Page 92 of Waiting on You

“I wish,” I moan as Nate trails kisses along my neck and shoulder.

It’s been several weeks since we arrived in Dallas, and I have to fly back tomorrow for my doctor’s appointment. I already rescheduled it once, so I can’t do it again. Nate offered to come with me, but I told him to stay. It’s only a quick checkup, and we won’t even see our little guy.

I’m going to be starting my maternity leave soon, so I have a lot of loose ends I need to tie up at Kingston, which will mean staying in Rosemary instead of coming back to Dallas. The hope is that once the baby comes, Nate will work remotely with the help of Valerie while they continue to interview candidates for the CEOposition.

When Nate reaches around and plucks my nipple, I moan in pleasure and then carefully turn around, with the help of Nate, so I can face him. Getting around with my pregnant belly isn’t easy, and as I get closer to my due date, it only gets harder, but I want to be close to Nate, kiss him and memorize his features before I have to leave.

“It’s going to suck without you here,” he mutters before he captures my mouth with his, kissing me like it’s the last time he’s going to see me for a long time. And I guess, in a way, it is.

For the past several weeks, we’ve been inseparable. Nate even set up a desk in the corner of his office so we could work near each other. We have breakfast, lunch, and dinner together. And while one would think we’d get sick of each other, I can’t seem to get enough of him. Sometimes—okay, most of the time—our lunches even end in office sex.

“We’ll text and FaceTime,” I tell him as I wrap my hand around his shaft and guide him inside me, trying to convince us both that everything’s going to be okay. We’ve done this before—been away from each other for weeks—and we’ll get through this just like we did in the past.

After we make love and move to the shower to rinse off, we get dressed, and then I finish packing up my stuff since I won’t be returning anytime soon.

“Can we go by and see your parents?”I ask when I’m all packed.

We’ve been visiting with them almost every day since his dad got discharged and went home.

Cary is so excited to have another grandson, and he loves to tell me stories about Nate when he was little. He was like a mini version of his adult self—big heart and driven. His dad said he used to go to his office when he was younger and pretend to be in charge, telling everyone what to do. I can totally see it. Nate was made to be CEO.

“I was just about to ask if you wanted to go,” he says. “Penny made her famous lasagna as a goodbye meal for you because she knows you love it.”

“Oh, yay!” I cheer. “Penny’s lasagna is the best. I’m going to miss it,” I say with a frown, as it hits me that I’m not only leaving Nate, but also his entire family.

A family I’ve gotten close to the last several months. Penny has been talking to me about all things baby, about breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, what diapers she recommends, and her birthing plan that she had with her babies. Since Nate and I haven’t been home, we haven’t done the tour of the hospital or registered yet, but we did discuss the birthing plan.

“Why didn’t she text me?” I ask.

“She didn’t want to put you on the spot. Make you feel obligated since it’s your last night here.”

I nod in understanding as tears fill my eyes. “I hate that I have to leave,” I choke out.

We’ve spent these past several weeks with Nate’sentire family as Cary recovers, and I’ve grown close to everyone. It’s been nice, being surrounded by family, and I’m going to miss them all.

“We’ll be back,” Nate says, leaning in and giving me a kiss. “And I’m sure they’re going to come visit when the baby is born.” He wipes the tears from under my eyes. “Let’s get ready to go.”

Dinnerwith his family is bittersweet. Everyone hugs me, telling me to be safe and that they’ll see me soon. I thought I’d be excited to go home since I haven’t been there in weeks, but the truth is, I’m not looking forward to it at all. I’m actually kind of dreading it.

And the next morning, as Nate drives me to the airport, my heart clenches in my chest. I feel as though I’mleavinghome instead of going back to it.

When we arrive at the airport, I’m shocked to see Joanne waiting for me with a carry-on bag next to her.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, giving her a hug.

“I’m coming with you.”

“What?” I glance from her to Nate in confusion.

“I love my husband, but he’s driving me nuts at home,” she says with a wink that tells me she’s not being serious. “The nurses are taking care of him, and Nate is taking care of Bradford Hotels. So, I want to take care of you.”

Her words cause me to sniffle back a sob.

“You don’t haveto?—”

“I know,” she says, not letting me finish. “But I want to. You’re family.” She places a loving hand on my belly. “I don’t want you to be alone, so if it’s okay with you, I thought I’d come along to keep you company. I know you have to go to work, but I figured I can help get the baby stuff and nursery ready. Nate mentioned you haven’t started on any of it yet since you’ve been in Dallas.”

A sob I was holding in releases, and I throw my arms around her.

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