Page 26 of Breath By Breath
He stops eating, his burger halfway to his mouth. “That’s it.”
“What? What did I say?” I ask, taking another bite of my burger. I’m starving.
“Riggins Enterprises. That’s the new name.”
I swallow and wipe my mouth. “Riggins Enterprises,” I repeat, trying the words on my tongue. “It’s got a nice ring to it.”
“You’re a genius, wife.”
“Oh, go on,” I say, making him laugh.
“It’s perfect. I’ll email the graphic designer I use and have him work up a new logo. Hell, I think I’m just going to offer him a full-time job. I know he’s been working in marketing for a while now. I could use someone like that on the team.”
“I’m proud of you.” I finish off my burger, giving the last little bite to Royce with another fry. Tossing my wrapper into the bag, I bend over and dig around in the diaper bag for the small box I shoved in there before leaving the house. Once I have it, I place it on the desk between us.
“What’s this?”
“A gift.”
“Baby, you’re my gift. You and our son. This was exactly what I needed.”
“I know, but I think you’ll like what I got you too.”
“Whatever it is, I’ll love it. I love you.”
“I love you too, Stanley Riggins. Now open the box.” I keep my hands fisted in my lap, but my eyes are on him as he grabs the box. He shakes it, as I knew he would, which is why I stuffed it with tissue paper.
“What is it, Royce? What did Mommy get me?” he asks our son.
“Da Da,” Royce says happily as he munches on his fry.
“Daddy loves you, little man.”
Tears well in my eyes, but I quickly blink them away. I watch as Stanley opens the lid on the small box and digs around in the tissue paper. When he finds it, his eyes pop up to mine. I nod, feeling the tears threaten to fall.
“We’re pregnant?”
I nod again. I can’t seem to find my words. Part of that is the excitement of expanding our family. The other part is the wonder I see on my husband's face as he learns he’s going to be a daddy for a second time.
Stanley stares down at the pregnancy test in his hands before standing and rounding the desk. He walks to where I’m sitting and kneels. He slides his hand behind my neck while the other wraps around my waist. He doesn’t say a word as he rests his forehead against mine.
“Mom, Mom,” Royce says. I know it’s only a matter of time until he lets his displeasure of being left out of this embrace be known.
Stanley lifts his head and presses a soft kiss to my lips. He then does the same thing to my belly over my clothes. “I’m your daddy, and I love you so much.”
“Da Da.” This time, I can hear the cry in his voice. He’s getting mad. Stanley must hear it too. He jumps to his feet and lifts Royce from the stroller. He rains kisses all over his face.
“You’re going to be a big brother, Royce. A big brother,” Stanley says, tossing our son in the air and catching him. Royce giggles. His earlier anger at being left out is completely gone. “Give Mommy a kiss.” He suspends Royce in the air near my cheek, and he gives me a sloppy kiss.
“Oh, you give such good kisses.”
“Thank you, Lena. Just… thank you. For this life, for loving me, for being my biggest supporter, for giving me a partner. I love you more than words can describe.”
“I love you too, baby daddy.” I stand and hug my boys. “I guess it’s a good thing that the business is doing so well since we’re going to need more diapers.”
Stanley tosses his head back in laughter. I was stressed about how to tell him. I took the test this morning and couldn’t hold the information from him for long. I’m glad I did it today, like this. It’s the perfect moment. Another we will both always remember.
Standing from my desk, I grab my water bottle for a refill after yet another bathroom break. I’m due any day now, and this little man is sleeping right on his mommy’s bladder.