“You’ve got it bad,” Logan groaned as he stood to follow me out to the living room.
“No,” I shook my head. “I love her. It’s simple,” I smiled as I thought about being able to curl up around my girl tonight and caress her small bump. Our child was just beginning to make its appearance known, and I couldn’t wait to see them.
ooooooooo
Leah
After meeting with the bakery, the caterer, the minister, and finally the florist, Avery and I were heading back to my dad’s. Mrs. Southerland, Avery’s mom, was generous enough to do our flowers for free, and I’d spent a lot of time there as I decided what I wanted. She claimed that she wanted to do it because she was worried her own daughter would never marry, and she might not get the chance again. Avery had grumbled something as she rolled her eyes.
We’d stay up all night talking about her’s and Logan’s relationship. She claimed that he wanted to take things slow, and that’s why he’d been so weird around the group. I knew better though. I saw the signs. He was trying to placate her with an excuse. His actions showed that he had no intention of pursuing anything serious. I knew that things would come to a head eventually. I just had to stand by and be supportive. Now, Avery and I were spending the evening much like we did as kids. Sprawled out on my bed staring at the ceiling as we talked about boys. It felt like old times.
“So when’s Nick supposed to get here?” she mumbled as she tossed her arm up over her eyes.
“Sometime in the evening. He didn’t say,” I yawned. I’d been really tired lately with the pregnancy. “He coming back with Logan.”
“What?” her head jerked to the side as her mouth dropped open.
I grimaced, “Yeah…sorry. I thought you knew.”
“No…I didn’t. I can’t believe Logan didn’t tell me he was hanging out with Nick,” her voice tightened as if she was fighting to control it.
“Can I ask you something?” I rolled to my side and propped myself up on my elbow.
“Sure,” Avery turned to mirror my position.
“Why are you still with him? I mean he doesn’t treat you the way he should. You deserve so much more, Avery. Why don’t you want to be with someone who can give you what you deserve?” I offered a weak smile as I watched her squeeze her eyes shut.
Tears began to leak out as she pressed her lips into a thin line, “I don’t know.”
“You need to tell him that if he can’t give you more, you want to move on. There are plenty of guys out there that would treat you right, give you what you deserve,” I smiled as I reached to hug her.
“I know,” she sniffed as she wiped at her eyes. “I’ll talk to him this weekend. I promise,” she smiled as she rolled back to face the ceiling.
“I’m here for you if you need me,” as the words slipped from my lips a wash of pain rushed through me.
I gripped my stomach as I waited for it to pass, but it felt as if a knife was cutting me wide open. Avery happened to look over at me when she felt me shift.
“Are you ok? What’s wrong?” I could hear the panic in her voice as I grimaced in pain.
“I’m fine,” I managed to pant.
“You don’t look fine,” she rose to a sitting position as she began to scramble off the bed.
“Avery wait!” I called as I reached for her. “It’s going away,” I rubbed my hand over the small baby bump as the pain abated. “Probably just false labor.”
“That looked worse than that,” she gave me a concerned glare. “If it happens again, promise me you’ll get it checked out.”
“Yes mom,” I grumbled.
“Promise me,” she narrowed her eyes.
“I promise! Stop worrying,” I pushed on her shoulder. “I’ve been under a lot of stress lately. I’m sure it’s just something related to that.”
“If you say so,” she rolled her eyes as she gingerly sat back on the bed.
I sucked in a deep breath, “Promise me you won’t tell Nick. He worries too much already.”
“Do you really think that’s a good idea?” she wrinkled her nose.
“Yes, I do,” I mumbled as I tried to get comfortable on the bed once again. “I don’t want him to worry about something that’s probably nothing.”
“Well, if it happens again, I’m telling him,” she crossed her arms over her chest and gave a firm nod.
