Page 120 of The October Arrangement

I walked over to the couch and sat beside her. She brought her hand up and ran her fingers through my hair.

“What have you been thinking about?” she asked.

“That we’re going to fuck this kid up.”

She laughed again.

“I’m serious, Bella.”

“Simon, we’ve known I’m pregnant for less than an hour.”

“So? It doesn’t change the fact that we’re probably going to fuck it up somehow.”

“Your confidence as a future father is inspiring.” She rolled her eyes.

“Think about it for a second. We both have issues,” I said.

“Excuse me?” She cocked her head.

“You know we do, sweetheart.”

“I have considerably fewer issues than you,” she said.

“That’s debatable. Especially since you started working for MDG.”

She bopped her head back and forth. “Maybe. What exactly are you afraid we’re going to do to this child?”

“I don’t know yet. That’s the problem.”

“No couple in the world could foresee that,” she said.

“I’d prefer if I could.”

“Of course you would.” She laughed.

“I like being prepared. You know that.”

“You can’t prepare for everything in life, Simon.”

“I hate when you say that.” I frowned.

“Because it’s true, babe.” She smiled.

“I’ll probably be too strict out of fear,” I sighed.

“Definitely.” She replied way too quickly.

“Really?” My brow raised. “You didn’t even think about what I said.”

“Because I’ve met you.” She grinned.

“I’m not that controlling, Bella.”

“You wrote out ten rules I had to follow in order to live in your home for one month.”

“You were a stranger. I couldn’t trust you not to disrupt my life.”

“You gave me a tiny cabinet to keep my food in because I wasn’t allowed in the rest of your cabinets.” She laughed. “And you wouldn’t let me have guests over. Oh God, our child is screwed.”