Chapter 22

My heart was so full.

My father was finally home from the hospital and doing well, although, he was hardheaded as hell. He insisted on being here while Jacob and I moved into our home. We'd hired moving companies to do the bulk of the process, but we also had furniture being delivered today.

With my father finally home, I was able to refocus on the tasks we had ahead. The movers and furniture company brought everything over and placed them in their respective rooms. Now, it was the task of unpacking. Mr. Lewis, Jacob, and Jess ran out to get us food while my mother and Mrs. Mitchell tasked themselves with putting our bedroom together.

Since he couldn't climb the stairs without getting winded right now, my father was comfortably planted on the couch in the living room, opening boxes for me to unpack.

"You need anything, Daddy?" I asked.

"No, baby. Come here a second, though."

I stopped what I was doing and went to sit beside him. He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me into him. I smiled as he planted a kiss on my forehead. After not having his affection for so long, I was happy that we were back on track.

"This is a beautiful home," he stated.

"Thank you. I fell in love the moment I saw it. Jacob didn't hesitate to make an offer."

"I can tell that man spoils you."

I giggled. "He does, and I try not to be too spoiled, but he makes it hard. He's so thoughtful."

"You're really happy, Kay? That's what matters the most to me."

"I've never been happier. You know what I love most about him, Daddy?"

"What?"

"He reminds me so much of you. His love for me imitates your love for Mama. It's pure and unconditional. He came into this marriage knowing what he wanted, and he's stood on that from the very beginning. I feel deep in my spirit that I found my soulmate."

He nodded. "Watching him with you, I can see that. You have this glow about you that I've only ever seen in your mother and sister. The way he loves on you… it's all I could ask for. I hate that it took me so long to get on board."

"Well, Daddy, it's not every day your daughter marries a stranger."

He chuckled. "You're right about that."

Since he had accepted my marriage, he had a lot of questions about Arranged Hearts. I showed him everything I'd researched before I did my application. He even spoke with Kelcy. It was safe to say that he trusted my judgment a little more after that, and it was a relief.

"I have something I want to do for you both," he said, sitting up.

The look on his face caused me to sit up too.

"What's that?"

He grabbed my hands. "I know it doesn't make up for it, but I want to give you the experience you didn't have the first time. On your first anniversary, I want to throw you a vow renewal."

Tears filled my eyes as I looked at him. "Daddy."

"You deserve those memories, Kachelle. I know they won't replace your first wedding, but it's the only thing I can think of to make this right."

"I appreciate that, Daddy. Make sure you get your suit ready."

He chuckled. "I'll be looking casket sharp." He pulled me in for a hug and kissed my cheek. "I love you, baby girl."

"I love you, too."

We shared a long, sentimental embrace until the front door opened Jacob peeked around the frame with a grin.

"Close your eyes," he said.

"What are you up to?" I asked skeptically.

"Come on, baby. It's a surprise."

"How did you go to get food and come back with a surprise?—"

"Girl, if you don't close your eyes!" Jessa yelled.

I laughed as I reluctantly closed my eyes. I heard their footsteps approaching and it made me giddy with excitement.

"Hold out your hands," Jacob instructed.

I held out my hands and when the soft, furry weight was placed into them, my eyes flew open. I screamed as I looked down at the most adorable pug puppies.

"Baby! Oh my God!"

When I saw the tags that read "Barkly" and "Pawly", I broke into tears.

"Hi, babies! You're so adorable!"

They were crawling all over me, with tails wagging happily. It was like they knew I was their mom. My mother and Mrs. Lewis came running downstairs.

"What is going on!" my mother exclaimed.

"Look at them, Ma. Aren't they cute!"

She shook her head. "Chile, I thought something happened."

I looked up at my husband with a tear-stained face and a smile.

"Thank you, baby."

"You're welcome, my love. I know how bad you wanted them, and I thought now was the perfect time to start our little family."

I stood with the puppies in my arms and went to kiss him.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

"These dogs are about to be spoiled," Jessa said, scratching behind their ears. "Sis, you better not put clothes on them either."

I laughed. "Not even for holidays and pictures?"

She rolled her eyes. "Girl, if you don't let these dogs be dogs!"

"They are my children until your brother gives me my own."

She slapped his arm and pointed at me. "You better get on that."

I smirked as Jacob's eyes passed over to me. We'd definitely been working on that. Maybe not baby-making, but the process was still the same. That thought threw my brain into a frenzy. When was my last period? In all the excitement and newness of things, I'd completely forgotten to track it. I did, however, know that it was overdue.

"What's that look?" my mother asked.

I relaxed my face. "What look?"

She raised an eyebrow as she looked at me. "Nothing."

Just as I went to say something, Myra came strolling in with two bottles of wine in her hands.

"Hello, hello!" she said, smiling. "Ooooo! This is nice! Okay, I see y'all!"

She made her rounds, hugging everybody before coming to me. When she saw the puppies, she shoved the wine in Jacob's hands and grabbed one.

"Hi, cutie! Awww! Boo, we have to get them matching outfits!"

"See!" I exclaimed, looking at Jessa who simply rolled her eyes.

"I see why you two are friends," she mumbled. "They are dogs, Myra."

"They are four-legged children. Hi, Titi's baby!"

She spoke to Pawly in a sing-song voice that had his tail wagging and him trying to lick her face.

"Can we eat?" Jessa complained. "Y'all had me doing manual labor, and I don't do that."

Jacob mushed her head. "You carried three boxes, Jess."

"And that's three more than you'll ever get out of me again."

Mr. Lewis chuckled. "Whoever you marry will have his hands full, that's for sure."

"I am not that difficult, Daddy."

"Shiiiiiit!"

Everybody laughed as she stood with a frown.

