“Naff!”
She scampered out of the bed and into his arms.As he rubbed her back, I could tell the smile on his face was genuine.
Now that it was the three of us again, what else was there to do but keep playing family?
The medicine I’d given her earlier must have taken effect, because her fever was down and she was slightly more active.She wanted to play with her toys, but she tired easily.We put on a princess movie, and she curled up on the couch to watch.Nash took off his coat and vest, busying himself in whatever needed doing.We went from plant tending to organizing my refrigerator to pulling up the aerial map of the Meridian Manufacturing neighborhood, where Nash pointed out the areas of decay and we brainstormed potential solutions.
Our evening together was both nothing special and everything special.Mia didn’t eat much soup for dinner, but she was able to keep some ginger ale down.When it was time for bed, Mia insisted Nash be the one to put her to tuck her in.
"You sure?"he asked her.
"She wants you,” I said, ruffling her hair.“Go ahead."
Nash scooped her up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.I listened from the living room as Nash read her three stories, his deep voice soothing and steady.Then I heard him singing—actually singing—a lullaby I'd never heard before.
When he emerged from her room twenty minutes later, with his loosened tie and his mussed up hair, I could have spontaneously erupted into pregnancy.
"She asleep?"I asked.
"Yeah.But she made me promise that I'd be here when she wakes up."His expression was serious."She asked if I was going to leave like her daddy did."
My heart shattered."Oh God."
"So I promised her I'd be here in the morning."He loosened his tie further, sending a cautious look my way.“I hope that’s okay.I know you wanted to get back to normal.”
"It’s more than okay.I was hoping you’d stay.”I cast him a coy smile, but my heart was thumping.
“I would hope my wife wouldn’t be kicking me out already,” he said with an easy grin as he returned to his position at my side on the couch.
My smile faded quickly.“She’s getting attached to you.”
“I know.”He took my hand in his, running the pad of his thumb over my knuckles.“I’m getting attached to her too.”
“But what happens in December?”The words stuck to my throat, barely making it past my lips.I was terrified of what he’d say.But I needed to know.
“The same thing that’s happening now.I’m with you two.”
I blinked, searching his face.“That’s not what the contract says.”
“We signed the contract before…this.”He gestured to the minuscule amount of space between us.“Things are different now.”
Different was an understatement.Things were perfect.Blissful.Dreamlike.
And terrifying.
I rested my head on his shoulder, letting the present moment wash over me.
“So we’re married,” I said slowly, “but maybe we’re also dating?”
I could hear Nash’s deep laugh rumble through him.He brought my hand up to his lips, kissing the back of it.
“Yes.You’re my legally wedded girlfriend.How’s that sound?”
My cheeks hurt from how hard his words made me smile.“A little fucked up.But somehow right.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
NASH
