ROLLING OVER, I look at the clock on Andrea’s nightstand reading 5:00 a.m. Figuring I have about forty-five minutes before I need to get up and shower before I get her up, I slide up and pull her over to me. On a moan she rolls over to lay on my chest, her fingers splaying out across my stomach. Caressing her head and listening to her deep calming breaths, I close my eyes and drift back to sleep.
Beep, beep, beep……
Ugh, the damn alarm is going off on my phone. Reaching blindly to shut it up, I accidentally knock her lamp off the nightstand. She jumps as it goes crashing to the floor, but pulls me tighter while slowly lifting her face to my ear. “What are you doing? It's too early for noise,” she mumbles sleepily.
“Sorry, baby. I was trying to shut the alarm off before it woke you up.”
Running her hand through my hair, she mumbles something about staying in bed all day. Damn, don't I wish I could stay right here with her in my arms instead of facing another busy day.
Kissing her head, I slowly start to slide out from under her. She flips back down to the pillow and pulls it tight to her inhaling deeply. Laughing to myself how damn cute that just was, I start picking up the lamp and making sure my alarm is shut off before heading to the shower.
Her smelling the pillow I was laying on after I get up does funny things to my heart. This girl has single handedly branded herself there without really even knowing it. She's mine.
Quietly going in the bathroom, I close the door and turn the shower on. I could get used to this, waking up with her every day and starting our days together. I can't let myself think too far ahead and freak her out though. Andrea loves me, I know she does. But I don't want her to feel that I'm only sticking around now because we are having a baby. Damn, I saw the tests with my own eyes, it's really happening. Un-freaking-real. It's a scary thought that I could be someone's dad, I mean I'm still so much of a kid myself. Can I really do this? What if she doesn't want me soon?
Stepping out of the shower, I dry off and grab my suit. After getting dressed in the bathroom, brushing my teeth, and putting my hair into some semblance of a presentable do, I go to the kitchen to start coffee. While that's brewing, I creep back into the bedroom to wake Andrea.
Looking down at her, she looks so peaceful, I hate having to get her up. Reaching down to her, I slowly run my knuckles over her cheek and shoulder.
“Baby,” I whisper softly.
“Mmmmm, come back to bed,” she says groggily.
“Oh how I wish I could. It's Wednesday though, our week is getting closer to an end and we can stay right here all weekend if you want,” I promise her.
“That sounds so amazing right now, I'm so tired,” she complains while rolling over to look up at me.
I lean down and softly kiss her lips.
Moaning, she pulls my tie to get me closer.
I pull back chuckling. “Oh no you don't,” I say, smacking her butt. “Gotta get up and moving, baby. I have to leave in a few but I want to make sure you are up and getting ready before I go,” I tell her, pulling the covers back.
“Ugh, fine meanie, I'm going,” She sits up with a pout and runs her hands through her hair.
She is definitely not a morning person, but hey, who is when you'd rather not be up before the sun.
***
“Trent, do you have those files you were working on for me?” my uncle Henry asks.
Reaching over to my trays across my desk, I pull them out to hand to him. “Yep, right here and all set for you, sir.” I stand to walk them over to the door where he stands.
“Thank you, you have been doing a great job keeping me organized. If you decide you don't want to be a lawyer, I may just keep you on as my secretary,” he says jokingly.
Laughing, I clap him on the shoulder. “While I'm sure you would love to see these long legs in a skirt Uncle Henry, I'm quite sure I will be ready to partner up with you soon enough as a profitable attorney,” I tell him winking.
“That's my boy. You keep your nose clean, son, and you will definitely go far.”
Stepping back smiling, I clear my throat and try to school my features. “Do you want to grab some lunch today? You know, catch up on all we have coming in the next few weeks?”
Throwing an arm around my shoulders, he smiles. “That sounds like a great plan. I will come and meet you after I finish with this client and we can head out.”
Nodding, I walk back over to my desk and finish reviewing the depositions I was working on.
Jumping when my phone rings, I grab it and smile seeing Andrea’s name on the caller ID.
She must be on a break already. Picking up I answer on the third ring. “Hi, sweetheart, how's your day?”
“Not bad so far, just exhausted. How is yours going?”
“Been flying by, staying busy. Meeting Uncle Henry for some lunch soon. You on lunch yet?”
“Yep, just heading out now. Do you think it would be frowned upon to catch a nap in my car?”
That takes me back a little. She must be completely exhausted to want to sleep in her car instead of eating.
“Sweetheart, are you okay? You worry me with this exhaustion. Maybe you should go and grab some food, it will help you feel a little better,” I try pleading with her.
