I KNEW YOU WERE PREGNANT!Quincy's text comes in shouty capitals, making me roll my eyes at her excitement. My response will probably make her roll her eyes right back at me, only it'll be in exasperation.Me: I swear to God those guys gossip more than a bunch of old ladies at church!Quincy: Oh, come on. Did you really expect Rowen to keep it from them for long?She has a point. He's been way more excited than I ever anticipated. He even cried when my blood tests came back and the doctor told us it's a boy.I've never seen Rowen get teary-eyed over anything, but the thought of being a father has him a blubbering mess. It's actually really sexy.Me: Touché. Just keep in under wraps for now. I don't want my job to know yet. You know how sticky it can be.Quincy: Yep. It wasn't that long ago I was trying to sort it all out with Chance. My lips are sealed. Wait… I'll seal them after this: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!Tucking my cell into my back pocket, I pull open the door into the newsroom. Like

"I know this is a bedpan," the nurse jokes, handing the plastic bowl to me. "But around here we use them for morning sickness. Keep it handy just in case you need it. The doctor will be here in just a couple of minutes. My name is Karen, if you need me."Karen leaves and I collapse into the chair next to the bed, pulling it forward where I can hold hands with my wife. "How are you feeling?""Like shit."I chuckle, glad she hasn't totally lost her feisty nature. Stroking back her hair, I can't help but feel relief that we're here and she's going to be taken care of. "I probably should have asked this before, but did you call in sick? Do I need to call Caleb?"She shakes her head gently. "I already called. There's no way I'm getting this promotion Rowen. Not now.""Hey. You don't know that. Your interview went great.""Yeah, until the end of it when I finally told them I'm pregnant." She rolls onto her back and rests her hand on her forehead. "Steve left almost a month ago. I'm sure the

Sitting up on his knees and turning his whole body to face me, the flailing contestant is long forgotten. Rowen shifts so he can put both his hands on my bump and waits. He doesn't have to wait long to feel the soft nudge coming from inside me.Rowen's breath hitches. "Whoa. That's…wow."Moving his hand with mine, I put it in a different spot and press down harder. Sure enough, our little future athlete takes aim and kicks the right spot."Holy shit, Tiffany. That's incredible. Is he… he's really strong, isn't he?"I belt out a laugh, my husband never moving or taking his eyes off my mid-section. "You remember what you do for a living, right? And what I used to do for fun? He's just practicing his corner shot.""Yeah he is."Another soft push and then we wait. And wait. But nothing else happens. "I think he fell asleep," I remark, glancing back up at the television. The underdog contestant seems to have made a comeback while we were distracted, painting over some sort of latex bald ca

The realness of the situation hits me out of nowhere again, making me stumble on my feet enough that I have to grab the wall. I'm going to be a dadaí. Shaking my head, I smile at the thought that at times like this I feel a weird sense of joy run through my whole body. It sounds crazy, but it happens every once in a while. Finally regaining my balance, I dry off. Forget clothes. I'm exhausted. I'm clean. And I need to hold my wife immediately. The drive to get to her after being away so long is almost primal. And not just for sex. Of course, that's on my mind. But my higher reasoning also knows she needs her sleep. Finally, I get to crawl under the covers with her. Tiffany rolls over and snuggles into me before I even settle. It takes a second to get us both situated comfortably, but then my entire body relaxes into the mattress. I don't truly understand how tired I am until that sweet moment when all my muscles go slack. Almost immediately, my brain shuts off and I begin to fall und

Of all the people I expected to run into, Santos and Mariana and their kids are not it. But here they are, the entire DeLaGuajardo family right in front of us, all of us staring at each other in awkward silence. In a defensive move, Rowen immediately reaches for me and tucks me under his arm. I appreciate the gesture because I don't know what to do.I'm glad to see them together. I know how much Santos loves his family. But I was an active participant in that family breaking apart. It was all in the past, and I've forgiven myself as much as I can, but this is unexpected and, well, uncomfortable.I brace myself, expecting to be berated or maybe even punched. But Mariana does the last thing I expect her to do. She takes a big breath and says, "Pampers Swaddlers are really good when they're first born. Do you guys have a Sam's Club membership?"Shock runs through me. Is she having a civil conversation? After everything she went through? Everything I helped put her through? I'm stunned, bu