by Gina Azzi
“Okay?”
She nods.
“And we are going to talk about all the things. Like living arrangements and childcare. Of course I want your parents to be involved. But don’t for one second think that I’m not going to be actively present in my kid’s life. I want to get up overnight and change diapers, make bottles, whatever. I want this with you. And I wanted it with you before you ever told me you were pregnant. I was just too fucking scared of letting you down.”
Her eyes widen and her mouth drops open. “You’re really serious?”
“What did I just tell you?”
She licks her bottom lip, studying me. “But, but we can’t just move in together because we’re having a baby.”
“We’re not. We’re moving in together because we want to be together and our relationship is escalating to the next level. Or several levels.” I stop for a moment, trying to read the emotions swirling in her eyes. “At least, I want that. To be with you. Just you.”
“I want that too.” Her response is automatic and with no hesitation. It makes me grin.
Dropping my head, I brush a kiss over her lips. “Good. Then, we’re in agreement. We can live anywhere you want, babe.”
She glances around her space.
“I’ll even move in here if it makes you more comfortable.”
Her face snaps back to mine. “You will?”
I shrug. “I don’t care where I live as long as I’m falling asleep and waking up next to you. And I want to be with you, every night that I can, in case you need anything. Even me.”
Her eyes glimmer as she bites her bottom lip. “Noah Scotch, I never took you for a romantic.”
I chuckle, dropping my hands to her waist and squeezing lightly. “I have a lot to make up for, Little Indy.”
She tilts her neck back. “You can start right now.”
I snort but Indy isn’t laughing as she lifts onto her toes and pulls me in for a kiss. A hot, passionate, desperate kiss that causes me to growl and her to sigh.
My arms encircle her waist as she arches into me. Her fingers grasp at the back of my head. Her mouth fuses with mine and I lose myself in her kiss.
“Missed you, Noah.”
“Missed you more, baby.” I walk her backward until we’re in the doorway of her room. “Indy?”
She glances up at me, her lips red and swollen from my kiss.
“I love you.”
She smiles, her expression opening, her eyes dazzling. “I love you too, Noah. I have for a while.”
I drop my mouth to hers and kiss her for a long moment. She wiggles in my arms, tugging me through the doorframe.
“Wait.” I break our kiss, glancing at the bed. “You sure it’s”—I look down at her belly—“safe?”
She smiles and rolls her eyes. “Well, we already know what kind of parent you’re going to be.” She walks backward, pulling her sweater over her head as I unzip my jacket and let it fall to the floor.
“What kind is that?” I ask, losing my shirt next.
Indy drops back on her bed and gives me a coy smile. “The helicopter kind.”
I laugh and shake my head but in the next moment I stop. Because staring at Indiana Merrick clad in tight jeans and a black lace bra, a surge of protectiveness swells through me. She’s right. I’ll do anything for her, for our baby, for my family.
I stride to the bed and dip over her frame until she lies back. Dropping next to her, I turn her face to mine and press a gentle kiss to the tip of her nose, her cheeks, her sweet mouth. “I think you might be right.”
She laughs and tosses a leg over my hips, pulling me closer. “I’m always right, Noah Scotch.”
I nod, falling back into her arms and letting her kiss, her touch, her sunshine draw me in. “Always,” I agree.
29
Indy
It didn’t all magically snap into place because Noah Scotch staked a claim where the baby and I are concerned. But it definitely got better, easier, right. In the weeks that followed our discovery, we focused on our relationship, on each other.
I started to realize that by swearing off hockey players, I was missing out. At least where Noah’s concerned.
“Where do you think you’re going so early?” He opens one eye, followed by the other, his voice still raspy with sleep.
“Good morning, baby.” I bend down to kiss his forehead before I swipe my wallet off his nightstand.
“What time is it?” he asks, pulling himself into a seated position. The sheet slips down to his waist and I lose my breath.
“Seven. Go back to bed.”
“Wait.” He reaches for me and pulls himself from bed. “I’ll make you coffee.”
