He breathes out a sigh of relief. “Oh, good. I broke probably ten traffic laws trying to get here.” He takes a seat beside me.
“Don’t do that,” I scold, reaching over to touch his face. “I’d rather have you in one piece than at my appointment.”
“Noted.” He rests his hands on knees.
“How was practice?” I ask.
“Exhausting,” he replies. “Coach is drilling us hard, but hey, it’s expected. He gets more determined every year, I swear.”
“But you love it,” I state.
“I sure do.” He smiles up at me. “But not as much as I love you.”
I push his shoulder. “Ew, stop.”
He chuckles as the door swings open.
“Hi, how are you?” The ultrasound technician asks. It’s a different one than I had last time. She has pretty red hair, freckles, and kind eyes.
“I’m good, how are you?”
“Just fine.” She smiles. “How have you been feeling? How’s the morning sickness—it’s noted on your chart from last time that it’s been really bad.”
I wave my hand back in forth. “It’s better, but I still have moments where a smell or something becomes too much. I’ve had a couple days where I’ve felt nauseous all day, but thankfully that seems to have passed.”
“All right, well lie back and we’ll get a look at your baby, and if you have any questions after then we’ll go over them.”
At my last appointment, I was ten weeks, and the baby still looked like a blob with vague arm and leg-like features.
She squirts the goo on my belly and I jump, expecting it to be cold like last week but it’s surprisingly warm.
She laughs. “I’m nice and warm it up for you.”
She turns the computer screen to us and grabs the wand, pressing it to my stomach.
She moves it around and then the baby comes onto the screen.
“Oh, my God,” I breathe, tears filling my eyes. “That’s really a baby.”
This week there’s no mistaking the tiny human growing inside me. This is the first time I’ve really and truly been completely overcome by the sight.
She presses a button and the sound of the heartbeat fills the air around us. It sounds strong, and fast, and entirely precious.
I look over at Xander, and he has a hand pressed to his mouth, his eyes filling with tears.
“That’s our baby,” I whisper, not even cringing at the word baby.
His eyes drift to mine. “It’s perfect.”
“Look, Mom and Dad,” the technician speaks. “Baby is waving at you.”
I gasp when I look back at the screen, because she’s right, it does look exactly like the baby is waving.
“Let me get a picture of that for you.” She presses a few buttons on her computer. “Got it.”
“That’s amazing,” Xander murmurs, looking from me to our baby.
She finishes up her measurements and the screen goes blank as she removes the wand, the sound of the heartbeat leaving with it.
She wipes the goo off my stomach and smiles kindly. “Do you have any questions for me?”
“Will we find out the gender at my next appointment?”
She nods. “You’ll be eighteen weeks, so it’s possible.”
Excitement fills my belly. I can’t wait to know if it’s a boy or girl.
“Any other questions?” I shake my head and look at Xander, in case he has any. He shakes his head too. “Okay, then. You can get cleaned up and just head to the desk to make your next appointment.”
My next appointment where I’ll find out if I’m having a son or daughter.
Whoa.
She leaves the room, and I remove the sheet, pulling my dress down over my belly.
Xander sticks with me as I check out and make my appointment and then walks me to my car.
“See you at home.” He bends and kisses my cheek before turning and heading for his truck.
Butterflies explode in my stomach.
We’ve been together for three years and my husband still manages to make me feel all fluttery inside.
“Shit,” I say, suddenly. “Mommy didn’t say shit,” I add a moment later, looking down at my tiny bump.
But Xander and I totally forgot our anniversary. We always celebrate both—the one where we got married in Vegas, and then again in August when we got married in front of all our family.
With the excitement of the afterglow of our vacation, the chaos of the move, and then baby, it slipped both our minds.
Also, pregnancy brain is totally a thing because I forgot where I put my toothpaste the other morning.
It was in the drawer, where it always is, for the record.
I finally get in my car and head home. Xander has beaten me there, since I stood in the parking lot for so long. I head inside and find him out back with Prue.
“Hey,” he greets.
I take a seat on the deck step, since we haven’t gotten an outdoor set yet.
“We forgot our anniversary,” I announce.
“No we didn’t, it’s August eighteenth.”
I shake my head. “No, the other one.”
His lips part. “Oh.”
“Yeah,” I grumble. “I feel better that you forgot too, because you never forget that kind of thing.”
He chuckles and takes the ball from Prue, tossing it for her to catch. “We’ve had a lot going on. So what do you want to do for our belated anniversary?”
I grin. “Let’s keep it simple—Jaws and McFlurries.” I do a little dance where I sit, because McFlurries are the best.
He smiles, throwing the ball again. “Sounds good to me.”
We’ve probably watched Jaws at least two-hundred times—at least it feels like it—but it never gets old.
“I’ll get the ice cream,” he says, taking the ball from Prue and starting back to the house. “You get the movie and popcorn ready.”
I clap, excited. “I can handle that.”
I hop up and follow him inside.
He grabs his car keys and heads out, taking Prue with him since she loves to ride in the car.
I put the popcorn into the microwave and get some drinks ready. By the time Xander gets back, I have our popcorn and drinks set up on a tray on the couch and the movie is ready to go.
