Page 86 of Geordie

“I know what you meant,” he says, sounding pleased with my verbal slip. “You know, lass, it could be your home, if you'd agree to live with me.”

He stops the truck at a signal. I pry one of his hands from the steering wheel, holding it tight. “We did it, Geordie.” He holds my gaze as we both smile. “Our child is growing inside me.”

Shards of dawn light peek through the curtains as we make our way into the living room. It's familiar, safe, but it's not home. Geordie stops to open the shades while I continue to my room, feeling the weight of my ordeal that's changed my life again. I'm desperate for a shower and a warm bed.

Geordie catches up to me. “Wait. Talk to me before you go to your room.”

“I need to get cleaned up. Can't it wait?” He gathers me into a hug, his kindness overwhelming me as I sink into his embrace.

“I'm here for you and the child. I'll do everything I can to make this the best experience.” He holds me tighter, like he's shielding me from the world.

I want to weep, not the quiet, beautiful type of tearing. I want to indulge in ugly sobbing and reduce myself into a puddle of goo. It's got to be the pregnancy that has me emotional. I hope I don't feel this way the whole time I'm carrying my child. “Thank you,” I mumble into his chest. “That means a lot. I promise we'll do this together.”

He releases me, keeping me at arm's length, and that quickly, my comfort is gone. “No celebrating until you've had your rest.”

“See you in the morning?”

“See you in the afternoon. I want the mother of my child to sleep in late. We'll talk then.”

“Why didn't you tell me you were trying to have a baby with Geordie?” Molly says. We're both sitting on my bed, our backs against the headboard. It's been a week at Geordie's. I haven't worked. My tour is on hold and I'm restless.

“Because you tell Stephen everything, and apparently he tells everything to you.”

She places a protective hand over her baby bump, pouting. “Are you saying I can't be trusted? I've been your friend since we met in freshman English class in high school.”

I take her hand to assure her she's still my bestie. “I didn't want him to know. The two of you are close. I couldn't take the chance of him derailing my plans. It doesn't matter, it all blew up in my face, anyway.”

“I suppose I should just be happy that you're pregnant and this little thumper…” she says, looking down at her belly, “…I swear this kid is going to be a mixed martial artist the way this little one bumps around. This kid I'm growing will have a playmate, maybe even a best friend.” She squeezes my hand. “Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had daughters?”

It's something we’ve talked about forever and now it just might happen. “Yeah, that would be nice. Anyway, I asked you here to talk about your baby shower. The one you've been hinting that I should host soon.”

She sits up straighter, beaming. “When are you planning on having this? Where will it be?”

“That's why I invited you here, to do the planning. I know better than to throw you a surprise baby shower. We can have it anytime you like. Here at Geordie's apartment, my apartment, or at Dalliance.”

“I love your restaurant, but I'd rather have it in a home. Geordie will offer his apartment?”

“We discussed your party, and he agreed. I think he wants a preview of the baby shower you'll throw for us.”

“The one I'll throw for you will be spectacular.” She drums her fingers on the bed as she thinks. “This place is bigger than yours and if he offered, let's have it here.”

“Will a gender reveal be part of it?”

She waves an uninterested hand in the air. “We find out the gender of Lil Thumper next week. Eddie has been hesitant about having a gender reveal ever since that couple caused a wildfire with their celebration. I told him there were other ways to do it without using fire, but he can't see the point.”

I slide my tablet off the side table and enter details about the party. “If you're going to find out next week about the gender, then let's put it in the invitation; is that all right? Why don't we have the party in two weeks on Saturday, on the fifth?”

She thinks about this for a moment. “Yeah, that all sounds fine. I'll send you a list of people I'd like you to invite to my party.” She reaches for her phone.

Alarm bells go off in my head. “Molly.”

“Hmm?” She’s looking at her phone, swiping and tapping at a furious rate.

“I know this is your party, but we can't invite Stephen.”

“Why, we've been friends forever?” She’s still concentrating on her phone.

I place my hand on her arm so she pays attention to me. “Really, you want to insult Geordie by inviting my ex-boyfriend, who you know will show up?”

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