Page 73 of Bracing the Blue Line (Bracing for Love 1)

Alice grins, but her mom peeks from around the corner behind her. “Anyone ready for cake?”

The girls jump up and start running for the kitchen as Audra appears next to me. I stand at seeing an unfamiliar look on her face.

“What's wrong?”

She shakes her head. “Nothing.” That's when I notice a small smile. “You're kind of amazing, that's all. It's really sweet that she'll be aunt Alice to our daughter, Neil.”

“You heard?” She's smiling, so that must mean she isn't upset about it. Audra nods. “I told you she was excited.” I take her hand and start leading her to the kitchen. “C'mon. We're missing the cake.”

The rest of Alice's party goes really well. Audra seems to be enjoying herself and Candace's family seems to love her. On the ride back to Audra's, she looks over at me.

“Can we stay in tonight? Watch a movie and relax? Unless you really want to go somewhere? I figured you might be tired after the games and work and all.”

I glance at her. “You don't want to go out?”

“Not today. Plus, I have homework to do too.”

“Okay, that sounds fine. Maybe we can take a nap first?” I didn't really sleep well last night, and I think it's Audra's bed. That may be why she's not sleeping well now that she's pregnant. I had a hard time, and I'm not, so maybe her body needs something better. It's simply not comfortable.

Audra nods in agreement. We get to her place and go to the couch instead of the bed. She sits down first at one end of the couch while I go grab a pillow from her room. She props her feet onto the coffee table, but by the time I get back, Audra has her eyes closed. When she doesn't stir, I assume she's sleeping.

She's been quiet for a few minutes now. Perfect. I move to rest my head in her lap, facing her ever-growing belly. This has become my favorite part of my day. Gently, so I don't wake her up, I place my hand on her stomach, hoping to feel movement.

“Hey, baby girl,” I whisper to my daughter. “It's Daddy. I hope you haven't given your momma too much trouble today.” There's no way to suppress my grin when I feel a kick near my hand. I move it, hoping she'll do it again and that I'm in the right spot. “Looks like you're going to have an aunt Alice. She's pretty cool and I think you'll like her.” My mind turns to hockey and I know I would want her to be on the ice one day too. “It's been a long week with hockey. I can't wait to take you skating to see what you can do on the ice. Think you'd want to do that, baby girl? Maybe you could play like me.” This time, my hand is in the right place and I feel her move. I chuckle softly.

“She is not going to be a hockey player.” Audra looks down at me. “You're already trying to get her hurt, Neil?” She's trying to hide a teasing smile.

“She would be tough. Have you been listening to me?” I almost want to frown, but I don't.

Audra runs her fingers through my hair. “I've been listening since the first time I woke up and heard you talking to her a while ago. Now, I pretend to fall asleep, but you're crazy if you think I'm going to let her play.”

I smile. “You're crazy if you think I wouldn't make her a good player and tough enough to handle it. She wants to play. You felt her.”

“No promises, Neil. Keep talking to her if you want.” She plays with my hair, watching me. “I love listening to you.”

“Sorry, I don't know if I can now that you're awake.” It's the truth. Part of the reason I love this is because it's only my baby girl and me.

Audra frowns. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

“I'm sorry.” Her eyes start to shine, and I sit up in confusion. “I didn't mean to take that away from you, Neil.” A tear falls and she quickly wipes it away.

“Hey, don't be sorry. I haven't even tried. I'm sure it'll be no big deal. Don't cry, Audra.”

“But you were talking to our daughter and now you're always going to be wondering if I'm listening,” she mumbles, trying to hold in her tears. “She loves when you talk to her, Neil. She moves every time you do and I've ruined it.”

I wrap her in my arms. “You haven't ruined anything, Audra. See?” I lean away so I can bend towards her stomach, letting my lips move across the fabric of her shirt. “Hey, baby girl. Show your momma that it's okay. We can still talk, can't we?” I glance at Audra. “She move?” She smiles and nods. “See, everything is okay.”

Laying back with my head in her lap, she runs her fingers through my hair again. “She doesn't move that much when I talk to her. I can already tell that she's going to be a daddy's girl.”

Unexpected pride rises in me at her words. “You think so?”

“Don't look so smug, Neil,” Audra laughs.

My smile falls away. “I hope I can be worthy enough for her,” I murmur, closing my eyes, so I don't have to see her reaction.

Audra's reply is just as quiet, “You already are.”

---