“You’re sweet but I’m saving my caffeine for this afternoon when I hit a wall.”
Noah frowns. “Still exhausted?”
I shrug. “To be expected according to Dr. Jensen. At least for another few weeks.”
“Are you sure you want to tell your family before your trip to South Asia?” he asks for the third time this week.
I nod, grinning at him. No doubt, my parents are going to want me to call off my trip. I’m sure they’re going to hover and be super overprotective, the same way Noah was until I dug my heels in. But this trip, my career, is on my terms. I know my body and I know how hard to push myself. Being pregnant definitely changes things but it doesn’t change everything and the second everyone else wraps their head around that, the easier it will be for me. “I’m sure. We’re having dinner at Mom and Dad’s on …”
“Tuesday.”
“Yes.” I snap my fingers. “Tomorrow.”
Noah chuckles and wraps his arms around me. He pulls me against his chest and presses a kiss to my shoulder. “Sure you have to go so early?”
“Yes, I need to prep before my first lecture.”
He grinds his hips against mine. “Nothing I can do to convince you to stay?”
I snort, reaching back to pinch his side. “Don’t tempt me, Scotch. You know my willpower is shaky where you’re concerned.”
“Your willpower is tough as steel where everyone is concerned,” he mutters, dropping his hold after one more kiss to the back of my neck. “Have a great morning. I’ll meet you at our spot for lunch?”
“Our spot? Don’t tell Torsten. But yeah, I’ll be there. Hey, what’s going on with Torsten anyway?” I wander into the hallway, down the stairs, and into the foyer with Noah close behind me.
“Hell if I know. Between him and my brother…” He shakes his head. “I’ll hit him up, see if he wants to grab a coffee or something.”
“Good.” I shrug into my coat. “See you later.”
“Bye, baby.” Noah smiles and my chest feels melty. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
For so long, too long, I avoided the kind of relationships that would lead to a deep commitment. I didn’t want my chest to melt or my heart to race or my nerves to zing. But Noah drew me in from that first encounter. In fact, his first kiss pulled me under. Now, I don’t even want to come up for air. Not when I can feel like this.
I smile back and leave his place, pushing into the arctic cold of December in Boston.
I walk half a block to my parked car and slip behind the steering wheel. A few months ago, a pregnancy would have rocked my world. I would have felt overwhelmed and petrified, knowing I was doing everything in the wrong order with no tick marks to cross off on my to-do list.
But with Noah, it’s different. My hand rests against my stomach and even though I’m not showing at all, I know that my tiny baby is in there. Filling me up with confidence when I anticipated doubt, giving me an edge when I’ve always held back, keeping me company so I never feel alone.
I ease my car out of the parking space and head to the university. After so many years of trying to do everything the right way, in the right order, I’ve never felt as fulfilled as I do now. I have my dream job, my dream man, and a dream come true on the way.
Noah is nervou
s.
The jittery tapping of his fingers against the island countertop along with how many times he’s cleared his throat makes me smile. His vulnerability is sweet. Even I know that this—telling your girlfriend’s parents that you got her pregnant—is out of the wheelhouse for a man, even one has tough as Noah. He clears his throat again, drawing a look from my dad, and takes a gulp of his beer.
“You sure you don’t want a drink, Indy?” Dad asks for the second time, curiosity strong in his tone.
“I’m sure. Thanks, Dad. Are we almost ready to eat?”
“I invited Aunt Mary and Uncle Joe. They should be here with the kids any minute,” Mom explains, popping a cracker topped with some fancy cranberry goat cheese on top into her mouth.
Noah chuckles under his breath. The “kids” are Austin and Claire. He relaxes slightly knowing they’re coming for our announcement. My cousins already know our news, and while Austin was concerned when he first heard, he’s since come around.
Mom helps herself to another cracker with cheese.
Damn, I want one. I can have one, right? I mean, it has to be pasteurized. I lean over the counter and reach for one, but when Noah’s eyes nearly bug out of his head, I change course and stick with a safe square of cheddar.
