Best Mistake

A week later, I found myself standing in the middle of my empty apartment. I was a little sad to be leaving, but at the same time I was more excited than I wanted to admit about moving in with Alex. I couldn't shake the image of us sitting in the living room, watching our baby play on the floor in front of us. It warmed my heart every time I thought about it.

Id recruited Megan and Luke to help me and Alex get everything moved. Alex rented a U-Haul truck and he and Luke were in the process of moving all of my furniture to a storage unit.

Megan was soon standing next to me and rested her head on my shoulder.

"I can't believe you're moving out," she said quietly.

I nodded. This was where Megan and I settled in when we first moved to Baltimore. We were barely twenty two, and have never been this far out on our own before.

"I remember how scared shitless we were our first night here," I laughed. "Do you remember how we were too scared to even sleep in our own rooms?"

She laughed back. "Yeah, we slept right here actually."

I smiled, glancing around at the now empty walls.

"But look at us now," she said, gently elbowing me in the side. "We're established citizens."

I smiled again. We had come a long way from that night. Megan was making a killing at the hair salon doing cosmetology, and she'd found her soul mate. I was doing well at my two jobs, and I had a baby on the way with one of the greatest guys I had the pleasure of meeting. Although that situation wasn't exactly as I'd hoped it'd be, I was still pretty happy with how far Alex and I had come, too.

"We did it!" I said triumphantly, pumping a fist in the air.

Megan laughed and pulled me into a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you Whit."

"Thank you," I smiled, holding her tight. I was so thankful that I had her throughout everything.

We walked out of the apartment and I took one last glance around before shutting and locking the door for the last time. I stopped by the front office to turn in my key, and Megan followed me in her car to Alex's house. I knew it would take a while before I was used to calling it my house, too.

When got to the house I pulled in the driveway while Megan parked out front. I met her at the walk way to the front door and her mouth hung open in astonishment.

"Damn," she said. "Movin' on up, I see."

I laughed and pulled out the key Alex gave me to the front door. I felt a little giddy, like I was holding a golden ticket to tour Willy Wanka's chocolate factory. I inserted the key, turned the lock, and opened the door.

Megan's amazed expression only intensified when she walked in. I gave her a small tour before we went back out to her car to grab my stuff.

"Just so you know, I'm coming over, like, all the time," she said as she popped her trunk.

I laughed, pulling out one of my suitcases. "Please do."

Since Alex already had most of what I would have brought with me, almost all of my stuff was in the storage unit. All I had were my clothes and some decorative items I wanted to use in the house.

Megan was helping me finish up with my clothes when Alex and Luke walked into the bathroom.

"Ladies," Alex greeted us and helped me off the floor where I was organizing what small amount of shoes I did own.

"Thanks," I smiled and put my arm around his waist after he slid his around my shoulder. "You guys get everything situated?"

"Yeah," Luke smiled, embracing Megan tightly. "How you fit so much shit in that apartment is beyond me."

I smiled, shooting him a mild glare and Alex tightened his grip on my shoulder a little.

"Well, we ordered pizza on the way back over here," Alex said. "It should be here any minute now."

I nodded, a pleased grin plastered on my face. I was starving, and pizza sounded delicious.

We sat around the kitchen table, lightly chatting until the pizza arrived. I grabbed some plates and Alex pulled out beers for the three of them while I was stuck drinking water. I was so jealous.

After I embarrassingly ate four slices of pizza, I was stuffed. Megan poked a little fun at me, but Alex was quick to defend me, saying I had to eat a lot since I was eating for two. He had no idea how hard it was for me to control my cravings though and I was afraid I'd give in one day and he'd be in for a rude awakening.

It was really warm outside for early April, so we decided to take advantage of it and moved to the back yard. Alex failed to show me that part when he gave me my tour, so I was happy to find a huge amoeba swimming pool.

"I'm so happy for you guys," Megan gushed as she leaned into Luke's side.

Alex and I exchanged glances, both of us smiling wide. We seemed pretty happy for us to.

"Are you excited it's a boy though?" she asked. "I've always wanted to have a girl first," she added, looking at Luke who smiled at her, then became wide eyed when she looked away.

Alex and I both tried to conceal our laughter.

"I'm pretty stoked," Alex shrugged. "Girls are complicated."

I smiled, nodding in agreement. I'd always known that when the time came for me to have kids, I wanted to have a boy first.

"Have you thought of any names?" Megan asked, perking up a little.

I shrugged, looking at Alex, who returned the gesture.

"I guess we just haven't gotten that far," I said.

