39. Lark

Chapter thirty-nine

Lark

“We should probably start looking at houses.”

My hands freeze in the middle of folding a shirt at Dan’s casual statement. I turn, and he’s where he was a second ago, stretched out on his side in the middle of my bed, surrounded by my laundry. He just finished helping me match up my socks as I put everything away from spring training.

Despite the domestic nature of our morning, his words catch me by surprise. Which quickly makes me feel foolish. And excited.

Of course, we need to discuss our living situation, but isn’t it too soon for that? I mean, we’re having a baby, and we love each other, but…

But what? What more do I need?

I subtly shake my head and clear my throat. “Oh yeah?”

He looks up from his phone and turns it around to face me. “What about this one? It’s close to where Sin and Willow live, has four bedrooms, and a big backyard. Oooh, we could get a dog!”

“Dan, we’re going to have a baby. I’m not adding a puppy into that chaos.”

He waves his hand at me, looking back at his phone “I said dog, not puppy. We could rescue an older one.”

It’s moments like this that make me pause and question if he’s being silly or serious. With Dan, it could be either.

“We don’t have to rush on a house, you know, either one of our apartments will be fine at first.”

“Well, yeah, but which one? I’ve got the security and the amenities, but you’ve got the view.”

“You want to move in together. Now?”

I suppose Dan hears the question in my voice because he sets his phone down and sits up. “Well, yeah. Don’t you?”

Moving to the bed, I sink down on the edge. He moves to sit beside me, drawing my legs up and over his lap.

“I don’t know.” I sense him tense up and grab his hand. “Not because I don’t want to, but I guess…” I pause, trying to collect my thoughts into something that makes sense. “I guess I never let myself consider it. I know that sounds so stupid, we’re having a child together. And I know you love me, and I love you, so moving in together should be obvious. But —”

“But you still have a hard time fully believing that nothing is going to diminish my love and that our future is clear to me.”

If the way he understands me better than I understand myself isn’t a sign he is the only man for me, I don’t know what is.

My head moves up and down, even as moisture wells in my eyes. Dan chuckles, wiping away the tears.

“I haven’t wanted to overwhelm you or rush you. I mean, you were engaged, literally the day before you kissed me for the first time. But maybe that was a mistake and I should have said it sooner. I plan on marrying you, Birdie. You’re my end game. My championship. The only trophy that truly matters. I want to spend the rest of my life dedicated to you and our family. So whether we move in together now or later, I don’t really care. As long as you know deep down, this is it. You and me, together forever.”

I’m blinking away my tears as his words heal the cracks I hadn’t even realized were still covering my heart. I don’t want to be a woman who needs constant reassurance, but if there was ever a man who would be happy to provide that, it’s Dan. I lean in and kiss him softly, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and climbing farther into his lap.

“I love you.”

“I know.” His lips quirk up in a grin.

We kiss again and again, and just as I’m ready to make a mess of my piles of clean laundry, Dan stands up, cradling me in his arms.

“Come on, Birdie. We can finish this later. Let’s get a snack and go for a walk.”

He carries me out to the kitchen, setting me down on the counter before going to the cabinet where I keep all of my favourite snacks.

Pulling out a package of licorice, he waves it at me, and I reach for it with grabby hands. But as soon as I open the package, I gag. “Oh my God, nope.” I throw it at him, and of course, he catches it. “Get that away from me, please.”

Reaching for the basket on my counter, I grab a vial of essential oils, not even caring what it is. When I open and inhale the bright scent of bergamot, I sigh in relief .

“No licorice during pregnancy. Noted.”

I pout. “That’s depressing. Can you get rid of it all?” I ask, hopping down from the counter and giving him a wide berth, seeing as he’s still holding the offending package. I take another inhale of bergamot and move to the couch, leaning against the back of it as Dan pulls out all the licorice and puts it in a bag before tying the ends.

“Garbage?”

“No, don’t waste it. Take it in for the team? Just tell them not to eat it around me.” I shudder, imagining one of the guys coming in for a massage, smelling of licorice.

Dan chuckles. “You got it.”

His phone starts to ring, and I move to pick it up from the table, handing it to him.

“It’s my parents.” He looks at me, and I know what he’s about to ask.

“We should tell them.”

“Really?” His eyes widen and his smile grows. “Are you sure? We haven’t told anyone yet.”

“I know, but your parents should know.”

He answers the video call with a grin. “Hey, Mom!”

“Hi honey, just wanted to check in, see how you’re settling in now that you’re back.”

“Great, actually.” Dan moves to lean against the couch next to me. “I’m at Lark’s right now.”

