Page 91 of Down the Aisle
"Yesterday, I got the confirmation from the doctor." She smiled at me apologetically, stroking my cheek lightly with the pad of her thumb. "And I didn't have a doctor's appointment for this really. I only went in because of that cold last month, and before they could give me any medication, they wanted to double-check. So, they ran a pregnancy test even though I was on the patch, and it came back positive."
Patting my shoulder, she flickered her eyes at the ground a few times before straight-up pointing. Getting the hint, I set her down with a sheepish chuckle.
Loosely, she draped her arms around my waist, leaning against me. "I had to have a few follow-up labs to have my levels checked, and things weren't clear one way or another for a while until the most recent ones where there was a steady increase and clear answer." Her lips pressed into a thin line, frowning a little. "I might be jumping the gun a bit by telling you right now before my first visit with the OB to actually confirm things with an ultrasound, but I have a good feeling, and since we're already on the boat and putting everything out in the open, I figured I should just tell you now rather than when we get back."
Cradling her protectively in my arms, I kissed the top of her head. "If things don't work out how we want, then we can always try again later after more planning."
As elated as I was with the news, we weren't exactly prepared for a child right now with all the craziness happening in our lives. Not saying I didn't want our child, but some more time to fully talk things through with Eliza and mentally prepare myself more. But, no matter, I'd take things as they come.
Sighing heavily, Eliza buried herself further into me. "It's just so much happening at once…" I hated how heavy her voice sounded. "Another baby on top of everything…"
Leaning away a little, I looked down at her with an affirming smile. "Hey, we will figure everything out together, one step at a time," I told her in a calm voice. "One step at a time, that's how we have to take things. No point in sprinting forward for no reason when we can walk and pace ourselves. Let's just focus on enjoying the next few days to ourselves, then the visit with the doctor, and after the results of the visit, we will plan for the next." I had to pace her for both our sakes. "So, breathe for me, alright?"
Eliza nodded in response while breathing deeply. "Sorry…" Her meek apology made me frown a little. "Just kind of overwhelmed." She admitted with a heavy sigh.
Rubbing the back of her head, I dismissed her with a chuckle and shake of my head. "Well, don't think about it too much. Yes, I know it's a lot in a short amount of time, but we'll make it. We'll handle it together, one step at a time." I reminded her with a lopsided smile and kiss to her temple.
Flicking her chin, I poked at her face until she cracked a smile. "Now, lunch, what would my little rose like? Or what does our little rosebud want?"
Eliza's shoulders shook softly with her chuckle before her lips pursed in thought for a moment. "I'm down for anything really right now. I have no cravings or aversions, but maybe something on the lighter end?" Her hopeful eyes peered up at me as she rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet. "And uhh, can we actually do something while we're out here? I mean, it's nice to be on a yacht and all, but uhh I kinda don't want to just be floating out here for seven days with nothing to do."
Unable to help myself, I leaned down and nuzzled my face into her neck. "Well, you got me to do." I teased, grinning at her cheekily.
Her eyes rolled so hard that I was afraid they wouldn't come back around. "You are so lucky I love you still." She joked with a teasing chuckle. "Even if you are some mafia boss." Her face twisted a bit as she looked at me as if she struggled a little with her own thoughts. "God, that's going to take a while to get used to."
Swaying her playfully, I nipped at her neck. "Thought girls dig the bad boy or crime lord image." I prodded a little with a joke, hoping to make light of my newfound secret. "A man who isn't afraid to get dirty and bloody to provide for his family, to keep his woman safe. That powerful man who lives in a gray-and-black zone, willing to do anything and everything at his woman's whims." I whispered darkly with a teasing brush of my lips against the shell of her ear. "The whole world at your fingertips through me."
The way her body shivered in my arms as her breath hitched brought a twisted smirk to my lips. A part of her was enjoying what came out of my mouth, and she may deny it, but the signs were clear to me.
It's time for your thorns to come out, my little rose.
Chapter 35
Adam
~8.5 months later~
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, buddy, careful, hot pot here." My heart flipped in my chest from Asher suddenly charging at me and tackling my legs while I stood in front of the stove frying dinner.
"Mama angwy. Scwarwy." Poor thing looked terrified, which made me wonder just what the heck was up this time with my pregnant woman.
Well, I didn't have to wonder for long because in came a very pissed-off Eliza with a shirt bunched up in her clenched hands—my shirt, to be exact. "This better be ketchup or paint, or so help me God, I will lock you in this house until you learn to beat someone up without getting bloody." Flailing the dirty shirt inthe air with a glare, she huffed loudly. "I already told you I don't want this shit in the house. What if our children get into the laundry basket and catch whatever shit is on your clothes? Or what if the dog eats it and gets sick?"
The urge to roll my eyes tensed at the muscles in my head, but I refrained for the sake of my safety. As much as I loved how pregnancy has brought out Eliza's spunk, having it taken out on me wasn't something I appreciated too much. "I wish I could tell you it was ketchup, but…" Pretty sure that was leftover brain matter from the man who got cozy with my fists last night, but Eliza did not need to know that. "I kind of got carried away. I'm sorry."
I had no excuse, and I should've been more mindful and careful. All I could do now was apologize and move on.
Turning off the stove, I moved the pan over before going over to her with open arms and an apologetic smile. "Mia rosa, I really am sorry. I was going to take care of it before you can see." I sighed softly with a frown, taking the shirt from her and throwing it into the trash before hugging her.
Huffing and pouting, Eliza hugged me back tightly and smushed her face into my chest. "I just don't want the kids seeing it, and the smell makes me very sick." Uh oh, the way her voice cracked meant tears would follow soon. "And I just hate how fucking queasy it makes me, and I don't like throwing up."
With a very wary grin, I awkwardly patted her back as she broke out sobbing. "Uhh… Shh… Shh… There, there…?" Oh God, this was so awkward!
Soft thumps of waddling footsteps padded over to us, and a pair of tiny arms wrapped themselves around our legs. "Mama, no cry. Why sad?" Asher comforted Eliza with some pats on her leg and looked up at her with a soft frown of confusion.
Reaching up, Asher lightly poked and patted Eliza's round stomach. "Rwosie make Mama cry?"
Eliza chuckled through her tears and wiped them away with the back of her hand. "No, honey, no, Mommy's just being weird." Of course, her answer only earned a confused head tilt from our toddler.
