Page 32 of A Layperry's Hope
The scrap of something being tugged across the room sounds through the door but instead of asking again, I walk away. Picking up Maribel, I pack up a few spare diapers and some clean clothes and head across the street.
“Hey, what’s up?” Miles asks as he opens the door, looking between me and Maribel.
“Is there any way I can cash in a favor?”
Miles raises his brow. “Is everything okay?”
“Ghenie is stressed out. I can hear him rearranging shit inside our bedroom but he won’t let me help. Plus, he’s been havingawful back pain the last few days. Can you watch Maribel for a few hours while I try to get Ghenie more settled?”
“I would love to watch my goddaughter,” Miles says right away, holding out his hands for her. I pass her over, letting out a sigh of relief. “I think I should warn you.Layperrymen nest right before they’re ready to give birth so don’t be surprised if that’s what’s happening right now.”
I blink slowly at my best friend. “Well fuck.”
Miles snorts. “Yeah. He’s probably feeling the drive because he’s almost ready for your baby to be born.”
“Fuck,” I say again, running my fingers through my hair. “That makes sense but Jesus, for some reason I thought there would be more time!”
“It sneaks up on you,” Miles says with a laugh. “Remember how it went with Timalah and me?”
“It’s different when it’s happening to you!”
“You’re right. Go on,” he says, giving me a little push. “Go be with your mate.”
“Thanks, Miles. I owe you one.”
“You owe me a ton, but that’s okay, what else are best friends for?”
After making sure Miles has everything, I head back over to my house, my heart jumping up into my throat. My plan was to give Ghenie a back massage that could possibly lead to other stress relievers but now I’m rethinking my strategy.
Is it baby time? Should I be preparing too? Does he need anything specific from me?
Jesus, I suddenly feel completely unprepared.
“Christian? Christian, where are you?”
My pace quickens as I run through the house to our bedroom. “Hey, I’m here. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine! I came out here and found you gone! Where were you?”
“I was dropping Maribel off with Miles for a bit to give us some alone time.”
Ghenie finally opens the door, letting me inside the bedroom. Our bed has been moved from the middle of the room to the very corner. It’s tucked against the wall so that he can sit in the very corner with a wall against each of his shoulders. It’s completely covered in blankets and old clothes to make a nest. Fuck, Miles was right.
“Are you well?”
Ghenie nods. “Well enough. What do you have planned for this alone time?”
I look over his features, making sure he’s being honest with me. He seems okay. More than okay, he seems great. He’s got a small smile on his face, his eyes are bright.
“I was going to give you a back massage since you’ve been having lower back pains.”
Ghenie sighs. “That would be lovely.”
Because of his stomach, Ghenie can’t just lie face down on the mattress. Instead, I guide him to stand, leaning with his chest resting against the side of the bed. I stand behind him, letting my fingers tuck his shirt up so I can get my fingers on his bare skin. I start to massage him earnestly, wanting to ease the tension and pain.
I dig in my thumbs at the dimples of his back, smiling as I’m rewarded with a deep, long groan of pleasure.
“Oh,” Ghenie breathes out. “Just like that,pruist.”
