Page 87 of Missing Marcus

Gabby considered it before replying, “Thank you. Then every year I can send flowers.”

“I’ll ask Matthew if he can locate her sister. Maybe someone at the office tomorrow might know,” he suggested as she scooted lower on the couch, resting her head on the arm.

“I’ll ask. She didn’t say much about them. I saw a picture on her desk and asked about it.” Gabby’s voice drifted as his hands massaged her legs. “Thank you for doing this. I try to ignore the back pain and the cramps in my legs seem to happen late at night when I’m finally falling asleep.”

“Why didn’t you wake me? I’m here to help you,” he admonished.

“Because you grow restless at night. Sometimes, I hear you pacing. It’s bad enough one of us doesn’t sleep. There’s no reason for both of us to walk around like zombies.” She chuckled. “When Tiger arrives, we’ll experience enough sleep deprivation.”

“Does your back hurt now?” Knight asked as his strokes grew longer.

She sighed. “It’s constant. I get into a comfortable position and Tiger decides he or she doesn’t like it. I can only sleep on my left side for a couple of hours before I wake up to pee or can’t sleep.”

“Why don’t you take a warm shower? I’ll rub your back with some of the vanilla lotion Samantha left for you.”

Gabby shook her head. “No. It’s fine. I’ll probably head to bed shortly. My belly’s full and your foot massage made me sleepy.”

“Go,” he prodded. “You need a good night’s rest. You’ve carried the burden by yourself long enough. Let me be there for you.”

Placing her feet on the floor, he held her arm and helped her to stand. “Call when you’re done.”

Gabby bit her lip in indecision before nodding and heading to her room.

Knight ran to his, pulling out the weird-shaped pregnancy pillow from the store the clerk recommended. When he heard the shower running, he went into her room and placed it on her bed. Disgusted he hadn’t remembered it sooner, he hurried to set a couple of candles on the opposite side of the bed and grabbed the lotion from the bedside table. Returning to the living room, he cleaned the remaining dishes and put the ice cream away.

The door opened and Gabby called, “Marcus?”

Drying his hands, he came around the corner. She wore his oversized jersey and a pair of leggings. Smiling, he approached her, “I wondered where I misplaced my shirt .”

She blushed and glanced down. “I’m sorry. I should’ve asked. I wore it often when you spun up to keep a part of you with me. I must’ve gotten used to it.”

“It looks better on you than it ever did on me. Keep it.” He led her to the bed, noticing her confusion. “The clerk at the store mentioned this helped expectant mothers get comfortable. If I knew you suffered from back pain earlier, I’d given it to you sooner. Do you wear leggings to bed?”

Biting her lip, she stared at him. “Underwear doesn’t feel good right now. I don’t want us to feel uncomfortable.”

“How about we get you situated on the pillow? We’ll remove the leggings, and I’ll cover you with the blanket. Will that work?” When she nodded, he slid his thumbs under the waist of the leggings, sliding them down. Gabby gripped his shoulders as he knelt and removed them.

He climbed onto the bed and helped her adjust the pillow around her stomach. Knight brushed her hair back.

“Marcus?”

He bent beside the bed to see her face. “Yeah?”

“I know you’re doing this for the baby, but I appreciate it.”

“I’m doing it for us. One day, I hope you can forgive me. Until then, I’ll spend every day proving my commitment to you.”

Moving to the opposite side, he picked up the lotion, tucked the blanket at her butt bone, poured a healthy portion of lotion into his hands, and rubbed it into her skin. Her breathy sighs and moans let him know when he found a tender area and soon her body relaxed. He lay gently beside her, relishing the feel of her beside him. Knight took a deep breath. If he wanted Gabby, he must face his demons. Patch mentioned he did it because of Claire. He didn’t intend to walk away. He wanted to win the battle for his family even if he must fight himself.

38

Gabby nervously played with her handbag the following day as Knight drove them through Seattle. Doc showed up with Samantha earlier in the morning. He made a longer cast from her original one, extending it up to her shoulder. Samantha worked on giving her bruises under her makeup. Matthew added the tiny micro camera.

“Breathe through your mouth and out your nose,” Knight instructed as he held her fingers. “Remember, after the accident, we reconciled. As far as they know, we’ve called off the divorce. Did you tell them why you needed next Friday off?”

“No. I’m allotted a month of vacation, and they think I wanted to prep for the baby.”

“Good. We’ll hold hands and seem inseparable. With your injuries, it’ll appear as if I can’t leave your side.” Knight pulled into the parking space and scanned the lot for his, no, the team. Spotting their undercover vehicles, he exited the car. Helping Gabby, he handed her the flowers. “It’s best if I keep my hands free.”

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