I chuckle.“It’s a game.”I wave a hand between us.“It’s not important.I’ll show you sometime.I just mean that I’m going to try to anticipate the things you’ll want me to do, but sometimes I’ll be floundering and guessing.”
She takes my hand on her own accord when she reaches me.“You’re the nicest man I’ve ever met.You’ve already done more for me than every man I’ve encountered in my entire life combined.Whatever whack-a-mole is, you’re winning.”
I grin broadly.I like to know I’m pleasing her.It feels important to me.Holding her hand, I help her onto the step and then the bed, but she can’t even see the stool over her stomach, so I’m not sure it’s safe or reliable.
She curls up on her side, like she did earlier, and I tuck a pillow between her legs and an extra one under her head.“Are you comfortable?”
She giggles.The sound is so refreshing.“No.I don’t think I’ll ever be again, but I’m one hundred times more comfortable than I was up until today.”
“That’s good.It’s all I can hope for.”I tuck the covers around her and bend to kiss her temple.“I’ll leave the door ajar again.Please call out when you need to get up so I can help you and make sure you don’t fall.I don’t really like the stool.You can’t see it over your belly.”
Hannah takes my hand and brings it to her face.“I’m in your bed.”
“I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“It’s not nearly as long as your body.”
I shrug.“I’ll be fine, sunshine.”
She grips my fingers tighter and stares at me before shaking her head.“You should sleep in here.The bed is big.I may be a whale, but I don’t think I’m taking up too much space.”
“You are not a whale.”
“Although I’ll warn you, I get up about ten times in the night to pee.My bladder is squished.You’d be exhausted if you had to get up every time I do.I won’t wake you up.”
I sit on the edge of the mattress next to her.“Hannah, it’s no bother.I’m worried about you.You’re very unsteady on your feet.I don’t know how you walked this far, but your body can barely support itself.You’re worn out.Let me help.I don’t want you to fall.”
She looks over her shoulder.“I’ll be fine, but please don’t let me kick you out of your bed.”
“Okay.”I only agree because, honestly, I can’t stand the idea of being in the other room.I’d rather be close to her in case she needs me.She could go into labor, and knowing Hannah, she’d lie in here silently taking the pain because she wouldn’t want to disturb me.
I head for the bathroom and return five minutes later, having changed into sweatpants.
Hannah’s breath hitches, and she rises onto one elbow.
“What?”
Her gaze roams up and down my body.“You’re so…”
I didn’t think much of it when I removed my shirt, but maybe I should have left it on.I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable.“I can put a T-shirt on, if you want.”
“God, no.”She giggles and covers her mouth.“I was just startled, that’s all.There have only been a few times I’ve seen a man without a shirt on, but none of them looked as, uh, buff as you.”
“Thank you?”I chuckle.I’m glad she finds me attractive.That’s a good sign.She can’t take her eyes off me.It’s mutual.I like staring at her, too.Even in her current very pregnant state, she’s stunning.Perhaps more so.Her face is glowing now that she’s had some rest, food, and a bath.I bet she’ll look even better tomorrow.She needs some color.That will come from getting enough to eat and drink.
I turn off all but the nightlight and round to the other side of the bed.
“I’m in your spot, though, aren’t I?”she asks, rolling onto her back to follow me with her gaze.
I’m glad I had the nightlight in the house.It’s proving to be a necessity.It’s bright enough for her to see me okay and easily find the bathroom in the night.
I pull the covers back and climb onto the bed.“Honey, I don’t care where I sleep as long as you let me be close enough to hear you breathe and know when you’re moving around.”
When I prop up on one elbow and lean my head against my palm, she turns her head all the way in my direction.Two feet separate us.It seems like a mile, but I’ll take it.
“Why are you being so nice to me?”she whispers.She might even be talking to herself.I’m not sure she realizes she spoke out loud.
“Sunshine, I’m being a decent human being.You’ve been short-changed on that for most of your life.I know your mom was a good woman, and I’m so sorry she passed.I was saddened when I heard about her death.But you have really had shitty men in your life.I’m not like that.Not all men are assholes.I’ll prove it to you.”
