Damaged Hearts

Chapter 29

Zach

Nicole and I got married 2 days ago. Courthouse wedding, couldn't have been more perfect. We're now we're up at my cabin for a short little honeymoon. Kids are with her parents, Nala's with Trent and Cassidy and Nicole is right here with me. Cuddled up in my arms, exactly where she's supposed to be.

"You're my wife." I mutter against her ear.

"You're my husband." She giggles.

"Did you sleep alright last night?"

"Mhm. I have to pee though really bad."

"Oh sorry." I release her from my arms and let her get up. I watch her naked body stumble into the bathroom. We've been fucking like rabbits all weekend. There's no reason to even put clothes back in.

I roll out of bed too. I wanna make breakfast and get the coffee going.

As I'm cutting up some potatoes to throw in the oven, I hear Nicole's footsteps coming down the stairs. She's dressed now, but her expression is what has me more curious.

"What are you smiling about?" I laugh, knowing she's gotta be thinking about the sex last night. It was fucking phenomenal. The dirty talk, I mean Christ. I am the luckiest man on this earth.

She comes and stands in-front of me, smiling, a twinkle of emotion in her eyes she looks at me.

"What's so funny or what Nic?" I ask again.

She holds up a pregnancy test, "look." She says. My heart stops beating, allowing me to read it for a moment.

"Are you really!?" I exclaim.

She nods, "I just took it."

"Come here." I scoop her into my arms and squeeze a hug out of her. "How do you feel?"

"I'm surprised. I didn't think I was."

"I didn't either." I laugh.

"Are you okay? Are you happy?" She wonders immediately.

"Of course I'm happy! I'm very excited."

"Me too." She sighs with another smile.

"I love you." I remind her.

"I love you." Her voice cracks and I see tears coming down her face.

"Aw, honey don't cry." I squeeze her harder.

"I'm just happy." She weeps. I laugh at her a little and let her have her moment in my arms.

"This is exciting."

She looks up at me, "you're gonna be a great dad, babe. You already are. I just mean, with a baby. You're going to be amazing."

She brings tears to my eyes, "I hope so." I stifle a small laugh and she kisses me.

•••

A few days later, we're home. Nicole went to pick the kids up at her parents and I'm getting started on dinner for everyone. We're planning on telling them about the baby tonight and I'll be honest, I'm a little worried about how it's going to go.

We let them talk about their time at their grandparents for a while. Not wanting to make them feel like this baby is going to take all the attention.

It isn't until almost bedtime when Nicole finally gives a knowing look that says 'now's the time'.

"So. We have something we want to tell you guys. But it's still a secret." Nicole starts.

"Doesn't leave this room." I add.

"Are you pregnant?" Landon asks, shocking us both, we laugh.

"How did you know?!" Nicole wonders.

"You are!?" Audra jumps up from the couch.

Nicole nods at them, "you are correct."

Audra screams and hugs Nicole. I glance to Landon, he's smiling. I'm relieved. I was a little worried about him taking the news. I stand and go sit beside him on the couch.

"What do you think about that?" I give him a nudge. He smiles more and I give him a hug. "You're gonna be a big brother times two." I say making him smile bigger.

"Is it a boy or girl?" Audra wonders.

"Oh it's too early to know. A few weeks yet, we'll know."

"If we want to know?" I suggest to Nicole.

She glares, "Oh. Honey. We're finding out."

"Yeah dad! We're finding out!" Audra says, coming at me for a hug and my heart stops. She just called me dad? Who the fuck is cutting onions in here?! I look to Nicole. Tears build in her eyes in a matter of seconds.

Patting Audra's back I squeeze her tight. "We're gonna find out. I'm just teasing." I try and steady my voice but my eyes are blurred with tears. She has no damn clue how happy she just made me.