“Perfect. Just in time before our little bo—” My voice drags, and I squinch my eyes at Carter, seeing if he will slip yet.
He smiles at me. “Little baby,” he corrects me.
“Fine,” I snap. Maybe I’m a little grumbly today. I just feel lethargic and heavy.
He sets both of his hands on my shoulders to steady me, and his handsome eyes remind me of everything right in my life. I’m where I’m supposed to be.
With him.
Which is why we’re getting married.
“You make me so incredibly happy. You know that, right?”
My lips press together and slide to the side. “I do.”
He rubs my arms, and his eyes have a tint of marvel as he surveys my body. “I promise. I’ll be fast, and tomorrow, we’ll sign off on being married… again.” He smiles wryly.
“You had to remind us of the again part, didn’t you,” I tease.
Carter lifts a shoulder before he steps back. “Meh.”
After we both finish getting dressed, we head downstairs where Carter fills his to-go coffee mug, and I make chai tea.
“Not stopping at Foxy Rox for your free coffee and muffin? You have them wrapped around your finger, while us peasants are forced to pay full price plus tax.” I shake my head in good humor.
He tightens the lid on his cup. “Wish I could, but I think I saw on my morning scroll of the socials that they closed today due to the storm.”
I gawk at Carter. “See? All the more reason that you shouldn’t be on the road. I swear, I’ve always had a twinge of fear every time you’ve ever put on that uniform, although it is kind of hot. Something could happen to you from a crime, even if we live in Everhope. But this snowstorm? Yeah, something doesn’t feel right about this.”
“Have you been reading your tarot cards again?” He looks at me oddly and is still trying not to laugh.
“No! I don’t read tarot cards.” I’m offended, and I roll a shoulder back. “It was this week’s horoscope. We’re in the month of Aquarius,” I correct him.
He rolls his eyes at me. “Really. I’ll be back. Take a nap or double-check the baby clothes for the thousandth time. Maybe cook a nice meal that we can enjoy together before we have nights of baby crying.”
I lift my spoon from my tea and throw it across the kitchen, and it lands in the sink. Least I didn’t accidentally hit Carter. “Nice. I made it.”
“Look at us, already living our domesticated life as husband and wife.” The way Carter approaches me as a man hunting for his prey is causing my body to heat again. “That’s what happens when your mommy makes wise decisions,” he says to the baby.
“Daddy forgot that the wisest decision was forgetting to use a condom because now we are having you, and we love you already,” I coo to my stomach.
Carter chuckles again and quickly kisses my lips. “Rest.”
I shoo him away. “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
* * *
Slowly wakingup from my nap on the couch, I adjust to the feeling of a cramp around my waist. I wince as I begin to sit up on my arms, and the throw blanket slips down to my waist. A deep exhale and the feeling subsides.
My eyes roam the living room and fully adjust to my surroundings. I sit up and saunter my way to the window where the snow is still falling, heavier even. Rubbing my eyes, I search for my phone and notice it on the coffee table. One glance and I see that it’s almost three.
Carter said a few hours. I guess a few hours could range from one to six. Is that a few?
Feeling awake and energized, I push the thought of the cramp to the side. That is until five minutes later and another one hits. It’s bearable, nothing difficult, maybe even easy peasy. It passes and is forgotten.
But okay, this isn’t a good sign.
I grimace because I’m not sure if this is funny or scary.
