Page 111 of Protector Daddy

“She said it wore her out. But she slept right away afterwards. Insomnia be gone.” I rubbed his knuckles then went back to eating. He might have too many heavy thoughts to plow through his dinner, but I was not similarly afflicted.

One thing that made me suspect I really was knocked up—I was hungry 24/7. The other night I’d had two pieces of chocolate cake for dessert, and my waistline was expanding accordingly. And I didn’t even care. I was actually excited to be gaining weight.

I was possibly out of my mind.

“What are you smiling about?”

“I gained three pounds this week.”

“And you’re happy about that?”

“Yeah. I keep pulling up my shirt to see.”

“Come here.”

Reluctantly, I stopped eating and circled the counter as he shifted to face me. I stopped between his legs and he rested his big hands on my hips, staring expectantly at my belly as if it was a present he was waiting to unwrap. I lifted my shirt and took a quick peek myself.

Nada yet.

“I can’t see anything.”

“What are you expecting, a welcome sign?”

He chuckled. “No. That should be a little lower.”

I dropped my shirt and sifted my fingers through his soft, thick hair. He’d been letting it grow a little, and I didn’t have any problem with having more to run my hands through. “I love your house. I love you. It’s just bittersweet that the apartment I longed for ended up being just a resting place on my way to better. On my way to you. But I don’t regret a damn thing, Christian. I’m so grateful I went to interview with you that day.”

“I just want to make sure you’re happy. That you aren’t missing out in any way. You had other plans.”

“Yeah, and now some of those plans we’ll do together. Are you missing out on anything being with me?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why do you think the reverse might be true? Because I’m younger? That matters not one whit. It just means you had to wait longer for what I’m lucky enough to experience now.”

He cupped my cheek. “Honey.”

“Let’s go buy some pregnancy tests, okay?”

“We don’t have to do that now. It’s snowing.”

“It’s December in New York. That happens often.” I stepped away from him and headed over to the coat closet to grab our jackets and scarves.

“Wait, are you sure?” He caught my arm after I tugged on my gloves. “I know you wanted to make sure we gave the baby enough time to cook.”

“Yeah, but it’s heading toward seven weeks. Should be enough time. My jeans say it is. Unless I really have been eating too much.” I held up a hand. “Don’t answer that.”

“Every ounce of you is gorgeous.” He nuzzled my neck. “I can’t wait to see you grow and change. I mean, if it’s going to happen. If not, that’s fine too.”

I kissed him and tipped my forehead to his. “We just have to know. We’ll make ourselves crazy. Or crazier.”

He blew out a warm breath against my lips. “Yeah. You’re right. Better just to know.”

An hour later, three tests were lined on the sink. “Just time five minutes.”

“On it.”

When the alarm sounded on his phone, we both startled then looked at each other and laughed. We were both ridiculous. Not that ridiculous since our whole lives could change from this one not so little test.

---