“I just have a bad feeling about this…what if you pass out, Soph?”
“I won’t be alone, you know that. I know you’re worried about me, heck, I’m worried about myself! But I can’t stop living. The doctor says Beau is fine.”
“But you are not fine,” he countered.
“You already told me to have fun,” I smiled up at him. “Now stop trying to talk me out of going. It’s not working.”
He cracked a small smile. “There’s my she-wolf. I’ve missed her.”
“Yeah, well,” I put a hand to my stomach, “she’s turned into an exhausted incubator.”
That got a genuine laugh out of him. “At least you’re a cute incubator.”
“Mhmm, nice try,” I laughed. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I knew that meant Chris was here. “I have to go.”
“What if I want to keep you?” He whispered huskily, lightly brushing his lips over mine.
“Are you trying to bribe me with your kisses, Caeden?”
“They’re very good kisses.” His tongue flicked against my slightly parted lips and my eyes fluttered closed at the touch.
“Nice try.” I managed to find the strength to push myself away from his very alluring lips.
“Have fun,” he repeated, “I mean it.”
Before I could reply, he grabbed me by the waist and pulled me into him. My baby bump kept quite a bit of distance between us, but it didn’t stop him from kissing me deeply. It was the kind of kiss that made your toes curl and your heart swell. “I love you,” he whispered when he stepped back.
“I love you too,” I replied, trying not to sway with lightheadedness.
“Oh,” he grabbed my arm to halt me before I could pass him. “Do me a favor?”
“Sure.”
“Don’t buy a crib,” he stated.
“Uh…I’m confused,” I stammered. “Why don’t you want me to buy a crib?”
“Because,” he grinned crookedly, “I’m going to make one for the baby.”
“A crib? You’re going to make a crib? Like build one?”
“I think that was implied,” he laughed.
“That’s…sweet.” Oh, God. I was tearing up. I really hated these pregnancy hormones.
“Aw, Soph, don’t cry,” he frowned.
“I’m fine,” I hastily shook my head. “I think that’s great, Caeden.”
“Glad you approve,” he grinned.
My phone buzzed in my pocket again and I knew Chris was getting pissy with me.
“I’ll be back in two hours,” I kissed his cheek and slowly made my way downstairs. I pushed the button to open the gate and pulled on my jacket, a hat, scarf, and gloves. No way was I freezing death.
Chris was waiting outside in her blue Nissan Juke. I thought the small vehicle looked like a bug, but she loved the thing.
We headed into the city, chatting along the way. She was having fun decorating her and Bentley’s new place and adjusting to married life. Those two were so cute together and I was beyond happy for them. They deserved their happily ever after.
“We can’t dawdle, as much as I’d like to, or Caeden will hunt us down,” I warned Chris when we arrived at the mall.
“Why?” She asked, turned the car off and brushing her blonde hair from her eyes.
Oh, crap.
“Um, you know, since I’m getting sick all the time,” I stammered. It wasn’t a lie.
She was quiet—unusual for Chris—and finally she nodded.
Snow flurries started falling and I was thankful for my multiple layers as we scurried into the entrance. All the baby clothes immediately distracted me, and Chris was just as enthralled.
“They’re so tiny,” she held up a little dress. “Look how wittle.”
“Did you seriously just say ‘wittle?’” I questioned, fighting a laugh.
“I did.”
I picked up a pale blue blanket with white dots on it and rubbed the soft material between my fingers.
“Are you having a boy?” Chris asked.
“Yeah, a boy. His name is Beau,” I smiled at her. I felt bad though that I hadn’t told her sooner. Being trapped inside the house had caused me to completely forget that my friends still existed.
“I can’t believe you’re having a baby,” she smiled wistfully. “It’s just…”
“Weird?” I supplied. “Believe me, I know,” I flicked through a rack of clothes. “I never expected my life to turn out like this. Not that I’m complaining, or anything. Despite all the bad, I have so much to be thankful for.”
“And you might just have spoken too soon.”