Taking What's His(61)
She smiled and kissed his shoulder. “I almost didn’t sit next to you, but then I saw my ex, and it gave me the strength to walk up to say hello to the guy I’d been watching for five minutes.”
“Thank God.” He tipped her face up, memorizing every single detail of this moment. He never wanted to forget it. “Because I love you, Lydia. I love you so damn much.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I love you, too.”
He took a deep breath and leaned in, sealing their words with a kiss. It might have taken a lot of work, and a bit of pain, and a huge leap of faith…
But he’d gotten it. They both had.
They’d gotten their happy ending after all.
Epilogue
Six months later
The timer went off in the kitchen, and Lydia cuddled into the pillow on the couch. It was nine o’clock on Saturday night, and she and Holt were late for their weekly date…with Doctor Who. The season finale was on, and he was still in the other room messing around. Sighing, she hit pause on the opening sequence. “It’s on! Hurry up!”
“Calm yourself, woman,” he called out. “Perfection takes time.”
She sniffed the air, and her stomach flipped with an odd mixture of nausea and hunger. A feeling that had become way too familiar over the last two days or so. “That smells delicious. What are you making out there?”
“Apple pie with a hint of cinnamon.” He came out of the kitchen wearing a pair of sweats, messy hair—which she’d messed up, thank you very much—and his glasses. No shirt, thank the Lord. In his hands were two plates topped with the treats he’d promised her. “Made from scratch, of course, because I love you so much.”
“Have I told you how much I love you lately?” she asked, watching him as he came across the room. “Because I do.”
Setting down the plates, he snorted. “You’re only saying that because I bake you delicious things.”
“That’s not true,” she protested. “You’re also amazing in bed.”
And out of it.
He laughed. “Well…I can’t argue with that.” Kneeling beside her, he rested his hand on her forehead. “I really shouldn’t have touched you tonight, though. How are you doing? Still feeling sick?”
“Um…yeah.” She swallowed hard and fidgeted with the blanket he’d pulled over her before going into the kitchen. “But don’t worry. I’m okay. I’ll feel better soon, I’m sure. The pie will help.”
Something flashed across his eyes, and he cocked his head to the side. She still loved it when he did that. “What was that look?”
“What look?” She lowered her head. “I don’t know what look you mean.”
“You hesitated. And there it was again.” He cupped her cheek and studied her. “What’s wrong, Lyd?”
Crap, he was on to her. But she hadn’t wanted to tell him like this. “N-Nothing. I was just thinking before answering, is all.”
“Okay…if you say so. But when you change your mind, I’ll be right here waiting.” He stood up and sat on the couch, lifting her feet so he could slide underneath them. As soon as he was situated, he picked up the plates and handed one off to her. “I’m ready to start the show, if you are.”
She took the pie and stared at the TV. But she didn’t hit play. He was so patient and sweet and— “Okay, fine. You’re right, there’s something I need to tell you. I don’t want to stress you out, or make you think you owe me anything, or that we have to change anything. But…I’m…we’re…”
“I already know.” He locked gazes with her, set his treat down, and he took hers from her limp fingers. Resting his hands on hers, he smiled. She turned them over, and they held onto one another. Funny, how something so simple could make her feel so much better. “I think I knew before you did, Lyd.”
“Wait, what?”
“You’re pregnant, with our baby. And I couldn’t be happier about it.” He grinned and crawled over her body, covering her with his length. “Why do you think I brought us both decaf tea instead of our normal wine?”
“I just thought you wanted tea.” She pouted. “When did you figure it out?”
“When you started puking every day,” he said drily. “It didn’t take rocket science to put two and two together. Plus, you missed your period. It was due last week.”
She rolled her eyes. “Considering we don’t even live together, you know way too much about my menstrual cycle.”
“It’s the only time I can’t make love to you. Of course I know it.” He kissed her gently. “And what the hell did you mean when you said that I don’t ‘owe you anything?’”