Grace Carter's POV
As we drove back home neither of us hurried to fill the void.
It was not the awkward one who was once between us.
It's the quiet, after a good day, that's not about proving anything.
The radio was humming quietly in the background and the lights of the city were coming on outside the window.
I leaned my head against the front of the passenger seat and gave Ethan my attention.
One arm was held to the steering wheel.
The other one came to my aid almost instinctively until it reached the centre console.
He didn't say a word.
He only twined our hands together.
I smiled to myself.
When I saw this version of Ethan, 6 months ago, I didn't think I'd ever see it again.
Not billionaire that everyone loved.
Just... the guy who was holding my hand at red lights.
---
On arriving at the penthouse, Maria was already home that night.
The apartment was warm, and the candle that I had forgotten to blow out the morning before had an air of soft vanilla in the air.
Ethan let go his tie and said, "I'll make dinner for you.
I blinked.
"You cook?"
His expression was slightly displeased.
I can follow directions.
It's not the same thing.
"It's worked in college."
I'm not sure that billionaire CEOs are very experienced with making dinner.
I'm not a billionaire," said the billionaire.
I was taken aback by his smile.
For an entire semester, I was eating instant noodles.
I laughed.
Now, I really do have a need to see this!
---
Forty minutes later...
Now I wished I regretted nothing.
The kitchen resembled a mini tornado had gone through it.
On the counter there was flour.
Ethan has a tomato sauce on his sleeve.
A wooden spoon that is lying in the fruit bowl somehow.
I pressed against the island, my laughter even causing my belly to ache.
You're making some pretty bad messes here.
"I'm creating atmosphere."
That's one word for it, said the man.
I would rather say 'creative process.
This is one phrase you've never heard in a board meeting.
He smiled.
"No."
Two bowls of pasta were in his hands, and he was carrying them over his shoulder as he walked.
"Never laughed so much in a board meeting!
Simple words were used.
But they lingered.
---
Then we sat down together on the sofa in front of the living room fireplace after dinner.
The TV was on an old romantic comedy, neither of us watching.
I wrapped my legs with a blanket, and placed my head on the cushions.
"I'm exhausted."
You walked for 3 hours.
I spent 3 hours looking at fish.
"That sounds like a lot of physical exertion," he said.
"It absolutely is."
He chuckled.
It has been easier to speak in the last few days.
Less forced.
More... him.
I spied him watching me.
"What?"
"You have been smiling all day."
"So have you."
He looked away.
"I guess I have."
---
I laid my hand instinctively on my belly.
Our baby had been very active since we had left the aquarium.
"Someone's awake."
Ethan glanced over.
"The baby?"
I nodded.
"They've been kicking the night away."
His face went from one expression to another.
Curiosity and a certain intrigue...
Hope...
And hesitation.
"I've never..."
He stopped.
"What?"
I don't feel it.
I blinked.
"You haven't?"
So, you tell me after it occurs,"
Regret fell on me.
He was right.
It was just never had worked out.
I stretched out my hand toward him.
"Come here."
---
He moved towards her on the sofa.
"So..."
He asked carefully.
"What do I do?"
I couldn't help the smile playing on my lips.
"You will know what to do if you don't need instructions."
"I usually do."
Simply place your hand in this spot.
I led his big hand to my side of my belly.
His hand lay there awkwardly.
Almost timidly.
As if he had to be careful not to push too deep.
We waited.
Nothing.
He looked at me.
"I don't think—"
Thump.
His body became as cold as ice.
His gaze darted to my eyes.
"...Was that...?"
I was unable to reply—
Thump.
Another kick.
Stronger this time.
His mouth gaped.
"Oh..."
It came out as a barely audible sound.
"Oh my God."
---
He didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Didn't breathe.
His hand stayed firmly in the same position, as if he didn't want to move, because he feared that this may pass.
Then...
Our baby started kicking again.
This time it was Ethan's turn to laugh.
It wasn't loud.
It wasn't polished.
This laughing was of the kind where someone would flinch in case they were caught laughing.
Did you hear that, "he said, "Did you feel that?"
I cried tears of laughter.
I have been feeling it for weeks!
"No..."
He shook his head slowly, not letting his hand off.
"I mean..."
His voice cracked.
"...did you feel what I just felt?"
I couldn't help but let the tears stream down my cheeks.
"Yes."
"I did."
---
He glanced at my tummy as if he's never seen it before.
"Our baby..."
He said in a trembling voice, "You can't be serious.
Our baby has just called us hello.
I nodded.
"I think so."
Gently he touched my sweater with his thumb.
"So tiny."
"So determined."
"They already take after you."
I laughed.
"How exactly?"
"They've been asking me for my attention for weeks."
---
The room was silent once more.
Even it wasn't empty, though.
It was full.
We both had no words for it, it was filled with something.
Ethan swallowed hard.
It was so much of this pregnancy that I was worried about.
"About what?"
But would I be enough?
He just continued to look at my tummy.
I kept thinking to myself that the day our baby came into the world, dad would start her life.
His eyes shimmered.
"I didn't realize..."
He looked at me.
"...it's already begun."
I lifted my hand and brushed away a tear which has rolled down his cheek.
He didn't even appear to notice it.
"I don't cry."
He smiled sheepishly.
"You literally are."
"I know."
He laughed softly.
"I just..."
This time, his voice snapped.
For all my life, I have been at the helm of the business.
"Buying buildings."
"Closing deals."
"And none of it..."
He turned his gaze on our little one.
But, none of it is as great as one little kick...
I leaned over and kissed his cheek,
It doesn't take a genius to be a good boy, Ethan.
"I know."
It's all about persistence, ''showing up,'' as they say.
He nodded slowly.
"I will."
There wasn't a trace of hesitation in his voice.
Not this time.
"I promise."
Later that night, when we were putting our kids to bed, I spotted him standing alone in the nursery.
A small lamp lit the room, providing dim light.
His hand was placed gently on the little crib we had put up.
I didn't make a sound as I walked in.
I have been talking to the baby.
I smiled.
"Oh?"
He seemed like he was a little embarrassed.
Not certain if babies can hear this early.
"There are voices that they can hear."
"Good."
He turned around to the crib.
"That we would let our small one know something."
"What?"
His eyes met mine.
Perhaps, I don't know how to be a daddy just yet.
He placed one hand on his heart.
"But..."
He was speaking softly.
Steady.
"Already I love them more than I could have ever imagined."
I approached him and put my hand in his.
I took it back to my belly then.
It was as though it were waiting for them...
Our baby once again began kicking.
This time...
We both laughed.
And I had a realization for the first time since our unexpected trip, that something beautiful had happened.
My baby was not only growing in me, but they were.
I was in the company of a father who was growing.