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Of course you had to find out this week. This week of all weeks. The week Marcus and the rest of the supes were off in the hills for some training and team building getaway. This annual retreat is important, both to him and the rest of the Heroics, but what you’ve just confirmed is pretty damned important, too.
You think about waiting until he gets home to tell him, but you don’t think you can keep it to yourself for another three days. No, this news can’t wait. Rather than shlep all the way up to the mountains to disturb him yourself, you opt for a better option. A fun one.
You being you, the crafty (in so many ways) queen that you are, you assemble a little care package for your heroic hubby and let FedEx do the rest.
***
Your phone buzzes at around 8 p.m., that rapid fire series of beeps signifying an incoming FaceTime call. You answer right away and hold your breath until Marcus’s handsome features fill the screen.
“Well, good evening, Mrs. Moreno.”
“Good evening to you, Mr. Moreno. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”
“Finding out to what I owe the pleasure of—to what do I owe—to what…..why you sent me this curious little package.”
He directs his phone down to the brown paper wrapped box sitting on his pillow, then his face comes back into view, one brow arched with curiosity.
“You haven’t opened it yet, have you?”
“Your instructions said, in no uncertain terms, not to do so until you can watch me do so. Hence the video call.”
“Thank you for waiting,” you grin.
“Is it a kinky thing?” He waggles his perfectly sculpted brows seductively.
“Far from it,” you laugh. “Wishful thinking?”
“Always.”
With a shake of your head, you give him the green light to tear into the mystery gift, doing your best impression of a drumroll as he shreds the outer layer of wrapping.
You watch his face transition from sheer excitement to utter confusion, the change almost comically instantaneous.
“Um…..thank you?”
He holds the contents of the box in view: one of those super cheesy mugs that reads “World’s Greatest Dad”. But on this one you’ve added a little artistic detail. Below those three iconic words you’ve written “x 2” in bold, red Sharpie.
“I know, I know, you already know how great you are, Marcus. The statement bears no repeating. But believe me when I say there’s a second meaning behind the mug.”
“Well, I get that you’re trying to be cute about something, but I’m afraid I’m lost as to what it is.”
You roll your eyes playfully.
“You’re a smart man, Marcus. I’m sure you can figure it out. Here’s a hint: focus your attention on the ‘times two’ portion of the mug.”
You watch, holding your breath, as he studies the mug more thoroughly, his brow furrowing in concentration, brown eyes glazing over a bit.
“Come on, honey,” you encourage. “World’s Greatest Dad , times two .”
“Call me an idiot,” he finally relents, “because I’m just not getting it. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
You sigh heavily with feigned disappointment.
“Oh, well. Maybe you just need to think on it a little more. It might make more sense in time. Maybe in about….9 months. Give or take a week or two.”
Marcus’s befuddled face flits between you and the mug, you and the mug, you and the mug, until at last his eyes go wide with comprehension.
“No.”
There it is.
“Yes.”
“Nooooo.”
“Yes.”
“Are you? Are you really? Are you certain?”
You hold the plastic stick up to the camera for him to see, making certain that the little “+”sign is well within view.
“Pretty positive .”
Marcus slaps a hand over his mouth to stifle what is either a sob or laugh, but sounds more like something in between.
“I’m going to be a dad. Again.”
“And I’m going to be a mom.”
“An amazing one,” he assures you with watery eyes.
You feel your own joyful tears threatening to make an escape as Marcus sends you his love, gratitude, and encouragement from afar, all with a single look.
“Just get home soon, Marcus, so we can celebrate properly. And break the news to the big-sister-to-be.”
He brings his fingertips to his lips and then taps them fleetingly against the camera.
“I’ll be back before you know it. I can’t wait to get my arms around you. All three of you. My family.”
“And your family will be waiting.”