22. Noah

22

It's been almost a month since I've seen my wife. Each day, I've had her send me a photo of her belly so I can keep up with my daily snapshots. When she first arrived in Beaumont, she stayed at her grandfather's until my mom invited her to stay at their house. I'm happy Peyton and Stevie Nicks went there, especially after my dad filled me in on the encounter with Sterling. He's never paid us any attention, not that we'd accept any, so I'm not exactly understanding why he did what he did. I'll never know either.

Peyton, Stevie Nicks, our little bean, and Mack are arriving in Portland today. Mack is attending a football camp put on by the Pioneers. This is one of the events I'm proud of and happy to be a part of. And I like the idea of Mack coming out. I miss the kid a lot.

As soon as the jet lands, I get out of the car. Not gonna lie, having something like this at my disposal is a perk that I'll never take for granted. The door opens and the steps descend. For some reason I hold my breath while I wait for my wife. Seeing her every day on video chat is nice but having her in my arms is a whole other ballgame.

Mack is the first one off the plane. He has Stevie Nicks with him and she's wagging her tail. I crouch down, praying she'll remember me. When they're close enough, I hear Mack say, "There's Daddy."

She's not so little anymore and if I had to guess probably as big as Beau. She rushes to me, and I let her jump on me because I need this type of affection just as much as she does. After a minute or so, I glance up and my wife is coming down the stairs. I stand and go to her. This is the longest we've been apart, and I hate it.

I meet her at the bottom of the stairs and Peyton leaps into my arms. I hold her tightly, pressing my lips to hers. "God, I fucking missed you," I say in between kisses.

"I missed you too."

I set her down and squat, raising her T-shirt as I do. "Hey, little bean," I say to her growing bump. "How's my baby doing? Yeah, I know you can't answer me, but Mommy tells me you're growing and doing everything you need to be doing in there. Daddy loves you." I rub my thumb back and forth over her skin, hoping I'm not bothering my wife.

After placing a kiss there, I rise and kiss Peyton again. "How are you feeling?"

"Fantastic."

"Your appointment is set for today, right?"

"Eleven weeks," she says. "And I feel wonderful."

"No morning sickness?"

She shakes her head. "Very little and only with certain foods."

"Perfect," I say and then correct myself. "You're perfect." I take her bag from her and head toward my rental. The cargo team loads the few bags she and Mack brought into the back and tells us to have a good day.

Once we're inside and heading out, I look in the rearview mirror at Mack. He's had to grow up so much in the last couple of years, with his dad leaving for a bit and his parents' subsequent divorce.

"How are you doing?" I ask him.

"Good. I'm excited."

"Yeah, me too. You won't know anyone other than Julius's son, but he'll be in the lower age level, although he's going to be a fantastic wide receiver when he's older."

"That's cool. It'll be good. I'm here to learn from the best." Mack smiles at me. We hold eye contact for a bit longer and then I turn away. I don't feel like the best and have felt off this past month. Maybe it's because Peyton wasn't here.

The drive through the city is hectic, with bumper-to-bumper traffic. I'm annoyed. I want to get home, relax and be with my family. Maybe watch a little TV before Peyton has to go to the doctor's or play with Stevie Nicks at the dog park across from the building.

By the time I pull into the garage, we have an hour until we need to leave. I take Stevie Nicks into the courtyard and encourage her to do her business. All she wants to do is sniff and has no interest in going to the bathroom.

She finally goes, watching me the whole time. "Yes, you're the goodest girl." I give her lots of love but don't have a treat for her. "When we find your Mommy," I tell her. "She's got your cookies." At the mention of cookies, her ears perk. She nudges my pocket, looking for her snack. I hate that I'm already disappointing her.

The elevator ride to our apartment is quick and as soon as I step off, I yell for Peyton. "We need a snack."

"Do you want me to make you something?"

I point to Stevie Nicks. "She did her business, and I didn't have anything to reward her with."

Peyton laughs, goes to her purse, and pulls a bag of dog treats out of it. Stevie Nicks goes to her and sits. "Do you want to show Daddy your new trick?"

"Yes, she does," I say as I sit down.

"She's really smart," Mack says when he comes into the room. "I've been working with her after school, mostly when Beau isn't there or Elle doesn't need me to babysit him."

"Is that your job? Babysitting Beau?" I ask him.

Mack shrugs. "Nah, I walk him after school and will take him to the park if I don't have practice. If she's working late or if Ben has a meeting and she's stuck at the studio, I'll grab Beau on my way home. He's my friend," he tells me. "And now I have Stevie Nicks."

"She is pretty cute. Okay, my loves, let's see this trick."

"Stevie Nicks, whisper," Peyton says.

She lets out a very quiet bark.

"Are you shy?"

Her paw covers her eyes, and she dips her head. I can't help but smile.

After each trick, Peyton rewards her.

"Will you dance with me?" Peyton holds her arms out. Stevie Nicks stands on her hind legs, rests her paws on Peyton's arms and moves her back feet side to side.

"Oh my, this is amazing." I start clapping.

