Page 65 of North
“Really?” She smiled. “I thought you’d be apprehensive especially right now with all this…shit happening.”
“Knowing you’re pregnant erases all of it. Besides, I told you I wanted a family with you. My number one concern is providing for you and our kid and making sure you’re calm.”
“My head is fucking killing me. It feels like it’s about to split in two. I can’t even fully enjoy finding out I’m pregnant because of all the bullshit Sierra has caused.”
I wiped those warm, salty tears from her cheeks then stroked her hair gently while making her lie back on the bed. “Don’t give her that power, North. If you give her the power to take away something so sacred and special, she’s won. Don’t feed into it.” I kissed the back of her hand and stole a few more seconds staring at her before I filled the tub with water so she could take a hot bath.
I watched her slender body slip into the hot water and imagined how gorgeous she’d look when our baby started to grow. How smooth and round her stomach would be. How her eyes would be full of love and light.
I sat on the edge of the tub, cupped water in my hands, and let it run through her hair turning her thick mane deep crimson. Neither of us said a word. I continued running water through her hair in the dark bathroom until every strand was saturated. I poured a small glob of shampoo in my palm and combed it through her hair with my fingers. She kept her eyes closed the entire time.
I took my time to soak in all of North’s beauty. I was going to paint her just like this. With rivulets of red hair and crystal clear water running down her freckled back while her eyes were closed and long, thick ginger lashes rested on the tops of her cheeks. I wanted to paint the way her plump pink lips held onto a smattering of cinnamon freckles that made her smile light up a room in a way only she could. I’d paint the way the tops of her full, perky tits kissed the surface of the water before bobbing beneath it. I’d paint her exactly as she was: a goddess.
When the doorbell rang downstairs, I kissed the top of North’s head and went to let our friends in.
“How’s North?” Mel asked.
“In the tub trying to relax. I don’t want her stressing out but it’s pointless trying to prevent it.”
“This shit is stressful. There’s no way around it,” Elijah huffed. He sat the pizza boxes down on the kitchen counter then looked at me. “How you holding up?”
When I flashed a smile, he looked a little confused because nobody in their right mind would smile after having the day from hell. No demon could take away the impossible feeling of happiness and hope that brewed inside me.
I was going to be a father.
“I’m good. I just want to get this shit over with. Losing the Chandler deal sucks and it hurts but there are better things to look forward to.”
Melanie looked at me for a few quiet beats then narrowed her eyes. “You look like a totally different man from the one we left at the gallery,” she said.
“Because I am. Let’s kill this rape case and open the defamation case. I’m ready to put this behind me.”
“Okay, let’s do it.” Melanie took off her coat, opened up her laptop and grabbed a slice of pizza and a bottle of beer. I’d never seen her more in her element than she was at that moment.
We kept our voices down for about an hour while we worked out specific to-do lists and strategies. Melanie helped me draft a statement for my long-time customers and investors and one to put on social media since Sierra trashed me there.
“Hey, guys.” North’s groggy voice made my eyes jerk in her direction. She smelled like heaven when she snuggled beside me on the couch. Like the sweetest cherries ever picked.
“North, what’s up? Give me some.” Elijah held his hand out and she slapped it with a half-smile.
“How are you?” Melanie asked, studying North as if a neon sign would blink over her head announcing her pregnancy.
“I’m much better now.” She looked at me and I dove headfirst into those blue-gray eyes. “Did you…” Her words hung in the air as I picked up on her train of thought.
“No, I didn’t. I didn’t want to do that without you, Shortcake.” I tickled her side a little to coax that pretty smile out.
“Um, what the hell is going on?” Elijah asked, finishing his third beer.
“Yes, what’s going on?” Melanie’s voice was a little more playful.
I squeezed North’s thigh as a signal for her to break the news at her leisure. I was fine with whatever she wanted to say because I was on cloud fucking nine.
She sucked in a short breath as her sparkling eyes bounced around from Melanie to Elijah. “I’m pregnant.” Every syllable came to life with happiness.
A small cheer erupted from our friends. Mel shot to her feet and did a dance. “I knew it! I told you.”
“You did, and you were right. I still can’t believe a tiny person is growing in there.” North patted her stomach and I slipped and fell even deeper in love with her.
“Dammit,” Elijah cursed, shaking his head. “Now I’m always going to be broke because this kid is going to make me spend every penny.”
