My headaches are less severe and less common at fourteen weeks which couldn’t be more of a relief along with less nausea, more energy and my breasts aren’t as sore. What’s not good is that in a couple weeks Alex will be in Europe with the boys. They’ll be there for a month, so once he’s back, he’s coming with me to my next appointment to see whether we’re having a boy or a girl.

“How are you feeling?”

I was talking to Miranda on the phone during my lunch break.

“Ok. Just a bit tired and having some heartburn...again.”

At twenty-nine weeks, she was officially in her third trimester and had gained nearly twenty-five pounds and is unhappy about her weight. Jack keeps telling her she’s beautiful and that she’s perfect and he is one-hundred percent right, but I get where she’s coming from because that there’s a high chance of me feeling that way later in my own pregnancy.

“How’s Lil Barakat?”

She laughed.

“He’s good. He’s been kicking a lot especially when he hears his daddy’s voice.”

“Aww...”

My heart melted. I truly hoped Alex and I’s baby does that when he or she hears his voice.

“It’s the most amazing thing. Jack has teared up over it, so I cannot even imagine how he’s going to react when our baby is born.”

She was tearing up on the other end.

“It’s gonna be the best reaction ever.”

“I need to get your thoughts on something.”

“Of course. What is it?”

“I was thinking about going on maternity leave soon. Things are getting tougher and I’m on my feet a lot and I can’t keep working like that. I don’t want to, but this is more about the baby and I’s well-being.”

“All I care about is that you and the baby are fine and if that’s what it takes, that’s what it takes. I love you guys.”

“Well, I love you and I bet that the baby does too.”

I started to tear up.

“You’re too much.”

“Anyway, how’s my bestie? You’re in your second trimester now.”

“Headaches, nausea and my fatigue are easing up, so pretty good. I’m dying to know what we’re having.”

“The time will pass fast. Trust me. When’s your next appointment?”

“Once they come back from Europe in October.” I said sighing.

“Still hoping for a girl?”

“Very much so. Alex is hoping for the opposite.”

“Of course he is. I hope you’re right. I know how much you want a daughter.”

If only she could see me smiling on the opposite end. I looked at the clock in my car and saw I needed to head back into work.

“Miranda, I’m gonna have to let you go. My break’s almost over.”

“Ok. Have a great day, Abby.”

“You too.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.”

I hung up and put my phone in my pocket before getting out of my car. I was looking so forward to getting back into the kitchen, but before I could even do that, I heard my phone vibrate. I took it out and saw a message from Alex.

I know you're probably heading back from your break, but I feel the need to tell you something big, something huge that I'd like for us discuss. I rather us talk about this when you get home if you're not too tired. I love you!

My eyebrows furrowed as I wondered what the hell he was talking about. I had to push that to the back of my mind till I got off work which was difficult, but I actually succeeded and focused on my job at hand. The second I got in the car, that’s all I could think about from there till I arrived home. I opened the front door, sat my purse on the floor and saw Alex come from the kitchen, not saying a word.

“Al-”

I was interrupted by his lips smashing onto mine, so I responded with the same amount of passion.

“Someone missed me.”

“I did.”

“Well, I missed you too. Thanks for the warm and delicious welcome.”

He laughed before kissing me again.

“My pleasure.”

“So, what is this news?”

“That was it.”

“That you missed me?”

“Yes.”

“Alex...”

I gave him a knowing look.

“Ok. Let’s go sit.”

“Is everything okay?” I asked once I sat down.

“Yeah. I wanted to run something by you.”

Like Miranda did earlier.

“Would you be interested in us buying a new home?”

A smile crept onto my face.

“Absolutely.”

He smiled. I loved seeing him so happy.

“When did you start thinking about this?”

“It’s been on my mind for the past week or so. I think it’s time to, considering we’re starting our family.”

“I agree. It just feels right.”

He kissed my cheek and pulled me close causing me to giggle.

“Have you started looking yet?”

“I was hoping we could start this weekend.”

“I love the sound of that.”

I turned to Alex, pressing my lips to his as I crawled into his lap. He wrapped his arms around me and deepened the kiss.

"Wanna take this to the bedroom?” I asked in a breathy voice.

He didn’t answer as always; instead, he lifted me up and carried me to our bedroom, slamming the door shut with his foot. My heart pounded as we undressed and felt like it was going to come out of my chest. I took a look around the room as I thought about how we were going to have sex tonight. When I saw the chair, a lightbulb clicked.

“Go sit in that chair.” I said against his lips.

He smirked.

