“That’s a pretty great birthday gift.”
“Yeah. The best one, honestly. I feel lighter.”
She laces her fingers with mine, her voice soft but sure. “You deserve that, Rasmus.”
I hold her gaze, my chest tightening in the best way. “We both do.”
She lets our hands rest there a moment longer before easing back, a little spark in her eyes. “Good thing I’m not finished spoiling you yet.”
I huff a quiet laugh. “Should I be worried?”
“Just so you know, my love language is gift-giving.” She gets up, retrieves the gift bags from the pantry where she’d hidden them and returns to the couch. “I picked something for you.”
“You didn’t have to do this. I can’t even remember the last time someone got me a birthday present.”
“That makes me sad,” she says quietly and places a gift in front of me. “Here’s the first one.”
Opening it, I find a high-quality leather journal with engraved coordinates.
“This is gorgeous.” I trace the numbers and tilt my head. “Where’s this place?”
“That’s the rink where you skated at as a kid.”
“How did you know?” I ask in awe.
“I actually texted your aunt and asked her.”
Her thoughtfulness makes me choke up. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Open the next one.”
I do as she says and open the bigger bag. Inside it, there’s a cozy loungewear set.
“I noticed your old hoodie had some holes, so I got you a new set,” she explains.
“You saved me a trip to the store,” I joke, smoothing a hand over the set.
“Not everyone can enjoy shopping, I guess.” She sighs playfully and hands me another smaller bag. “Okay, now here’s something fun.”
I raise an eyebrow but take the present from her hands. It’s light and whatever’s inside is folded carefully. I reach in and pull out a touristy white T-shirt that readsDaddy’s Little Meatball.
“No fucking way. You actually got me one?”
“Keep going. There’s more,” she gets out between laughs, practically bouncing on her seat.
My fingers brush soft cotton on the bottom of the bag. I take out the piece of clothing and smile to myself realizing the second part of the gift. It’s a matching onesie with the same design, only in mini size.
I just stare at it for a moment, my thoughts running wild. I can’t believe we are actually having a baby. Half her and half me.
“It’s ridiculous,” Haisley says, filling the silence. “But I saw it and I had to get one.”
“No, I love it,” I say, my voice rougher than expected. “It’s just so small. Impossibly tiny.”
“Babies are small.”
“Yeah, but—” I stop, shaking my head as I rest the onesie over my palm. “In a few months, someone’s gonna beinthis. Not only someone, but our kid.”
I glance up at her. There’s a softness in her face that steadies something in me.