Sighing comes through on the other end. “Yes, I know I should eat. I think I might just start packing something so I don't have to run out every day. I'm calling my OBGYN to try and get an appointment for next week, or even tomorrow if I can,” she tells me.
“Okay baby, you do that. Let me know when the appointment is so that I can come with you,” I tell her.
“Okay, I'd like that. A lot actually,” she says with a small chuckle. “And Trent…”
“Yeah, sweetheart,” I reply.
“Thank you, for being amazing and loving me,” she tells me full of emotion.
“Baby, yes, I love you. We are in this together, remember? Together means all things,” I tell her seriously and hoping it comes through to her.
Sniffling, she answers, “I love you.”
“I love you too, Andrea, just you,” I tell her matter-of-factly before I hear the line click off.
***
“You ready for the last of your classes next semester, bud? This last leg of college for you sets you on the right future path,” Uncle Henry tells me.
“Yeah, this last bit is going to be busy studying and starting the last of my classes next semester,” I say, taking a swig of my beer.
Uncle Henry doesn't typically have any drinks in the middle of the day, but I guess it has been one of those weeks. Being the bachelor he is and in his late thirties, I've always looked up to him. A lot of people think we are brothers and I guess we could pass as them, his dark hair and dark eyes like mine, our dark olive complexions, and our Italian ancestry keeps him aging well.
He's never short on the ladies’ attention. Even now as we sit here at Applebee's, he doesn't even notice the staring and drooling from the ladies around him.
I've never fallen short myself in garnering ladies’ attention my way. But I no longer strive to live the bachelor lifestyle he does. Yeah sure, it wasn't long ago I couldn't wait to step into his footsteps and have different “lady friends” anytime I wanted. I guess it just comes from never having anyone worth my attention to keep around. Until Andrea.
Those blue eyes of hers entranced me the first time I caught them looking my way. I was a goner. Her chestnut hair, beautiful smile, and dimples have become something I can't live without. She is the epitome of good and kind. Never utters a bad word about anyone and keeps to herself other than her friends and family. She doesn't look at me as someone to jump on the success of, she works hard on her own and it's one of the things I love most about her. Hell, she won't even let me pay for everything when we go out. It's really important for her to be considered equal in the business world. To be successful because of her own hard work and dedication.
She loves teaching when she takes the little bit of time for her student teaching, and cannot wait to someday have her own class of elementary school kids to teach and leave her mark on.
I mean, if she had been my first grade teacher I sure would have remembered someone that beautiful. Yes, I'm a guy and that's just how we're wired.
But seriously, my girl is nothing like my ex, Marissa. She was all about everything I could give her in life. Andrea is my breath of fresh air in comparison to Marissa. Too many years spent with that one, going nowhere but in circles. Someone was looking down on me the first time I saw Andrea walk into Slots. She flipped my world on its head, and I couldn't be more thankful for it.
Coming out of the bathroom, I make my way back to my table where Brad and some of the other guys sit. A new semester and the last year of college has just started for us all and we are out celebrating the beginning of the end of our last years before adulthood and responsibility claim us.
Hearing a group of girls laughing, one stands out above the others. It's an infectious laugh that brings me a smile just listening to. Looking to the group gathered up by the bar, I see her. Head thrown back in laughter as her dark hair cascades down her back. She must feel my stare because suddenly she turns her head and looks directly at me. That's the first glimpse of that smile and those eyes I ever got, and I’m a goner.
My feet take me over to the group of four girls on their own. Walking up as smoothly as I can, I never break eye contact with her. This mystery girl isn't getting away from me, I really hope she doesn't try.
She smiles shyly, looking down and back to her friends as I get right in front of her.
“Hi, I'm Trent,” I say, sticking out my hand for her to shake.
Her face reddens a bit and I can hear her friends whispering behind her. I can't force myself to even look at them or care what they are saying. All my attention is on this angel in front of me.
Taking my hand gently but firm, she answers back, “Andrea, my name is Andrea, and it's very nice to meet you.” She says it shyly, her eyes sparkling.
My eyes don't stray from her face, and I can't force my hand to let hers go. There's a tingling where my skin touches her that I've never felt before.
My trance is broken when I get clapped on the back, and I hear Brad’s loud voice.
“There you are, dude, thought maybe you got yanked into the alley or something. Was getting ready to send out a search party,” he says laughing.
“I see why you got lost though, brother,” he whispers loudly in my ear.
“Well hey there, ladies, my name is Brad. This lug here is my best friend, Trent,” he introduces himself to the group.
Andrea turns to look at her friends, one of them steps forward and shakes Brad’s hand.
