Four years of medical school and four years of residency sounded like a long ass time back in college. But here I was, reading the email saying I passed my board exam and accepting a fellowship program at Columbia. Crazy.

So yeah. It’s been eight long years of studying and learning and studying…and being with Lorraine. Smiley face.

First off, my dad came to his senses at my graduation ceremony, giving me his blessing to go off and pursue my dreams. I was surprised, but it felt so good to have his approval. It was all I wanted. It felt good to have Lori too.

By then I had taken her on three of four dates, she withheld sex from me for almost three months after that day in the hotel room. Anytime I think of that day…it just makes me so happy. I think it was the beginning of our new relationship. We made the next day our official anniversary since it was her sister’s wedding day.

Did I mess up? Sometimes yeah, I forgot our anniversary one day. Lori was so understanding about it; I was working eighty-hour weeks but I knew there was no excuse.

I made it up to her with a lot of chocolate and a lot of bread. And carbs. Her favorite. I was afraid it wouldn’t work out, that she just couldn’t love me like I love her…but six years ago, after years of a loving relationship between two best friends, she told me she was in love with me.

So, I asked her to marry me with the ring I bought her just weeks after her sister’s wedding. She said yes.

It had nothing to do with our daughter.

No, that’s not a mistake. We have a daughter.

In the two months I spent ignoring her all those years ago, she had forgotten her birth control a few times. And the day of her sister’s wedding. So, cue pregnancy.

I don’t know if it’s some sort of weird male-caveman thing, but the thought of a part of me growing inside of her made me horny twenty-four seven. I was just lucky her hormones were crazy too during her pregnancy.

I did go to NYU. And it was a little hard having a kid the first year of med school, when Laney Dawes came into the world. God. If I thought Lori was beautiful—she is—but my baby girl is breath taking.

When I first laid eyes on her…man, I just wanted even more kids with Lori. I love Lori to death, but I realized I would use Lori as a human shield to protect my little girl from anything.

I was proud of us for not moving faster after that; we kept dating and we lived comfortably with our little girl. Six years later we’re happily married with an eight-year-old mini-me.

Seriously.

It makes Lori so mad that Laney is just like me. We look the same. Brown hair, green eyes, dashing smile…she hates reading if it isn't science. I catch her in my medical books all the time. I should probably hide my Gross Anatomy books.

Well. You’re all caught up now. Here’s the rest of the story.

“You passed?” Lori squealed with surprise as she jumped into my arms.

She latched her legs around me and kissed me, our lips moving swiftly together. We fit together like a flawless puzzle.

“Did you think I would fail?” I chuckled against her lips.

“No, she giggled, “I’m just so proud of you.” I kissed her again. “You look so tired.” She grazed the bags under my eyes.

“I am. Where’s munchkin?” She hopped off me.

“The playroom.”

We lived in a nice brownstone in the city. Lori protested to our first studio apartment when we first came for med school and her job but I won that argument. Once Laney came around there was no stopping my mother from getting us this place. My parents were supportive of the whole thing. Theo took some time, but he’s happy to be a grandfather. Carrie and Ryan still haven’t had children so he couldn’t stay mad for long. I had to say, I missed being treated like the best friend and not the boyfriend or husband. Too many death threats now.

I jogged up the steps to her playroom. It was quite the set up. I think I had something similar when I was a kid, just less pink and less dolls.

“Hey munchkin!” I had been calling her that since the day she was born. She has always been so little, just like her mother.

“Scrubbie!” she ran towards me with outstretched arms. She always calls me that when I’m in my scrubs.

For an eight-year-old, she’s tough. She nearly knocked me over when she hit my legs. I lifted her up and swung her around, her squeals filled the room.

“Daddy passed his boards.” I smiled brightly and nuzzled her cheek, showering her with kisses.

“You gonna cut people up now?” I wonder if she’s a little too into science.

“Yeah, all by myself.” I held up my hand and she high fived me. Lori came behind her and ruffled her hair. Laney made a face. She hates that just as much as Lori does.

“Yay!” Laney shrieked.

“We should go out and celebrate. Have you told your parents?” Lori asked me.

“Yeah. They’re coming down this weekend…but we can do something.” Lori smiled.

“Something other than takeout?” I chuckled. It was pretty much all I ate.

“Yeah.” Laney struggled to get out of my grasp. I set her down and she went back to her dollhouse. How could someone look so cute in overalls?

