“I can’t believe we’re going to have a little girl running around. She’s going to be so beautiful.” She touches her hand to my cheek. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Congrats, son.” My dad claps me on the back.
“I get first dibs on babysitting,” Alexis tells me.
I laugh and nod, hugging her. “Sure thing.”
Once hugs and congratulations are passed around, everyone leaves since it’s getting late. I’m happy to finally be left alone with my girls, all three of them.
“I’ll clean this up,” I tell Thea, motioning to the mess of food and confetti. I can tell from looking at her that she’s tired. “Why don’t you go take a bath or something?”
She grins. “Are you telling me that I stink?”
“No, I’m saying it’s been a long day and you need to relax.”
She laughs and brushes some confetti from the counter onto the floor. “You’re too good to me.”
“Go,” I urge her to the stairs. “Seriously, I can handle this.”
“Thank you.” She stands on her tiptoes and wraps her arms around my neck, kissing me. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I whisper back, brushing my nose against hers. I drop to my knees and kiss her stomach too. “And I love this little girl too.”
I smile up at Thea, amazed at how much our lives have changed, but how at the same time I wouldn’t change a minute of it.
Chaotic madness, that’s us.
We can’t do anything simple, and that’s okay.
Thea
20 Weeks Pregnant
Baby is the size of a small artichoke
Finally, after weeks of plans falling through, we’re finally on our way to have dinner at Rae and Cade’s apartment.
Xander holds my hand as he drives, and the baby does flips in my stomach. At least, it feels like that’s what she’s doing. Maybe she’s going to be a gymnast.
Xander glances over at me and smiles.
“What?” I ask, looking back at him.
His smile grows. “I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have such a gorgeous, funny, amazing wife.”
I snort. “You’re not getting laid tonight.”
He laughs. “Telling you you’re beautiful has nothing to do with wanting to get laid, sweetheart. I’m just being honest.”
“Well, in that case, lay on the compliments.”
He shakes his head. “I love that I never know what’s going to come out of your mouth.”
“I can’t have you getting bored,” I joke.
We arrive at Rae and Cade’s apartment and Xander parks the truck on the street.
I hop out and he comes around so we can head inside the building together.
Rae and Cade’s apartment is a couple blocks from Jace and Nova’s, so they live close enough to hang out regularly if they want, unlike Xander and me who live way out in the suburbs. At first I wondered if we made the right decision, but with the baby coming I know getting a house was definitely the best decision.
The inside of the building is simple and contemporary—lots of whites and low couches.
Xander takes my hand and leads me to the elevator. We step inside and he pushes the button for their level.
“I wouldn’t like this,” I mumble. “It’s like living in a hotel.”
He sighs, looking around at the shiny silver interior of the elevator. “Yeah, I don’t like it either. I like having a home.”
The doors slide open and we step out into the hall.
Xander leads me down it and we stop outside 403.
He knocks on the door and a moment later Cade swings it open. He holds a beer and he waves it around.
“Come in, welcome to our home.”
We step inside and immediately to our right is a small galley kitchen. It has a gray cabinets and shiny white counters. An island extends into the living room with two stools. There’s a small couch, one chair, a TV, and not much else.
There’s a hall leading to a bathroom and their bedroom, and that’s it.
“It’s … cute,” I say, trying to interject some excitement into my voice.
Rae comes out of the bedroom, gathering her hair over one shoulder. “Oh, good, you guys are here. Nova just called and said they’d be here soon. Dinner’s ready, so once they get here we can eat.”
I want to ask where we’re going to eat since there’s not even a table, but I bite my tongue.
“The place is nice,” I say instead.
I get it, while this is the way I’d want to live, it’s what they wanted, so they must love it.
“Thanks.” Rae smiles at Cade, and sometimes I wonder how my idiot of a brother managed to bag such an amazing girl. “We love it. It’s small, but cozy.”
Rae hugs me before she passes, heading into the kitchen. There’s a big open window between the kitchen and living space, so we can all still see each other.
“Do you want anything to drink?” she asks, pulling a salad from the refrigerator.
“Water, please.”
“I’m fine.” Xander waves his hand in thanks and then sits down on the couch with Cade. There’s a college football game playing in the background.
I pull out one of the stools and sit down so I can face Rae in the kitchen.
She busies herself making me a glass of water.
She scoops some ice into the glass and then uses the filtered water from the refrigerator.
“Do you have any lemons?” I ask jokingly, but I’m kind of serious.
She shakes her head. “Sorry. I should’ve thought and picked some up for you.”
I shrug. “It’s okay. I probably shouldn’t have as many as I do,” I admit. “I don’t know why I’m craving them so bad.”
She slides the glass across the counter to me. I take it and gulp down half in only a few seconds. I’m finding that while I’m pregnant, I’m always thirsty, which means I’m always peeing. It’s quite the conundrum.
Rae stirs the salad in the bowl and then starts divvying it out onto six plates.
“How are you feeling?” she asks.
