Page 22 of Hot Life

“You’re both insane.” I grinned, but I liked it. I liked that my name claimed a part of their skin. “Baby’s kicking,” I murmured. One of each of their hands shot to my belly. They had a competition to see who could find the kick first. Then Cedric would dissect which body part it was.

Their smiles beamed. “That’s an elbow,” Ced announced.

“I think I’ve got a heel up here. Does that hurt your ribs when he kicks?” Des rubbed the spot tenderly.

The corners of my mouth rose. “Sometimes just a little.”

“Do you like being pregnant?” Cedric asked. The room went silent as thick snowflakes floated outside the adjacent windows.

I swallowed, guilt pressing on my chest. “I don’t mind it, physically. It’s a little uncomfortable but it’s okay. Sometimes I feel…”

I couldn’t say it. My cesarean was scheduled for next week. How could I tell them now?

Des took my hand and kissed it with his scruffy beard. “You can tell us anything, Queen.”

“It’s been a little hard…well…impossible to connect with Krill. I love you both, and I want this baby, but I’m just worried we might be wrecking this. What if it’s too hard? What if I’m not a good mom?”

Ced rubbed his prickly grey stubble and Des squeezed my hand. I swallowed my emotion. They were both thinking I was crazy and horrible.

“First of all, you’re going to be an incredible mother, Dot. But I understand your fears. I’ve felt that way too at times,” Cedric replied. “Having a child so late in life…What can I offer them?”

“Really?” I answered in surprise. “Ced, you’re such an amazing man. This baby is so lucky they get to grow up with you.”

He smiled softly and kissed my cheek.

Desmond turned to face me. “You’re both going to be great parents. I can’t say I’ve had doubts. I was born to be a dad. I’d have six babies with you if you’d let me, Queen.”

I elbowed him in the ribs, giggling. “So overconfident.”

He shrugged. “I’ve always wanted kids. I love them, and I love you. I love both you and Cedric and this little one. We’ve got this. Whatever happens, we’re a team, alright?”

Nodding, a tear slipped down my cheek.

Turning to Cedric, I asked. “Is it strange for a woman to not…connect to her pregnancy? Like, have you seen that or heard of that in your career?”

My doctor husband put an arm around me. “Dot, I’d say it’s uncommon for a person to connect with their fetus in utero. Most people are apprehensive. You don’t have to feel any one way. Anything you feel is valid and perfectly normal. It doesn’t mean you won’t be a good parent. Pregnancy is a medical event. Parenthood is something else entirely.”

A breath of relief escaped my lungs and the weight on my chest ease tremendously. “I should have talked to you guys sooner,” I admitted.

Des moved to the rug and took a foot in hand, massaging gently. “You’re fine, baby. Just relax. We’ve got one more week just the three of us. Well, five, or seven if you count the rats.”

I giggled. “Odette gets so mad when you call the dogs that.”

Cedric smirked. “That’s why he does it.”

“Wow,” I whispered, noticing the sheets of grey falling from the sky.

My husbands looked pensively out the window. “Are Odie and Caroline on their way home?”

I checked my phone. “Yes, driving now.”

Just then, my belly tightened. “Ouch.” I sat up straight. “That was—”

Another. Longer this time. My breathing hitched.

“Practice contractions?” Desmond looked between Cedric and me. Ced put a hand on my belly knowingly. “Perhaps. Time the next one, Des.”

“The next one? You think this could be—” My breath hitched again, and I gripped Des and Cedric’s arms. It wasn’t exactly painful, but it felt like a boa constrictor wrapping around my middle, squeezing then releasing.

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