“Okay, I’ll fix it,” I promise, having no idea how, but knowing I’ll find a way to figure it out.
“And no more running; from now on we communicate, we talk to each other, and be honest about our feelings.”
“Alicia, I’m never gonna run from you again. I’m all in.”
“You better be.” Her lips twitch into a seductive little smile, and when she tries to sit up, I get on my feet so I can help her.
“What are you doing?” Taking her arm, I help drag her to her feet.
“We are going to the bedroom so we can do more kissing,” she informs me, already waddling her way down the hall.
“We can do that right here.” I laugh at her as I follow.
“Not with that looking over us.” She turns around and looks up at the wall behind the TV, and when I see the huge, framed picture of Greaser, Griller, and their mom that’s been hung there since I left, I agree and let her lead the way.
I wake up with her sleeping beside me, still wearing that white dress she was supposed to get married in, but snuggled in my arms instead of his. I don’t know how long we spent kissing before we both fell asleep, but it’s dark outside now, and I’d happily stay like this for the rest of the evening.
“Are you watching me sleep?” She smiles with her eyes still closed.
“Maybe.” I tease little circles over her belly through the fabric of her dress with the tip of my finger. I’ve really missed feeling the baby move over these past few months. I let Greaser keep me away from her too, and I can’t believe how strong she’s gotten since I’ve been gone.
“I think she missed you. I haven’t felt her move so much in ages.” Alicia laughs, looking down at her stomach when something sticks out, and ripples across it.
“Is that?—”
“Yep, she does that now.”
“Does it hurt?”
“It’s sure getting uncomfortable,” she laughs again, “but it lets me know she’s okay.”
“It’s kinda awesome; she’s getting strong in there, fighting fit for when she gets out and keeps us busy.” I slide higher up the bed and change the position of my hand, hoping to feel her again.
“Here.” Alicia lifts her dress up over her stomach, revealing her smooth and taut bare skin. “Sometimes she sticks out her elbows, or maybe it's a foot, I can never be sure.” I love how happy she sounds as she explains, and when I rest my palm gently over her skin, she looks up at me with heat in her eyes.
“It feels nice having you touch me again. That night when we kissed, and you slept in here beside me, I was hoping it would be the start for us.” Her smile turns sad. I wanna ask her why she kissed Greaser in the yard the day after, but I refuse to ruin this moment with thoughts of him.
“Well, we took a little detour, but we’re here now.” I kiss her some more and, when my hand shifts a little lower, the way her body instantly stiffens scares me that I’ve gone too far.
“Shit, Alicia, I’m sorry. I’m not expectin’...I jus-” I quickly take my hand away.
“It’s not that.” She shakes her head. “I want to. I really want to…um.”
“Babe, you don’t have to explain yourself. I get it. I shouldn’t have let myself get so carried aw?—”
“No…” She shakes her head. “It’s not you. …I’ve only ever done this once before, and I was so drunk, I can’t remember much about it,” she admits, looking embarrassed.
“You got knocked up, the first time you did it?” I can’t help but laugh.
“Hey, it’s not funny. Being with Griller wasn’t exactly how I envisioned my first experience, but it happened, and I have a lot to be grateful for,” she reminds me, rolling her palm over her swollen belly affectionately.
“Well, you just let me know when you're ready, darlin’.” I don’t want her to feel any pressure. This girl’s been through enough.
“I’m ready now,” she surprises me. “Hell, Vike, I was ready six years ago when Saul first brought you home,” she confesses, her cheeks turning red again. “But are you sure you want to do this, especially when I’m looking like this? I’m hardly in the sexiest of states right now.” She looks down self-consciously at her body.
“I love this state,” I tell her, having no idea why she looks so paranoid. Alicia looks hot as fuck being pregnant.
“I don’t even know how we would manage it; you're certainly not gonna be able to get on top of me, and I’m likely to crush you.” She sighs heavily.
