Page 109 of The Last Time

I grab her hands. “What’s wrong? Are you not feeling good? Should I get some medicine?”

Her eyes meet mine. She just smiles at me with a strange look in her eyes. I don’t know what to make of it.

“I’ve definitely been feeling off, but I don’t think medicine is going to fix it.”

"What are you talking about? If we don’t have what you need, I’ll run out and get something different.”

She laughs softly then squeezes my hands. “I should be feeling better in about twelve weeks. At least, that’s what all the articles I've read said.”

I’m so confused. What kind of flu lasts twelve weeks? Her eyebrows raise suggestively as a smile spread across her face. Then it hits me.

“You’re pregnant?” I ask with a whisper.

“I’m pregnant,” she responds.

I can’t believe it. We haven’t been super careful about it, but then again, we haven’t been trying. Pregnant? I’m going to have another baby. Brie’s going to be a big sister.

My eyes begin to fill with tears. I grab Charlotte’s face and lay a kiss on her lips. She laughs as I begin to pepper her with kisses then wrap her up in a hug.

“Are you happy?” she asks.

I pull away. Shocked that she even has to ask. “Happy? I’m thrilled. We’re having a baby!”

“I know. I can't believe it. My mom slipped into my room earlier with some pregnancy tests. I would’ve never thought I was pregnant.”

“Damn. I should’ve thought to do that. I just figured it was stress or the flu.”

She chuckles. “Me too. She told me it was exactly how she felt with me. The fatigue that hit her was apparently strong and lasted until the second trimester.”

“Wow. Thank goodness your mom was here. How are you feeling now?” I ask, peeking down at her belly like I’m suddenly going to see a bump there.

“Still a bit weak and tired, but definitely better than before. I could use some food.”

Right. Food. She’s eating for two now.

“Does Italian sound good?” I ask, remembering Lauren craved heavy carbs while pregnant.

Charlotte moans at the thought. “Yes, Italian sounds wonderful.”

Before I can even think about ordering the food, I open my arms to her. “Come here. I need to hold you first.”

She smiles and falls into my arms willingly, resting her head on my chest. We lean back into the back of the couch as I enjoy the feeling of her warmth on me.

“Can you believe it?” she whispers into my chest. “This is our life. How lucky are we?”

I just hold her tighter.

I can’t believe this is my life. Just a year ago, I was stuck in so much grief and anger that I would have never thought it was possible to find happiness again.

It’s incredible how one person can come into your life and turn it all upside down. From the moment that she came back, it was like I could breathe again. Now, here we are sitting on our deck with the most incredible three-year-old upstairs, and a little one growing in her belly.

I don’t know what I did to deserve this second chance at love, but I know I will never take it for granted. I will appreciate every moment, every kiss, and every stumble along the way. It will be nothing like the last time, because this time, I’m going to appreciate the time we have together, because all of it is a gift.