“That’s great. Jake said nothing too greasy, or spicy, but if there was something that sounded good to you, we should try it. Up for anything specific?”
She hummed. Her mom always made her one dinner whenever she was sick as a kid, and it actually made her mouth salivate, in a good way, to think about taking a bite of it. “Buttered noodles. With salt and rosemary. Oh god, yeah. That’s exactly what I could go for.”
Hawk bent over, pressing his lips to her forehead. “Your wish is my command.”
Jessie just shook her head, swinging her feet over the side of the bed. She could feel the concern rolling off of him in waves, but he offered her his hand as she stood.
“I feel like a baby deer,” Jessie complained, hating how weak her body was. “But I don’t want you to have to wait on me. I can take care of myself.”
Hawk’s growl was immediate. His arms reached out and scooped her up, depositing her right back into bed. He knelt down in front of her knees, his hands bracketing her hips.
“I helped you up because I thought you might have to use the bathroom after that IV you got. Let me take care of you.”
“It’s not… I don’t?—”
“I know you don’t like feeling weak. Nobody does. But the truth of the matter is, even as you’re stuck laying in this bed, you are still the strongest fucking woman I know.”
She shook her head, and Hawk sighed as he moved to sit down on the bed next to her.
“Jess. You and the baby are my responsibility. And it’s the biggest fucking honor of my life to get to take care of the bothof you. You aren’t weak for accepting that help. You’re so incredibly strong.”
She smiled, her hand coming to rest on his arm before she gave it a playful squeeze. “Okay.”
“Good. Buttered noodles with rosemary coming right up.”
“Wait!” Jess smiled.
“What?”
“I actually do have to go to the bathroom.”
Hawk chuckled as he stood, bending down to scoop her up again. This time, Jessie’s arms went right around his neck. She knew he wouldn’t put her down, but she still had to protest.
“I can walk, you know.”
A rumble vibrated through his chest. “You’re letting me take care of you, remember?”
“I remember,” she sighed as Hawk took off, moving towards the bathroom. “But don’t think for a second I’m letting you stay in here while I pee.”
“Jess—”
“Absolutely N-O-T, Chief. No. There is no way you are staying in here for that.”
“You know I’m going to see our child exit your body in a few months, right?”
She gasped as he set her down in front of the sink. “You willnot.You are strictly forbidden to lookdown thereas our baby, who will probably have your gigantic head, rips me apart as he comes into the world. You are staying topside, handsome. Ain’t no way.”
Hawk’s arms wrapped around her and he tugged her into his chest. His cheek rested on the top of her head and he sighed. “I was kind of hoping the doctor would let me catch her.”
“Stop,” she laughed, pushing against his chest. “Please, goto the kitchen and make me some noodles so I can pee in peace.”
Hawk flipped the switch for the stove burner to off, grabbing the pot and bringing it over to the sink to drain off the boiling water. God, it had been an absolutely wild day. But having Jessie back in his bed–resting–and getting to take care of her was exactly what he needed.
He’d been feeling so fucking restless. Lost. Wanting to help, but not wanting to overstep. Seeing her get so sick in the office was the last straw. She belonged there with him. Her, and the baby.
And it was a conversation he wanted to have with Jessie as soon as possible.
Footsteps fell behind him and Hawk swore under his breath as he turned to watch Jessie walk into the kitchen.
