Page 14 of Ghost Of You

“Sorry,” she murmurs. “I was in the office with my headphones on. I only just heard you.”

I lean in and place a soft kiss on her lips, which she returns with equal tenderness. “Meatball was meowing like crazy. Surprisingly, he was being nice to me after he attacked my ankle when I came in.”

She chuckles softly. “I must have forgotten to feed him. Got so caught up in work, and you know, baby brain.” She grins and I place a gentle hand on her stomach.

Her bump is still modest but noticeable. She’s seventeen weeks along, now comfortably in her second trimester.

“How’s the nausea?” I ask, my concern evident.

She scrunches up her face. “Not much has changed, but I’ve been craving pickles all day. We’re out of pickles.”

I laugh, leaning in for another kiss. “I’ll make sure to pick some up when I head to the store later.”

She smiles against my lips. “Thank you.”

“Oh, and I got you some flowers,” I add, watching her eyes light up with curiosity.

“Blue roses?” she guesses, and I nod.

“Willa also gave me a bouquet of rainbow-coloured roses. She was planning to come by but got held up with a delivery.”

“I’ll text her to thank her,” she says, planting a kiss on my cheek. “Where are they?”

“Kitchen counter,” I reply.

Before I can react, she’s off me and darting through the door. I can’t help but chuckle at her enthusiasm as I follow her down the stairs.

As I reach the bottom of the stairs, I make my way quickly to the kitchen, only to find it empty. “Laelia?” I call out, my voice echoing slightly as I turn around to look for her. Suddenly, she appears right behind me, causing me to jump in surprise. “Damn it!” I exclaim, my hand instinctively flying to my chest.

She laughs softly, clearly amused by my reaction. “Sorry,” she says with a playful tone. As she walks past me, she heads straightfor the flowers on the counter, her gaze fixed on their delicate petals. Her joy is evident as she admires them, and I’m reminded once again of how much I adore her. “They’re beautiful.”

I move closer and wrap my arms around her from behind, planting a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Where would you like them?” I ask, my voice tender. She leans back into my embrace, a contented sigh escaping her lips.

“Hmm…” she muses, thinking it over. “One in the centre of the counter and the other in our bedroom on my bedside table.”

She turns within my arms, and I place a soft kiss on her forehead before crouching down to gently rest my hands on her growing belly. The anticipation of becoming a father fills me with an overwhelming sense of joy. The thought of our little one growing every day, soon to be here and in our arms, is nothing short of magical. I’m eager to feel those first little kicks and movements. There’s a lot to be done before our baby arrives—picking out names, setting up the nursery, and gathering all the essentials. I also need to start buying some band t-shirts. No matter what, our child is going to be a little rocker, just like us.

I haven’t shared this with Laelia yet, but I’ve already begun collecting baby band merchandise online, stashing it away in a box under the bed. I’m surprised she hasn’t discovered it yet. Though, I have a sneaking suspicion that she might have seen it and is just waiting for me to come clean.

Leaning forward, I gently lift the hem of the band t-shirt she’s wearing, catching a glimpse of the lace thong beneath. It stirs something in me, but I push the impulse aside and focus on her. I press my lips to her small, rounded bump, whispering, “I can’t wait to meet you, little one. You’re already so loved by both of us. I have a feeling you’re going to look just like your mother—beautiful and enchanting. I can already picture all the boys falling for you, but just so you know, you’re not allowed to date until you’re at least fifty. Got it?”

Laelia giggles at my words. “You’re wrong,” she replies, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

I glance up at her, puzzled. “I’m wrong?” I ask, seeking clarification.

“Yes,” she says, her smile widening. “You’re wrong because if it’s a boy, he’ll be just like his dad—handsome, strong, loving, and, of course, a bit of a troublemaker. He’ll also have all the girls chasing him.”

I chuckle at her response. “You know I’m well-behaved,” I retort.

“And I’ll have you know that I’m a virgin,” she quips with a sarcastic edge, making me laugh again.

One thing is certain: Laelia and this child have my heart completely, no matter whether they’re a boy or a girl. This child is ours, and they are already so loved. The excitement I feel is almost overwhelming.

I can’t fucking wait.

Chapter seven

Small shards of glass drift through the air, shimmering like fragments of stardust against the night sky. Each piece catches the faintest glimmer of light as it dances through the darkness. In slow motion, specks of crimson—streaks of blood—trace their way past me, their vivid hue contrasting sharply with the surrounding shadows. As my senses struggle to grasp the scene unfolding before me, I notice that more and more of the blood comes into view, painting a stark and haunting picture.

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