As a couple and as a family.
"James," she said quietly into the dark.
"Hmm?" His hand idly stroked her hip.
"I have something I need to tell you."
"If it's that you want to go again you're going to have to feed me first. I'm starving," he said, chuckling.
Maggie reached for the lamp on the night stand, turned it on. She sat up, wrapping the sheet around her and smoothing her hair behind her ears.
James didn't like the look on her face and it made him feel sick. He really hoped that after everything they'd just shared she wasn't going to tell him this wasn't going to work. Sitting up, he leaned back against the headboard and grabbed her hand, linking their fingers together. "Everything okay?" he asked, concern flooding his voice, his eyes softening as they met hers. She looked terrified.
She swallowed thickly and cleared her throat, steeling her nerves to get the information out. He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I hope so. I'm—I," she trailed off, blowing out a breath.
He sat forward and ran his fingers through her hair. "You can tell me anything."
"I'm pregnant," Maggie whispered.
James's eyes rounded and his eyebrows were nearly to his hairline. His heart flipped over in his chest and he stared at his girlfriend. The woman that he loved. The mother of his unborn child. A baby. It was definitely unexpected, but he was pretty sure, no, he was sure that he was—excited.
"Would you please say something?" Maggie snapped, her big eyes filling with tears for the umpteenth time that day.
"You're pregnant?" he asked, just to be sure.
Maggie nodded soberly. "I took a test this afternoon." His expression was unreadable and it was freaking her out. She opened her mouth to say—well, what she wasn't sure, but he cut her off by grabbing her face and kissing her sweetly.
"We're having a baby?" he asked against her lips.
She choked out a sob and nodded again, her vision blurring with tears. "Are you okay?" she asked, holding the sides of his face, blinking up at him.
A smile broke out over his face and he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "It's surprising," he admitted and her face fell into a little frown. "But, I love you, Maggie. I love you so much and now you're pregnant with a baby that's half you and half me. What's not to be happy about?"
Happy tears streamed down her cheeks and she peppered his face with kisses. "I'm so relieved," she laughed. "I didn't know how you'd react." He brushed her tears away with his thumbs and she smiled. "I love you, James Keller, and even though I'm terrified, I already love our baby." She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him hard.
"I'll get a new job," he said against her hair. She unwrapped her arms and leaned back. "A less dangerous one."
"James, no, you don't have to," she insisted. "You love—"
"Maggie," he cut her off. "I get it now—what you were trying to tell me earlier. I've got a family to think about now. I'll start looking tomorrow."
She didn't know it was possible to love him more than she already did, but he managed to prove her wrong. With a watery smile, she ran her hands over his chest. "I love you," she mouthed.
"I love you," he whispered back.
Once she'd left Maggie's apartment, Alisha ran some errands and ended up shopping the afternoon away. She hadn't intended to shop for the baby, but when she'd passed by this little boutique with the sweetest display she'd ever seen in a window, she stopped and bought her friend a present. Well, two actually. For Maggie she bought this adorable and trendy purple maternity top; and for the baby, she found the cutest stuffed elephant and she just couldn't resist.
Overall, she ended up spending too much money, but she found the most amazing pair of green heels; some luxurious smelling bubble bath that she couldn't wait to try out; a pair of jeans that hugged every curve just right; a funny book for the new daddy-to-be; a shirt for Jake just because it would make his eyes look amazing; and some underwear that would drive him insane in a couple of weeks once they were allowed to actually have sex again.
She was exhausted when she got home. Dumping all of the bags on the bed, she rifled through one until she found her new bubble bath, deciding that a hot bath and a glass of wine was just what she needed to unwind. She'd sent Jake a text earlier that she'd be at home and to let her know if he was coming over. He hadn't replied yet and she figured he was probably taking a nap or playing his guitar.
Padding into the bathroom, she turned the water on full blast and dumped in a generous portion of her new bubble bath. She lit some candles and turned on some music before going to the kitchen and pouring a large glass of wine. Stripping down and throwing her clothes into the hamper, she swept her hair up into a messy bun, picked up her glass and eased down into the tub, sighing as the hot water enveloped her body. Her muscles were already thanking her. She sipped her wine and rested her head back against the little bath pillow and closed her eyes, enjoying the sounds of John Mayer floating in the air around her.
Big knocked for the third time and she still didn't answer the door.
