Page 107 of Falling for You

“It just keeps getting better,” he says, keeping the bulk of his weight off me while still giving me his body. Letting me feel him, my fingertips drawing letters onto his back.

He grins against my skin.

“Yeah, gorgeous. I’m yours.”

I smile to the ceiling.

He’s mine.

I’m his.

Forever.

* * *

“Hey! What are you doing here?”Ethan crushes me in a hug when I walk through the back door with Rex.

I nod at Rex and grin. “He couldn’t live without me.”

“He’s so needy,” Ethan teases with a wink.

“I know. It’s a burden.”

“I bet. Kind of annoying, huh? Does he follow you around like a puppy? Always getting in your way.”

“All the time! I really want some space but what can I do?”

“I’m right here you know.”

“We know.” Ethan and I say the words at the same time and Rex groans, leaving us to it as we laugh at his grumbling. Ever since I announced I was pregnant, Ethan and I turned a corner.

The common thread of expecting our first child has brought us together, creating a bond. The fact that he’s my brother is something I think we’re both still getting used to. But every time I look at him, I see hints of my mother. Being pregnant makes me miss her even more than I did before. I know she’d be by my side through every step, in the delivery room if I wanted her there, too.

It’s not as if I expect Ethan to replace my mother, but we’re building up to family and that’s enough for right now. Just knowing this baby will be raised having relatives close by who want to be part of his or her life makes me grateful that Mom brought me to Liberty in the first place. She might have been a bit misleading and hid a part of her life from me that I had the right to know, but it’s in the past.

And now, Ethan and I are only looking forward. He forgave me for not wanting to meet him, understanding more than most would why I was hesitant to meet him.

“How are you feeling?”

I almost roll my eyes but the concern on his face stops me. “Good.”

His eyebrows scrunch together. “Just good? Have you been sick?”

“Oh my gosh. Don’t be like Rex.”

“Hey, now. No need to be like that. I’m just worried for you is all.”

“I know, and I appreciate it. I really do. But trust me when I say I have enough hovering for a lifetime with that one.” I point to the place Rex was just standing. “Yes, I’mgood. Which is better than fine. I’m not great because I’m tired, my boobs hurt,” he flinches but I keep going, “and a little nauseous in the mornings but not as bad as other women have had it. I can handle it.”

“Do you need anything? Obviously I can’t do anything about the boobs thing, which is something I wish to never discuss again, but need some crackers? Or Sprite? Ginger ale? That helped Liv. And she ate a shit load of tortilla chips. I don’t know why it helped— something to do with the salt, I think. Do you need a different mattress or one of those big body pillows to help you sleep? Make sure you’re not taking on too many clients, okay? Being on your feet too long can be hard on your body. Oh… and…”

I throw my arms up and walk away, out into the bar to find Olivia in hopes of a break from Ethan’s special brand of helpfulness.

He’s following close behind me, yapping in my ear.

“Enough, Ethan!”

I would like to say that I hate it, but it feels good. He’s a different kind of protective than Rex is with me, but it’s nice having someone else on my side. Someone concerned. Even if he’s a bit over the top at times.

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