“Rosie! Kozmo!” I shout out my backdoor. “Get inside!” Kozmo’s running in circles, chasing his tail and Rosie’s sniffing around and eating the snow.

I hear chuckling behind me.

“They’re worse than kids, I swear!” I pout, looking over my shoulder at a shirtless Luke leaning against the kitchen counter.

“Let them play.” He grins.

I shut the door and walk over to him, planting my feet between his relaxed legs. “Are you sure? My neighbor can be an asshole about picking up after them.”

Luke reaches for me, grabs my hips, and pulls me against his chest. “Yeah, I heard he can be too. Perhaps he needs to get laid or something,” he quips.

Rolling my eyes, I laugh at his pathetic plea to get sex. “Pretty sure he gets laid enough.”

“Probably why he’s been in such a great mood then.” He smirks and winks.

“Can you get them in for me? I need to use the bathroom before we head out. And you need to finish getting dressed.”

He leans down and presses a soft kiss to my nose. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“They listen to you better than me anyway. Go figure,” I snort, pushing off his chest so we can get ready to leave soon.

“Must be the alpha in me.”

I snort at his arrogant attitude.

“They’re smart dogs. They know who’s in charge around here.” He cracks his palm on my ass as I turn around and when I gasp, I look over my shoulder and see him eyeing my body.

“You wish!” I snicker.

A few minutes later, I hear the dogs barreling in and Luke yelling at them for tracking snow all over. I chuckle to myself, knowing how patient he’s been with them these last couple months. Who knew my ruthless neighbor would turn into such a softy when it comes to caring for me and my pups? He pretends to only tolerate them, but I know better. He enjoys playing with them and taking care of us. I’d even go as far as to say he’s grown to love them.

Once the blizzard blew through and the power was restored, the dogs and I moved back to my place but only part-time. Luke and I take turns sleeping over at each other’s houses and no matter what, the dogs come with me when I stay with him.

“Are you ready?” I hear Luke ask me from the other side of the bathroom door. Looking at the box in front of me, I set it down on the counter and inhale deeply.

“Just need a few more minutes,” I call out. Biting down on my lip, I take out the test and open the wrapper before setting it back down on the edge of the sink and grabbing the instructions.

“Pee directly on the stick for five seconds and then wait three minutes. The control line means the test is working and the pregnancy line will appear if it’s a positive,” I whisper to myself, hoping Luke can’t hear me through the door. The last thing I need is him freaking out right along with me when I don’t even know the results yet. I read over the directions once more for good measure. “Seems easy enough.” I set the paper down and grab the test.

Once I’ve followed the instructions, I set the test down, wash my hands, and wait. I start pacing as I think back to when I missed my cycle two weeks ago. Even though I’ve been on the pill, I missed it that week I was at Luke’s during the storm. I knew it was a risk but having sex with him was the last thing on my mind when I came over in haste. Looking back, I know it was stupid to assume nothing would happen but knowing I might be carrying Luke’s baby I can’t even be upset about it. I want a life with him and having his child would be a blessing. After numerous failed relationships, I’d been doubtful having a family was in the cards for me.

I know I would be over the moon happy, but I have no idea what Luke’s reaction will be. That’s the part that’s making me nervous as hell. When I woke up sick the other morning, I played it off as something bad I must’ve eaten although I suspected I might be pregnant. After finally making it into town, I bought a test needing to make sure before I tell him anything.

Checking my phone, I realize three minutes has passed, and it’s finally time to find out.

“Oh God,” I whisper, closing my eyes. My heart hammers in my chest as I walk over to the counter, my hands shaking as I pick up the test.

It’s clear as day. Two pink lines.

I’m not completely surprised but seeing it in front of me makes it real. I’m pregnant with Luke’s baby.

Worry rushes over me as I think about his reaction and what this’ll mean for our relationship. I look at the closed door, and although I obviously can’t see him, I wonder if he’s waiting for me on the other side. We haven’t discussed the future outside of just wanting to be together, so I don’t even know if he ever wanted to have kids or a family. But I do know his heart, and I believe he’ll be happy.

Or at least I hope that’s what he’ll be.

“Kylie.” He taps on the door. “We have to get going if we’re going to make those dinner reservations.”

I stuff the test back into the wrapper and put it in the box before hiding it under the sink. Tonight would be the perfect night to tell him since it’s New Year’s Eve and we’re actually celebrating it with dinner and a show. We’ve been hunkered up here in the mountains like a newlywed couple but after the blizzard passed, we went into town to restock supplies, and that’s when a few people Luke knew invited him and his “new girlfriend” to dinner. After reminding him that we should be social once in a while, we started hanging out with other couples and even hosted our own dinner party at Luke’s cabin a few weeks later.

We spent Christmas together snuggled up by the fire, and it was the best holiday break I’ve ever had. I told my job I wasn’t going to do the daily commute and they’ve agreed to let me work from home instead, which works out great for being close to Luke and staying with the dogs every day.

Life is really great right now, and I never knew things could be this good. Perfect actually.

So I only hope I’m not going to shift Luke’s entire world upside down with the news of a baby.