“Love conquers all,” I reply with a smile.
He fingers the necklace lightly and notices the diamond for the first time. “Is that . . .” He trails off.
“Yeah. I kept it. Locked away but I never let that ring go. I thought it was perfect.”
“It is . . . It is perfect,” he whispers.
He looks up, and the emotion in his depths causes me to stagger a bit. “Wear it always . . . Never coming off,” he says, pulling it from the box and pulling the chain over his head, dropping it to setting against his chest.
“One more,” I say, the butterflies picking up speed in my stomach. “You kind of helped me pick this one out actually,” I add, walking over to the tree and pulling out a small box.
The smile on his face is one of pure bliss. This day has been perfect, and I pray this will be the icing on the cake.
He starts tearing off the paper and opens the lid on the box before pulling out the mug. He has it backwards at first and looks at me with a perplexed expression that turns to a questioning one when he notices my nerves. “Spin it,” I say, twirling my finger in a circle.
He takes the coffee mug and spins it around. I watch when the clouds clear and his jaw drops in shock. He looks up at me, down at the coffee mug, to my belly, then back to my face before returning his eyes to the mug he is holding reverently in his hands. He sits there, his head bowed, and just looks at the mug. I picture it in my mind, knowing what he is seeing, and a small smile tugs at my lips.
The gray mug has a copy of the first ultrasound picture on it, and underneath the picture, it says, ‘#1 Dad—Coming This Summer.’
He is silent for so long that I start to worry. Oh God, I didn’t think what I would do if he isn’t happy about it. I can’t stand the thought of being without him, but if he doesn’t want our baby, I would have to learn.
“Axel?” I question.
He sets the mug down on the coffee table before climbing to his feet. I don’t catch his expression before he wraps his arms around me softly and holds me close. I still can’t judge his mood or feelings about becoming a father. The worry inside me is starting to take root and I feel like I might be sick.
“Princess . . .” he whimpers. His giant body starts to shake slightly under my arms, and I realize he is too overcome with emotions to talk right now.
I hold him and he holds me. I can feel his tears wetting the skin through my shirt. My own are coming freely. He leans back and looks into my eyes, bringing his arms around and wiping his eyes clear.
“A baby? You’re having my baby?” he says in astonishment. “We’re having a baby?” he repeats, a huge smile coming over his face. “We’re going to have a baby!” he booms through the living room and picks me up in a tight hug before spinning me around.
I laugh at his liveliness.
He drops me to my feet again and slams down to his knees, pulling up my shirt and pressing a soft kiss to my flat stomach. Splaying his hands wide across my belly, he whispers to the skin, “We’re going to love you so much, little one.”
I hiccup on a sob and run my hands through his hair. He looks up at me with his bright emerald eyes full of peacefulness and blinding love.
“We’re having a baby.” He wraps his arms tightly around my middle and holds me close with his head against my stomach.
I hold his head to my skin and echo back to him, “We’re having a baby.”
CHAPTER 20
I still can’t believe it. Not only am I engaged to be married, but our baby is growing inside my body. Once Axel was over his shock, we spent the rest of the day in bed, celebrating as he said. I can’t say no to him. He is over the moon, and I want that closeness only he can give me. We fell asleep well after midnight, his arm draped over my stomach, holding my belly with his large hand.
My phone starts buzzing the next morning, reminding me that I set my alarm so I could get up and over to Dee’s before it got too late. Axel and I have plans to go to dinner tonight and celebrate—with clothes on this time.
I lift Axel’s arm off my belly and walk across the room to the bathroom. Pausing to look over at his sleeping form, I see that the dark sheets are riding low on his naked hips. He has one arm over his abdomen and the other stretches out under my pillow. The desire to crawl back in bed and cuddle close is strong, but I need to hurry so I can make my plans with Dee and be home early enough for dinner. Once Dee and I get talking, I know I won’t be home anytime soon.
I pull on my favorite pair of black leggings and an oversized knit sweater. Grabbing my black boots, I walk out of the closet and almost collide with Axel. I look him over from head to rock-hard dick to toe. Good enough to eat.