Page 52 of The Impossible

Ol’ girl nodded.

“You made my wedding cake and did your thing. You probably make a billion cakes. It was the floating top tier with the marble texture finish. I’ve been meaning to come by and get some pastries.”

Selah nodded. “Oh, I definitely remember you. For the Carter wedding, right? I absolutely loved making that cake. I’m so glad you liked it and come by any time.”

They exchanged contacts before we finally made it to the examination room. Back there Nic became quiet while my eyes stayed on her the entire time. While she was in her head, I wanted to know what was on her mind.

“Stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what?” I asked, facial expression remaining neutral.

“Like shit… I don’t know, but you’re staring.”

I laughed. “You’re over there overthinking and I’m waiting on you to tell me what you’re overthinking about.” My eyes left her to look around the dimly lit room with colorful balloons adorning the walls.

“I’m not overthinking; I’m processing. I never saw myself here. And now I am here. I’m shocked. It’s wild how much life can transform in a matter of months.”

“That’s because even though yo’ stubborn ass was ready to fight me, you knew where you belonged.”

She nodded and was about to respond, but there was a knock at the door then it opened.

A couple hours later we left the doctor’s office in Uptown Briar with the confirmation that Nic was indeed pregnant. Our baby hadn’t been conceived during our honeymoon but instead sometime during that week I had her out at the hideaway spot. That actually tracked because we never used protection given I knew where this was going and there was no need to prevent anything or try to fight fate. While she never pictured this shit, I knew we’d have this because even before my lil mishap with the law I was putting this together. I knew we’d have this because it was meant and I was serious about that.

Eight weeks… A life we created that I had to protect with everything in me.

“Where are we going? This isn’t the way to your mother’s house.” Nic’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

We stopped at that bakery and got pastries after we left the hospital, a box for our house and some for my mother’s spot. The only difference was Nic had taped one of the sonogram images in the box for my mama. Shit was sweet because even though moms knew by way of me, she still didn’t ask Nic. She just did that mama shit, overfeeding her at the barbeque and making sure she was hydrated.

“I know. I wanna show you something.” I felt her looking at me, but I didn’t look at her. I kept my focus outside.

“Hondo,” she said to grab my attention.

“I thought I told you to give me a nickname or something?” I said, trying to change the subject.

She laughed then shrugged. “I thought about it, but I like your name so much that it isn’t necessary.”

I grinned. “I feel you. Tell me something.”

“Anything.”

“You miss living out here?”

She was quiet for a moment, then she began to rub her hand up and down my neck. “I thought I would, you know everything being accessible, but I like my wedding gift. I like putting together each room and damn near building my dream home.”

I nodded, my eyes locking on the set of open gates we were about to drive through. As if on cue, the questions started.

“Hondo, where are we? Why are we at a zoo?”

“Why ask me where we are if you see we’re at a zoo, baby?” The car slowed before it came to a complete halt.

She nailed me on my shoulder. “That’s not answering my question.”

“’Cause I don’t intend to verbally answer your question. I told you I wanted to show you something. Can I do that?”

The door was opened for me to exit first. When I was out, I turned to get her. Once she was on the ground, she accepted my hand almost instantly. We stood there for a minute. She stared at the entrance of the zoo before looking back at me.

“You said you’d show me. I’m waiting.”