Finding My Way

Chapter 33

ZOEY

Twenty weeks of pregnancy, and our little bean wasn't tiny anymore. Baby Stone was healthy, and I counted the days until my due date, around the end of September.

Over the last few weeks, Grayson and I have done so much besides our beach vacation, which was the most relaxing week I've had in a long time. It could be considered our honeymoon, though Grayson assured me there would be a better one when we celebrated with family and friends.

Silas and his buddy Monroe installed our home's security system, so things would be more secure if I were alone. Grayson didn't like leaving me alone, but I told him I didn't need a babysitter. Grayson occasionally took an overtime job at night once a week, so I was rarely alone.

Lately, our main priority has been finishing the nursery. I had the most challenging time picking out colors because I didn't know the gender of our child.

"Zoey, honey, we can find out the gender if you want the colors to be right, or we can just paint it back over," Grayson said.

I shook my head. Tears filled my eyes—stupid hormones. "No, we can't paint back over it when the baby arrives. There will be too many fumes! The paint has to dry a day or so, too!"

Grayson pulled me close to him and kissed my forehead. "Sweetheart, it's okay. What do you want to do?"

I wiped my eyes and sighed. "Let's find out the gender. I'm not having one of those reveal parties, either. I want to know so I can stop calling our kid a bean. They're not even a bean! They're the size of a banana!"

Grayson chuckled. "Where did you read that?"

"In one of those pregnancy books I got. Our baby is as big as a banana. Can you believe that?"

Grayson nodded. "Yes, I can. You're going to be a wonderful mother. Would you like me to go and get the gender results?"

I nodded. "Will you please?"

"Of course I will." Grayson pecked me on the lips and smiled.

Grayson grabbed his keys and began stepping out the door when I thought of something to stop him. "Oh, can you bring me pickles and chocolate ice cream?"

Grayson raised an eyebrow. "Uh, that's a weird combination."

"It's my craving; I'm sorry!" I began to get teary-eyed again. Grayson came over with that same smile on his face and kissed me.

"I love you. I'm sorry. I'll get your cravings. Anything for the woman I love. I'll be back soon!"

I nodded and sighed as I lay down on the couch. "Lucky, come here, girl; it's nap time!"

GRAYSON

Pickles and chocolate ice cream. It was a strange combination that satisfied my pregnant wife, and I'd never understand unless I tried it. I don't think that's something I'll do. It can't be good, can it?

After picking up the gender results in an envelope and making a quick trip to the store for the oddest cravings, I returned home to my wife asleep on the couch with my dog beside her.

"Did you get my cravings?" Zoey asked, popping one eye open while the other was squeezed shut. She must have been napping.

I nodded. "I got them and the gender of our baby. Do you want to look at it now or later?"

"Go ahead and read it out loud to me."

I put down the ice cream and pickles so I could tear open the envelope, careful not to rip the vital document inside. My eyes skimmed over the words until I read the one with the answer.