Page 81 of Missing Marcus

She shook her head and smiled. “The baby likes it.” She took his hand and placed it on her side. “Wait a minute,” she whispered.

Knight sat still,enjoying his hand against her body. A minute later he felt the baby’s movements. He beamed with delight. “Wow, Gabby, we made a miracle,” he said under his breath.

She smiled tremulously. “Yeah.”

“Do you really not want to know if it’s a boy or a girl? Isn’t the suspense killing you?” He watched as her smile disappeared. “Please don’t block me out. I know you, Gabby. You’re a planner. Your apartment held very few baby items. Do you regret making this child? It’s not as if we planned it.”

“I love this baby.” Gabby crossed her arms over her stomach as if to protect it.

“Then why don’t you want to know what Little Tiger is? I refuse to call it Tiger all its life,” he attempted to joke.

Gabby sat for a moment, debating whether she dared to confide in him. “It hurt when you refused to meet with me. It became me and Tiger in our own little world. Now, you’re here by coincidence and it feels like an intrusion. I don’t know what to tell you because I’m afraid you’ll try to hurt me again.”

Knight sighed. “I deserve everything you feel.” He rose, taking her plate, added two more tacos and returned it to her. “What do you need to enjoy the rest of this pregnancy? Do you need me to leave? I can stay with Bryanna. Tell me what I can do to make you happy about all this.”

Gabby lifted her gaze to his. “Whether we like it or not, we’re involved with each other for the next eighteen years. I want us to get along for the baby’s sake.”

“What about us?” he asked gently. “I’m not saying take me back. I’m asking if you think you can forgive me one day.”

Gabby glanced away. He caught the tears glinting in her eyes. “It’s too hard, Marcus. I have to separate you into little boxes. One for the man I married, another for the man who came home, a third for the man who criticized everything, a fourth for the stranger who picked fights with me and walked out, a fifth for the angry man who accused me of cheating.”

He picked up her hand. “I know. I’m not asking for a pass because I don’t recognize myself either. We didn’t plan on this baby and I want to believe Tiger came because of divine timing. Most importantly, I want you to enjoy this experience. I’ll support you and the baby. I don’t want you worried about maternity leave, or losing your job. We’re in this together.”

“Thank you,” she responded quietly.

Unsure if his words helped or hindered his situation, he tried to put her at ease. “I’m going with Patch in about an hour. Then, I’ll head to the grocery store. Can I pick up anything for you or Tiger?”

A slight smile played on her lips. “Can I go with you? I’m going stir crazy in the cabin.”

“When I finish up with Patch, I’ll pick you up. We’ll take a couple of hours. Will the tacos hold you over until dinner? We can pick up something,” he suggested.

“Pizza with veggies and pineapples.” She finished off the fourth taco. “After we finish the shopping.”

Knight’s heart thumped loudly in his chest. Hating to leave her when she opened up to him and he felt his child move inside her, he reluctantly stood. “Make your list and we’ll leave as soon as I return. We can’t let little Tiger starve.”

She held her tummy and chuckled. “Little Tiger isn’t a very good name.”

“Oh. Have you thought about names? What did you come up with?”

She bit her lip, struggling to keep her distance and wanting to tell him. “I’ve not decided…”

Knight narrowed his eyes. “Why don’t you think about it and we’ll compare notes when I return?”

Gabby glanced at him. “Have you thought about names?” she asked surprised.

“Yeah. Of course, it’s all I think about. Sometimes, I wonder how my dad faced my mom after she gave birth to Bryanna and walked out like we didn’t matter. Our family means everything.”

Gabby winced as she turned away, unable to hide the pain. “I’m a bit tired.” She rose and left him sitting in the living room. Knight brushed the scruff along his jaw in frustration. Reminding himself he was in this for the long haul and needed to stay patient, consistent and work on himself, he put the other tacos in the fridge. Taking a sticky note from the basket on the counter, he scribbled a note.

“Be good, Tiger. I left two more tacos in the fridge. Try to convince her your dad’s a butthead but he’s working hard to fix it.”

He stuck it to the fridge before changing his clothes. Not knowing what this meeting entailed, he wore a T-shirt and jeans. Maybe he’d ask Patch to help him find ways to tear down Gabby’s walls. He recalled his friend’s words. Live a life worth living. Marcus’ life crumbled as he continually shut Gabby out. Determined to prove his love, he’d endure the uncomfortable conversations because his family was worth fighting for.

37

Gabby sat on the bed and debated if shopping with her soon-to-be ex seemed a good idea. Rising, she went to the outside deck. The wind blew, causing her to wrap her arms around her stomach. She tilted her chin into the cold breeze, letting the fresh air clear her thoughts.

“Gabby?” Knight called from the hallway. She heard the panic in his voice as she turned from the railing to reenter the cabin. The patio door flew open and a wild-eyed Knight scanned the area. “What are you doing out here? It’s cold.” He shrugged out of his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. It served as a warm blanket, covering her belly. It smelled like sandalwood and him. Inhaling deeply, she leaned into him, wishing things worked out differently.

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