All The Love, H (H.S.)

sixteen

Olivia,

That morning, I could tell you were in a good mood. I woke up at noon after a long overnight shift in the ER to the smell of bacon and eggs wafting into our bedroom.

I stumbled still thwarting away the grasps of slumber into our kitchen, hearing your sweet voice humming to yourself. The humming didn't always happen, not unless you were especially happy.

"What's got you in such a good mood this morning?" I said as I wrapped my arms around your waist from your place in front of the stove,  placing a small kiss behind your ear.

"Can't I just be in a good mood and make my husband breakfast?" you say with a smile, turning your head so I can plant a sloppy one on your lips.

"Guess you can," I went to the coffee pot and pour my self a steamy cup of Joe, sipping it before you brought over a delicious plate of bacon and eggs and set it down in front of me.

"How was work last night?" you asked, leaning your elbows on the counter.

"A little crazy. Had a nasty MVC come in, got the guy stable thankfully." I knew you never wanted to hear all the gory details of my job, some of that was better left to the imagination and some episodes of Grey's Anatomy.

"My little lifesaver," you smiled, before pouring yourself a glass of water and taking a seat next to me.

"Last week on the night shift for a while though," I added.

"I'm glad. It's hard to fall asleep without you there," you placed your hand on my arm, tracing circles with your fingers.

"Hard to get good sleep when you wake up at the crack of dawn," I grinned, which elicited a roll of your eyes.

"I write best in the morning," you shrugged. You glanced down at your watch, before reaching a hand up to twist your hair on top of your head.

"So what's on the to-do list today my love?" I asked.

"Well, for starters today's halfway done," you laughed. Working the night shift really messed up my days. "But I've just got a few errands to run this afternoon, I'll be back for before dinner."

"We can enjoy my night off then?" I asked, I could never be quite sure as of late. You had become pretty invested in the novel you were working on, and I didn't dare disrupt you when you'd found your "muse".

"Of course, babe," you said, placing a kiss on my forehead before grabbing your purse and keys from the counter. "See you later."

I quite enjoyed my day off, and your good mood seemed to be contagious. Thinking I would repay the favor from breakfast that morning, I texted you saying I could take care of dinner, to which you responded that you "already had it figured out".

I was in the shower when you got home, and when I went to open the bedroom door to enter the kitchen you yelled at me. "Just stay there for a few minutes." I listened to you, because I know better than to argue, but suspicion began to build in my mind. This wasn't a special occasion or an anniversary. Maybe you had finally heard back from that publisher you had been sending your work to over the past few months and we were going to celebrate? Although I was quite good at reading your mind Olivia, this one I couldn't quite figure out.

"Okay you can come out," you said, knocking on the door. I opened it to see your wide eyed grin, and I knew whatever this surprise was, you were excited about it.

Our dining table was lit with candles, with our finest dishes on the table. A small package, wrapped in gold paper sat at my spot.

"What's all this love, hmm?" I wrapped my hand around yours as you led me to my seat.

"Just open it," you said, you hands fidgeting like they always do when you get excited.

I peeled the bow of slowly, then ripped the wrapping paper and opened the box. I let out a gasp when I saw what's inside. It couldn't be. We had given up over a year ago.

"I'm having your baby, Harry. We're having a baby!" you exclaimed. I set the pregnancy test in my hand, two lines visible, back in the box.

I ran over to you and gave you the warmest embrace, then brought my hands to your face and enveloped you in a passionate kiss. A baby. We were having a baby. Something I had given up on long ago. But it was happening, we would soon be a family of three.

"This explains the good mood earlier," I raised an eyebrow. "You kept this from me all day?"

You nodded and I knew you were proud of your self control. Despite our struggles and your adamance that you were okay with it just being the two of us, I knew there was nothing in the world you wanted more than to have a baby of your own.

"I was late last week and this morning, I thought well maybe. And so I took the test, and it was positive. But I wasn't sure so I went to the doctor today and they confirmed it. I didn't think this would ever happen,"  your eyes began to fill with tears and I wrapped my arms around you, pulling your head into my chest.

"I know it's still early but..." you began.

"We're having a baby Olivia," I said once again, not believing the words are falling from my mouth.

I get down onto my knees, bringing my face to eye level with your stomach, with Baby Styles.

"I know you can't hear me yet little one, but it's Daddy. Your Mommy and I are so excited to meet you in just nine short months, you got some growing to do before then. We love you already," I cooed before planting a kiss onto your stomach. You ran your hand through my hair with a laugh.

"I guess this means that I'm going to get all swollen and cranky, huh. Will you still love me when I'm craving pickles with peanut butter?"

"You are going to be the most beautiful pregnant lady in the world Liv," I smiled. "And I'll still love you even when you squeeze my hand so hard I lose circulation while you're screaming for an epidural."

"I think I want a natural birth," you rebuttled.

"You say that now," I responded with a laugh.

The truth is Olivia, there wasn't anything in the world that could happen that would make me not love you. I loved you more than I loved anything in this world. And now that we had a new member of our family for me to love, I think I loved you even more.

We celebrated that night like we'd never celebrated before, and I couldn't wait for you to  become the mother I always knew you would be.

All the love,

H