"See how y'all do me. Just wait until I get married. Shoot, maybe I'll go through Arranged Hearts too. It worked for Jake and Kachelle."

Jacob laughed. "Now, why would you do some poor, unsuspecting man like that?"

She scoffed. "All I know is when I get married, you better be right by my side like I've been by yours."

"Of course, I will. I mean, who else is gonna warn him about what he's signed himself up for?"

Jess took off running after him. We watched in amusement as she chased him, and he kept dodging her attempts to swat him. This was the family life I could get used to. All of us together with no drama, no discourse, just love.

Unpacking was donefor the day.

Our families had gone home a few hours ago. Me, Jacob, and the puppies took a trip to the pet store to get everything they needed. Currently, they were in the middle of our bed, curled up, sleeping softly. I couldn't stop looking at them. They were the most adorable creatures I'd ever seen, and they were mine.

The door to the bathroom opened, and Jacob stepped out in nothing but his towel. I licked my lips as I watched the droplets of water trickling down his tattooed chest. I'd never get over how fine this man was.

"Baby… we bought them a bed."

"I know, but aren't they adorable!"

"They are very adorable, love. You know where they'd be more adorable? In their bed."

I pouted as he came over and lifted them both from the bed. They looked even smaller in his big hands. My babies were so pooped from playing and eating that they didn't move as he transferred them to their own bed in the kennel.

When he was done, he went to the dresser and pulled out a pair of boxers. Again, I licked my lips as he dropped the towel and slipped them on. He turned to me, dick heavy and planted against his thigh.

"You see something you want?" he asked.

I smirked and nodded my head.

"Whatchu' gon do about it?"

I got on my knees and crawled to the end of the bed, beckoning him to me. He came to me, dropping his sweet, juicy lips on mine. I giggled as he picked me up and tossed me on the bed before playfully diving on me. He rolled onto his back and pulled me on top of him.

"Welcome home, love," he said, cupping my face.

"It's good to be home. I can't believe we're here."

"You and me both."

He looked at me curiously with a goofy grin on his face.

"What?" I asked.

"You wanna test a theory of mine?"

My brows furrowed. "What kind of theory?"

He tapped my thighs, signaling for me to move. I rolled over onto my side and watched as he got up and went into the bathroom. He returned shortly with his hands behind his back.

"What do you have?" I asked.

"Just hear me out."

"Okay…"

"I know we said we would wait… but when Jess mentioned children today, you got this look in your eye like you were thinking about something. Then you didn't drink any of the wine Myra brought over. I just… I thought maybe you might be pregnant."

My eyes widened. This man really did pay attention to everything about me.

"My period is late," I admitted.

Excitement danced in his eyes. He pulled his hands from behind his back, revealing a pregnancy test.

"I don't know how long I can hold out without knowing," he said, hopefully.

"When did you get that?"

"When we stopped to get gas. What do you say?"

I hesitated for a moment before getting up and taking the test from him. I headed for the bathroom, and he started to follow me, but I held up a hand to stop him.

"If this is positive, I'm gonna need a second to process it," I said.

He raised his hands and stepped back. "Okay."

I walked into the bathroom and closed the door. Opening the box, I emptied the contents and stared at them. This was a life-changing moment. Jacob and I had only been married for about three months at this point. Was it too soon, given our circumstances? Were we ready to be parents?

So many big commitments so soon could be a bit much on anybody. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I was dressed in nothing but a sports bra and a pair of boy shorts, so my stomach was on full display. There wasn't a noticeable pudge or anything. I wasn't having symptoms other than not having my period. That could be due to a number of factors, one being the stress I'd been under surrounding my family and my dad's condition. There had to be some explanation besides pregnancy… didn't there?

Sighing, I pulled my boy shorts down and sat on the toilet. I unwrapped the pregnancy test and closed my eyes as I peed on the stick. After capping and placing it on the counter, I cleaned myself, flushed the toilet, and washed my hands. Now it was a waiting game.

It was the longest couple of minutes of my life. I paced back and forth, nervously biting my lips and fingernails. I could see the shadow of Jacob's feet outside the door, waiting patiently. When the timer went off, I took a deep breath. Closing my eyes, I reached for the test.

"Don't be nervous," I told myself.

I counted to three and opened my eyes only to find that the test was negative. I expected to be somewhat relieved, but in all honesty, all I felt was disappointed. Maybe somewhere inside, I'd hoped for a positive test. Things were so good between us. The love we shared was so beautiful, and to have a little bundle of that representation would have been perfect.

"Baby?" Jacob called.

I grew sad, knowing how disappointed he would probably be. He looked so hopeful when he presented the test, and I just knew this would break his heart. Solemnly, I opened the door with the test in my hands.

"Well?" he asked.

I handed him the test and watched as his eyes saddened. He sighed heavily before pulling me into his arms.

"It's okay," he said, kissing my temple. "Maybe it's just not our time."

I gently stroked his back in a reassuring manner. Though he said the words, I could tell he was disappointed.

"You really wanted it to be positive, didn't you?" I asked softly.

"I did." He pulled away from me and sat on the bed, guiding me into his lap. "I know I said I wanted to wait a little while, but I can admit, I've been thinking about it."

He gently touched my stomach and smiled softly.

"A little bundle of the love we share didn't seem like such a faraway thought, you know. Getting to watch your belly grow with my seed had me excited for a moment."

He stared at my stomach, seemingly lost in his thoughts. When he finally looked up at me, he gave a slight smile.

"Maybe not this time. Whenever we're blessed with a baby, I just want you to know I got you. Whatever you need, whether it's a foot rub, back rub, extended maternity leave… I'm gonna be right by your side."

"I know, baby."

I pecked his lips and wrapped my arms around his neck. I knew at that moment I'd be making an appointment to stop my birth control.