer up a little too much information about birthing the placenta," he says, shivering with disgust as he takes his glasses off and runs his hand down the side of his face.
I slide off the couch, and his eyes are on me like laser beams. "I’m okay, you know. I don’t need to be held hostage on the couch."
"I’m just trying to keep you both safe."
I crouch down in front of him, noticing the moment his eyes start to dilate. "I know that, and I appreciate it, but sitting on my ass for hours on end isn’t doing anything to help me."
"You heard the doctor. He said to take it easy."
"Easy, yes, but captive, no. I’m okay, Harrison. A little rest is a good thing, but I need to be able to get up and get a drink," I say until I’m interrupted.
"I’ll get you a drink."
"But I’m perfectly capable of getting my own," I inform him, holding his gaze and watching the internal battle play out. I know he just wants to help, and I’m certain he thinks he’s protecting both our baby and me, but it’s too much. It’s only been a few hours and it’s already driving me bananas.