Prue comes running in and jumps up on the couch.
“Hey, girl.” I pet her head and she snuggles beside me.
Xander hands me my Oreo McFlurry and I eye his M&M one with distaste.
“Everyone knows Oreo’s the best,” I grumble, wiggling around on the couch. He grabs a blanket and drapes it over my legs before plopping beside me.
He flashes me a smile, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “We’ll agree to disagree.”
I pick up the remote and press play—a feeling of contentment washing over me as the movie starts.
You’d think I’d be sick of it, with as many times as I’ve watched it.
But it never gets old.
My ice cream tastes like heaven. I’ve always been mildly addicted to McFlurries but now that I’m pregnant, I want them all the time.
I’ve asked Xander to run out at least three times this week to get me one.
He never complains.
Xander finishes his ice cream and reaches for the popcorn.
“Mmm, you got this perfect.” He points at the popcorn.
“Duh, because I’m perfect. I can do no wrong,” I joke.
He smiles back and grabs another handful of popcorn.
“I’m sorry I forgot our anniversary,” he says after a bit. “I feel like an ass.”
“I forgot, too,” I remind him.
He shrugs. “Yeah, but I’m me and you’re you.”
“Hey.” I smack his shoulder and he laughs.
The movie is almost over, and when I glance outside, I realize the sun is beginning to set.
Xander reaches over, twining his fingers in my hair and drawing me to him.
“I love
you, you know that, right?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“You’re supposed to say you love me too,” he jokes.
I shake my head. “But you already know that.”
He nods, his eyes flicking to my lips. “I do.”
I don’t know who moves first, I don’t think it matters, but suddenly I’m in his lap and he’s attacking my mouth like he hasn’t kissed me in forever.
I moan and he groans low in his throat in response.
His fingers push at my dress, where it’s bunched around my hips, and he lifts it up and over my head.
His eyes rake over me, from the curves of my breasts to the tops of my thighs. His eyes linger on the soft mound of my stomach.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs, finally looking into my eyes.
“Please,” I beg.
He touches his fingers to my lips. “Please, what?”
“Fuck me,” I breathe the words. “And I swear to God if you tell me to put a quarter in the swear jar I just might poke your eye out.”
He grins and then silences me with a kiss.
My fingers delve into his hair, tugging on the strands to draw him closer.
A little scream escapes my throat when he moves suddenly, launching me onto the couch and then diving on top of me.
My fingers fists into the fabric of his shirt, tugging it off as quickly as I can.
His warm, tan, skin comes into view and I skim my hands along the smooth planes of his chest.
His hips press into mine and my legs fall open.
He grabs the cup of my bra and tugs it down. I wiggle so I can sit up and take the cumbersome thing off.
He cups my breasts and my back arches off the couch. My boobs are incredibly sensitive right now. Not really sore, just tender.
He flicks his tongue over my nipple and my hips buck against his.
“Xander,” I plead. “I need you.”
His eyes flash with desire. He grabs my panties, pulling them roughly down my hips.
He stands and sheds himself of his pants and then settles between my legs. He guides himself inside me and I moan, my fingernails raking his chest.
“More,” I beg.
He pushes in all the way and I gasp.
“Oh, God,” I moan, biting my lip.
He kisses me, silencing anything else I might say.
Everything then fades away, and all that exists is him and me, and this, and us.
We might’ve forgotten our anniversary, but this is perfect, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thea
15 Weeks Pregnant
Baby is the size of an apple
“How’s the job hunting going?”
“Just great,” I grumble, propping my head in my hand.
I met Rae and Nova at a little café near where they live for breakfast.
“That good, huh?” Rae raises a brow and then slurps at her iced coffee.
I roll my eyes. “Everyones excuse is that I need more experience in social work, but how am I supposed to get experience if no one will take a risk on me?” I frown, honestly put out with the whole thing.
“Being a millennial sucks,” Nova agrees. “Old people think we’re lazy and don’t want to work, but that’s not the case at all.”
“Amen,” I agree. “How’s the job hunting going for you guys?”
Rae shrugs. “I’ve booked a few weddings, and maternity shoots—you should let me do yours.” She brightens.
I nod. “Yeah, I guess I should have that done in a couple months. I didn’t even think about it,” I grumble.
There’s a lot to take into consideration when having a baby—things I didn’t even know to think about.
Like the fact that you’re not supposed to use bumper pads in cribs, because it can lead to SIDS. Or that your nipples can bleed if you’re breastfeeding.
I do not want bloody nipples.
“So, what about you?” I turn the conversation to Nova.
She wipes the condensation from her cup of iced coffee and shrugs. “Joel and I are talking about teaming up, since we work well together, but I’m not sure exactly what we can do to make a business, since neither of us is interested in doing what Rae does. We prefer the art of it.” She shrugs. “So for now, I dream and work at the record shop.”
“Do you think you guys could come by for dinner this week?” Rae asks, looking from me to Nova and back again. “I know it’s taken a while, but everything is finally in order and I want you guys to see the place.”
