I was babbling.
“Chloe, for Christ’s sakes, spit it out!”
Deep breath. In. Out.
“I figured out I was late,” I finally said, “like, really late. Over a month. So I took a test.”
Aiden’s eye’s widened, and his face paled.
“Are you…?” He didn’t complete the thought, but I saw him glance at my stomach.
“Yes,” I whispered.
“How far?” he asked. “I mean, how far along?”
“I’m not sure. I think a couple of months, at least. I haven’t gotten my period since…well, since I went back to Ohio that first time.”
He watched me closely as his fingers wrapped a little tighter around my leg.
“How do you feel about it?” he asked quietly.
“I don’t really know,” I replied. “Terrified, more than anything else.”
“Do you…do you want to…I mean, do you want to have it?”
“I wasn’t sure if you would want to.”
“Oh, Chloe,” Aiden whispered as he sat up and took my face in his hands, “I can’t think of anything I’d want more.”
“Really?” The tears escaped and flowed down my cheeks.
“Don’t you?” he asked, his voice serious.
I had spent more time worrying about Aiden’s reaction than I had considering my own feelings. Every time we had sex, there was always that little twinge in the back of my head, telling me I’d never gotten on birth control. I knew I was taking a risk, but thoughts of the actual consequences hadn’t really taken hold.
Now the risk was reality.
How did I feel about it? I didn’t believe I was ready to be a parent, but what new parent did? The thought of a little child with Aiden’s bright, playful eyes made me feel warm inside.
I remembered my mother’s conversations with Aiden about babies and how happy he was talking about his son as an infant. Of all people, I would have expected him to be the most hesitant to try parenthood again, but he really wanted this.
I looked into his eyes as he awaited my answer, and I knew I wanted it too.
Ready or not, here I come!
“Yes,” I said. “Yes, I do, Aiden. I really do.”
He let out a sigh as a smile spread over his face.
“Good,” he whispered under his breath. He reached over and pulled me against him, his grip tight around my shoulders. “You had me worried there for a second.”
“I’m a little petrified,” I admitted.
“Me, too,” he said. “Mostly excited, though.”
“Me, too.” I snuggled against his bicep and closed my eyes.
“You realize what this means?” Aiden asked.