Page 121 of Let's Be Forever

Keeping one hand on her hair, I use my other palm to rub her back. “It was bacon, I’m sorry,meu bem. I just bought it, but it could have gone bad and I didn’t notice. I’ll throw it away.”

Anna flushes the toilet, palming her stomach, and drops on her butt so she’s leaning against the wall. “That’s so weird. I was fine and then…” She exhales shakily, tipping her head back.

“I’m going to get you some water. Stay right here.”

I find Rosie in the kitchen, breaking off a piece of bacon and throwing it to Ses. “Ro, I’ve told you not to give her food.” I grab the plate of bacon and take a whiff of it. It doesn’t smell bad, but I still throw it away then fill a cup of water.

“Is Mommy okay?” she asks, ignoring Ses as she nuzzles her leg, whining for more.

“She’s fine, she just got a little sick.” I smile, reassuring her. “I’m going to give this to her. Don’t take the bacon out of thetrash and don’t give Sesame any more food,” I warn her, and head over to Anna. Before I enter the bathroom, I remove my shirt and set it on the floor outside the door, knowing it probably smells.

She’s still in the same spot. She pries her eyes open when she hears me, her face pinched in a small grimace. “I’m fine.” She takes the cup and drains the entire thing down. “The smell of the bacon—” She freezes midsentence and pales, eyes going round.

“Anna, baby, what’s wrong?” I kneel in front of her, taking the cup and setting it down.

She stares at me for a long moment, a tentative smile curling on her face. “The last time I got this sick off the smell of bacon was when I was pregnant with Rosie.”

“Are—” I start, my voice in disbelief, but happiness overrides the shock. “Baby, are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

I instinctively place my palm over hers, waiting with bated breath for her answer.

“We need to go to the store.”

Me: Thanks for taking Rosie. We’ll be over in a few

Maya: Take your time. I have nothing going on today, plus I missed spending time with my niece

Despite Maya moving out almost three years ago, she still sees Rosie regularly. And when they’re not spending physical time together, they’re FaceTiming.

“And now we wait.” Anna sets the pregnancy test on our bathroom vanity and sits on the floor next to me. Ses cuddles next to her, laying her head on top of her lap. “Don’t get your hopes up. The bacon could have gone bad or…I don’t know, maybe I’m getting sick.”

There was a time when Anna said she was done having kids. I told her I’d get a vasectomy because I didn’t want her to worry about accidentally getting pregnant. But when I told her I’d set up the appointment, she asked me to cancel it.

We talked that night, spoke to Rosie the next day because we wanted to see how she’d feel about a sibling, and then I canceled the appointment.

She’s been off birth control for a while. It’s interesting how the body works because she got pregnant while on it but she’s been off it for months and nothing until maybe now.

I take her hand in mine, playing with the ring and wedding band on her left finger. “I know I shouldn’t, but if you think about it, there have been signs. You love bacon, even when you’ve gotten sick you’ve never felt like this. Sesame has been all over you recently and I heard when dogs do that it’s because they can sense it. And your nipples are more sensitive than usual.”

I give her a knowing smirk and eye her chest. It’s only been a few days but I remember as I toyed with them, she made a face when I squeezed them too hard. She’s usually into that but she’d asked me to be gentle.

Anna chuckles, dragging her palm over her coat. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Ses choosing to sleep with me over Rosie was odd.”

Those signs could mean anything, but I have a strong feeling it’ll be positive.

“I know I shouldn’t get my hopes up but I’m excited.” I interlock our fingers together, kissing the top of her head.

“Yeah?” She peers up at me, a smile blooming on her face. “I don’t want to be because what if I’m not, but…I’m excited too.” She rubs her stomach. “But if I am, prepare yourself. The first trimester with Rosie was rough. Things could be different this time, and not every pregnancy is the same but?—”

“Anna, my love, I’ve been prepared since the moment you came back into my life.” I slip one hand around her back and lift her up, having her straddle me. She circles her arms around my shoulders and her lips stretch wider. Ses watches us before she gets comfortable next to my knee. “I hate that you’ll be going through all of this, but I’m going to be here, every step of the way. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, I’ll be there.”

“I might be very needy.” She shrugs unapologetically.

I grin, kissing her once. “I like you needy. No, I love you in every way I can get you.”

Her lips meet mine again but they stall there. “We really shouldn’t get excited.”

“Too late. I’m thinking we should buy a new house with a bigger yard and that we need another car and?—”