Page 100 of Nanny for the SEAL

“Do you want a story before nap time?”

Daisy perks up a bit, nodding. “Yes!There’s a Witch in My Book.”

I smile. It’s been another favorite of hers for a few days now, and I think it’s because Daisy gets to pop balloon bunnies. Or at least pretend to.

Getting her settled, I read to Daisy, and she’s snoring in her little higher register before I’ve gotten to the end.

It’s quite the sight, and I leave her room with the nightlight on and her cute melody playing to go downstairs.

When I get to the living room again, I sigh. Everything feels like it takes so much work right now, and I can’t even imagine what it’s going to be like when I’m the size of a blimp.

As I stand there, debating whether to lie down on the couch and take a nap like Daisy, my eyes find the pictures on the mantle again.

I see Maeve and Xaden together and one of her alone. I study them often. Because the thing is, I think I’ve seen her somewhere before, but I can’t place it.

Why do I feel like I’ve seen you, huh?

Before I can lie down, however, I hear the office door open, and Xaden comes into the living room. I smile, and he walks over, wrapping his arms around my waist.

His fingers brush over my lower belly, a new habit of his, and I lean back onto him, still eyeing the mantel. His head comes down to the side of my neck, and he presses a gentle kiss to my skin.

I’m not sure what it is, but the urge to ask about his past again hits me. This time, I can’t resist it like I usually do, and the words are out before I can think better of it.

“What happened, Xaden? What makes you feel like you can’t talk about it with me?”

I feel him stiffen, and he pulls back, not leaving me to stand there but putting obvious distance between us. I’m not surprised or hurt by it, though.

This is the usual response.

“Ivy, I…” Xaden sighs, his eyes closing as he pinches the bridge of his nose. “This isn’t easy, you know?”

I walk closer, not letting him use the space to escape this conversation. It's too important.

“Look, Idounderstand. But we’re having a baby. I want to be your person. I want our family. And I don’t want there to be things left unsaid between us. It’s why I finally told you about my father.”

Xaden looks up, his furrowed brow shadowing his eyes. “Ivy, I’m sorry if you feel like I’m doing this on purpose. I’m not. I’m just…ugh.”

He blows out another breath, his head hanging.Iwrap my arms around his waist this time, and he rests his head on my shoulder.

“I’m here to help, babe. Let me carry some of the weight with you.”

Something about his posture changes; it’s minute, so damn tiny. But I can sense Xaden relaxing just a hair.

He sighs against me, squeezing, and then stands tall once more.

“I’ll try.”

I can’t help but smile. This is hard for him. I know that, and I’m not some monster who doesn’t get what she’s asking.

“Thank you, Xade. I promise to honor your trust in me.”

He puts a hand on my cheek, and I lean into it. “It’s not that. I know you’ve got my back. I do. I just…I don’t want you to think differently about me.”

I shake my head. “Never.”

He offers a crooked grin. It’s clear he doesn’t believe me right now. But that’s okay. I don’t mind showing him.

Together, we sit down on the couch, and Xaden lets out another audible exhale as he formulates how he wants to start this story.

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