“Much better now—sometimes I still get nauseous, but it’s not as bad as it was in the beginning so I’ll take it. Still want to marry my idiot brother?” I ask her, leaning over and grabbing one of the small tomatoes and popping it in my mouth.
“I heard that,” Cade mutters. “Little sisters are so annoying,” he mumbles to Xander.
“I wouldn’t know,” Xander says back. “My sister is older.”
Rae laughs and finishes dividing the salad. “Yes, I still want to marry him. I kind of like him.” She winks.
“Kind of like?” Cade calls.
“I kind of love him,” she amends. “Even when he’s annoying.”
There’s a knock on the door and Rae jumps. “Ah, good, they’re here.”
She hurries to the door and lets Jace and Nova in. The apartment begins to feel extremely crowded now that there are six of us. Nova and Rae hug and Jace saunters past.
“What the fuck? Where am I supposed to sit?” he asks, looking around.
“The chair,” I point out in a dull, unhelpful tone.
“That chair is made for a child. I think I’d get stuck.”
I tilt my head, looking at the chair, and realize he’s right. It is pretty small and he’s a tall guy.
I pat the empty stool beside me. “I guess you’re sitting with me, hot stuff.”
Jace glances at Nova for help. “Nova, she frightens me.”
She pats his chest and gives him a pouty look. “Don’t be a baby.”
He makes a face and finally sits down on the stool beside me. Nova stands in the space between his legs, practically on his lap.
“Hey.” She smiles at me, her dark hair curling halfway down her back.
Sometimes, I miss all the different colors she’d dye her hair, but brown really does suit her, which I guess it should since that’s her natural color.
>
“What have you guys been doing today?” I ask, trying to make conversation.
Jace smirks, burying his face in the crook of her neck. “Having lots and lots of fun.”
I snort and reach for another tomato. “I know all about that. That’s why I’m currently in the predicament I’m in.” I point to my round stomach. “Just say no, kids. And wrap it before you tap it.”
Jace laughs and leans forward, biting his teeth slightly into Nova’s shoulder.
“Are you guys ready to eat?” Rae asks. “We can start with the salad and then I made breaded chicken breasts, broccoli, and mashed potatoes.”
“Sounds good. I’m starving,” Jace says.
“You’re always hungry,” Nova interjects.
“I’m a growing boy.” Jace smacks his flat stomach.
Rae passes out the salad and since there’s no actual table we all just stay where we are. Rae ends up eating her food standing up in the kitchen. I feel bad, and would normally offer to trade places with her, but I’m pregnant, and my pregnant ass needs to sit.
The salad is delicious but it barely does anything to satisfy my hunger.
I need real food, not bird food.
I’m growing a human, after all.
We finish our salads and Rae clears away our plates, sticking them in the sink, before dishing out the rest of the food.
When my plate is in front of me, I dig into the chicken.
“Mmm,” I hum. “This is delicious, Rae.”
“Actually, Cade made the chicken,” she informs me, and Cade does a little bow.
“On second thought,” I mutter, “it’s disgusting and I don’t want to eat it.”
“Hey,” Cade cries, “no take backs.”
“I’m allowed to do whatever I want,” I tell him, sticking out my tongue. “And I say it’s gross.”
He sighs. “Sisters,” he mutters, eating his own food on the couch beside Xander.
Xander laughs and looks over at me, shaking his head. He doesn’t even bother telling me to be nice to my brother; he knows it’s pointless.
Cade and I might be adults now, but we’re never ever going to grow out of making fun of each other. It’s too entertaining.
Maybe that’s how you know when you’ve surrounded yourself with the best kind of people—when you can make fun of each other, but at the end of the day you know you’d all drop anything to help the other.
Those people are the real deal.
They’re the friends you have forever.
Thea
24 Weeks Pregnant
Baby is the size of an ear of corn
I haven’t seen Xander in three weeks.
That’s basically a lifetime.
Or close to it.
It feels that way, anyway.
He had several away games, so he and the team have been gone. I’ve occupied my time by working a couple days a week and helping Rae and Cade with their wedding planning. It’s helped the days go by faster, but it’s still sucked.
Let’s just say, I’ve done a lot of shopping.
What can I say, it’s my form of therapy.
It doesn’t help that Halloween is in just a couple of days and it’s my favorite holiday—so I had to buy stuff to decorate the house inside and out.
I might’ve gone overboard, but I can’t help myself.
Cade and Jace helped me with the outside decorations since Xander isn’t here.
Jace bitched the whole time. I’m pretty sure bitching is what he’s best at in life.
Xander should be home any minute and I’m ecstatic to see him.
Prue whines and I reach down to pet her. “He’ll be home soon,” I tell her.
She looks up at me with her tongue hanging out of her mouth.
I head to the front of the house, looking out the window, waiting for his truck to come up the driveway.
Prue presses her nose against the front window, looking out too.
The baby kicks and I smile, pressing my hands to my stomach. She knows her daddy’s close too.
I see his truck approach and the gates swing open.
I run from the front door to the garage door and swing it open, pushing the button to raise the main door.
Prue stays back until she sees the truck.
