Page 71 of Fighting For Light
I nod. “Goodnight, Dad.”
He waves, and I close the door, flipping the lock. The bedroom accordion door slides open, and Kai peeks his head around it. “Everything okay?” he asks.
I look through the window, watching Dad walk to his trailer. “Yeah, everything is good,” I tell him.
“Are you ready for bed?”
I nod, flipping off the main light, and climb the stairs. I brush my teeth and change into my pajamas. When we stopped at the grocery before we got here, I grabbed one of the ugliest grandma muumuus I’ve ever seen, but it looked so comfortable, so I got it. Also, it’s much easier to wear than pants and a shirt. Plus, it gives me plenty of room to grow too.
Kai growls as I round to my side of the bed. “I’m loving the sexy grandma dress, baby. Makes me wonder what’s under it.”
I smile, shaking my head. “You know, plenty of women wore these every night, kept having babies, and stayedveryhappy,“ I say, getting under the covers. He scoots up behind me and sneaks his hand under my dress.
“Is that all it takes? I’m happy to oblige.”
“You have no idea what this is like,” I grumble right as a weird strain goes through my calf.
“You’re right, I don’t, but I do like seeing my woman pregnant. She’s just as stunning, if not more so,” he says, kissing my cheek as his hand rubs up and down my thigh.
I laugh and shake my head, trying to get comfortable. “You like the process.”
“I like helping you get ready to give birth and get you what you need and seeing you glow, too.”
I turn to my other side so I can look him in the eye. “That means…” I can’t finish the sentence. The thought of something happening to Kai still makes my bones shake. His smile drops, and he twirls a section of my hair around his finger.
“I protect what’s mine, gem.”
My nose burns, and I hide my head in his chest. “Let’s get through this one first,” I say into his skin.
His hand draws up and down my back in soothing circles. “You’ve got this, mama. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
I smile even though he can’t see it. This man has more confidence in me than I have in myself.
34
Kai
We will be inTexas for about four days, and the race is tonight. Tomorrow night is the freestyle competition. I’m more confident in the team because of the Dallas performance in Louisiana, but every race is a new chance to either win or lose. We need to keep our heads on straight, but mine is spinning.
Mom is coming in, and I’m worried about her exposure and Cordi’s. Ever since we got married, my last look at her has changed. I did it before we saidI do, but after, it was…different. I tell myself to get a good look at my whole world because I may not get to see it again. I’ve never been afraid of death. My family has been dancing with it for most of our lives. It’s a miracle we’ve gotten this far.
I know my mom, brothers, and Reece will take care of Cordi if something happens to me. But we’re just getting started. Our life feels like it’s just begun. I feel like I’ve been in a holding pattern until now. For once in my life, my father isn’t my primary concern. My wife is. My priorities have changed. She has changed everything for me and this family. It’s as if we havea reminder of a new hope, a renewed reason to fight for our family.
Anxious energy still buzzes in my gut after my workout, practice, and nap. I down a bottle of water and glance at Cordi typing away on her computer. She didn’t sleep well last night after we rolled into Texas.
“Why are you staring at me, babe?” she asks, still looking at her screen. She tilts her head and starts typing again.
“Just admiring the view.”
She chuckles and glances at me. “You are such a sap.”
“I like looking at you. I get to do it openly now, so I’m playing catch up.”
“Though I am flattered, I know you, and there is something on your mind. You do this weird staring off into space thing when you’re thinking too hard.”
“Is there smoke coming out of my ears, too?” I ask her.
She grins and looks at me while sipping her strawberry smoothie. I had to run out the other night and grab five bags of frozen strawberries because she was craving them so badly.
