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Blinking up at Jude, she groggily realized he’d sat on the end of the couch and was positioning her head in his lap.

She giggled softly. “I’m the one who’s supposed to do that.”

“I don’t need it today. But you do.”

“I’m really fine. Just tired.”

“Your eyes look like you have a headache. You think I don’t know how to recognize the signs?” Jude’s voice was mild and slightly husky, but he would always be the smartest, most insightful person she’d ever known.

And he knew her better than anyone else.

“It’s not a bad headache. Probably nothing compared to what you’ve had to deal with.”

He stroked her loose hair back from her face and then started rubbing her scalp the way she still so often did for him. He paused for a minute before he murmured, “Well, good thing we’re in a marriage and not a headache competition.”

That made her giggle again. Then she couldn’t stop.

When she finally settled and opened her eyes again, Jude was smiling down at her.

“Sorry,” she told him. “Not sure why I thought that was so funny. I must be more tired than I thought.”

“You’re allowed to be tired.” He traced his knuckles softly against her cheek. “And you’re allowed to find your husband funny.”

That made her laugh again. Then she relaxed as he massaged her head and moved down to her neck and shoulders.

She relaxed so much she almost fell asleep again.

She had no idea how long it had been when she mumbled, “Why am I so tired?”

“My understanding is that it’s normal.” One of his hands slid farther down her body, stretching until he was palming her belly.

It was still mostly flat.

“At least that’s what all the books have said,” he added. Jude should know. He’d read every book on the topic he could find.

“At least I’m not nauseated all the time anymore.”

“Yes. That’s a definite improvement.”

She was four and a half months along in her pregnancy, and she was feeling a lot better in the second trimester except for getting tired all the time.

They’d stopped using birth control at the beginning of the summer, and she’d gotten pregnant almost immediately.

She was excited and kind of nervous.

Jude was over-the-moon happy.

He rubbed her belly lightly before moving back to her head. She loved how it felt.

Like he was taking care of her.

“Any headache today?” she asked, suddenly realizing she hadn’t even inquired about how he was feeling.

“No. I’m good today.”

“Good.” She smiled up at him sappily. “I’m already feeling better too.”

They shared a warm look that prompted Eve to sit up and hug him.

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