“Oh, hi, sweetheart,” Edith says cheerfully, lifting her hand to wave at me.

“Hi, Edith.” I wave back. “How are you and Howard doing?”

“We’re just fine. Busy as always, but very excited for the game this weekend!”

“So are we. The team is looking really strong.”

Dan turns the phone back to himself and takes my hand before pushing off the couch and dragging me around to the other side so we can sit on it properly. “Hey, Mom, is Dad nearby?”

“I think so, he was at the bank to do a deposit but I heard him come back a few minutes ago. Why?”

“Can you go and get him, please?” Dan’s leg is bouncing up and down with excitement, and I place my hand on it. He flashes me a grin and kisses my forehead. Right in front of his mother, who’s still smiling at us.

“It’s good to see you two so happy.”

“We are, Mom. Very happy.” Dan covers my hand on his leg with one of his own. Then his dad’s face shows up on the small screen. “Hey, Dad!”

“Hi, son, Lark, how are you both doing?”

“We’re good. Hey, um, we’ve got some news.” All of a sudden, Dan’s face turns bright red.

I watch his Dad’s brows furrow as he peers closer at the phone. “Son? Are you alright?”

He musters up a nod, then turns to me. He’s clearly choked up, and while it’s sweet, I’m also freaking out at the realization that I’m going to have to be the one to say it.

“Ah, well…” I start, then take a deep breath. Ripping off the Band-Aid in three…two…one… “I’m pregnant.”

There’s a stunned silence, broken only by Dan’s loud exhale. When I glance over at him, he’s managing to hold the phone steady, and the redness is starting to recede from his cheeks, replaced by a goofy grin.

“Yeah, you’re gonna be grandparents.”

“What? I… Oh my goodness!” Edith covers her mouth with her hands, the phone falling to the side. Howard seems to grab it, and takes over holding it, but I can see him wiping under his glasses.

“That’s quite the news, kids,” he says gruffly.

“It’s good news, Dad. The best. I mean, it wasn’t planned, but we’re incredibly happy and excited about it.”

After a second, Howard nods. “That’s all that matters.”

“What can we do to help?” Edith chimes in, seeming less shocked and more in control. “How are you feeling, Lark?”

“I’m okay now. I had some nausea at first. Actually, we thought it was a virus. But the doctor confirmed I’m about twelve weeks along and gave me some medicine for the nausea. You’re the first to hear the news, but we’ll be telling the team soon.”

“And thanks for the offer Mom, but we’re good right now. I’m sure we’ll need you later, though. How do you feel about babysitting?” Dan grins.

Edith scoffs. “Do you really think you can keep me away from my grandbaby? I’ll be there as often as you’ll allow me. Whatever you need, both of you.”

“Thank you,” I say softly, feeling a little blown away by their reaction. Their only son is having a baby with a woman he’s only been dating for a few months, and they’re thrilled.

I know, I just know, that my parents would not react this way. They would likely see it as a personal insult or attack on them. Somehow, it would be a disappointment at worst, and a nuisance at best.

I manage to push away the depressing thoughts of how different my family is from Dan’s just in time to hear him agree to send his mom the ultrasound photos after our appointment this week.

“If that’s okay with you, Birdie?” He squeezes my knee gently.

I nod quickly. “Of course. I’m glad you’re as excited as we are.” I smile, but it’s a small one, and Dan gives me a questioning look.

“Hey, Mom, Dad, we better get going. We’ve got a team thing later on.”

It’s a lie, but I’m grateful for it. We say goodbye to his parents, Dan sets the phone down, and he turns to face me. “What happened there?”

I don’t answer right away. Instead, I snuggle into his side, resting my hand on his chest to feel his heartbeat, calm and steady, as always. He kisses the top of my head, seeming to be willing to give me a minute.

“Your parents are so lovely, and I’m glad they’re happy for us. Really. But it made me think about how my parents might react if they find out. And it definitely won’t be the same.”

“What do you mean, if ?” Dan asks. “We’re gonna tell them, Birdie. And if they choose to be miserable assholes about it, then I’ll set them straight. But we have to give them a chance.”

I sit upright and twist my hands together in my lap.

“Do we? It’s not like they cared all that much for me, and I was their daughter. Why would they care about a grandchild?”

“They might not,” he says somberly. “But we have to give them a chance. And at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what they think. I won’t let them or anyone else hurt you or our baby bird. And I promise you, this child will always know they’re loved. Unconditionally, wholly, and without end. Just like their mama.”

Reaching my hand up, I cup his cheek, then pull him down to meet my kiss.

“And just like their daddy.”