Page 66 of Nanny for the Damaged Ex-SEAL

Aria nods. "Mhm."

"Where will you buy her from?" he asks.

Aria puts her hand on her belly. "She's in here."

He looks confused. "What's she doing in there? Why is she hiding?"

I chuckle. "Because she isn't ready to come out yet. She has to grow first."

"When will she come out?"

"In a few months she'll be ready to come out and see you. Would you like that?"

He nods. "I'll play with her and I'll give her my snacks."

Later that night, I'm lying in bed with Aria. She's in my arms, her chest rising and falling as she sleeps. My heart is full. My life is complete. This is where she’s meant to be, and I'll never, ever let her go. Never again.

Chapter 25

Aria

It'sbeenmonthssinceI moved back to Connor's place. They’ve been the best months of my life. We're more in love with each other than ever. The world is colorful again. The breeze is fresher, the sun brighter, and my laughter reaches the depths of my heart.

He comes out of the bathroom wearing just his boxer briefs. I sit up to take in his toned, tattooed body.

"You shouldn't be looking that good this early in the morning."

He shakes his head and comes to give me a kiss. Water from his wet hair drops on me and I push him back playfully. He puts a towel to his head and rubs as he goes to the mirror.

"Are you still going out today?"

I get off the bed and put on my nightgown. My belly is round in it, shooting out like a balloon.

"Yes, Bria and I are going shopping for baby things."

He hooks the towel around his waist and catches me before I walk past him. "Do you want me to come? I can call the gym and tell them I’m not coming in."

“You wouldn't know a thing about buying baby things even if you were given a manual."

"What? I’ve had a baby before, remember?"

"That doesn't make you an expert," I joke. "Don't worry. We’ll be fine. You go to all of my doctor’s appointments with me and you take very good care of me. You do enough already. What do you want to eat?"

"What do you feel like making?"

"I don’t know. I just want ice cream." It's all I've been wanting for weeks now.

He laughs. "I'll have whatever you make, ice cream lady."

I punch him on the shoulder, and he coils back as if I hurt him. I kiss the spot I punched and make for the door.

"What do you think?" Bria asks, holding up a tiny pink onesie. It has a kitten on it and says ‘show me your kitties.’

"That’s hilarious. Super cute."

"And she'll be the cutest." She adds it to the pile of clothes we've already picked out.

Bria’s phone rings, but she doesn't answer it. I look at her suspiciously because it's been ringing continuously since we got in the car to come here.

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