Page 23 of Carter

Chapter twenty-one

Leandra

It’s been two weeks since Carter and I had unprotected sex twice in one night. From the symptoms I have been feeling the past two days, I know it's PMS. This morning I woke up with sore breasts and I just knew I started my period. My emotions are over the place. I was scared shitless when I realized that we could have created a baby since I’m not sure if I was in one of my fertile days since my period has been off the past two cycles due to stress.

Waking up today knowing I got my period made me sad. I know I should feel relief, but I also feel this sadness deep in my chest. I took a pregnancy test yesterday, and that was negative. But I guess I had hoped that I might have been pregnant. That is not the case since I’m currently bleeding. The look on Carter's face, when he found the negative pregnancy test, is one I will never forget. I could tell that, just like me, he had also hoped for a different outcome.

Something in my gut tells me he was disappointed that I wasn’t carrying his baby. For some reason, I guess we both wanted it without actually coming out and saying it. Carter hugged me that night tightly, never letting go as if he was afraid I would go too.

I don’t realize a tear has escaped my eye until Carter comes to my side and wraps his arms around me, holding me tightly as one hand rubs circles on my back. He soothes me, whispering sweet words, and I can't help but cry even more.

Stupid period hormones.

I pull away and wipe the last tears that escape my eyes. I see Carter’s gaze full of love for me, but I can also see the hint of concern. I smile and squeeze his hand, reassuring him that I’m okay. “I’m sorry. I’m okay. It's just period hormones.” I laugh as if I realized how emotionally unstable I was ten seconds ago.

Carter disappears into the en suite. I hear the water running. He appears again in his boxers as he takes my hand, leading me into the en suite. He undresses me, leaving me in my panties as we both enter the hot water hitting us immediately. Carter’s hands run up my back causing goosebumps to appear. His right-hand grabs the back of my neck, pulling me closer to him as he wraps his left hand around my waist. Our foreheads touch as he kisses me softly, pulling away. “I love you so fucking much.” He whispers. I can’t help but smile like a hopeless fool as I hug him tightly, resting my head on his chest.

Carter and I take turns washing each other’s bodies and hair, and I can’t help but moan when he washes my hair. His hands feel good. It's like he’s releasing all that tension from thinking too hard about my job and life. He does an amazing job with the muscle knots in my back, shoulders, and neck.

This shower has helped me relax as I feel Carter is finishing the last of the knots. I can’t help but get all giddy thinking about returning the favor. My mind goes straight to the gutter, but before that, I can see him lying on his stomach with me, giving him the best massage he will ever get. I smirk to myself as I can’t wait for later tonight.

The baptism is in full swing. The ceremony will start in exactly two hours and be held outside the house by the lake. So, the view will be beautiful, and I can already see little Eva in her gorgeous white dress. I’m helping Isabella with last-minute touches on the decorations and getting the keepsake gifts for the guests ready.

Carter went to pick up the Saint Ann white gold pendant. I had ordered for Eva. I can’t wait for Isabella to see it, especially the engraving it has. I continue to help Isabella with the decorations. As I inflate the last balloon for the arc, I see that Carter and Liam are back. Carter walks over to me and pulls me in for a kiss. I can’t help the butterflies that appear when he does that in front of his friends and family. It makes me feel special.

Forty-five minutes left for the ceremony to begin, and guests have started to arrive. I make my way up to Carter's bedroom inside the house to fix myself up. Thirty minutes later, I feel a pair of hands wrap around me, and I immediately lean against him, their strong body holding me. Carter kisses the side of my neck as he nibbles and bites the sensitive spot under my earlobe, leaving his mark.

Over the past few days, I have learned that Carter loves to bite, especially my neck, lips, and ass, but I can’t blame him since I, too, love to bite into his neck and shoulder, especially when he forces me to be quiet. And as usual, it doesn’t take long for me to get wet as Carter continues his assault on my neck, and my mind is still in the gutter. He places one last kiss as he goes to smack my ass, but before I can do anything, a knock sounds just outside his door.

“Come in,” I yell as I finish fixing myself, and Carter readjusts himself. The door opens just a little as Isabella pops her head in. “Ready,” she says as Eva is with her. “Yeah, let’s go,” Carter responds as I nod.

Sitting here with my fingers intertwine with Carter and listening to the minister, I can’t help but feel happy. His friends have become my family, and I enjoy spending time with them, especially little Eva.

The minister calls Carter, Liam, Isabella, and me up so that he can perform the sign of the cross on Eva. Eva is in my arms as the minister signs the symbol of the Cross on Eva's forehead. We then gather around the baptismal font as we hold Eva over the font so that the minister can pour water over her head. Carter hands him the shell, gathering water and pouring it on her.

The minister says a few more words. I give Eva to Carter as she makes hand motions that she wants to go to him. Cater hands me the candle before taking her from my arms. The image I see of both of them and how Carter looks at her makes my ovaries want to burst. The minister places the oil of chrism on Eva’s forehead. I go to light the candle, going over to the Easter candle. I light the candle and make my way back to Eva to place the candle next to her.

The candle symbolizes that the light of Christ will always be with her guiding her in the way of goodness and holiness. The ceremony comes to an end in perfect time as Eva is currently sleeping in Carter's arms. The guests and I make our way over to where the celebration will take place. I head straight to our table, taking a seat and removing my damn heels that have killed my feet. I close my eyes feeling relaxed, opening them for a second just to witness Carter drop to his knees before me.

He reaches for my leg as his hands go to my feet, giving them a massage. “Carter, what are you doing?” I whisper through gritted teeth. He chuckles as he leans down to kiss my leg, resting my feet on his chest. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m giving my girl a foot massage.” My face flushes as I bring my hands to cover my face. “Carter, people are staring,” I say, trying to get him to stop.

He smirks, giving me a shit-eating grin as he massages my foot. Kissing his way up as he drops my leg from his chest. “Let them stare, baby. I’ll give them a show.” He says, looking up at me, and I can’t help but giggle as he continues his assault, his hands slipping underneath my dress. I smack his hands away, giving him theyou better behavelook in which he just chuckles, walking away to where Liam had just called him.

I stand from my seat and go inside the house to get my present for Eva, the Saint Anne pendant necklace that Carter had the minister bless when I was getting ready. I open the drawer grabbing the gold box; I open the box, check and make sure the pendant is there. Once I verify it’s safe, I exit Carter’s room and go up the stairs to the third floor, where Eva’s room is.

I knock.

“Come in,” I hear Isabella say, and I enter, closing the door once inside.

“Oh goodness gracious, don’t you look pretty,” I say, approaching Eva as she reaches out for me. “You look like a princess,” I say as I blow raspberries on her chubby cheeks. “Look what I got you. Well, what Carter and I got you.” I say, opening the box to reveal the 14kt white gold Saint Anne pendant. Showing her the back, I point out that it has her name and a saying. Isabella reads it to her, and I can see her every emotion as her eyes start to water with each passing word.

It reads:Eva, I didn’t give you life, but life gave me you. It’s a privilege to watch you grow.

I Promise

To Love You

To Guide You

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