Paige narrates.
After the night we spent together, I can say that I feel like I'm on cloud nine or in a dream. It's as if I'm living in a different reality. I'm afraid to open my eyes and realize that I didn't dare to hold his hand and that we didn't spend the night together.
I feel kisses on my neck, and I realize that it did happen, that I am with Mason, and that this time I hope everything will be different from what we've experienced before. I have hope that we can finally be happy and that it will be forever.
I don't want to open my eyes; I want to stay in this bed forever by his side and make up for all the time we've lost due to past mistakes.
"Good morning," Mason says, smiling, and I think it's the sexiest version of him I've seen in all the time I've known him.
"Good morning," I reply, blushing.
"I want to take advantage of the fact that you've just woken up to tell you something important," he says nervously.
"Okay, I'm listening," I reply, sitting on the bed.
"The first thing I want you to know is that I love you deeply, and my lifetime won't be enough to ask for your forgiveness for all the harm I caused you and the mistakes I made. I'm going to make the most of this opportunity you're giving me in a way that leaves no doubt in your mind about accepting me back into your life. I will repay you every day for this dream you're fulfilling for me because you are the dream of my life, and our baby is the fruit of our love. I want to wake up every day and see your face first, and when you open your eyes, say 'I love you' so you never forget it. Every minute or second by your side is a drop that tastes like glory to me. You are my home, to which I will always return.
The time I spent without you was like living without air; I felt like I couldn't go on living. My love for you knows no time. Be certain that you will always be in my heart, my soul, and my mind. Thank you for allowing me to dream again of the life I want with you," he says, looking at me with a sparkle in his eyes that is about to make me cry.
"You don't have to thank me. I believe we both made mistakes in the past and didn't appreciate what we had. This time, we're different. Now, it will be genuine," I reply, excited by his words.
"Do you want to hear a story?" he asks, kissing my hand.
"Yes," I reply, smiling at his whimsical idea.
"Once upon a time, there was you and me," he says as if that's the whole story.
"Is that all there is to the story?" I ask, curious.
"Yes, that's it," he responds, smiling.
"Doesn't it have an ending?" I ask again.
"No, and that's the best part. We don't have an ending. We'll have an eternal love," he says, embracing me, kissing my belly, and then my lips.
We arrive at the clinic, and the doctor explains that we should move to the examination table where he will check if the baby cooperates and reveals itself. My stomach feels tense with nerves.
He applies the gel as usual, and Mason takes my hand, squeezing it tightly, though not too tight.
"Let's see if we can get a full view of this baby," the doctor says, moving the ultrasound device.
We fall into anxious and nervous silence. The doctor adjusts the screen and smiles, saying, "Allow me to introduce your new little one, who finally revealed their privacy to their parents."
I hear his words, but it feels like he needs to repeat them because I don't react. I sit in a bubble, staring at the monitor where it supposedly shows that it's a girl, but I can't see it. I have only a few months left until she is born, and then I can have her in my arms and fall in love at first sight.
After the check-up, the doctor congratulates us, and we say our goodbyes, heading to see Riley's little son. We can only observe him through the glass since he's under observation for his well-being. This keeps Lucas and Riley in the hospital all day.
We don't share the news about our baby's gender with them; we don't want to steal their thunder. We want to find a way to reveal it when we're all together. We still have three months until she's born, and finding her name is the most important task.
Mason hasn't stopped talking about our daughter. I see the excitement in his eyes, and it only makes me fall more in love with him. He's already thinking about the room color, furniture, and everything related to her. I take his hand because he keeps talking non-stop about it, which I enjoy, but it's starting to overwhelm me.
Once we're back home, we sit down to search for information about possible names for our daughter. We want something symbolic, with a meaning that's significant to us. It's a challenging task, but we spend the rest of the day immersed in this quest.
We share our opinions, and when one says something the other doesn't like, even then, Mason says some funny things just to make me laugh. I love that about him and how he always manages to bring a smile to my face.
After spending the whole day searching for a name, we can finally say that we have one. Our beautiful daughter will be named Maia, which means "the desired and beloved daughter" in Nepali. We both love it.