Jeez. Is he going to be this paranoid and protective for the next six months?
He rounds the island and his hand comes to the small of my back and rests there, comforting.
Oh, who am I kidding? I like that he’s protective of me. Just not so much when it comes to cheese…
The doorbell rings and I see the relief that floods Noah’s eyes. As Mom and Dad leave the kitchen to greet my family, I grin at Noah. “Holding up okay, Scotch?”
He yanks at the collar of his shirt. “Never been so nervous before in my life.”
I cackle. He smirks and wraps his arm more firmly around me. Looking down at me, his eyes twinkle. “I love you, Little Indy. You know that, right?”
I nod. “I do.”
“And I’m going to do everything I can to support you and your dreams and our baby.”
“I know. I love you too, Noah. Don’t worry, today is going to be fine.”
He relaxes some and gives me a quick kiss on the lips. “I’m really happy we’re having a baby, Indy.”
“What?” Dad’s voice booms behind us and Noah and I startle.
But Noah doesn’t drop his hold on me. In fact, the second my Dad’s voice rings out, Noah stiffens and straightens, turning to meet Dad head-on. “We were waiting until dinner but—”
“Oh my God, Indy! Is this true?” Mom beams, tears already collecting in the corners of her eyes, as she floats to me.
Tears swim in my eyes too as I laugh. “It’s true, Mom. We’re expecting!”
When I look back on this moment later, I think the thing that will stick with me the most is the lack of shock. I’m not saying there isn’t surprise, because there is, but it’s the best kind possible. It’s the surprise of genuine excitement and anticipation, of family members giving all of their love and support.
Mom’s arms come around me, pulling me from Noah’s hold.
Aunt Mary literally jumps up and down clapping as Uncle Joe whistles loudly. Claire offers us a knowing smile and pops a bottle of champagne she pulls out of my parents’ bar fridge. Austin shakes his head but he’s laughing at our parents and grinning at Noah and me.
“We wanted to tell you at dinner,” Noah says again, still looking at Dad. “We were waiting until Indy had the clear from her doctor before we shared our news.”
“Why? Did something happen?” Mom whispers, true fear in her voice.
I shake my head but don’t pull my eyes from Noah.
“I know this isn’t the way you probably saw this unfolding for Indy,” Noah says. Dad’s eyes narrow. “But I love her, Jeremiah. I wasn’t prepared for it, I didn’t expect it, but I’m not ever giving up on it. On her. So, Indy and I are having a baby. And”—he flashes me a smile—“we’re moving in together.”
“Oh who cares where you live as long as we can see that little baby whenever we want!” Aunt Mary flicks away Noah’s second announcement. “Tell us everything, Indy.” Her attention turns to me. “How do you feel? Any morning sickness? Savannah gave me hell with that…”
As Mom and Aunt Mary slip into a side conversation involving their pregnancies, I focus on Dad and Noah’s exchange.
“She never wanted to marry a hockey player,” Dad murmurs.
“I know,” Noah replies. He waits patiently for Dad to process the bomb he just dropped but he doesn’t back down, doesn’t drop his gaze. He just rocks back on his heels and waits.
“That Jace Edwards broke her heart.”
Noah’s jaw tightens. “Yeah.”
Dad clasps Noah on the shoulder and looks him straight in the eye. “But you’ve never been a typical hockey player, Noah. I’ve always been proud of your success on the ice and now, I’m proud of you off of it too. Congratulations, son. Welcome to the family.”
Emotion swells in my throat at the sweetest exchange in the history of my life. Top three for sure. My heart explodes for my dad, the best dad in all the land, as he welcomes Noah into our fold like it’s the most natural thing to do. Except, he means it. I can tell by his body language that he means every word he says. I watch as Noah stands just a tiny bit taller, his lips twisting as he tries to control his feelings. “Thank you, sir.” Noah sticks out a hand.
