This Love is Ours

Pleasant Surprise

After breakfast Hunter and I made our way to the grocery store to refurbish the fridge. November meant all of the Thanksgiving goodies like pumpkin pies and turkey are getting onto the shelves. This year Hunter's parents were going to come down to Nashville from Louisiana, so the pressure was on for me to make a good meal. I was a week late and even though I felt crappy, it was the first time in nearly five days I hadn't vomited first thing in the morning.  I was tempted to grab a test, but decided to wait until Hunter left for work. I texted Joelle to help me, that last thing I wanted was any photographers taking pictures of me going to Rexall after being in Europe for two weeks.

Jenna: Hey Joelle I'm back home. Are you free this afternoon?

Joelle: Hey lovely! Yes I am what's up?

Jenna: Top secret mission. I need you to get two types of pregnancy tests and be at my house at two thirty please

Joelle: OMG JENNA! YES SEE YOU!!

Jenna: thank you! Total lifesaver 

'That's the last of the groceries' Hunter said closing the front door.

'Okay, thanks babe' I started putting things away, noting the time. 'Are you headed out soon or?'

'I dunno why?' Hunter asked suspiciously.

'Did you want a coffee, I'll put in a travel mug if you want.'

'Oh, sure babe. Yeah, I'm going to grab my guitar and get my stuff in the car.' He said, kissing my cheek as I set up the Keurig.

'Here babe!' I said, putting a few cookies in a zip baggie with his coffee.

'Thanks Jenna, love you. I'll be home by eight.' I smiled as he left and in fifteen minutes, Joelle was knocking on my door.

We ran upstairs and waited for the longest three minutes of my life. Finally the timer went off and we checked both tests, positive 1-2 weeks.

We both screamed in unison.

'Jenna! Oh my gosh, I can't even put into words!'

'You can't tell Hunter! Or any of the guys!'

'I promise!' she motioned zipping her lips. 'so how are you going to tell him?'

'I am not too sure yet. I mean I have an idea.' Joelle and I destroy the evidence, except for one of the tests which I hid in my box of pads and tampons. It was obviously a safe spot. We head down to the kitchen and I pour myself and Jo a glass of water and I show her the pictures from the trip.

'It looks like you guys had a lot of fun in and out of the hotel.'

I playfully nudge her, 'If you really need to know, we only did it like four times over the whole trip.'

'It only takes once. Do you think he's ready?'

I explained to Joelle the conversation Hunter and I had about kids and his album thoughts, depending on how things pan out. 'So, I think he'll take it graciously. He's going to be so excited.'

The clock struck seven and Joelle headed out. I searched through my closet to find a long gift box to wrap the test in and surprise Hunter with. I attached a tag to the box, 'Open this, read it then come find me. Love you lots'

I hear the garage open as the grandfather clock struck eight. I sat in the living room with a bowl of cereal when Hunter comes into the house. 'Hi love, how was the studio?'

'Really good. We have a few radio shows next week, but you are slotted in for nine on Friday for an official recording."

'Okay perfect, Byron will be meeting us there at eleven."

'Okay, that works. I'm just going to plug my laptop in.' I nodded, informing him I just wanted to watch the rest of the Lying Game episode I missed while we were gone. In no time, I hear Hunter stampeding down the stairs and he ambushes me at the kitchen counter.

'Is this real life' he asks, his eyes wide in excitement, clutching the box and test 'Are we...'

'We are going to be parents!' He gave me a bear hug, burying his face in my neck, kissing me over and over.

'I can't believe it. This all happened..'

'Somewhere between our wedding night and Greece' I smiled, my cheeks aching.

'I love you Jenna,' his kiss was gentle and slow.I placed my hands on his chest, his arms wrapped around my waist.

"I love you too Hunter."

We made my way upstairs and I threw on one of Hunter's tee shirts and a pair of pajama shorts. I opened up my laptop to email my parents and attach a few photos for them, I missed a few skype dates, I know they'd love the pictures. I decided that I won't tell them about the pregnancy until we go up to Canada for Christmas – and hopefully I can hide myself well under a sweater.

'Did you upload our pictures?' Hunter asked, sliding into bed beside me, 'Can you send some to my parents too?'

'Of course,' I said, surfing through our pictures. 'I have a similar picture to this one' I noted, looking at the picture Hunter took of me in front of the leaning tower, 'except it's from twelve years ago'

'Well, it definitely was what we wanted – to see as much as we could in two weeks.'

I nodded, 'Back to reality tomorrow. I work ten til four.'

'I'll be in the studio for nine, I hope to be home by eight.'

'Sounds like a plan,' I kissed him and we turned out the lights. Hunter cuddled up behind me resting his hand on my stomach.