Chapter 33: The Adventure of Us

NADIA

I’d been waiting for close to a month for this issue of our magazine. Theo’s article was supposed to be the focus article.

He wouldn’t tell me anything about it. I asked Bill for a copy as soon as it printed, and Bill had one waiting for me when I stopped by this morning.

I waited until I got home to open it. I wanted to read it without interruption, and since Theo and Nathan were out, it was the perfect time to read it.

~Falling in Love Through the Eyes of a Nomad~

~By Theodore Hart~

~I grew up being independent. My parents made sure we knew how to do things on our own.~

~I think in some way they knew they would leave us behind at a young age. What they weren’t able to teach was how to love.~

~I always thought loving someone meant you had to give up your life, that you couldn’t do what you wanted because you had a responsibility. It wasn’t until recently that someone proved me wrong.~

~I spent most of my young adult life traveling, living in hotels and Airbnb apartments. I met this girl who I thought was full of herself and unadventurous.~

~Our boss forced us to work together, and I thought the assignment was going to be a waste of my time because she refused to travel. But somehow I fell in love with her. She stole my heart before I even knew she had it.~

~Over the few weeks we worked together, I wanted more of her and quickly realized I could live life and be in love with someone. I could have a family and not miss out.~

~I realized she is my adventure. An adventure I didn’t know existed, an adventure that never gets boring, and an adventure that I love more than words can express.~

~We are far from perfect, but we are perfect for each other. For the first time in my life, I wanted to settle down because it felt right, because I wanted to be around for her, and because she needed someone who was stable, who wouldn’t leave her.~

~In the short time we have been together, she has taken me down a path I didn’t see, one I thought was going to be difficult, but she makes it easy. She is an amazing woman who deserves the world because she is my world and my lifelong adventure.~

~So, to those who are afraid to love, to settle down, to call a place home—open your eyes because the one person who can change that for you may be in front of you.~

~For those of you who are avid readers of mine, don’t worry, there is more to come from me.~

I wasn’t expecting the article to be about us.

“I see you read my article,” Theo said, standing at the door and looking at me.

“Why didn’t you tell me it was about us?”

“I wanted you to read the final draft. I wanted you to see what I meant. I love you. You, Nathan, and this baby are my life. You’re giving me an adventure I didn’t know I was missing.”

I was crying. I knew pregnant people hated being called crazy, but these hormones made you crazy.

“I love you too,” I said, and kissed him.

“What did I walk into?” Nathan yelled out as he walked toward the room.

“I might have to ask Jay if I can move in, if you guys keep this up,” he mumbled.

Even though I laughed, I felt bad. He found PDA between adults gross, and he didn’t get a break.

“Do you want to go out for dinner? The three of us could celebrate. Nathan can even pick the place to make it better for him,” Theo asked.

I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my evening. Spending time with Nathan and Theo was exactly what I needed.

I wanted as much time with them as possible before this baby came.

***

“Good job picking this place,” Theo told Nathan.

“Thanks. Since we don’t eat out often, I figured I would pick a place that is popular with my friends.”

“How about we eat out once a week and you can pick each time?”

“Really! Even if you think it’s a gross place?”

“Even if I think it’s a gross place.”

“Awesome. I’m going to choose sushi next week. I’ve always wanted to try it.”

I couldn’t help but smile at the two of them. Nathan loved Theo and treated him like the older brother he never had.

“Are you okay with that?” Nathan asked.

“Only if we get ice cream afterward.”

Nathan looked at Theo, waiting for a reply.

“Ice cream sounds like a plan. How about we stop for some on the way home?”

This was how it was supposed to be, and I couldn’t wait to add a baby to this family.