Page 7 of Hardy

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“I won’t stick around,” Hardysaid, closing the door behind him.He was no longer living in hishome, but maybe when Rose started to trust him again, she’d givehim the opportunity to live with her.

He’d fucked up once, and he wasn’tgoing to fuck up again.

“Fighter is going to be stayingwith you.”He followed her through to the living room.She’d beenredecorating the whole of the house.Whenever he looked at thehouse he was aware that she’d tried to wipe all memory of him outof the house.Either that or she’d finally gotten the decoratingbug.When it came to Rose he really didn’t know anymore.

“He doesn’t need to comeand stay with me.Lots of women live by themselves while dealingwith having a child.”She took a seat, kicking her shoesoff.

He couldn’t help but admire the lengthof her body.Rose had filled out a little since they’d beenseparated.Her body was softer, fuller, and far more desirable thanhe ever imagined.

“I’m going to make you somehot chocolate.”He didn’t wait for her to dispute him, walking intothe kitchen.

Reaching for the cupboard, he wassurprised to see his hands shaking.

You’re going to be afather.

This is yourchance.

For the past year he’d been trying to findany excuse to keep Rose by him.He’d cheated on her over ten yearsago, and yet she was still keeping him at arms’ length.They wouldget past this.He wasn’t going to hold the pregnancy over her.Itwasn’t in the same league as cheating, but he’d not lied to her.There hadn’t been another woman for him.

Fisting his hand, he closed his eyes,and tried to calm down his racing emotions.Tears filled his eyes,and his throat felt clogged as if he couldn’t breathe.

Moving to the door, he opened it up,and stared out at the yard.It was overgrown and needed a goodmow.

Taking several deep breaths of freshair, he finally calmed down enough to make her a drink.

“Are you okay?”Roseasked.

He turned to find her leaning againstthe doorway to the kitchen.

“I’m fine.”

“What is it?”She steppedinto the room, moving toward him, and touching his head.He tookhold of her wrist, and kissed the inside over her pulse.

“It’s nothing.”

“You’reworried?”

“Yes, I’m worried.I’ve alwayswanted us to have a baby.I always thought we’d have a kid when wewere at a better place than we are now.We’re not at the rightplace right now.This is just surreal to me.I’m scared, Rose,” hesaid, going for honesty.

“What are you scaredof?”

“Losing you.Losing our baby,losing this opportunity.”He pressed his hand against her stomach.There was no sign of her being pregnant, and he couldn’t wait totouch her when she was swollen with his kid.The truth was, he wasterrified of losing Rose for good.Once she had their baby, wheredid he come into it?He needed to work his way back into her heartif he was ever going to have any chance of being in her life onceagain.

“We’re going to be okay,”Rose said.She cupped his cheek, and Hardy didn’t know what to sayor to do.It seemed surreal to be having this moment with her.They’d been married for ten years, separated for another year, andnow they were about to have a baby.

Pulling away from her, he kissed herever so gently, and finished making her a hot chocolate.

“You really don’t have todo this,” she said.

“I want to do this.I can’t domuch in life, but I can make you a hot chocolate.”He finishedmaking her a hot chocolate, herding her toward the sittingroom.

He arranged the pillows around her,and Rose giggled.“What are you doing?”

“I’m making youcomfortable.”

When he heard Fighter’s bike pullinginto the driveway, he stood away.

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