Falling into Place - Forbidden Heart Series

43| Zero mismatch

Was it normal to be this excited when you were sitting in a bank and talking to a bunch of high-level advisors? Normally, I would say no. I was never the sit-in-the-bank type. I was the drive-thru-atm type. Or the walk-up-atm type. But I didn't do this. Not before today, at least.

But today was special. I was thirty weeks pregnant and had officially upgrade to only maternity clothes since all of my jeans and pants refused to close around my distended stomach. I didn't complain this time when I put on the stretchy pants. Because today. . . today was special.

"Do you think we should do a college fund, or do a trust fund, too?"

Ryan flashed me a devilish grin. "Both. Our little girls deserve it."

I rubbed my belly as I looked at the different options. "For the trust fund, how old should we set the age?"

"Twenty-one. That way she's fresh out of college. She'll be grown-up and should hopefully know what she wants to do with her degree."

"And if she doesn't want to go to college?"

His face scrunched up in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Well, what if she doesn't want to go to school? What if she wants to, I don't know, become a mechanic or be a waitress? Or start a business right out of high school? What if she doesn't want to go to college and follow in the Hale family business?"

My anxiety started to rise a little when Ryan didn't answer me right away. I could see him processing what I asked. One thing I learned rather quickly when I got involved with Ryan was the family legacy. He's even told me stories about how, if it was up to him, he would have stayed in London when he turned eighteen. He never wanted the 'family business'. He wanted freedom, but he felt like he didn't have a choice. That was something I didn't want for my daughter.

Finally, he took a deep breath and looked at me seriously. If she doesn't want to go to college, that'll be her choice. And if she wants to be a mechanic, then we'll make sure she's the best damn mechanic there is. And if she wants to be a waitress, I'll buy her, her first goddamn apron."

My eyes started to water. "Really? You mean that?"

"Of course I do." He placed his hand on my belly. "I don't want her feeling the same pressure I did while growing up. She'll have the freedom to make her own choices. And if she ends up not going to college, we'll include a clause that it can be used as start-up money for a business of her own. If that's what she wants."

I had never loved my husband more than in that moment. Cupping his face with my hand I whispered, "she is so lucky to have a father like you."

He chuckled before leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, well. We all know I'm going to be a huge push over when she's born. Probably going to give her whatever she wants. She's not even here yet and has me wrapped around her finger."

It was true. And not just by Ryan and myself. Once this little girl was born, she was going to be so incredibly loved by everyone close to us.

***

Sbarro. Chipotle. Subway. Panda Express.

Those were my four choices for lunch. A yummy barbacoa bowl with all the fixings -- including extra sour cream and guac -- sounded so good right now. But then again, so did orange chicken and fried rice from Panda Express.

Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.

I was so tired of making decisions. And I was also growing very impatient while waiting for the results to come in regarding the donor match.