"You haven't had a list of names since you were, like, ten?" Alex asked, a little shocked.

I shook my head.

"Wow," he whispered. "You are a special woman," he said and rested his hand on my leg.

We sat and talked for a few more hours. Megan and Alex really got along well, which didn't surprise me, but it was kind of a relief. They were getting ready to leave since it was so late, and I started getting a little nervous. I wasn't sure how sleeping in the same bed as Alex for the first time was going to go.

Luke was in the bathroom and Megan and Alex were still in the kitchen. I'd gone to the garage to throw the empty pizza boxes away, and before I went back in the kitchen, I heard Alex and Megan talking quietly. I stopped, deciding shamelessly to eavesdrop.

"You better take care of her," Megan warned, and I could just see her tiny self trying to come off as intimidating.

"I will," Alex responded almost immediately. "She is my top priority."

I felt my cheeks burn as butterflies took off in my stomach. He meant that?

"Good," Megan said. "This means a lot, not only to her, but to me, too. It's about time you came around," she said, and it sounded like she was patting him on the back.

Alex chuckled a little. "I know right?" He paused before saying, "She's amazing. I'm glad I got into this with her."

I decided I should make my presence known before I heard something I didn't need to. Around that time, Luke was joining us again. Alex and I walked Megan and Luke to the front door, hugging and thanking them for their help.

"Keep him," Megan whispered in my ear as she hugged me. I blushed and glanced at Alex, hoping he hadn't heard her.

They were soon out the door and Alex and I waited until they were gone before turning the porch light off and locking up. I turned to him slowly, and he did the same. I wondered how long it would be before the awkwardness wared off.

He smiled and slowly walked to me, pulling me in his arms. "I'm so glad you're here," he said quietly.

"Me too," I smiled, resting my head against his chest.

He pulled away after a moment. "So what do you want to do now?" he asked, moving a strand of my hair behind my ear.

It was getting pretty late, and I had to be at work the next morning.

"I think I'm going to get a shower and call it a night. I have to be at work at ten tomorrow morning," I frowned.

Alex nodded slowly, then smiled a little. "Ok. I'll finish cleaning up in here and I'll join you in just a little bit."

I couldn't stop my cheeks from flaming red, and soon Alex's matched mine.

"In bed," he added quickly. "I'll join you in bed. To go to sleep."

I forced out a giggle and hurried to the bathroom, hoping to wash the awkwardness away. I grabbed a towel and hung it on the rod outside of the shower, stripped out of my clothes, and stepped in the warm water.

After washing my hair and bathing, I got out, quickly grabbing the towel to wrap around myself. I dried off and cursed when I realized I forgot to bring my pajamas to the bathroom. I peeked around the corner into the bedroom and didn't see Alex, so I hurried to the dresser.

I heard him coming before I saw him, but he still scared me when he walked through the door, freezing at the site of me in only a towel.

He mumbled a few inaudible words before he quickly turned and walked out of the bedroom. My skin was hot with embarrassment as I quickly gathered some clothes and hurried back into the bathroom.

I brushed my hair and my teeth quickly, so ready to get to bed. I walked out of the bathroom and saw Alex sitting at the foot of the bed. We exchanged awkward glances, and he stood.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I forgot you need privacy."

I shook my head, looking back at him. "It's ok," I smiled a little.

He barely returned the smile and nodded, heading towards the bathroom.

"Hey," I said, and he turned to look at me.

"Which side of the bed do you sleep on?" I asked.

Alex smiled and shrugged. "Whatever side you don't sleep on."

I inwardly groaned as he shut the bathroom door, hoping I was making the right decision by choosing the left side. I pulled the sheets back and climbed in, instantly feeling like I was floating on a cloud. I moaned when my head hit the fluffy pillow.

Alex came out soon wearing gym shorts and a white tshirt. I wondered if that was what he normally wore to bed or if he was just wearing it because I was there. I normally slept in just a tshirt and panties, but I also had on a sports bra and pajama shorts. We obviously weren't that comfortable yet.

He climbed in beside me and layed flat on his back. He kept a little bit of distance between us for which I was equal parts thankful and disappointed. I kind of wanted to cuddle, but I figured it was too soon for that.

Alex turned his head to me and smiled. "Everything ok?" he asked.

I nodded, letting out a big yawn. "This bed is so comfy," I smiled.

Alex leaned up on his left arm, turned towards me. He leaned over and placed a small kiss on my lips.

"Sweet dreams," he whispered, then turned off the lamp.

"Sweet dreams," I replied, and soon I was slipping into a deep sleep.

Notes