“Jack, I don’t want the baby to come quickly because I want to get away from you.” I feel the need to explain myself. “You’ve made my time here, and this whole experience, more than I could have wished for. I just don’t want to have to give birth in a hospital.” I’d be more than happy to feel the baby moving around inside me and have Jack hold me close, the way he does so protectively, for another two weeks.
“I get that, and I don’t want to be selfish. You know how I feel about you leaving; it breaks my heart. But this isn’t about me. I want you to be comfortable and stress-free when the time comes. I want to take care of you.” He sits up on his knees in front of me and slides the blanket from my belly so he can graspit in both hands. “Please, let me do that, just for the first week he’s here.”
I know it’s stupid of me to agree; it’s going to make leaving them both behind excruciating, but I like the idea of knowing what we’d be like as a family too much to refuse.
“One week.” I nod, watching him smile when his son's foot sticks out and rolls across my belly.
“I still find it insane that he moves around like that,” he laughs.
“He’s really running out of space in there,” I point out.
“What can I do to make these next few days,or weeks,while we wait, more comfortable for you?” he asks, looking up at me seriously.
“Well, you can start by assisting me in giving him the message that it’s time to vacate. Olivia told me that sex is a good labour starter.” I decide to lighten the mood. Jack’s right, we should be making the most of our time together, not being sad about it ending. “I’d also like to see the girls. It’s been such a long time, and I want to try and get things between Polly and me fixed before the baby comes.” I’m starting to panic that she won’t want to come with us.
“Consider it done.” He stands up, holding out his hand to help me up.
“You know, we could just do it here.” I stroke the fur throw I’m sitting on, thinking it would be kinda hot to fuck out here, in front of the fire.
“Friends first, fucking later.” He drags me up, supporting my belly at the same time.
“I’d like to keep you in this condition for at least a few hours longer.” He kisses me and strokes my belly proudly.
“You really do think you have a magic cock, don’t you?” I roll my eyes. “I don’t think it works just like that.”
“You also didn’t think I’d knock you up first attempt, but…” His eyes fall to the huge, swollen tummy between us. “Come on, let's go see your friends, then we’ll come home, and I’ll make love to you until you beg me for mercy.”
Him calling it that makes me realise thatthatis exactly what we do. It’s what we’ve been doing this whole time. I could blame the connection I feel to him on the fact that I’m carrying his child, but the truth is, it’s been there from the very start.
“What's on your mind, Gracie girl?” he asks with a grin on his face.
“I’m just picturing you lying on these furs, like a Viking,” I lie, needing to protect myself from those kinds of thoughts. “Come on, before I change my mind about seeing the girls, and make you fuck me like a berserker.” I lead us out of the summer house, so I can put things right with Polly.
“You look nervous.” Jack frowns with concern as he holds me under my belly and waits for the elevator door to open.
“I can manage, you know.” I can’t help but find his overbearingness sweet, even if it is over the top.
“I know, but you don’t have to. It must be a heavy weight, carrying the future heir of Fairfax.”
“Extremely.” I don’t disagree with him, waddling out to the lobby when the doors open.
“Sir." Both security guards at the door nod their heads, and the larger one with slicked-back, dark hair opens the door for us. We hear laughter as we step inside. The girls are all gathered around the table together, and the huge man sitting among them looks startled when he sees us.
“Sir.” He drops the playing cards in his hand and quickly stands up, looking guilty.
“Relax, he can’t be mad at you for entertaining us, as well as protecting us.” Sophia taps the chair for him to sit back down before placing her own cards down and racing over to throw her arms around me.
“Grace, look at you, you look–”
“Like an elephant.” I sigh, relieved to see her. She’s always so positive and bright.
“I was thinking more like a hippo, but, whatever.” Selena places a bowl of crisps in the centre of the table, then drags back on her cigarette while Polly remains at the table with her head down, refusing to make eye contact.
“Did you not get the no-smoking memo?” Jack marches straight towards Selena, shocking her when he takes the cigarette from her mouth, carries it over to the sink like it offends him, and puts it out under the tap.
“We weren’t expecting company, sir.” The guy who I’m assuming is supposed to be security, clears his throat, still looking worried.
“Gracie wanted some time with her friends; perhaps we should give her some.” Jack throws his eyes toward the door, suggesting they leave, and I’m grateful to him for giving me the space. This conversation would be a lot more awkward if he were here for it.
