“Good.” I dip down and press my lips to hers. “Is Claire going to Ellie’s tonight?”
“I don’t believe so.” I groan and drop my head into her shoulder. “You’re the one who told her she couldn’t stay at a friend’s house the night before we travel.”
“I’ve changed my mind.” I kiss her neck again, my hands cupping her waist so I can lift her onto the counter. Marlowe moans quietly, the sound causing my dick to stir. “Call Joe. I need you to myself, at least for a few hours.”
Her legs wrap around my waist. “A few hours, huh? And what do you plan on doing with all that time?”
“Get me alone and find out.”
“You guys remember I can see you, right?” I lift my head and turn towards the noise, seeing Claire standing in the entry of the kitchen with her hands covering her eyes. “I thought you promised not to do that when I was home anymore.”
Marlowe gently pushes my shoulders, and I step back, giving her space to slide off the counter. “I’m sorry, honey. Is your stuff in the washer?”
“Yes. Is the coast clear?”
“It’s clear,” she responds with a roll of her eyes.
Claire drops her hands and walks over to the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water before turning back to us. “Are Cole and Blue coming with us this time?”
After the whole revelation four years ago, Cole spent some time in rehab before investing in therapy. By the time he felt ready to date again, JJ had already found someone new and gotten engaged. Cole was extremely happy for her, and they’re still close friends to this day. She and her fiance spend every holiday with us, and we often make it a point to go out once a month.
About a year ago, Blue finally admitted to Marlowe that they had hooked up while they were with other people. It was actually post hookup that Cole learned Marlowe’s father and sister had died in the car accident that night. They finally admitted their feelings to one another and have been dating for about seven months now.
“Nope, it’s just us this time.” Marlowe walks over to Claire, putting a hand on her shoulder. “We figured the fewer opinions we got while house hunting, the better. Now come on, let’s go pack what we can.”
I watch as they exit the kitchen, the bowl of what appears to be the start of brownie batter forgotten on the counter. Grabbing the spoon, I finish stirring it for her before I grab a pan, pouring the contents into it. I slip it into the oven and set a timer, then head into the living room to watch some television.
Claire joins me about half an hour later after she moves her clothes into the dryer. She rests with her head on my shoulder as I turn on our favorite show,New Girl. We laugh together at ourfavorite moments, enjoying the time together. Even though she’s getting older and acts like she’s embarrassed by us in public, Claire still acts like that little girl I met five years ago who loves to cuddle and paint my nails.
After the fifth episode ends, I glance up into the bedroom but don’t see Marlowe. Tilting my head back, I strain to look into the kitchen but don’t see her in there, either. My brows furrow as I reach for my phone, but don’t see anything from her.
“Where’s your mom?”
“I don’t know,” she tells me, sitting up and pulling out her phone. “Figured she would’ve joined us a while ago. Want me to go look for her?”
I shake my head, pushing myself off the couch. “I’ll go find her. You can keep watching.”
Claire grabs a pillow and lays down on her side, grabbing the remote and clicking on the next episode. I check the kitchen once more and come up empty before heading down the hallway to Claire’s room. The door is closed, so I knock gently, only opening the door when I’m greeted with silence. Finding it empty, I check all the rooms on the bottom floor before heading upstairs.
My studio is also vacant, the painting Marlowe has been working on resting in the middle of the room on the easel. I spin on my heel and walk into the bedroom, noticing her suitcase laying on the bed with her clothes strewn around it. Turning, I notice that the bathroom door is closed.
“Lowe? Are you okay?”
I hear the water turn on and run for a few seconds before it shuts off. “You can come in.”
Reaching for the handle, I push the door open and my eyes immediately land on Marlowe. She’s leaning against the closet door, her eyes glassy and arms folded. I close the space betweenus and pull her against my chest, one arm wrapping around her waist while the other cups the back of her head.
“What’s wrong, baby?” I grab her face with both hands and pull her back so I can look her in the eye. I brush away a lone tear that escapes her eyes. “Why are you crying?”
Her eyes drift over to the countertop before she looks wordlessly up at me. I raise a brow and glance over my shoulder, finally noticing what I had walked past. Turning, I walk up to the counter and my eyes grow big as I realize what I’m looking at.
Sitting before me are four different pregnancy tests.
Fourpositivepregnancy tests.
“You’re pregnant,” I whisper, spinning around to look at Marlowe.
She shrugs, her arms hanging at her sides. “I’m pregnant.”