It was better than me dressing her. I took to fatherhood quite well but picking out clothes is something I just can’t do.

“I can just cook. You don’t look like you want to go anywhere.” She reached up and cupped my cheek. I leaned into her touch.

“Nah, I don’t.” I took her hand and kissed her palm. “You look pretty hot though.” She laughed. I bet she’s the sexiest editor at Simon and Schuster. That’s right. My Lori made it, just like she always wanted to. Her slacks and purple button up fit her like a glove.

“Aren’t you a little tired for that?” She gestured to my erection now straining against her hip. I shook my head. I was never too tired for that.

“We can’t leave Laney in here alone.”

“She’s a smart kid, she’ll be fine.” Before she could protest I threw her over my shoulder as she shrieked.

“Mama and I are starting on dinner, stay up here and be careful!”

“Kay!” Good enough. We aren’t bad parents, I swear. Just horny.

I had her in our bedroom in seconds and our clothes off in another three. It had been almost three weeks since I had her, I was dying. I had been focused on studying for my boards but now I just wanted my wife. Somehow, I was more attracted to Lori after we got married—if that’s even possible.

The thought of her being my wife just made everything so much better. Even now, with my mouth on her breasts and my fingers inside of her—I kept thinking my wife’s breasts, my wife’s pussy.

“You get sexier every fucking time.” I trailed kisses down her stomach, stopping at her belly button—still cute as ever.

“I’m pregnant.” I looked up at her, she smiled down at me and bit her lip softly.

“What?” I laughed.

“I’m pregnant. Six weeks today.” I groaned with pleasure and kissed her belly. It’s hot as hell, her being pregnant with my kid.

“Really?” I smiled. She nodded and I reached up to kiss her again. It must have been the day she came to see me at work between my rounds.

“Yes.”

“That’s amazing.”

“You’re happy?” I gave her a funny look.

“Of course, I am—I’ve wanted more kids for a long time. Laney won’t be so lonely and your boobs can get bigger again.” She shook her head but laughed.

“I’m happy too.”

I kissed her again and sunk inside of her. This was going to be quick, it had been too long. I found a steady rhythm, burying myself inside of her. She feels like home, so perfect. She muffled her screams by nuzzling my neck. She had to learn to be quiet; we’ve had to do it in some odd places over the years.

“I love you so much.” I grunted.

“I love you too.” She breathed.

I kissed her as we came together. Our tongues tangling, our moans mixing. It was perfect. We kept it up in the shower, making up for all the time we had missed. By the time dinner rolled around I was fighting to keep my eyes open.

“Daddy, can we watch CSI?” I think she was asking to watch CSI, but it sounded like ‘ci--ethi.’ It’s cute. I gave Lori a look, she returned one saying I should say yes. If I fell asleep I fell asleep.

“Sure munchkin.”

I swept her up in my arms and went to the living room. Lori joined us. I know what you’re thinking—they’re letting an eight-year-old watch CSI? Yeah. We are. I grew up on ‘1000 Ways to Die’ and I turned out just fine. Board-certified surgeon to be exact.

I sat with my family, fighting sleep but couldn’t be any happier. I’m a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon. I achieved my dream, Lori did too. She is an editor at a prestigious publishing firm. I’m in love with my best friend and married to her. Our little girl is snuggled between us while my hand rests on my best friend’s womb, carrying my child.

Nothing could make me happier and I would never let anything or anyone ruin that. Not even myself. I may mess up, I may not be the best father or husband at times but I do my best and that’s all Lori ever wants from me. Especially in the beginning with Laney. We were just starting out, figuring ourselves out. But our years of friendship came into play most of the time. We were two best friends raising a kid. Sometimes it feels like we still are. The marriage doesn’t even come into play sometimes.

“Let me put her down.” Lori stood up with a sleeping Laney.

I shut everything off and got ready for bed. I was half asleep before Lori got back. She washed up and snuggled up next to me.

“I’m so proud of you.” She whispered. I smiled at her in the darkness.

“Thanks, Cheesecake.” She kissed me softly and pulled away, drifting off to sleep.

I held her close to me. I was wide awake for some reason. I guess I was just thinking too much. About my fellowship. About how much I love Laney and Lori. And now our kid along the way. I pressed my palm to Lori’s belly as she slept, remembering how it looked with Laney and imagining how it would look soon. I was elated. Everything was perfect.

I got the job. Got the girl. The family. Everything.

I know you don’t want the story to be over, but that’s all I have. But just between us, the story is never over.