You daydreamed about telling people and pictured their reactions. Your stomach got small fluttering butterflies when thinking about Rhett decorating a spare room. You thought about this very scenario, right here in the bathroom, of Rhett crouching beside you, as you both awaited the results with baited breath.

Every way that you looked at it, it wasn’t the worst thing in the world right now.

You and Rhett had been together for over three years. Two years ago, it wouldn’t have been right, but since then you’ve both toyed with the idea of spending forever together. For the past year, you’ve been saving for your own home together. Last week you contacted the local estate agent to move ahead with these plans. By the time you would have moved in together, your nine months would soon be up.

“…It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world right now.”

Rhett replied in a beat. “I agree. It wouldn’t.”

His response made your face light up. You quickly shot a hopeful look at him, your heart rising with relief that he too thought the same as you. “Maybe two years ago…”

“Yeah, it wouldn’t have been right. We talked about it, I remember. But now, wi’ the house ‘nd everythin’…” Rhett was so eager to agree with you.

It came from a place of wanting to reassure your racing brain (because he could see in your eyes how you were pacing around in your head) and because he too, was just as giddy at the same prospect.

“It could work. It could work, right, Rhett?” Your gaze widened at him, as you internally double-checked that he was onboard with you and this exciting opportunity.

“Yeah, darlin’. Absolutely.” He nodded with a hopeful smile matching your own, his eyes crinkling up in the corners, in familiar lines. He pressed his forehead against yours and you stayed connected like that for a moment, letting the telling silence wash over you both.

You were both pulled out of your little world when you heard Cecilia’s voice booming up the stairs.

“Rhett?!”

“Yea’, Mom?!” He hollered back.

“Dinners on th’ table.” Her voice faded away as she hurried back to the kitchen.

“Be there in a minute.” He half heartedly called out, knowing that she was already gone.

He brought his head back to yours and placed a tender kiss on your forehead. His hands found yours in your lap and his thumb rubbed those little reassuring circles over your skin.

He broke the silence once more. “C’mon, let’s go eat.”

You had forgotten for a moment that you were still sitting on the toilet with your underwear around your ankles. Rhett slipped them up your legs as you let out a quiet snicker.

Once you were fully dressed again and that the pregnancy test had been buried deep enough into the bin, he drew you into a close and loving embrace, in the small and quiet space of the bathroom. You could hear his heartbeat thrum rhythmically under his cotton t-shirt, as he held your head against his broad chest.

“Can we talk about this more later, baby?” You mumbled against the fabric, trying to burrow yourself deeper into him.

“Sure, my darlin’.” His large hand smoothed over the back of your head, with careful reassurance. “You got baby names ready, or somethin’?” He lightheartedly joked with a chuckle.

You pulled back to look at him with snorted laughter. His lips had quirked up into a playful grin.

This was a side of Rhett that anyone was rarely privy to. He was humorous and so deeply loving. Any laughter that came from him sang like a sweet serenade to your ears.

This was the Rhett that you wanted to share a home with, share a child with, and share the rest of your life with. When you would go downstairs to eat dinner with his family, a large portion of him would shut off. You wanted to see him be whole.