“Call me Jemmy, Noah.” Dad swats his hand away and pulls him into a hug. “You guys are going to be fine,” Dad says, patting his back. He shoots me a wink over Noah’s shoulder.
I smile and blow him a kiss, knowing we’re going to have a long chat about this later. Claire appears beside me and slips her hand in mine. “That went a million times better than I thought.”
“I think so too,” I whisper back.
“How you feeling?” Austin asks from my other side.
“Happy.”
My cousins smile. Austin pulls me into a side hug. “I never thought I’d say this but you and Scotch make a really great couple.”
“Thanks, Aus.”
“He’s good for you, Indy.” Austin grins at me. “And you’re really great for him.”
The three of us laugh before Claire grabs a tray with the champagne flutes she poured out. “A toast!”
Of course, my family’s chatter halts as everyone’s eyes swivel toward the alcohol. Claire passes out flutes, even handing one to me and winking to let me know it’s non-alcoholic. Still, Noah pales and steps forward.
Claire swats his hand away. “It’s fine, Noah. Non-alcoholic, sparkling wine.” She points over her shoulder at the bottle on the counter.
He visibly relaxes as my family howls.
“And so it begins…” Uncle Joe tells him.
“You’ll have to watch these two like a hawk,” Dad agrees, pointing to Claire and me.
“Oh, don’t worry about anything. Indy knows what she’s doing,” Aunt Mary decides, her confidence in me surprisingly unshakeable considering I slept my hangover off on her couch in club clothes only a few months ago.
Dad raises his glass toward Noah and me. “The best surprises in life are the ones you don’t see coming, the ones you don’t wait around for, the ones that happen with those who matter most. Family. We’re so proud of you, Indiana. Always. I know you’ll be an amazing mom and give your baby all the love in the world. Noah, we couldn’t be happier that you’re the man standing at Indy’s side. Welcome, son.” Tears spring to Mom and Aunt Mary’s eyes and Uncle Joe clears his throat.
Claire rolls her eyes but beams at me.
“And not to make it about us,” Dad continues. “But we’re really ready for a grandkid!”
Austin chuckles, Uncle Joe shouts out “hear hear,” and Noah wraps me in his arms.
“Cheers!” My family members clink their flutes together and everyone drinks to our health and happiness.
I snuggle deeper into Noah�
��s embrace, sipping at my sparkling wine.
“You’re the best part of my life, Indy,” Noah whispers in my ear. “Always, no matter what, forever, it’s me plus you plus our baby.”
I tip my head back and smile up at him. “You’re such a sweet talker, Scotch.”
He kisses my forehead. “How else could I have gotten you into my—”
Austin, standing the closest to us, clears his throat and Noah and I laugh.
“Oh! The roast!” Mom says moments before I notice the smoke coming out of the oven door. Mom lunges for it and the kitchen begins to fill with smoke.
Aunt Mary runs for the windows. The smoke detector begins to beep, filling the kitchen with a loud sound.
Claire throws her head back and laughs, filling her champagne flute.
“I’ll order some pizzas,” Dad says, pulling his phone from his pocket. He glances at me. “Can you eat pizza, Indy?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
He smiles. “Love you, kid.”
“Love you more.”
Noah’s hands settle on my hips as I tilt my head back once more. “Welcome to the chaos, Noah.”
“Oh, it’s gonna get a lot more chaotic than this,” Uncle Joe says, looking pointedly at my stomach.
“I can’t wait,” Noah says, kissing the top of my head.
I know he means it. All of it.
I can’t wait either.
30
Noah
One Week Later
“You sure you got everything?” I ask for the third time since we arrived at the airport.
Indy grins at me. “I’m sure. Honestly, you don’t have to worry.”
“I’ll always worry,” I mutter, checking out the students she’s traveling with. Two of the guys seem strong enough to lift her in an emergency and one of the girls definitely ticks all the boxes in the over-preparedness column. Still, anxiety threads through my limbs, making me jittery with worry.
Indy’s palm cups my cheek and I drag my eyes back to her. “I love that you worry.”