“Fine,” I groaned.
ooooooooo
As the afternoon turned to evening, Avery decided to head home. Since Nick was supposed to be in town sometime tonight, she figured she’d give us some alone time together. My dad wasn’t too keen on Nick staying in my room, but I was pregnant with his baby. What could we do that we hadn’t already. I think my dad felt the same way, so he didn’t put up much of a fight.
Around nine, that night, I heard the door to my room creak open. I rubbed my eyes to clear the sleep as I let them dart around the room. Moonlight was streaming through my windows casting a soft glow in the room. I turned my head just in time to see Nick quietly closing my door.
“You’re here,” I whispered.
He turned and placed his bag on the floor as he quickly moved over to my bed. He sat on the edge, and leaned forward to place a light kiss to my lips. “I missed you,” he murmured as he nuzzled his nose along my jaw.
“Me too,” I sighed as I let my eyes flutter close. “I didn’t think you’d make it tonight as late as it was getting.”
“That will never happen,” he whispered as he stood, gripped his shirt behind his neck, and hauled it over his head.
He tossed it in the direction of his bag before he toed his shoes off. I smiled as I watched the muscles of his back flex when he reached to release the button on his jeans. He quickly shoved them down revealing his perfect backside that was covered in a pair of tight black boxer briefs. I bit my lip as I watched him toss the jeans in the same direction as the shirt had gone. Lust pooled in my lower belly as he turned to grin at me.
“Stop looking at me like that, or we’re not going to be doing much sleeping,” he snickered as he watched my face flame.
“Sorry,” I muttered as I sunk my teeth deeper into the soft flesh of my lower lip. “I can’t help it,” I lifted a shoulder.
The lines on Nick’s forehead deepened, “Huh?”
“This pregnancy…it makes me want things,” I mumbled.
“Want things?” he scratched his head.
“You know? Like,” I stumbled over my words, embarrassed at what I was admitting. “My hormones are crazy right now. They make me want you all the time,” I turned away from him so he couldn’t see how embarrassed I truly was.
I felt the bed dip behind me as Nick climbed in, and pulled me into his embrace. He brought his mouth right next to my ear as he whispered, “Well we can’t have that, can we?”
His hot breath caused me to shiver as I slowly shook my head. I wanted him so bad at that moment that I could barely contain myself. Nick snaked one of his arms around my belly. As he moved his hand lower, and rubbed me through my panties, my breath hitched, and a light moan made its way up my throat. He leaned in and began placing hot kisses up my neck as he made his way to my lobe, and bit down on it lightly. I rocked my hips back as I ground them into him causing him to growl in pleasure. His other hand slid up and squeezed my breast.
“I’m gonna take care of you, Leah. Relax Baby, and let me love you,” he murmured as he fused his mouth with mine.
I knew then that the sleep I’d been getting the last few days was going to be needed, for I wasn’t going to be getting any tonight that was blatantly obvious.
Chapter 20
Leah
When the sun began to slowly peek through my windows, I blinked against the light. I hadn’t pulled the blinds closed the night before because I wanted to see the stars. Now I was regretting it as I was blinded by the morning sun. A yawn slowly slipped out as I shifted in the bed. I could feel Nick pressed up against my back, his arm wrapped around my middle as it rested on t
he small baby bump.
“Mornin’,” he mumbled as he nuzzled my neck.
“You stayed,” I whispered.
“Mmmmm hmmmm,” he pressed a light kiss to my bare shoulder. “Why wouldn’t I?”
I turned in his arms as I buried my face in his chest, “You usually get up early to run, and leave me in bed.”
“Not this weekend,” I could feel his chest vibrate as he chuckled. “I’m getting married tomorrow.”
“And that makes a difference?” I teased.
“Yep,” he popped the P. “I want to spend every minute with you.”
“Well, you know that you have to stay on the couch tonight…right?” I grinned against the warm skin as I felt him tense.
“What?” he leaned back and gripped my chin forcing me to look up at him. “Why would I need to sleep on the couch?”
“We said that we weren’t going to sleep together the night before the wedding. Remember?” I scrunched up my nose.
