Page 74 of Misery In Me

“Surprise me.”

“You got it, baby. Get naked and in the tub. I’ll be right back.” I turn the corner and head downstairs. Hustling to grab some waters, the container of cut up fruit and just in case she doesn’t want something healthy, a pint of caramel swirl ice cream. I grab a spoon and jog back up the stairs with my arms full.

“Okay,” I say as I turn into the room, looking at the stuff in my arms, and walk straight to the open bathroom door. “I’ve got water, fruit and Ice cre—” I lose all train of thought when I look down at her naked in the tub.

You would think seeing my naked wife wouldn’t make me stop dead like a teenage boy seeing tits for the first time.But nope, I will forever be in awe of this woman’s body. She could tell me to get on my knees and worship at her feet, and I totally would.

I fear that it’s only going to get worse once she starts showing too.

“Ice cream,” she holds out her hand. I put everything else on the vanity and take the lid off and shove the spoon in it.

“Here you go,Hermosa.” I smirk. “Save me some.”

I take my boxer briefs off and walk naked to the linen closet and grab two towels and a washcloth. Ale moves forward in the tub, making room for me behind her. Sitting down, I hiss as my ass hits the boiling hot water. “Fuck, that’s hot. How the hell do you just boil yourself in here like a lobster?”

“It’s relaxing. Here,” Ale holds out a spoonful of ice cream to me. “Ice cream helps.”

My lips close around the spoon, and I groan. It’s been forever since I’ve had ice cream and she is totally right.

It helps.

I pull her back into my chest and wrap my arms around her. “We’re going to get through this, Ale. I know you’re scared and I’ll be honest. I’m scared too.” I can feel her body tremble and I know she’s fighting back the tears or they are really quiet as they fall. “I love you and Zoe, and,” my hand cradles her mound. “Our baby. I will do everything I can to make sure I come home to you guys.”

I want to make her the promise.

God, do I want to.

TWENTY-NINE

ALEJANDRA

One Week To Deployment:

It’s as if Zoe can sense Gage is leaving because he is all she wants right now and while I would normally adore the fact that she is turning into a daddy’s girl, now is totally not the time. I can see the anguish in his face every time he has to leave. He is such a great father, and I know this must be hurting his heart. Gage grabs his lunch from the island, kisses me goodbye, and heads out the door, leaving me with a screaming Zoe.

Today is going to be a great day.

As if lying to myself will make it any better.

“Okay,Princesa. Daddy will be home later tonight, so let’s try to get some stuff done and then we can go for a run to the park.” Zoe’s crying softens to gentle hiccups and I reach for the baby carrier to put her on my back so I can get the stuff done around the house first. Unloading the dishwasher, making the shopping list, and gathering up some bags for packing.

Once I’m finished with all of that and Zoe’s had her midmorning cereal and mashed bananas, we get ready to hit the commissary for groceries and the stuff Gage wants to take with him. He helped me make a list of all the snacks he wants to bringwith him, which is essentially just beef jerky, individual bags of nuts, dried fruit, and powder drink mixes. Not all of it will be on base, so I’ll have to hit two different stores.

I’m heading downstairs with the diaper bag and when the doorbell camera alarm goes off. Not that someone rang it, but that something is on the porch.Probably a package.Shrugging it off, I head to the kitchen to grab Zoe’s bottle and formula container, but my phone buzzes again. I pull my phone from my back pocket and on the camera, with their back turned, is someone in a black jacket with the hood up. I step into the hallway and stare at the door.

The handle jiggles.

I drop the bottle and bolt up the stairs with Zoe on my back. I run straight for the gun safe and punch in the code. The safe clicks and I pull it open, reaching for my Sig. I make sure it’s ready and crack the door open to listen.

Fuck.

I pull out my phone and hit Gage’s contact.

Ring. Ring. Ring… It finally connects.

“Hey, baby, I can’t really talk ri?—”

“Someone is trying to break into the house.” I hear something smack into a wall on his end.

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