Page 21 of The Last to Know

“And when the time comes, I’ll get up and deal with the baby. It’s not all on you to parent.”

Grace smiled. “I want you to have the bigger room.”

Caz held her palms up. “No point arguing with you on this, is there?”

“Nope,” Grace grinned, “this is why I’m marrying you and having kids and not with some dick from wherever.”

“Because I just do as I am told?” Caz chuckled.

Grace hugged her. “That…and you’re thoughtful, and decent, and the best partner for raising children.”

“We’re going to be the best parents ever.”

Chapter Nine

June 2025

The snoring stopped at around four in the morning, when Caz rolled over onto her front and slid one leg over Grace’s thighs and an arm around her waist, her face nuzzled in against Grace’s arm.

Only then could Grace finally remove the pillow from over her head and get some sleep herself. Waking up several hours later, however, to find Caz’s nose just inches from her own, was interesting; not unpleasant, or weird, just…normal, and that was what she noticed most about it.

Clearly, she too must have moved and rolled over in her sleep, moving towards the embrace and not away from it.

She tried to shift herself away and couldn’t. Caz tightened her grip and made a noise that sounded like, “No.”

Grace giggled, which only seemed to worsen the situation when blurry eyes opened slowly and another groan sounded like, “Shh…head…hurts.”

“I am not surprised. I married a drunkard.” Grace smiled and kissed her forehead. “We have to get up and meet my parents for breakfast.”

“They do know we got married, right…and should be unavailable for at least a month while we ’enjoy’ the honeymoon phase?” Caz said, her eyes now closed again.

“A month? That’s all I’m getting?” Grace huffed theatrically. “I thought you lesbians were in the honeymoon phase for years,” Grace teased.

“Yeah, we are…but you’ve not turned to the dark side, so you get the usual straight person’s two weeks, but with a bonus of two more because you had the sense to at least not marry a straight person.”

Caz rolled onto her back and stretched, finally freeing Grace from her hold. Slowly, her eyes opened again, followed by a yawn and another stretch.

“I need coffee.” Caz groaned as she sat up. “How many tequilas did Dani buy me?”

“About ten too many.” Grace laughed, sliding out from under the duvet and crossing the room to open the curtains and flick the tiny kettle on.

Caz lifted the cover and frowned. “Why am I in my underwear and you’re in cute pyjamas?”

Grace gave her a stern look, with one brow raised at the stupid question, but she answered it anyway, “Because you were so out of it. The moment you landed on the bed, you were asleep. And I was not sleeping with your boots or letting that suit get ruined, so I stripped off what I could.”

“Anything to get me naked again.” Caz laughed, and soon regretted it as her head pounded again. “I don’t suppose you have—”

Grace was already delving into her bag. Coming up with a box of ibuprofen, she threw them across the room to Caz. “Take two, then shower. That should get the blood pumping again.”

Finally sitting up, Caz puffed out her cheeks. “I’m not sure blood pumping is a good idea.” She gingerly pulled her hair tie free and gently ran her fingers through the knots. “What time is it?”

“Almost ten,” Grace said, her back now to Caz as she ripped open packets of instant coffee, sugar, and those horrible milk portions. Nevertheless, she divided them into two cups and added the hot water, stirring vigorously. “Here, this should liven you up.”

Caz took the mug and sniffed it. “Looks grim.”

“I imagine that’s what it will taste like too, but needs must. Caffeine will be our God today.”

Sitting at the breakfast table, Grace had budged her chair up as close to Caz as she could get. Caz had her arm slung loosely around the back of Grace’s chair as they acted like the perfect couple in love.

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