“Hi, handsome, I'm Lauren. These are my friends Andrea, Mandi, and Erica,” she tells him while pointing out each of the ladies.
They each wave or salute when their name is said. Seeming like a fun group, I decide to ask them to join our little group. But really, I can't let Andrea get away yet without getting to know her a bit.
“So, ladies,” I say. “We have a pretty big table over there for just our small group of friends.” I clap Brad on the shoulder. “What do you say to joining our fun together and have a good time?”
The girls all look at each other, smile, and nod. Lauren's eyes hold some amusement as she answers for them all. “Sounds like the night is about to get real interesting, gentleman. You have no idea what you just signed on for,” she says, patting Brad’s chest, winking.
They each grab their drink and purse before following us back to our table where Brad has apparently left Josh all alone.
“Trent, hey son. You alright?” my uncle asks.
Blinking and coming back to the present, I realize I've zoned out. “Yeah, sorry. Just been doing a lot of thinking about the future the last few days is all.”
Giving me a look that says he knows I'm full of it, he pushes his plate away and steeples his fingers. “Still hanging out with that beauty you met a few months ago?”
Nodding my head and smirking, I answer, “Sure am, Uncle Henry. She isn't escaping me anytime soon, sir,” I affirm to him. Well, I guess to myself as well, shockingly.
My phone starts dancing around the table vibrating with an incoming call. Looking down, smiling, I see my girl is calling.
“Hey sweetheart,” I answer.
“Hi babe,” she says happily into the phone.
“You get that nap and food in during your break?” I ask her, worried what she may say.
“I did eat, but no I didn't nap.”
Hearing she had some lunch I am able to relax better. Looking across the table at my uncle, I see him wink and motion that he's going to use the bathroom.
“I called my OB. He was able to get me an appointment tomorrow, late afternoon. He wants to confirm I am pregnant, do a date calculation if he shows that I am, and an ultrasound to measure how far along I may be,” she tells me.
“Okay baby, I'll talk to Uncle Henry and let him know I'll need some time off for that,” I assure her.
“I'll see you tonight?” she tentatively asks me.
“Of course, sweetheart. Come by whenever you are ready,” I tell her. “I'll be hanging there getting some homework finished up, so just come on in.”
“Okay, I love you,” she blurts quickly.
Looking into my uncle's eyes as he sits back down with his wallet out, I answer back, “I love you too baby.”
Hanging up and looking to him, he just gives me a knowing smirk and shakes his head. “She's that good huh, son?” He wiggles his eyebrows.
Shaking my head laughing, I answer him back and hope he understands. “Yeah man, she's amazing. I can't get enough of just being with her, but it’s not just that. It's just her, she keeps me sane when all I want is to pull my hair out. Being with her grounds me and keeps me on the straight and narrow. She’s everything good and pure. Perfect to have on my arm one day as a prominent attorney.”
Nodding and smiling he answers back. “Wow, got this girl embedded deep, my man.”
“I sure do, Uncle Henry, that I do,” I affirm.
I don’t want to tell my family what's happening with us yet, and about our news, not until there is more to tell.
As we are getting up and walking out, I decide to let him know now that I will need to leave early tomorrow. “So, I uh, need to skate out a little early tomorrow,” I say without looking at him.
“Okay...” he draws out. “Everything alright?”
I can't lie to him. I look up to this man and have a tremendous amount of respect for him.
“Yeah, it is. But can I confide something in you without you telling the rest of the family yet?” I ask.
“Of course, Trent,” he says over his shoulder, stopping next to his Lexus to give me his full attention.
Dealing with any of the Zito family when you feel you haven't done something totally like the good Catholic you've been raised to be, is hard. But I think my uncle may just be the one that will help me to talk about it first.
“I am going to the doctor tomorrow with Andrea. She found out she's pregnant yesterday,” I tell him, shoving my hands into my pockets and rocking back on my heels waiting for his reaction.
“Damn son, I didn't see that one coming,” he says, eyes wide. “Are you completely sure it's yours? I mean, you guys haven't been together too long,” he says while squeezing my shoulder supportively.
Looking him square in the eyes, I answer, “I'm completely positive. I trust my girl, and she hadn't been with anyone in a long time before me.”
“Well I guess congratulations are in order.” He pulls me in for a man hug and pats me on the back. “Your parents are not going to take this lightly, it isn't traditional,” he tells me.
“But they will just have to deal with what's happened,” I tell him confidently. “I won't be leaving her, she's it for me man.” I just hope I'm totally convincing myself while I'm convincing him.
“So you finally let that hot little blonde number go then? Doesn't seem that long ago she had her claws sunk in deep.” He gives me an arched eyebrow as he turns to his car.