I smiled as I watched Zadie walk her laps around the edge of the skate park, trying to convince our daughter to make an appearance before her doctor forced the issue. She’d tried everything. So had I.
Well, almost everything.
There was still one more step I’d been waiting to take. A three-stone engagement ring that had been burning a hole in my pocket for months.
Every day, I fought the urge to drop to one knee and just ask her. Every moment of waiting felt like wasted time. But I wanted to do it right. So I was being patient. Taking it slow.
“Caleb!” Abby called from across the flat section. “Can I try a trick? Going straight is too easy.”
“You think you’re a pro already?”
“No.” She grinned. “But I’m bored.”
“You’re not ready for tricks,” I told her, and her expression fell. “But how about you help me with one of mine?”
“Really?” She bounced on her toes.
“Go sit right there.” I pointed. “Don’t move a muscle.”
She planted herself exactly where I’d directed, eyes wide with anticipation.
“We’ll give your mom and my girls a show.”
“Yes!”
“You cannot move,” I warned. “Or the trick doesn’t work.”
There was no trick, really. I hit the ramps a couple of times, flew through a flip that got Abby clapping, then rode circles around her, carving figure eights that made her shriek with delight.
I launched off the ramp one more time, savoring the weightless moment at the top—that split second of suspended gravity that still felt like freedom—before landing clean and racing back toward Abby.
She wasn’t where I’d left her.
She was up, moving toward me, her face frozen in an expression I couldn’t read.
I veered hard to the right, avoiding her. “Abby! You weren’t supposed to move. I could’ve hurt you.”
“But—” Her eyes were huge. “Zadie.”
I whipped around.
She was still by the edge of the park, one arm draped over Chantel’s shoulders, the other clutching her belly. Melanie was at her other side, rubbing her back.
“Zadie!” I yelled, the board already forgotten on the ground behind me.
“Her water broke!” Chantel shouted back.
“Is the baby coming now?” Abby grabbed my arm.
“I think so.” I looked down at her and couldn’t stop the grin. “I think so, yeah.”
“You’re going to be a dad!” She was practically vibrating. “I can’t wait to meet your baby!”
“Me neither.” I squeezed her hand, then let go and ran.
“Cal.” Zadie reached for me as I skidded to a stop in front of her. Her face was flushed, her eyes wild, her hand outstretched.
“I’m here.” I took her fingers and held on. “I’m right here.”