I tried so hard to plan my life accordingly, and then one chance encounter with a smooth talking, motorcycle riding, tattoo covered, brokenhearted, not so bad boy changed everything. I wasn't one to believe in love at first sight, but when I met Owen I knew that he was different.
There was still a part of me that wondered if the two of us were moving too fast. That one day he'd wake up and realize that he wasn't ready for the instant family that came along with loving me. I battled with these thoughts even now with his arm around me, and his hand caressing my shoulder.
“What are you thinking?” He asked, as if he could hear the thoughts racing through my head.
“About the what ifs.” I said softly.
He tipped his head so that his lips brushed against my ear.
“What if when we get on the plane I introduce you to the mile high club?” He whispered.
I gasped, and he chuckled.
“What if when we get home I take you into the shower and suck the water from every inch of your delectable body?”
“Owen!” I whisper snapped, but it only seemed to encourage him.
“What if I loved all your 'what ifs' away?” He asked, a little louder this time sending butterflies directly to my stomach.
“I think if anyone could, it would be you.” I admitted.
“That's my girl.” He said, before kissing me just under my ear. “No more getting in your head, alright?”
“Alright.” I sighed.
We pulled into the airport a few minutes later, and the Uber driver dropped us off out front. After paying the man, Owen grabbed our bags and I followed him through the crowded airport. We arrived ten minutes before our flight, giving us just enough time to check our bags before the flight began to board.
I took the window seat, and Owen stored our bags in the over head compartment before sitting down beside me. He reached for my hand, and we waited in silence as the rest of the plane soon filled to capacity. The flight attendants went over the safety features, and shortly after that the pilot announced that we'd be taking off.
I brought a book to read, and some music to listen to but I didn't think I'd be doing much of either. I had never flown on a plane before, and with my morning sickness I was worried that I'd find myself in the bathroom for an entirely different reason than joining the mile high club.
The take off was a little rough, but once we were in the air my stomach began to settle. Owen held my hand the entire two hour flight, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles periodically. We talked about all the things we wanted to do before the baby came, and even more after. I don't know what I was so worried about. The way he talked about the baby was enough to make any woman's heart melt.
Our carry on bags remained untouched, the things we'd brought to pass the time were an after thought. Being with him was easy. We could talk about everything, or absolutely nothing and it was never boring. He had a way of making me live in the moment, and when I found myself getting in my head again he was right there to pull me out.
When the plane landed on the tarmac, and the passengers began to exit, things finally started to feel real. The instant I walked out into the muggy southern air I inhaled deeply. It was almost like being in Raleigh again, and a sense of calm washed over me.
On the ride back to Owen's apartment I watched out the window as we passed rolling hills, and large mountains that almost touched the sky. Everything about Tennessee was breathtakingly beautiful. The views were stunning, and I found myself thinking about what our future home would look like. Would we have a view of the mountains just like this?
“You're awfully quiet over there, Unicorn.” Owen said, placing his hand on my leg.
“I'm just enjoying the view.”
“Me too.”
I rolled my eyes as I turned to face him. “You can stop you know? You've already convinced me to move here with you. You don't have to try so hard.”
“I'll remind you every day, for the rest of my life how much you mean to me, just so you don't forget.”
“For the rest of your life?” I asked, arching brow.
“I said what I said.” He winked.
I blushed, and he gave my thigh a squeeze.
“I'm so damn happy you're here with me, Unicorn.”
“For the first time in a long time... I'm happy too.”
TWENTY-FOUR
OWEN AND I HAD OFFICIALLY been in Nashville for two weeks, and tonight I was finally meeting his friends. He had kept me holed up in his apartment for as long as he could. As much as I enjoyed our days of laying in bed and doing nothing at all, I was beginning to go a little stir crazy.
I styled my hair, and found my most comfortable pair of jeans. I pulled the zipper up, and tried to fasten the button but it wouldn't go. I tried again, but it was no use. I turned sideways to look at myself in the mirror, and that's when I noticed it. The tiny-est of baby bumps had begun to form, and I placed my hand over the small curve in wonder.
“Ronnie, have you seen my-what are you doing?” Owen laughed as he rounded the corner from the living room.
“My jeans won't fit.” I said, as I continued to stare at myself in the mirror.
He came to stand behind me then, placing his hands over mine on my stomach. He smiled at my reflection, and
