Page 65 of Never Really Mine
“I mean… I tend to sprawl out. And the pillow is the only way I get any sleep, so I’m just worried I’ll kick you or something.”
He chuckles under his breath. “Love, if you kick me in your sleep, I’ll consider it payback since you have to deal with the twins kicking you all day. I want to hold you. I need to be close to you.”
I nod, and do my best to climb into bed without looking like a flopping fish out of water. Apparently I’m not successful, because Beau snickers. “Hey, you try getting in bed with two babies in your belly. It’s not easy!” I roll onto my right side, and try to adjust myself again. Now that I think about it, maybe we should tape a watermelon to his stomach so he can know what it feels like. I’ve seen videos of that on social media.
I reach out, grabbing the pregnancy pillow and shoving it between my legs. I roll onto my back, sliding it under the bump and then roll back to my side. My face is toward the wall, my arms cradling the pillow. I hear the shuffle of sheets, feeling the mattress dip as Beau climbs in.
It feels… weird. The last time we cuddled, we were drunk, and I was convinced I’d just made the worst mistake of my life. Now, we’re thrust into this life together, something we have both wanted for so long, just not in the way we expected it. It makes me wonder if I can do this, if I really can let myself go, the way I slowly have been, to give us the best chance at a life together.
Beau’s arm wraps around my waist, cradling me against him. He scoots himself closer to me, instead of having me move myself after I just got comfortable. The small— minuscule, really—gesture is enough to have tears sliding down my cheeks.
I sniffle. “Thank you.”
“Thank you,” Beau replies, and like always, he knows what I need. He holds me close and whispers all the exciting things that are coming for our future. Meanwhile, I lay there, feeling more connected to him than I have in my entire life.
39
MARLEY
My phone vibrates on my desk as I edit some photos from an earlier session this week. The couple I did the shoot with is sprawled across the bed, a tangle of sheets, skin, and expert angles so you don’t see everything, just enough to make you curious.
I did the wedding photos for this couple last year. I love getting to see both sides of them, on the biggest day of their lives, and then in a more natural, comfortable setting.
I finish the final edits of the photo, ignoring the ideas that pop into my head when I think about doing a shoot of Beau and me. What positions would I put us in? Would I have him between my thighs? Would I make it appear as if he’s eating me out? Or I’m riding him?
A pulsing settles between my thighs at the mental image. In the weeks since we were together again, I thought maybe my constant horniness would get better, but it hasn’t. If anything, it’s worse. I should try to take care of myself, especially since I have the A-okay from Dr. Ness, but I can’t find the time, and I’m definitely not about to ask Beau. What if he says no?
My phone vibrates again, re-notifying me of the message I’d forgotten about. I tap my screen to see who the text is from, not really surprised when the message is from Beau.
Beau
Hey butterfly, what are your plans after work?
Me
Hmmm. Probably sit on the couch with my feet up in your lap since they’re swollen again. I wouldn’t be opposed to one of those foot rubs you gave me a few weeks ago. ;)
Haha, you got it. What do you think about going out on a little dinner date first?
My stomach flutters, and one of the babies kicks me at the same time, so I get a double whammy of butterflies. It’s like they’re telling me,“do it, Mom!”
Me
I’d love that. What time?
Beau
Six?
Sounds perfect. Where to?
I was thinking something more casual, unless you really want to go somewhere fancy, then we could head into the cities?
I scrunch my nose. While a fancy dinner date sounds fun, the thought of doing that tonight does not.
Me
Casual is preferred haha. I’m not sure I’ll be up for a fancy night until long after these babies are no longer occupying my uterus.