“Yeah, of course,” I say, picking up my cup of lemonade. “It’s not like I have a job to worry about,” I joke, because if I don’t I might cry.
Nova nods. “Yeah, that’s fine with me.”
“Saturday night?” Rae suggests with a raised brow, opening her phone calendar app to add it in.
“Yeah,” I say.
“Yes,” Nova chimes in.
It’ll be nice to spend the evening with everyone. We’ve all been so busy this summer so we haven’t spent much time together. I’ve been shocked by how this whole baby thing has taken up so much of my time.
When I’m not looking for a job, I’m researching, and there seems to be an endless amount of things you need to know.
It’s stressful. I feel like I need to take a test before they send me home with the baby.
Rae snaps her fingers in front of my face, bringing me back to reality.
“Yoo-hoo, Thea? Where’d you go?”
“Sorry, I spaced out.” I shake my head, bringing myself back to reality.
“I asked if you guys had any suggestions for dinner on Saturday?” she prompts, tilting her head to wait for our answer.
“Ooh, I vote for Cade’s scrambled eggs and your pancakes—I miss the breakfast you guys would make. Besides, breakfast for dinner is the best thing ever.”
“That sounds good to me,” Nova agrees. “Besides, she’s the pregnant one so you should do what she wants.”
I laugh. “I’m hungry all the time,” I confess. “But I also throw up all the time, which means I try not eat. It’s a vicious cycle.”
“I don’t envy you a bit.” Rae shakes her head.
“You better watch out,” I warn her, “or my brother will start poking holes in condoms.”
Nova snorts at this and slaps a hand over her mouth, muttering, “Sorry.”
“He better not even think about it.” Rae laughs. “I know he wants kids—I’ve told him to give me a few years, though.”
“I wanted to wait too, but apparently my husband has super sperm.” I point to my belly for evidence to my proclamation.
Both the girls laugh, and I’m glad we can make light of the situation.
“You guys will be great parents,” Nova tells me with a small smile.
“Thanks.” I smile back at her, touching my fingers to my growing belly. I’m still in that awkward stage where people can’t quite tell if I’m pregnant or just gaining weight—but another week, and I’ll be completely rounded and there will no longer be any way to deny it.
This is happening.
“Xander’s going to be a great dad,” Rae adds. “He’s going to be crazy about that kid.”
Nova nods along with her. “You find out the gender at your next appointment, right?” she asks, munching on a piece of pita bread and hummus.
I nod, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. “Yeah, I can’t wait. That’s probably the most exciting thing about this whole process.”
“Are you going to find out at the appointment or wait and do a reveal?” Nova asks, wiping some crumbs on a napkin.
“Uh …” I pause. “We hadn’t really talked about it. I’m not sure I have the patience to wait. This has already sucked enough.”
“So,” Rae begins, “what do you want? Boy or girl?”
“I haven’t really thought about it,” I answer honestly. “I’m super girly, so a girl would be fun, but a boy would be fun too. I’d love to see Xander teaching him to play foo
tball, but he could teach our daughter too.” I shrug. “It doesn’t really matter.”
“Are we allowed to take bets?” Nova asks.
I laugh, taking a sip of my lemonade and shrug. “Sure, I guess.”
“I vote girl,” Nova chimes, raising her hand.
“And I vote boy.” Rae raises her hand.
I shake my head. “I wonder what the guys think it is.”
“We’ll ask them.” Nova laughs softly and shakes her plastic coffee cup. It’s almost empty and her ice jingles against the sides.
“I’m curious now what Xander thinks it is. I don’t really have any sort of maternal instincts that are telling me, oh it’s a boy, or, oh it’s a girl.” I shrug, and pick up my cup. “Maybe I’m broken.”
Rae laughs and shakes her head. “If I was pregnant I doubt I’d have any sort of idea on what I was having. Stop trying to make something out of nothing.” She reaches over and pats my hand like a mother would.
Changing the subject, I say, “Did you and Cade like any of those wedding venues I emailed you?”
She sits up a little straighter in her chair. “We both liked the rooftop idea, but then we remembered the wedding’s in December.”
I smack my forehead. “In my defense, pregnancy brain is totally a thing.”
She grins at me. “We both got quite a laugh about it.”
I shake my head. “I’m such an idiot.”
“It’s okay. The historic hotel downtown you suggested is probably the best fit, if the date is still available.”
“I’ll check when I get home, if you’re sure?”
She nods. “Yeah, go for it.”
“I can’t believe my big brother is getting married after me. I never thought that would happen.” I shake my head.
Rae laughs. “That’s what happens when you get drunk in Vegas and wind up asking your crush to marry you.”
I blush. “You guys are never going to let me live that down, are you?”
She grins back. “Nope, never.”
I sigh, resolving myself to the fact that they’re going to bug me about this forever.
“Oh, shoot.” Nova jumps up from her seat, nearly knocking over her nearly empty coffee. “I have to go to work. I’m going to be late. I’ll see you guys Saturday.” She grabs her purse and then bends to hug us both before running out the door of the shop.
When Constellations Form (Light in the Dark Book 4) Page 13
