Sweet Nothing(72)

“C’mon, Avery, that’s not fair.”

“You’re a daddy. But Toby isn’t your baby.”

“Exactly,” Josh said, reaching out for me. “We’re having a baby. I don’t want her,” he said, frowning at the door. He touched my belly, running his hand over the fabric of my tank top. He kissed the corner of my mouth and then leaned down, kissing my neck. “You have the day off.”

“Until five.”

“Eat, and then let’s go to bed.”

My lips formed a hard line and I looked away, trying to stay mad. I knew he wasn’t cheating, but going to her apartment had been stupid. “No.”

Josh ran his tongue up the skin of my neck, stopping on my earlobe, taking it gently in his teeth. He pulled away, kissing the skin he’d left behind. “I want you. Only you, since the first time you were in my arms.”

I looked up at him, and he kissed me, opening his mouth. I did the same, allowing his tongue inside. I touched each side of his face, feeling his hand under my tank top, holding his palm against my belly.

“You’re my family, Avery. This baby is our family.” He shook his head. “There is nothing more important than that.”

I smiled, and he turned to the box of noodles, opening the lid. Steam rolled up into the air, and my stomach growled.

I unwrapped the chopsticks, pulling them apart, and then tore into the noodles. “Oh my God,” I hummed. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”

“Feed that baby,” Josh said with a smile. “He’s going to be a tank.”

“Or she. Dr. Weaver wants an ultrasound scheduled around thirteen weeks. We might be able to find out then,” I said with a mouthful.

“That’s hot. I’m not sure I can wait to get you in bed until after you finish,” he teased.

“If you try to take this food away from me, the least of your worries will be hearing me talk with my mouth full.”

Josh held up his hands, taking a step back. “It was a joke, baby. I can help you if you want.” Josh picked up a few noodles, and I leaned my head back, opening my mouth wide. I giggled while he missed more than twice, and then finally lowered the long strips into my mouth.

Once I finished breakfast, I washed my face and brushed my teeth, and then I crawled into bed next to my husband. His body was at least ten degrees warmer when he was in bed, and every inch of my skin touching his formed a thin sheen of sweat.

“We’ve got to turn on the air conditioner,” I said.

Josh lifted his head, looking at me in disbelief. “Really?”

“Really. Can you? Please?”

“You know I’m not going to argue with that. I’m going to enjoy your pregnancy. I can already tell.”

“Pregnant,” I breathed as he hurried to the thermostat. He dialed to the right, the AC kicked on, and he jogged back to bed, snuggling with me under the sheet.

“Yes, pregnant. We created life. That’s nuts,” Josh said, in awe.

“Not as nuts as it will be trying to raise a child. Most of the time I still feel like one myself.”

Josh smiled and nuzzled my neck as I stared up at the ceiling, fantasizing about our baby.





The ultrasound tech ran the transducer over the slimy gel she’d slathered on my barely protruding belly moments before, and smiled. The room was dim, but I could still see the brown curls that formed a bushy helmet around her head. “Do you have any names picked out, yet?”

“Yes,” I said, resting my arm behind my head. I leaned toward Josh, trying to get a better look. “Joshua Todd if it’s a boy.” I smiled at Josh. “We’ll call him Todd, after my dad.”

“Can you see, Avery?” Josh asked, engrossed with the black and gray images on the screen.

The tech pressed a few buttons on her keyboard, and then smiled. “And if it’s a girl?”

“Penelope Anne,” Josh said. “We’ll call her Penny.” He watched the screen, running his fingers through my hair.

The tech touched her finger to the screen. “Well, there she is … your lucky Penny.” She smiled at us, and Josh laughed out loud.

“A girl?” he asked, grabbing my hand. “You can already tell?”

“Definitely a girl,” the tech said. She turned to freeze the image, then typed BABY GIRL PENNY in big white letters next to what looked like girl parts.

“Is that …?” I asked.

“Looks like a hot dog … or a hamburger, depending on the direction,” the tech teased.

Josh used his thumb and index finger to quickly wipe his eyes.

“Aw, baby,” I said, squeezing his hand.

He lifted my fingers to his mouth and pressed his lips against my skin.

“This is so surreal,” I said. “Did you see that?” I squinted my eyes toward the tiny black and white image as I watched our daughter kick and twist.

“What is it?” Josh looked back at the screen, worry marring his handsome face.

The technician laughed, waving her hand. “These things are like a moving Rorschach test. Your daughter looks great.”

I smiled back at her. “I’m just so tired. I think it’s getting to me.” I yawned, but Josh still looked concerned.