“What’s gotten into you?”

“Get over there.”

My libido has increased and it feels amazing. He sat down and I saw him look at me lustfully which got me wet. As I walked closer, he never took his eyes off of me. He grabbed my hips before I even took a seat, so I removed his hands before I sat down.

“Someone’s getting a little ahead of themselves. Aren’t they?” I whispered into his ear.

I had already known he was turned on, but now I was feeling his growing erection against my thigh.

“I just can’t help myself.”

“Clearly.”

He kissed me rather hungrily while I felt his hands on my back.

“Are you-” he asked.

I knew exactly what he was trying to ask, so I got straight to the point. I reached for this cock and placed it at my entrance; he gasped.

“Are you?” I said directly into his eyes with a smirk.

“Yes.”

I maneuvered a bit then he was inside me. His hands were on either side of me while I placed my hands on his shoulders before I began to move my hips.

“Oh my God.” I said tilting my head back.

This felt so fucking good already.

“Abby.”

“K-”

He interrupted by kissing me which was obviously what I wanted and added tongue; I moved a little bit faster.

“I love you.” he said.

“I love you, too.” I moaned.

After what felt like an eternity, an amazing and beautiful eternity, we both orgasmed and I collapsed, burying my head into his neck. I felt his lips on the top of my head before we moved and headed toward the bed. I laid down on my side as my chest rapidly rose and fell.

“You okay?” he asked, facing me.

I nodded and kissed him.

“That’s good.”

Two days later, Alex and I went out to breakfast before house hunting.

"How's your unhealthy burrito?" he asked.

I rolled my eyes.

Shut up, Alex.

"I'm entitled to a treat every now and then. I'm sure our baby doesn't mind. Isn’t that right?” I asked my bump.

"How could you possibly know that?"

"I just do. I'm omniscient like that."

He laughed and shook his head.

“How’s your meat lovers omelette?”

I smirked. Two can play at this game.

“Touché. Delicious, by the way.”

I laughed. You don’t point out to a pregnant woman that whatever she’s eating is unhealthy; you just don’t.

“Anyway, how do you think today’s gonna go?” I asked.

“I think it’ll be at the very least, a great start.”

I nodded and continued demolishing my burrito. After we ate and paid the bill, we got into his car and figured out where we were going to head to first. The homes we set out to see were ones I only dreamed of ever living in, like it was a fantasy.

“You excited?” he asked opening my car door.

"Yes." I said standing up and kissing his cheek.

“Perfect.”

He turned and kissed me which caused me to blush. This was as nerve wracking as it was enthralling. We looked at several houses, but there was one, the penultimate house that caught my eye. It had three bedrooms, two baths, a huge kitchen, a beautiful wrap-around porch and a pool. A pool, which is something I never had; I always had to settle on swimming at the public pool when I was growing up.

I was eight months pregnant and it was in the middle of July. I had gained thirty pounds and I was beyond ready to give birth to my second child. I walked into the backyard to hear my husband’s voice and our two year old daughter’s laughter. I smiled and watched my two favorite people enjoy themselves in the shallow end of our pool.

“Mommy!” she said in her daddy’s arms.

I walked toward the pool and sat on the edge, sticking my feet in the water.

“Hi Scarlett. You havin’ fun with Daddy?”

This is when Alex began tickling her causing an eruption of laughter.

“Ya. Get in, Mommy.”

“I don’t know about that, sweetie.”

“Why?” she said with a look I know all too well.

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to get out.”

She kept with the same look, a look that she inherited from me.

“I could help you get out. I know you want in here.” he said.

The man knew me too well.

“Just help me in.”

I reached out and he took my hand and I safely got in.

“Yay!”

She reached for me as she was still in Alex’s hold.

“Come here, Scarlett.”

He let her go and she nearly leapt into my arms, pressing her face into my neck.

“I wuv you.”

“I love you, too.”

“Abby?” Alex asked, startling me.

“Yeah?” I said smiling.

“You drifted off. What’s up?”

“I had an amazing dream.”

I was beginning to tear up.

“What was it about?”

“Our daughter was two years old and in the pool with you while I was eight months pregnant and walking toward you guys...”

He smiled and kissed me.

“What was her name?”

“Scarlett.”

“Scarlett. What a beautiful name.” he breathed.

“If we have a girl, I’m keeping that name. Just have to figure out a middle name.”

“I’m assuming you’re in love with this house, then.”

“I am.”

He wrapped his arms around me while I wrapped mine around his neck.

“I’ll make an offer.”

I smiled into his neck.

Notes