like it could fly out of my chest as I looked down at her and realized that no man could possibly love his woman as much as I loved mine.
My heart was in my throat, making it nearly impossible to swallow, but I forced it down. A hundred different questions filled my head, but all I could get out was, “How are you feeling? Are you okay? Do you need anything?”
Her smile became even more brilliant. “I’m fine. I’ve had a little bit of nausea, but if anything, my appetite has only increased lately. I’m honestly surprised you haven’t noticed the five pounds I’ve put on already.”
My hand that was still clenched at her ass flexed. “Just more of you for me to love, babe.” My hand that she was holding low against her belly stroked back and forth lovingly. “You saw the doctor today?” She nodded. “Is the baby okay?”
“Our little nugget is perfect,” she said and moved back. Reaching under her pillow, she pulled out a few pictures and excitedly handed them over. “The doctor did an ultrasound, and our sweet little baby is already measuring ahead of schedule.” She skimmed her finger over a little black blob area on the picture. “This is him or her. I know you can’t really see much of anything, but by the next ultrasound, we will be able to make out everything.”
All I could do was stare in awe at the glossy piece of paper. That little blob was our precious little nugget. We’d made him or her with love, and I would spend the rest of my life making sure they and their mother never questioned how much the two of them meant to me.
Something dripped onto the picture I was holding, and it was only then that I realized I was crying. Sniffling, Arella wiped away my tears. “It’s okay, babe. I cried when I first saw our nugget too.”
I dropped down on my ass and pulled her onto my lap, holding her back to my chest, I lifted the paper closer so we could both see it. “This is the most beautiful picture I’ve ever seen,” I whispered. “I can’t take my eyes off it.”
“Should we wait and tell our parents?” she asked after a few minutes of us just silently sitting there looking adoringly down at our baby’s first picture. “I know some people wait until after the first trimester, but I don’t know if I can. I mean, we don’t have to tell the entire world yet, but I think it would be nice to tell the grandparents.”
Knowing exactly how my mother was going to react to finding out she was going to be a grandmother, I couldn’t stop from grinning. “Whatever you want, love. Just tell me who you want told, and I’ll make it happen.”
She jumped to her knees and turned to face me. “We should do it in a cute way. When Violet told her parents she was pregnant, she got them presents. Uncle Shane’s read, “My grandpa rocks harder than yours” or something like that. But I think we should do something that is inclusive to both your parents and mine. Maybe we could have dinner together, and I can get cupcakes with chocolate nameplates on them. Ours can say Mommy and Daddy, and theirs can say grandmother-to-be…” Her nose scrunched up. “Or is that too cheesy? Why are you smiling at me like that?”
I cupped the back of her head and pulled her in for a gentle kiss. “Because you are, without a doubt, the most amazing, most beautiful woman in the world.” I kissed the tip of her nose. “You own my heart, Arella. I never knew happiness like this existed until you became mine.”
“Jordan,” she breathed, tears filling her eyes. “Don’t make me cry.”
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the little ring box, opened it, and held it out to her. I’d wanted to do this in a more romantic way, but I didn’t think I could wait another second to ask her and put that ring on her finger. “When I asked your father to give me his blessing earlier today, I promised him I would never make you cry again. Please don’t make me break that promise, love.”
She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. “You…you really asked for his blessing?”
“I told you I would,” I reminded her.
“Yeah, but…” Dropping her hand, she shook her head, her eyes going to the oval diamond engagement ring