Page 64 of Zone Protection

“Did you feel it?” she asks me.

I nod and move my head closer to her stomach. “I already love you so much, little one. I promise I’ll always take care of you.” I kiss her stomach, and when I do, I feel another movement.

I hear a sniffle and look up at Emma.

“You okay? It doesn’t hurt, does it?”

She shakes her head. “No, not at all. It feels a little like when you ride a roller coaster and there’s a wave or flutter in your belly.” A tear escapes the corner of her eye, but she wipes it away.

“Why are you crying, baby?” Keeping one hand on her stomach, I sit up and lean in to kiss her.

“Feeling the baby kick … it’s just surreal. Like, I’ve felt my body changing, and logically, I know it’s all happening, but feeling the baby move is, like, whoa. You know what I mean? Like, there is a life inside of me.”

“It’s wild, for sure. I bet it’s a weird feeling for you, but it’s also really awesome.” I kiss her again. “You’re going to be an amazing mom, Em. Like, really amazing.”

“You think so?”

For the first time since I met her, she looks uncertain.

“Fuck yes. You’re going to be the best.” I lie back on my pillow and pull her to rest her head on my chest.

“Hey, Arch. In case I haven’t told you lately, I really like you.” She’s tracing the tattoos on my chest.

“Hey, Em. I really like you too.” I kiss her on the top of her head.

“Oh shit! The ice cream! It’s probably melting.” She sits up.

“I got it. Do you still want some or wait until later?”

Her lips purse. “Hmm … let’s wait until later. I had a craving to put the gummies in the ice cream, but it’s passed now.”

I shake my head. “The regular or sour ones?”

“Uh, probably both, with the chocolate ice cream.”

“Baby, that’s not right.”

“Archie, I literally cannot help it that the baby wants these things.”

I rub my hand up and down her arm. “But can I remind you of all of them once the baby is born?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Okay, fine.” A rumbled laugh escapes me, and then I kiss the top of her head.

I run to put the ice cream in the freezer then climb back into bed with Emma. After a few minutes, I feel her breathing change and realize she’s fallen asleep. Since she’s lying on her side, I don’t have a good angle to touch her stomach again, but I drift my fingers back and forth along her side, feeling the curve of her belly.

When I close my eyes, I think about what our future is going to look like, and I realize that not only do I see Emma in every scenario, but I see lots of babies. And damn if that doesn’t make me smile.

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

EMMA

One of thethings I’ve been experiencing lately is vivid dreams. I read that it happens to some women during pregnancy. It’s definitely happening to me, and not only are they vivid, but they’re all sex dreams.

When I told Archie about it, he assured me that I could wake him up anytime.

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