Xander ends up putting the truck in park so he doesn’t hit her and hops out.
Prue jumps up and down, barking, ecstatic to see him.
“Hey, girl.” He bends down to greet her and she licks his face. He looks over at me, leaning in the doorway and his smile makes my stomach flip-flop. “How are my other two girls?” he asks.
I press my hand to my stomach. I’m more than halfway through my pregnancy now, and huge. I really got big while he was gone, at least it feels that way.
“We’re good.”
He grabs his bag and heads inside.
He bends and kisses me when he reaches me and then I wrap my arms around his chest, hugging him and inhaling his familiar scent. I missed him. So much.
“Do you ever feel like there’s something between us?” he jokingly asks, looking down at my large stomach between us.
I roll my eyes and snort. “Yeah, your giant Viking baby.”
He grins at me. “Our daughter’s not a Viking.”
“She’s your kid. She’s going to be a giant.”
“Nothing wrong with that. She’ll be able to reach her dreams easily then,” he jokes and winks.
“That was so bad,” I snort. “She’s not even born yet and you’re already starting with the bad dad jokes.”
He shrugs and closes the garage door, locking it behind him.
He carries his bag over to the bench in the mudroom and places it there, then turns back to me.
He places his hands on my waist and pulls me into him—well, as much as he can, since my stomach gets in the way.
He lowers his head, brushing his lips softly over mine again. “I really missed you.”
My heart soars. “I missed you too.” I lift onto my tiptoes and kiss him more fully, my fingers fisted into the fabric of his shirt. A soft moan escapes my lips.
I’ve missed him so, so, so much.
He cups my butt and lifts me up so I can wrap my legs around his waist.
“I’m too heavy,” I protest.
“Shut up.” He grins, carrying me out of the mudroom and through the house. “Even pregnant you’re barely as heavy as a flea.”
He carries me up the stairs and to our room, laying me gently on the bed.
His dark eyes flash with the promise of all the naughty things, and I’m all over that because it’s been weeks.
He hooks his fingers into the back of his shirt and pulls it over his head, mussing his hair.
I sit up and start to pull my shirt off but he grabs my hands and shakes his head.
“No, let me.”
I let him remove all of my clothes, and he takes his time, kissing each piece of skin he exposes.
I shiver, my need for him so strong I feel like I’m going to explode out of my skin.
When our bodies finally join I gasp, my toes curling and my eyes rolling into the back of my head.
Bliss.
“You know, we have to leave the bed eventually.” Xander trails his fingers softly down my bare arm, and I shiver, curling into his chest.
“Five more minutes.” I kiss his chest, determined to not leave the bed for the rest of the day.
He clears his throat. “You remember Jensen, right?”
I roll my eyes. “Xander, I’m a football-obsessed freak. I know everybody on your team. He’s the halfback.”
He chuckles, and my whole body shakes with it. “Anyway, I asked him a while back if I could borrow his kids for a day so we could babysit and he said yes. He and his wife want to go out tonight, so I said it was okay for him to bring the kids over.”
I sit straight up, the sheets pooling at my waist. “How many kids do they have?” I ask, worried.
I don’t really hang
out with the other wives, so I don’t know much about any of them or their kids, or anything like that. I had college and my own life, so I really only ever interacted with some of the guys on the team, and even that’s rare. Xander likes all the guys on the team, but he prefers to keep that life separate from his so-called regular life.
He’s weird like that.
“Uh … three I think.”
My jaw drops, horrified. “We’re going to die.”
“It’s going to be fine.”
Xander’s always been the go with the flow one, while I like a plan and structure. The idea of having three kids dropped on us this evening is horrifying to me, while he’s so whatever about it.
“How old are they?” I ask, slipping from the bed so I can get dressed.
“One’s a baby, then they have a little boy that’s two, and a girl that’s four.”
“Oh, my God. We’re going to die,” I say again, because there’s seriously no way we can survive this.
“Don’t be dramatic.”
I narrow my eyes on him. “Don’t you dare call me dramatic, Xander Kincaid. That’s three kids under four and I don’t even know how to change a diaper.”
“We’ll be fine. They’re kids. They can’t be that difficult.”
I snort. “We’ll see.”
Xander gets dressed too and then we start downstairs. I stop him on the stairs with a sheepish smile, thinking I should warn him.
“Don’t be mad,” I plead, giving him my best angelic look.
He tilts his head. “What did you do?”
I bat my eyes. “Nothing bad, I promise. But … you know Halloween is my favorite holiday, and I wanted to decorate—”
“What did you do?” he interrupts again.
“I might have gone a teensy bit overboard.” My voice spikes on the word and I hold up my fingers the tiniest bit apart.
He shakes his head and mutters, “This is going to be bad.”
“Just remember, you volunteered me to babysit and didn’t ask me, so this kind of makes us even.”
He narrows his dark eyes, a wrinkle forming in his brows. “That’s two totally different things.”
I wave away his words. “Tomato, tomahto.”
When Constellations Form (Light in the Dark Book 4) Page 19