By The Way...I'm Pregnant

Better Than the Best

It was a comfortable summer night in Seattle. Robert had just arrived back home after a light workout with Ben. Ben's doctor had finally cleared him for full activity after surgery and he was itching to get back to the gym. Opening the front door and stepping in, he smiled at the sight in front of him. His wife was curled up on the couch, the TV had some sort of cooking show running in the background, but she was out cold.

He stepped closer just slightly to get a better look. She wore a relaxed expression, golden locks framed her face and one arm was thrown haphazardly above her head. He laughed a little to himself as he saw the 'Sullivan' label on the crew shirt that was just barely visible under her throw. Andy had made a habit of stealing his shirts, but he didn't mind.

Quietly, he padded up the stairs to shower and change. When he came back down a while later, he was a little surprised to see that she hadn't moved. Robert picked up the TV remote and clicked it off, he kneeled slightly by the couch and caressed Andy's cheek before scooping her up into his arms. Just as he picked her up she began to stir.

"What are you doing? I can walk." Andy said, sleep scratching at her throat.

"Shush. I've carried bigger people than you out of burning buildings. I can carry my wife to bed." Robert said in a playful, bossy tone. Too tired to argue, Andy leaned her head back against him.

Just as he reached their bedroom, Andy asked, "What if I gain about 30 pounds?"

"Why would you be gaining 30 pounds?" Robert asked with a confused look on his face. All the while, he pulled back the covers and helped her get comfortable in bed.

Andy snuggled into the pillow her head now rested on and with a small yawn said, "Apparently that's the average amount of weight gain during pregnancy."

Robert stopped moving and sat down next to Andy, trying to read her expression. "Are you saying..."

"We're having a baby...yes we're having a baby." Andy interrupted. The nerves had her words flowing out in one long diatribe as she pushed herself up just slightly. She saw the expression on Robert's face and wasn't sure if it was shock or terror or maybe it just hadn't hit him yet. "And I know it's too soon and we're probably not ready...we didn't really talk about kids... and actually it's kind of crazy that the universe would let me be someones...

Seeing the worry crease across Andy's forehead, Robert did the only thing he knew to do. Cupping her cheeks, he pulled her in for a kiss. When he pulled away, their noses grazed just slightly and he held their eye contact. "I love you. And yes it's probably too soon and it's a little terrifying... okay a lot actually, but..." emotion filled his voice and his eyes lined with tears. "This is a good thing. A baby is icing on the cake."

"Yeah?" Andy questioned nervously. She felt a lot of things in this moment...joy, excitement, nervousness, fear, but mostly love. She knew their relationship wasn't perfect, but it was perfect for them. And just like they had figured everything out up to this point, this would be no different. Most importantly though, they loved each other and she believed that love would see them through.

"Life with you is already so good, a baby will only make it better." Robert said determinedly. He'd always wanted kids, thought he would have them with Claire, but God had other plans. He wasn't sure how it worked out that years after thinking he would never have the family he always wanted, he was getting everything he deeply desired.

Seeing the love and excitement on Robert's face, was all the reassurance Andy needed. She sighed in relief, her arms circled around his neck and they held each other tightly. There was a time when she never would have pictured a moment like this for herself. In her wildest dreams, she hadn't pictured herself married and expecting a child. But here she was in this moment, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for a life and a love that was truly better than the best.