Twenty-Three
Astoria
"You shouldn't be lifting that," I say, as I rush over to Parker's side and try to take a box from him.
"I'm fine. I can lift a box."
"But your leg..."
"The doctor said I'm fine to resume normal activity. It's been two months, Tora. I've been fine, but was extra cautious for you. Now, I'm ready to resume all activities." He waggles his eyebrows at me.
"Oh, please. Those activities never stopped."
"There are places I haven't had you yet that I've always wanted to. I’m going to rectify that. Maybe even today," he says with a wicked smile.
Cy and Parker have both gone through and completed physical therapy from their gunshot wounds. They've been cleared to resume what they used to do, for a while now. I still want Parker to be careful, though. I have a fear of him injuring himself again, but he's been out hiking through the woods, doing everything he normally would. I still try to help do stuff for him. If only he'd let me. I’m the first to admit I can be as stubborn, if not more so, than him.
Cy and Eve are moving today. Their house is done and not far from Parker's at all. They didn't bother hiring movers since almost every piece of furniture they have is Parker's. They bought new for their house. And holy hell is it stunning.
It has more square footage than Parker's and two stories of livable space. The siding is natural wood and the windows are framed in a deep brown. There is a wraparound porch on the first floor and lots of windows. Five bedrooms and four bathrooms give them plenty of space. Cy said they need it all for the kids they’re going to have someday. Eve keeps correcting him and saying kid, as in singular, but he doesn't listen. They are so far from being on the same page. One thing remains constant. Cy is so unbelievably in love with his wife and she feels the same for him.
Today we are moving the final boxes of their stuff. Their more personal items, which they didn't want to bring over until the day they finally moved out of the cabin. Parker and I are helping. Blair is already at their place with Parker's parents.
His dad had a tough road to recovery, but is doing much better now. He's back to work, though has taken a step back. He’s been spending more time with Parker and the rest of us. He told me one night that he had a lot of time to reflect in the hospital and wants to do things differently moving forward. He's always been there for Parker, but time is precious, and we don't know what could happen. We have Sunday night dinners at their house, and everyone is invited including Cy, Eve, and Blair. It's nice having this big extended family.
As for my parents, well, after Brant came into Parker's house and tried to kill us all to get to Blair, they weren't happy. My dad didn't want me to have anything to do with Parker. I had to sit him down and tell him the whole story. And by that, I mean all of it, including what happened to Blair years ago. Of course, I got permission from Blair first. I didn’t want to go behind her back and tell her past when it wasn’t mine to do so. My dad was angry, but not at Parker. He has a newfound respect for Parker, which I couldn't be more grateful for. I wouldn't say they are best friends, but they are friendly with one another.
Parker's strong arms wrap around my waist from behind as he nuzzles his face into my neck. "What are you thinking about?"
I've been staring out the large windows in the front of the cabin. "All that's happened in the past two months.”
He rubs his hand protectively over my stomach. "And how's our little one doing?"
“Already sapping me of my energy.”
“Just another reason for me to pamper you.”
In the weeks that followed the shooting, I was so wrapped up in taking care of Parker, and helping out with his dad, and Blair, that I forgot to take my birth control pills. One thing led to another and we're expecting. I will never forget the look on Parker's face when I told him.
My period is late. At first, I chalked it up to stress. But now, now I need to test. I slip out of the house and drive into town while Parker is busy working. Cy and Eve are over at Blair's house, so Eve can help her get back into the swing of things with her writing. Cy is supervising the construction crew Blair hired to strip her bedroom down to the studs after a man was killed in there. She said she couldn't sleep in the room again unless everything was gone, and the new room resembled nothing of the old. I can't blame her. I wouldn't be able to either.
I drive fifteen minutes to a neighboring town, where no one knows who I am, who my parents are, who I'm dating, or anything about me. I buy three boxes of pregnancy tests. Knowing nothing about them, I figure variety will help. This way I can use all three and go with majority rules on the outcome. I got one that will have the word, ‘pregnant’ pop up on the screen. One that shows two crossed blue lines if it’s positive. And one that will show two parallel pink lines if I’m pregnant. I haven't said a word to Parker yet.
When I get back to the cabin, I slip into one of the guest bathrooms while Parker is on the phone. I don't think he heard me come back and want to keep it that way. After reading the directions, I decide the easiest course of action is to pee in a cup. Knowing my luck, if I try to pee on the sticks, I'll pee everywhere but where I should. I need as little chance of error as possible.
With pee in a small, disposable, bathroom cup, I dip one of each variety of stick. Three sticks sit on the counter before me. The timer on my phone is set and the countdown begins.
I look anywhere but the sticks. I don't want to see a hint of something and then have it disappear. Or see something and have it be faint. I need to know for sure.
