Chapter 15: Little Kicks
921 Words
Spring brought warm sunshine, wildflowers, and the fresh smell of rain.
Becca sat on the front porch holding one hand to her growing belly. The other hand clasped a mug of herbal tea. She watched Craig wrestle flowers into the front yard and smiled.
“You know,” she called over her shoulder, stifling giggles, “those flowers need to go in the ground, not all up in your shirt.”
Craig bent over to rub the dirt off his jeans and boots.
“I meant to do that.”
“Oh yeah.” She chuckled.
“It builds character.”
He laughed, the sound rumbling through the yard.
Laughing. Becca loved that she could laugh again. Wholeheartedly and without restraint.
His eyes met hers, and he smiled too.
“I’d dig myself down in the mud every day if it meant I could hear you laugh like that.”
She shook her head fondly.
“You’re terrible.”
“And you still love me.” He said proudly.
“I do.” She replied, smiling.
By seven months, Becca’s baby bump was prominent and undeniable.
Craig talked to their baby every day.
Before he left for work each morning, he would kneel in front of her, kiss her belly, and remind their baby to “be good for your mama today.”
At night, Craig would tell their baby about fishing trips, mountain hikes, and all the adventures they would go on one day.
That night as they sat together on the couch, Becca suddenly grabbed Craig’s hand.
“Wait.”
“What?” He questioned, curious.
“Put your hand here.” She instructed, gently taking his hand and placing it on her side.
For a moment…
Stillness.
Craig chuckled.
“I think I missed them sleeping.”
Thump.
His eyes widened.
Little tiny kicks.
Kick. Kick. Kick.
His heart leapt then stopped.
“Becca …”
“I know,” Becca whispered.
“Our baby just kicked me.”
She let out a few more giggles, crying tears of happiness.
“I think your baby already knows your voice.”
Craig leaned over and kissed her belly.
“Hey buddy, your mama and I can’t wait to meet you.”
Kick.
The baby kicked again in response.
Becca started laughing again.
“I think that’s your way of saying yes.”
Craig leaned down and pressed his forehead gently to her stomach.
“I can’t wait to meet you either.”
A few weeks later, friends and family had gathered at the community center to celebrate the baby shower Becca had always dreamed of.
Wildflowers and soft greens, creams, and rustic woods adorned the room, fitting perfectly with Becca’s modest style.
Friends had crocheted handmade quilts to hang over chairs.
Clotheslines stretched across the room, and tiny baby clothes were clipped on with miniature clothespins.
Homemade pies and cookies filled the kitchen with delicious smells.
Becca looked around the room in awe.
“You planned all this?” She asked him skeptically.
Craig shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck.
“I had some help.”
“Oh really?” Becca teased.
Their friends chuckled in agreement.
“He was plotting this for weeks.” One of them jeered.
Becca looked over at Craig, whose cheeks were redder than the nursery Ralphie was picking out.
“You really did all of this for us.”
He shrugged his shoulders shyly.
“I wanted baby to know how loved they are even before they arrive.”
Becca pulled him into a tight hug.
“They are going to grow up knowing love.”
As the party ended, guests gathered around the oak tree at the back of the community center.
On small wooden hearts, they wrote well wishes for Becca’s baby.
Craig read some of them aloud.
“May you always be brave.”
“Laugh often.”
“Know you are enough.”
Tears formed Becca’s eyes.
When it was his turn, Craig took his time thoughtfully writing something on the small heart.
Becca waited until he hung it up on the tree before quickly reading what he wrote.
No matter where life’s journey takes you, you’ll always have a home here in our arms.
Her hands covered her mouth as tears fell from her eyes.
Craig walked over and pulled her into his arms.
“I wanted them to know that.” He said gently. “I thought every child should hear that.”
Becca pulled back and kissed him.
“And they will.” She promised. “Every single day.”
Becca and Craig both climbed into bed that night, exhausted but happy.
Lying there, Becca felt one final kick before she dozed off.
“Look at how excited our little one is getting,” Becca said.
Craig put his hand on her stomach, gently rubbing it.
“I know,” he said with a grin. “I think our baby knows exactly how much they are loved.”
Becca smiled, gazing up at the man who had become her greatest blessing.
She used to think that losing Lee had stolen her future.
But as she felt another kick and realized that new life was growing inside of her…
She knew that her future had not been stolen.
Her future had been waiting for her.
Waiting for the right person to share it with.
And now that she had that person…
They were ready for the next chapter.
The one where they would become three.
- Writer
