Page 49 of Moonlight & Matrimony
“How did you choose the middle name?” I ask.
It’s Cade who answers this time. “We really wanted something special. Eliana has a few meanings, but the most important one to me is ‘Daughter of the Sun’.”
A chorus of “awws” fills the room.
“It’s beautiful,” I say, turning my attention back to Rylin, who’s chatting animatedly to the sleeping baby, telling her all about her new three-legged kitty named Chance.
“She’ll be a great big sister someday,” Paige says offhandedly.
“I don’t even have a man, let alone a baby.”
She swiftly jerks her head towards her brother. “What about your husband?”
“Stop it, you little menace,” I tease.
Everyone here knows about our situation, so I’m not concerned about anything salacious coming to light. Actually, that’s not entirely true — I’m worried my face will give away the fact that this marriage of convenience has become... rather inconvenient.
Chapter 12
Luca
? The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived - Taylor Swift
I’m startled awake by the sound of agonizing groans coming from down the hall. I quickly throw on a pair of gray sweats, taking care not to wake anyone as I quietly creep towards the bathroom, the dim light over the vanity casting a faint glow into the darkened hallway. Peeking through the crack, I take in the disheveled appearance of my wife, who’s doubled over in pain on the bath mat.
“Ivy?” I whisper. “Are you okay?”
When she doesn’t answer right away, I push through the door, noticing the pained expression on her face as she curls in on herself. “What’s wrong?”
“Period cramps,” she answers, groaning slightly as she shifts.
“Are they really that bad?” I wince. Probably not the best wording. “Sorry, I just mean that you seem to be in a lot of pain. I wasn’t trying to minimize the female experience.”
“The female experience,” she mocks, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “It’s fine, Luca. I know what you meant.They’re not always this bad, but my cramps can be extreme at times.”
“What can I do to help?” My question catches her off-guard, and it makes me want to find Austin and teach him how to be a real man. “I mean it, Ivy. Tell me what you need.” I infuse my voice with a little more command, and she looks at me with a mischievous smile.
“Bossy.”
“Brat.”
She rolls her eyes, then lifts her arms. It’s cute. “Help me up, please.”
I take both of her hands in mine, tugging her into a standing position. “Ok, what else?”
“I should take some pain meds and set up the heating pad.”
“Got it.” I reach an arm behind her legs, then wrap the other around her waist, lifting her up bridal style.
“Woah. What are you doing?”
“I’m carrying you to bed, and then I’m going to come back and get all the things you just listed off.”
“Luca, I’m not a damsel in distress.”
“No, but youaremy wife, and it’s my job to take care of you.”
“I’m your veryfakewife, and I can take care of myself.”