“You were serious about that?” he narrowed his gaze. “I thought you were just teasing.”
“And why would I tease about something like that?” I lifted a brow.
“So let me get this straight,” he leaned back even further so he could take me all in. “Last night was the last night that I got to share a bed with you before the wedding…meaning tonight you’re going to be off limits?” he grinned wickedly.
“Mmmmm hmmmm,” I slowly nodded as I watched his eyes darken.
“Well,” he scoffed. “I guess we’re not going anywhere today.”
“Huh?” my forehead creased in confusion.
“If today is it, I’m spending it just like this…naked with you,” he snickered. “Now come here,” he tugged me closer to him and fused his mouth to mine in a deep wet kiss.
“Wait,” I pushed against his chest trying to break the kiss. “We can’t ignore all our friends and family that are helping us get ready today.”
“Why the hell not?” he leaned in and licked a path up my neck stopping when he got right below my ear. “I’m gonna get my fill of you today. Stop resisting,” he groaned as he pressed his hips into mine.
“Nick,” I hissed.
“Hmmmm?” he grabbed my thigh and coaxed it up around his waist.
“We can’t,” I mumbled.
“Can’t what?” he continued to torment me as his fingers danced closer to my center. When he reached his destination, he pressed lightly at first, but as his lips brushed over mine, his fingers delved in.
“Thiissssss,” I groaned breaking this kiss.
“Shhhh,” he murmured. “Stop denying yourself. Give in. You know you want to.”
I nodded my head as I reached down between us and wrapped my fingers around him. “I do…so much,” I whispered as I finally let go and let him make love to me.
ooooooooo
Later that morning, Nick, my dad, and I sat around the kitchen table sipping our coffee. I was munching on a bagel as the men devoured omelets that my dad had made. Eggs made my stomach turn, and at the moment I was having a hard time even staying in the same room as them.
“So what’s the plan today,” my dad glanced over at me as he shoveled another forkful into his mouth.
My stomach lurched, and I squeezed my eyes shuts trying to calm it, “nothing. We have to meet at the church for the rehearsal, but other than that I’m going to try to rest today. I didn’t sleep very well.”
Nick snickered as I glared at him. He knew I was tired. He was the cause of my weariness, and he was not going to apologize for it.
“I might go visit Mom too. I haven’t been by lately, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle it tomorrow,” I blew out a breath as I stood to place my dishes in the sink.
I needed to get away from the eggs before I lost it right there in the kitchen. My morning sickness had pretty much disappeared except for certain foods. It was as if I’d be fine one minute, and then all of a sudden I wouldn’t be.
After running some water over my plate, I turned to make my way into the living room. Just as I crossed the threshold, pain seized me. I gripped my middle as I almost fell to the ground. It was the same feeling I’d had the day before, but this time it lasted longer.
I bit my lip to stifle the groan as I hobbled over to the couch. Nick and my dad were still in the kitchen oblivious to the situation, and I wanted to keep it that way. This was nothing. It would pass. I’d read about false labor when I first got pregnant. Avery had given me a book outlining all the things I’d need to know. That had to be what I was dealing with.
As the pain slowly abated, sweat dotted my forehead. I caressed my belly as I mumbled, “What are you doing in there?” I tried to calm myself by doing some of the breathing exercises that the book talked about, and soon began to feel slightly better.
When Nick rounded the corner, he securitized me sitting there before he scratched his head, “You ok?”
“I’m fine,” I grunted as I took a deep breath and stood. “Just a small cramp.”
“Cramp?” the worried look on his face was the reason I didn’t want to tell him in the first place.
“It’s nothing,” I waved my hand in the air. “Completely normal. Don’t worry, ok?”
“Are you sure,” he moved to stand in front of me as he gripped both of my hands.
“I’m sure,” I peered up at him trying to look convincing as I silently worried for my child’s health. “Do you want to come with me? To the cemetery?” I wanted to change the subject, and fast.
