Page 137 of Ruin The Friendship
“That’s not very nice,” I say to Lydia’s bump, wishing I could take away her discomfort for even a day. “I know you’re running out of room in there, but you need to be good to your mom.”
I talk to my daughter for a while, telling her all about tonight’s game and how the playoff series works. By the time I finish, the weight that settled on my chest during the game has eased, and I’m feeling better.
Lydia has finished her popcorn and has been running her fingers through my hair.
“You okay?” she asks as I scoot up on the bed, resting my back against the headboard.
Shrugging, I lean in to rest my head on her shoulder. “I’m anxious.”
“What about?” Lydia asks, resting her hand on mine over her stomach.
“Everything. Leaving you, the possibility of you going into labor when I’m across the country, you being alone with the baby, something happening during your labor.”
She squeezes my hand. “I get it. It’s a lot, but we’ll just have to take it as it comes. And next time, we have to make sure not to have a baby in the middle of playoffs.”
“Next time?” I lift my head, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth as I stare into those blue eyes.
They widen as she realizes what she’s said. “Um, no?—”
“No take-backs,” I shout, excited. “You’re already thinking about having another.”
With a resolved sigh, Lydia nods. “Yeah. I am. I always wanted a sibling growing up, and as uncomfortable as I am, this pregnancy hasn’t been too horrible.”
“So, when would we have to get pregnant for you to deliver in the off-season?” I question as I settle back in beside her.
Lydia picks up her crochet hook and resumes her project. I still can’t figure out what it is, but I’m sure she’ll show me later.
“Probably October or November? That would have me delivering mid to end of summer, which would work out well even if you make it all the way to the final round of the playoffs.”
“Hmm,” I reply, already thinking about what our life with two kids would be like as opposed to one. “I love you.”
Lydia leans over, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. “I love you, Fletcher.”
“What are you making?” I finally ask when curiosity gets the better of me.
“A hockey puck.” She shifts the yarn a bit. “See? Here’s his little arms and his little legs with his skates.”
“Oh my gosh, that’s actually so cute. How did you do that?”
“I found the pattern on Etsy. I figured she could have this one to play with and bring to games, and then you could give her her first real hockey puck when we go to her first game.”
“Can’t wait.”
My anxieties over the next few weeks are still present, and unfortunately, the only cure for them is time, but having my girl makes everything a bit easier.
59
READY OR NOT
LYDIA
THIRTY-SEVEN WEEKS PREGNANT
“Icannot get over how cute you are,” Grace gushes as she brings me a bag of popcorn.
“I look like an avocado,” I mutter. I’ve been in a mood all day today, and I’m so sick and tired of being pregnant. The worst part is, I still have three weeks left.
“An avocado?” Zoey laughs. “That’s oddly specific.”
