That night we laid together in bed, our cat sleeping by my feet. Elliott had one arm wrapped around me and the other resting on my belly, gently caressing it. I had my head on his chest, listening to the strong beating of his heart. The comforting sound began to lull me to sleep. Right before I went out I felt my husband plant a gentle kiss on my head.
"I love you," he said softly. "Sweet dreams, my dear."
The next few weeks passed rather uneventfully. Elliott insisted on helping me on the farm, from watering the plants to feeding the animals. Any time I tried to do it myself he would stop me.
"You're pregnant," he would remind me. "You shouldn't push yourself while in such a delicate state."
"I'm not an invalid," I complained one day. "I can still work."
He shook his head. "Harvey said to take it easy, remember? Plus, you haven't been feeling well. What if you exert yourself and something bad happens?" His emerald eyes were clouded with worry as he spoke.
"I'll be fine," I reassured him. "I'm stronger than I look."
"I know that very well," he said, wrapping an arm around my waist and planting a kiss on my forehead. "Yet I still worry about you."
His worries were not entirely unfounded. It was true that I hadn't been feeling well. Morning sickness had gotten the better of me many times, often leaving me in the bathroom. Elliott would stay by my side, gently rubbing my back or stroking my hair.
He was also extremely patient with me. My mood swings were sometimes wild, with me laughing one second and crying or yelling the next. Yet he was always kind, calming me down and holding me close.
One night we were laying in bed together reading books, I an adventure story that Victor recommended and he a parenting book he found in the library. After a few minutes of reading I stopped and watched his face. He looked relaxed but I could tell from the set of his jaw and the light in his emerald eyes that he was intensely focused.
My thoughts began to wander as I watched his face, leading to our child. I wondered if they would take after me or him, or be a perfect mix of both. I also began to wonder if our baby would be a boy or a girl.
I hope they'll be a girl, I thought. But what does Elliott hope for? I realized I had no clue what my husband thought and turned to him, poking his arm.
It took about a minute to get his attention. When he finally noticed, he set his book down and turned towards me.
"Did you need something?" He asked. "Are you hungry?"
"No, I was just curious about something," I responded.
"What was it?"
I was just wondering, what are you hoping for? A boy or a girl?"
He slid closer to me and wrapped his arm around me, thinking silently for a moment. He placed his free hand on my belly before speaking.
"I will be happy no matter the baby's gender. I just hope they'll be healthy." He paused for a second. "I wouldn't mind having a little girl, though." He added.
"I'd like a girl myself," I said.
Elliott's gaze drifted. "A girl… she'd take after her mother, spirited, strong, brave," he smiled softly. "She'd have your eyes and your smile."
"She'd have your hair," I said, putting my hand over his and gently kissing him on the cheek, "and your nose."
"And if we have a boy he'll have my eyes and your hair," Elliott said, turning back to me and kissing my head gently. "It's amazing." He added. "The creation of new life is such a beautiful thing."
"Yes it is," I agreed.
"I always thought I'd be a bachelor my entire life," he continued. "I was ok with that, or so I thought. Then you came along and changed everything, and I am so very grateful that you did. Now I have a beautiful wife and a baby on the way, and I couldn't be happier." His emerald eyes sparkled with emotion. "I guess what I'm trying to say is, thank you."
I smiled and snuggled closer to him, setting my head on his chest. "And I thank you," I responded, "for giving me a life I never thought I'd have, and for being such a wonderful husband." My emotions got the best of me and I started crying. "I love you," I said through my tears.
He gently stroked my hair in a comforting manner. "I love you too," he said.
After that we laid in silence together, eventually falling asleep in each other's arms.