“Sure, if you want me to,” he smiled softly. “Are you sure you’re ok?”
“I’m fine,” I leaned up and placed a light kiss to his lips. “Let me get my shoes, and a coat and we can go.”
“You wanna walk?” he cocked his head to the side “or would you rather take the truck?”
“We can walk. The fresh will be good for the baby,” I smiled as I turned to head toward my room. “Give me five minutes.”
ooooooooo
As we ambled hand-in-hand through town making our way to where my mom was laid to rest, I couldn’t help but feel a little nostalgic. Not about going to the cemetery, but just being back here. Nick and I had come so far in the last several months. After the fallout we’d suffered a year ago, I wasn’t sure we’d ever get here.
I gave Nick’s hand a light squeeze as we slipped through the gate of the cemetery. Even though it was winter it was a warm day, and the greens mixed with the flowers on the gravesites made it almost look like Spring. I weaved between the granite stones until I found my mom’s. It wasn’t hard to spot. Where most of the stones were decorated with Poinsettias, my mom’s had my dad’s famous yellow roses. I smiled as a lone tear rose in my eye. Reaching up to wipe it away, I turned and sat on the bench I’d shared with my dad when he told me of the significance of the flowers.
Nick placed his arm around my shoulders and drew me closer as he pressed a kiss to the top of my head. He knew without saying anything exactly how I was feeling.
“She’s proud, you know?” he murmured. “She’s up there right now…watching you.”
I nodded as I stared off into the distance. “I never told you about the flowers,” I began. Nick didn’t respond. I think he knew that I was going to tell him regardless of whether he said anything or not. “My dad…” I whispered barely loud enough for him to hear me “he always gave Mom yellow roses,” I wiped at my eyes as I continued to stare at nothing. “I never knew why. I thought it was their thing. Something that they shared before I came along, you know?” I glanced up at him. “I came here, that morning after we fought,” I felt Nick tense, but he didn’t say anything. “My dad came with me. He tried to convince me that I needed to work things out with you,” I bit my lip. “I was so mad. I wanted you to suffer like I was. He asked me if I knew what yellow roses meant,” I smiled up at him as his fingers danced along my shoulder lightly.
“Forgiveness,” we both uttered at the same time.
I nodded and smiled as
I directed my gaze back to the grave. “He told me that he messed up when I was a baby.” I reached for Nick’s hand again and squeezed it before murmuring, “He cheated on my mom. He said it was the biggest mistake of his life.” I took a deep breath before I looked up at Nick, “He said he spent the rest of her life trying to make it up to her. She forgave him, but he brought her yellow roses all the time to remind her how sorry he was.”
Nick sucked in a shuddering breath before he turned to stare at me, “He’s the reason you forgave me?”
I nodded as I leaned my head against Nick’s shoulder, “Yeah. He convinced me to go to you, but you’d already left.”
“I’m sorry, Leah. I’m so sorry that we had to go through that to find our way here. I’ll never forgive myself for hurting you, but I’m sure glad you decided to give me another chance. I love you so much,” his pleading eyes bored into mine.
“I love you too,” I whispered as I lifted our joined hands and kissed the back of his. I smiled softly as I watched a bird land on my momma’s headstone. “She’d be happy,” I murmured. “She always wanted us to marry and have lots of babies. I just wish she could have seen it happen.”
“She knows,” he leaned down and kissed the top of my head. “Believe me…she knows.”
As we sat in silence for several more minutes, I began to relax for the first time in days. The warm sun shone down on my face as birds chirped in the background. The soft hum of the occasional car roving through town blurred into the background as a contented sigh escaped me. Tomorrow I was going to be Mrs. Nick Sutter. All my family and friends were here to see us married, and then in six short months we were going to be parents. I reached down and lightly rubbed my belly as I grinned at Nick. Life could not get any better right now. I had everything I could ever want.
I only wish I could have seen what was coming next…
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