Page 45 of Ours

Reaching across the dining room table, she clumsily grabbed onto the basket. Her arm felt unusually heavy, but she easily excused it away. It had been a very long, extremely stressful day. Besides, it was becoming increasingly normal for her to feel exhausted at this point during the day. Pregnancy was oh so much fun.

You feeling ok, bitch?Nikki asked curiously.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just getting a little tired, that’s all,” she replied, pulling the basket towards her.

Uh huh.

Rolling her eyes, she paused for a moment as she heard Cupcake whimper beside her. Looking at the shepherd, she gave the pup areassuring grin. “It’s ok, Cupcake! We’ll go to bed soon and when we wake up, Daddy will be home and everything will be ok!”

Nudging her hip with his snout, he gave another high-pitched whimper. There was a new scent on her skin that he didn’t care for. His human needed to lie down.

Giving the dog a curious look, she reached down to scratch his peaked ears. “It’s ok, boy! I’ll be quick,” she promised.

Turning her attention back to the basket, she tore open the clear cellophane. It was probably silly of her to even open the damn thing, since her daughter would never use any of the supplies, but she needed the mental vacation. She couldn’t help but feel a small bit of happiness knowing that her world would revolve around little baby things very soon.

Reaching into the wicker basket, she removed the various items. With wide eyes, she carefully inspected each gift. Two incredibly soft cashmere blankets, multiple designer onesies and sleepers, there was even a silver Tiffany’s rattle. She couldn’t believe how luxurious everything was.

Oh, now I’m really pissed that hellspawn is a girl. We all could’ve lived a life of luxury. After all the shit we’ve been through, it’s what we deserve but no, she justhadto be a damn girl,Nikki grumbled.

“I’m glad she’s a girl,” Lexi said, dropping her free hand to her bump.

Almost on cue, she felt her daughter move against her palm. It was a slow and gentle press, not anything like the karate kicks she felt after Valentina left. It seemed as if everyone was ready to settle down for the night.

“I suppose we should go to bed,” she said, allowing herself to yawn. “I can’t wait to see your Daddy, and I know you can’t, either.”

Rising from her seat, she wobbled as she began to feel lightheaded. Gripping the edge of the dining room table, she closed her eyes and waited for her body to right itself out. Between the sudden nausea and exhaustion, she wondered if she would even be able to make it to the bedroom.

Barking once, Cupcake watched his human sway back and forth. How could he protect her from something he couldn’t see? It made him incredibly nervous.

Exhaling a shaky breath, she opened her eyes and looked at her dog. He seemed worried, she felt terrible that she was making him uncomfortable. “Don’t worry, Cupcake, this happens to pregnant women. I don’t know why they call it ‘morning sickness’ when it happens all throughout the day. But I promise, I’ll be ok,” she, righting herself and taking a couple steps away from the table.

Dancing from paw to paw, Cupcake let out a strangled bark.Good, his human was finally moving. But her movements didn’t seem quite right.

Wait, Lexi,Nikki ordered.

“What is it?” she asked, stilling her body.

What’s that hiding in the back of the basket? Do you see it?Nikki asked.

“See wh—” she replied, turning her head towards the basket.

Before she could finish her sentence, her eyes zoned in on a little piece of pink sticking out of the sea of blue. Almost instantly, allthe blood drained from her face as she realized the implications of that particular color.

What the fuck is that?Nikki asked.

Moving back to the table, she reached in and grabbed onto the item in question. Quickly yanking it from the basket, she felt a phantom punch to the gut. It was a stuffed pink unicorn, she realized. Embroidered on its belly read ‘GRANDPA’S LITTLE PRINCESS.’

“Oh my god,” she whispered, her body shaking in a mixture of fear and anger.

I don’t think God’s going to help you,Nikki replied.

Swallowing back the bile rising in her throat, Lexi dropped the unicorn and danced her eyes around the dining room table.Fuck, fuck, fuck.She needed Kade home,now.

“Where’s my phone?! I need to let Kade know!” she exclaimed, panic lifting her voice.

You left it in the bathroom,Nikki reminded her.

Spitting a curse, she forced her sluggish legs to walk forward through the dining room. With every shuffled step, she found herself growing more and more weak. This was something other than pregnancy, did she eat something she wasn’t supposed to?

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