Prologue
Prologue
“You looked so good going across that stage, babe,” Simon tells me as he slides into the fold out chair beside me.
Sitting in these chairs just for the hour-long graduation rehearsal was tough, I couldn’t imagine how my ass was going to feel after the two hour ceremony tomorrow.
His usual grin is on his face, his dimples so deep it’s almost mesmerizing. “Oh, yes, I’m sure I looked good while I panted my way across it,” I smirk, my hand running over my very large and round stomach instinctively.
“That’s just this little girl letting us know she’s about to be done cooking,” he says, his hand rubbing over my belly before he leans down to place a kiss there.
I shake my head at him, but I’m smiling so wide it almost hurts my cheeks.
That happens a lot with Simon. I smile so much it causes physical discomfort.
It was well worth it, though.
“I’m just glad she decided to stay put until after graduation.”
“I kind of hope your water breaks right as you walk across. That’d be a hell of a story for our ten year reunion.”
My eyes go wide and I tell the baby growing in my belly, “Please don’t do that to your mommy, okay?”
When I look up, Simon is just watching me, grinning still.
I catch him doing this often. Watching me and smiling, like he can’t quite believe I’m real.
The feeling is mutual. Because I swear sometimes this dark haired, blue eyed boy next to me is just too perfect to be real.
I lean over to place a chaste kiss on his lips, remembering that we’re in our high school gym surrounded by classmates and teachers and technically PDA is against school policy beyond hand holding, which feels like a weird rule to follow when you’re one good sneeze away from giving birth.
He places his arm around my shoulder and I lay my head against his as he says, “I’m ready to get out of here.” When I give him a quizzical look he clarifies, “Out of high school. I’m ready to have our baby here with us and to start college. Start our lives together,” he says, placing a kiss on my head. The small gesture makes me feel as it always does. Safe. Loved.
“Uh, pretty sure our life has already begun,” I tease, motioning to my stomach.
“Fair enough. You know what I mean though. I can’t wait to live together, to get married-”
“Oh,” I interrupt, “Are you proposing?”
“Obviously. You know, once I have the money for the ring. Would it be weird to use graduation money to buy an engagement ring?”
“Yeah, a little, but I’m fine with it,” I smirk.
Simon’s eyes gleam when he looks down to me, his adorable dimples caved in because he’s once again smiling so brightly. “I love you. We’re going to have the best life together.”
I say to hell with the PDA rules once again, leaning up to meet his lips with mine. Like always, it’s hell pulling away from him. “I love you more. And just so you know, I’d say yes to your proposal even without a ring.”
