ONE YEAR LATER…
Trying to decide what to get Dylan for our first wedding anniversary was harder than I thought it would be. I even started searching months in advance, and I thought of doing something creative and cute and relying on the internet for those ideas, but nothing seemed to fit.
I was about to give up when the perfect gift popped up out of the blue—and I mean that literally. It definitely popped up with the addition of two straight blue lines.
Hello, baby in my womb, so nice of you to show up. Your timing? Impeccable.
I sat on the news for a few months, wanting to pass the twelve-week mark before I told anyone. Which was perfect because it was a few days before our anniversary date that I was in the clear.
They say to be careful with who you tell during the first trimester since anything can happen, especially during those first few months. They were crucial. And sure, I probably should have told Dylan but I didn’t want to get his hopes up in case anything happened. That, and I also wanted to give him the most epic one-year gift ever.
Selfish? Maybe. But it was so worth it.
I had just finished setting up the display—yes, I was going all out and being a tad extra that I needed a literal display. Anyway, Dylan walked into the house, accidentally slamming the door as he did, per usual.
“Jade?” He called out, his head popping in a few seconds later. “There you are, gorgeous girl.”
“Yes, here I am,” I said, reaching my arms out as he made his way over to me.
“I missed you today,” he said, pressing a kiss to my lips.
“You say that every day,” I pointed out, not hating it in the least.
“That’s because every day I mean it,” he whispered against my lips, another kiss following.
Sure, I had my surprise all set up and planned, but standing there with his arms wrapped around me, my plan went away and excitement took over.
I placed my hands over his and moved his touch from my lower back to the front of my lower stomach, where a small hard bump stood. I rubbed it along the surface a few times before catching his eyes.
Midnight blues narrowed in confusion before realization dawned on them. They widened, a question brewing in their depths.
I nodded as tears fell from my eyes, blurring my vision, and joy shook my body.
“I had noticed, of course I had, but how do you tell your wife her stomach is rounding out?” Dylan asked, amazement in his voice.
“You don’t,” I laughed at his honesty and sincerity.
“How far along are you?” He asked, his eyes never leaving my stomach. His hands gently rubbed along my cotton shirt.
“Oh, right,” I said, shaking my head. “I had this whole thing planned out, so give me a moment.”
I pulled out of his embrace, slowly stopping his hands from their roaming. I took a few steps back, removing the sheet from the picture frame I had put together. Inside were ultrasound pictures, a sanitized positive pregnancy test, confetti, ribbon, pictures of Dylan and I from over the years, and bold, cursive lettering that spelled out: You + Me = Love & a Baby!
I stared at Dylan, watching as a slew of emotions filtered over his features, from shocked to happy to downright thrilled.
I brushed away my tears, but it was no use because he blinked a few times, a few of his own tears slipping free. He pulled me against him in a tight embrace.
“We’re having a baby?” He asked, his hands finding a spot over my stomach again.
“Yes, we’re having a baby,” I confirmed softly. “Happy one-year anniversary, soulmate of mine.”
“You so win this year.”
I laughed, rolling my eyes. “No, we both win this year. We’re gonna have a mini us running around here soon.”
He pulled away from me, his hands moving to fidget with the hem of his shirt. “Uh, yeah, so, my gift to you might not be the best idea anymore.”
I raised a curious brow before glaring at him. “Why is that?”
He held up a finger, backing away. “Give me one second.”
Dylan walked back in a few moments later, a box with holes in his hands.
“Dylan, please tell you didn’t …” I started, but he shook his head, a goofy smile on his face.
“Meet Milo, the new addition to our ever-growing family,” he said, placing the box down and pulling out a baby all-white husky with blue eyes. “What do you think?”
“I think we definitely might have tied on the gift-giving greatness this year,” I said in wonderment, pulling the puppy from his arms to mine and cradling it to my chest.
“Conrad family, clan of four, here we come,” I announced, giddy with happiness and love. “Thank you for continuing to be the best thing to ever happen to me. Life is better with you, Dylan, and there’s no one else I’d ever want to do it with.”
“Ditto, Jade Conrad,” he said, smiling against my lips as he kissed me deeply. “Ditto.”
I’ve learned that love is patient and it is kind. I used to believe those sentiments were falsely representative of the emotion that brought with it uncertainty and pain, but it offered more than that. It offered healing, understanding, and everything good.