I haven't thought about having children with Parker. Before college, I had this big master plan where I would graduate, and we'd get married and have kids. But since we've gotten back together, too much has been going on for me to have time to daydream.
I stare at my phone, watching the seconds tick by until the timer sounds and silence it quickly. Turning, I stare at three sticks. One has a faint blue plus sign. Oh, my God. The second has definite double pink lines. Holy fuck. And the third says one word—pregnant. I scream without thinking. My hands shake as I lift the stick with that singular word on it. I can't believe it. A baby. I'm going to have a baby!
Parker comes rushing into the bathroom without bothering to knock. His eyes are wide as they scan the room then look over every inch of me. "Are you okay? What the hell happened?" he asks frantically.
I smile with tears in my eyes. "We're pregnant.” Still holding the stick in my hand, I turn it so he can see the word on it.
"We're what?"
"We're going to have a baby."
His jaw drops open, and his eyes fixate on the positive pregnancy stick in my hand and the ones on the counter. He says nothing. He doesn't even move.
Oh, my God. I didn't think about how he’d react. Maybe he doesn't want a child. What if this changes everything between us and for the worse? This could destroy our relationship. He could be pissed at me for forgetting to take my pills. As my mind runs through all the negative things that could come from this, Parker lifts his eyes to mine and a smile forms, growing wider by the second.
"Holy shit!" he yells and lifts me in the air by my waist. "We're going to have a baby!" Gently placing me on the floor, he cradles my face in his hands and kisses me with so much love and devotion. So much happiness. My fears dissipate, and I let his joy wash over me.
“When did we…what about the…" he stammers.
"I forgot to take my birth control after you were shot. I started again as soon as I remembered, though it must have been too late. I guess I won't be needing them for a while." I laugh.
"I can't believe it. This is amazing."
Parker drops to his knees before me and lifts my shirt. He places kisses on my belly. "Hello, in there. I'm your daddy." His eyes widen again as realization dawns on him. He peers up at me. "I'm going to be a daddy."
I nod. "You're going to be an amazing daddy."
"Holy shit, Tora. We're going to be responsible for another life. A life we created. There could be a little Parker or a mini Astoria in there."
Tears pool in my eyes as I fight to control the emotions coming over me. Parker stands and engulfs me in a hug. We embrace one another for what feels like hours but is probably only minutes. The love we share, the commitment to one another, it all shines through. We’re going to be parents.
"I think it's a girl," Parker states.
"What makes you think that?"
"Just a hunch."
I turn in his arms and press myself to him. "I want it to be a surprise."
He groans. "You know I don't have that kind of patience. I'll never be able to hold out."
"Then you can find out and I'll be kept in the dark until delivery day."
"That's not going to work. I can't keep anything from you. I'll wait, too."
I press a kiss to his lips. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
"You two couldn't wait thirty minutes until I get the rest of my shit out of here?" Cy appears behind Parker. We didn’t wait to tell everyone. We were too happy and with Cy and Eve living with Parker, well, it’s kind of hard to keep secrets.
"My house, dude. I told you before. I will kiss, fuck, do whatever I want, wherever I want."
"At least you won't need to worry about using a sock anymore to warn me."
"I never worried to begin with."
"You two don't have to come, you know."
I peer around Parker. "We want to come. It's moving day and we’re going to be there to celebrate your new home."
Cy smiles. "You're only celebrating having us out of your hair."
"Damn straight," Parker replies.
He doesn't mean it. Parker would have been fine if they lived here forever. It's the kind of person he is. His best friends are all part of his family and he'd go to the end of the earth for them.
I have to admit, I'm going to miss the fun we had with Cy and Eve. Cy warmed up to me a lot. It was nice having them here. At least they’re only going up the road, so we can see them anytime.
Eve comes upstairs from the garage. "We're ready to go." She steps over to us and hugs Parker. "There aren't enough words to ever thank you for all you've done for Cy and me. If there is anything you need, anything that sweet baby of yours needs," she smiles warmly. "Don't be afraid to ask."
"Oh, I won't, Eve. There is going to be a lot of babysitting time in your future. I'm going to need some alone time with Tora."
"You got it. Auntie Eve to the rescue!"
Cy comes up the hall with the last remaining box in his arms. "You're not giving Evie any ideas about getting knocked up are you?”
"Not at all," I reply.
"Dammit. You know I want lots of babies, Tori. Try and talk her into it."
Eve sighs. "One thing at a time, Cy. One thing at a time." He grumbles something unintelligible as he walks by. "If it were up to him, I'd be barefoot and pregnant for the next five years."
Parker's hand rests on my belly again. "There is something very sexy about a woman carrying your baby."
"And that's my cue to leave," Eve says. "See you at the house.”
The door shuts. We’re alone. No more Cy and Eve. No more anyone but Parker, me, and this little life we created.