“I can see that. It’s adorable.” I looked at it for a moment, then hugged it to my chest and looked up at him with misty eyes. “I love it. Our baby’s first photo.”
“I got it at Target,” he said. “And I almost bought a ton more stuff. I’ve never even been down those aisles before. They’ve got everything for babies. It’s crazy!”
“It is.” I stood up and hugged him. “I’m sure we’ll be spending a lot of time and money there, but this is the first baby gift I’ve gotten. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, wrapping his arms around me and kissing the top of my head. “It’s the first of many. I want to give you everything.”
And even though I was in a hurry and would probably be a little late for my first tasting, I stayed right where I was, in his arms, chest to chest, our baby cradled between us.
It felt like home.
TWENTY-FIVE
ELLIE
LATE JULY
“Ell! Are you ready to go?” Gianni called from downstairs.
I was in our bedroom, trying to get my shoes tied, but it was a challenge now that my belly had grown bigger. Our little plum had grown to the size of an eggplant, according to the books, but my stomach was already the size of half a watermelon. Bending over also made me dizzy.
I sat on the bed and tried to bring one foot up and grasp the laces, but the baby—it was a girl we planned to name Claudia, for Gianni’s mom—decided to throw a tantrum about it and kicked me vigorously. “Oof,” I said, dropping my heel to the floor and putting both hands on my abdomen. “Okay, okay.”
Gianni appeared in the bedroom doorway, looking impatient. “Hey, I should be there already. Can I help you with anything?”
“Yes.” Leaning back on my elbows, I stuck my feet out. “Tie my shoes. Your daughter beat me up when I bent over to do it.”
He grinned and entered the room, kneeling at my feet. “I got this.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t kick your mother,” he said to my belly as he tied one sneaker, then the other. “It’s our only night off this week, and we’re going to the Cherry Festival.”
“It won’t be that big a deal if we’re late,” I said. “Felicity is manning the Etoile booth, and Winnie is with her. My parents are both there too.” Since it was Monday, Etoile was closed tonight, so everyone would be at the festival.
“I know, but . . .” He finished and stood up. “I’m just excited.”
I laughed. “You’re like a kid.”
“Can’t help it. I still like the rides. And remember how awesome I am at the dunk tank?”
“I remember.” I held out a hand, and he took it, gently pulling me to my feet. “Even though sometimes I’d like to forget.”
He kissed me. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine,” I said. “She’s just been extra active today. Can’t sit still, just like her dad.”
“Uh oh.” He grinned as we left the bedroom and headed down the stairs, still hand in hand. “I hope the universe is not going to get back at me for being such a rowdy kid by giving me a little fireball daughter.”
“Maybe she’s going to be a Rockette,” I said, putting a hand over the swell of my stomach, where she was currently practicing her kick ball change.
“That would be cool.” We reached the bottom of the stairs, and Gianni grabbed his keys from the little table by the front door.
I glanced at the living room wall, where all the photos of us still hung. I knew it was sort of obnoxious to keep them up, but I couldn’t bear to take them down yet—I’d just moved in here a few weeks ago. He’d been asking me to live with him since May, but I’d wanted to be sure we were ready for that.
“Ellie, come on,” he’d said insistently. “We’re ready.” We were lying in bed, still breathless, our heartbeats slowing. Always nervous about the baby, he’d rolled to my side and gathered me close. “I want to be with you all the time. I know it’s more convenient for you to live right at Abelard because of work, but I promise there are lots of benefits to living with me too. Like orgasms when and how and wherever you want them.”
I laughed. “That is tempting.”
“I got this bigger place because I was hoping to share it with you one day. And I hate going to sleep without you next to me.”
“Me too,” I admitted, propping myself up so I could look at him. “I just lie in my bed and wish I was here.”