"Take a bow," she tells our girl. Stevie Nicks leans back, dips her head, and Peyton rewards her with another treat.

"This is what you've been doing for the past month?"

Peyton laughs. "She's so easy to train. Your mom and I were watching some pet show and saw a dog like her doing all these tricks. I made a list and started working with her. Each trick takes her a couple of days to master."

"Amazing." I crouch down to her level and give her a lot of love. "Good girl."

Peyton's timer on her phone goes off, signaling we need to go. I look at Mack. "Wanna stay or go?"

"I'll go and stay in the car with Stevie Nicks."

Mack gets off the elevator first to take the dog to the courtyard for another potty break. I tell him I'll pick him up out front. In the garage and because we're alone, as soon as we get to the rental, I turn Peyton and push her up against the side. Before she can react or ask me what the hell I'm doing, my mouth is on hers. She moans and opens for me, inviting me in. Our tongues meet, dancing together in longing, want, and need.

"I fucking missed you," I say as I break away and kiss along her jaw. "I wish?—"

"Mack," she says as her hands slips under my shirt. I slow down and groan.

"Tonight, in the shower. You're mine." I kiss her again.

"In the shower?"

I nod and open the door for her. "Yes, the water will drown us out. Mack doesn't need to hear us having sex."

"You're right. Maybe we should wait until he goes home."

I glare at her, wondering how she became my wife with an attitude like that. I shake my head and shut the door. When I open the driver's side, she's laughing.

"You should see the look on your face."

"I'm sure I wouldn't find it very funny," I tell her as I start the car and pull out of the spot. "I've been cooped up with those juvenile men all day, every day, for a month. I need my wife."

"Yes, but Mack's with us and the apartment isn't that big."

"Locker room it is then."

"Absolutely not!"

"Your office?" I look at her. "We've done it there before."

"Yeah, when I was ovulating."

"What's the difference? Last time I was trying to get you pregnant. Now you are."

She doesn't have time to answer since I'm pulling up to the curb to get Mack and the pooch. Once they're in, I meander our way through the downtown traffic until we reach the hospital.

"Will we have time to go to the zoo?" Mack asks.

"If it's something you want to do," Peyton tells him.

"I want to take some pictures. I signed up for photography class for next year."

"Are you still using the camera my dad gave you?" I ask him.

"I am. It's been great. Liam taught me how to develop film. He let me do it in the basement and even though I'm not there every day, if he's home I can go into the dark room."

"That's awesome, Mack."

I park and leave him the keys in case he wants to get out and walk the ground. The hospital where Peyton's doctor is, is expansive with lots of open space. The elevator ride is quick. She checks in and barely sits before the nurse comes out and calls her name.

"Peyton, I was so happy to hear you're pregnant," Dr. Chan says when we enter the exam room. "I've been in touch with Dr. Ringman. She seems nice."

"She is."

"Hello, Noah. Congratulations."

"Thanks, Dr. Chan."

Peyton sits on the exam table, has her blood pressure and temperature taken, and then is told to pull her yoga pants down.

"Dad, you'll want to get your phone out for this and record."

I do as Dr. Chan says without question. Peyton reaches for my hand and shivers when some gel type stuff lands on her bare stomach.

"What's that?" Peyton asks.

"Gel. Nothing harmful," the nurse says.

Dr. Chan presses a wand to Peyton's stomach. "We may or may not be able to hear the baby's heartbeat. It's still early, but sometimes . . ." She pauses and nods to me. I hit the red record button. "Yes, there it is."

"What? That's the baby's heartbeat?" Peyton cries out and looks at me. I'm sure my smile is as wide as it can get right now. "Do you hear this?"

"I do." I crouch so I can be next to her. "This is the most amazing sound I've ever heard." It's up there with Peyton screaming my name while we're having sex, but I can't say that in here.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, fills the room.

Tears fill our eyes as we listen to the sound of our child's heartbeat. I choke back a sob as I take it all in and wipe at Peyton's streaming tears. We did this (with the help of modern-day science) but we still created a life together.

I nuzzle Peyton's nose. "Thank you."

"Thank you," she says right back as she kisses me quickly. "That's our baby."

"Yeah, it is."

I've never been more thankful Dr. Chan told me to record this because now I'll have it forever.

Dr. Chan makes some notes on the computer and then takes the wand from Peyton's stomach, and then wipes the gel off. "Baby's heartbeat is strong, Peyton. Everything looks great. I'm going to send my notes to Dr. Ringman."

"Thank you."

"Anytime you need to see me, just call. I'll make room for you." She gives Peyton a hug and when she passes by me, I reach out and give her one. I don't even care if it's awkward.

As soon as the door shuts and it's only Peyton and me, I go to her and cup her face. "We heard our baby."

"I know," she said with tears in her eyes. "And he or she is strong."

"Of course, little bean is strong," I tell her. "With you as a mom, they're going to be the strongest ever. Bean is in there, learning from you. Thriving because of you. Honestly, I expect our son or daughter to be an overachiever."

Peyton laughs. "I love you."

"Love you more, babe. Come on, we have phone calls to make!"