Chapter 42
Val
God, I feel like crap.
Every muscle in my body aches. There must be a hell of a flu going around.
Sawyer turns over in his sleep, threading his arm around me.
Fuck. The pressure makes me nauseated.
A cold sweat films my torso as I try to wiggle gently out from under him.
I just need to sit up for a few minutes.
What time is it? There’s barely any light filtering in through the windows, so it must be early.
Ugh. That’s going to make today very, very long.
Wait, it’s Sunday.
Thank goodness.
Digging out my robe, I move into the small kitchen and start to put the kettle on.
No, it makes too much noise. Sawyer needs his rest.
Tiptoeing downstairs, I can use the coffee maker to heat up some water.
Cruising through all of the tea packets, none of them look appealing.
What was that Char said? Ginger helps with bellies?
I might add a little mint, too.
And a healthy portion of honey to sweeten it.
Climbing the stairs, my hips ache by the time I get to the top.
Screw this. I grab a thick blanket and my phone, then curl up on the couch and sip on my hot drink.
“Whatcha got?” he murmurs, still face down in the pillows.
“A bug,” I grumble.
Taking another small swallow seems to settle my rolling stomach.
He pushes up and blinks at me, squinting against the growing morning light. “You’re not feeling good?” His feet sling out from under the covers and he props his elbows on his knees while he rubs his face. “Can I get you anything?”
I love how his hair sticks up in wild angles. “No, little boy. Go back to sleep. I’m fine.”
“I can’t do that knowing you’re under the weather.” He gives me a sideways smile, then stands in all of his naked glory.
With a firm cock jutting from his flat belly, he wanders across the small living room to press his lips to my forehead. “No fever.”
“I might be contagious.” I look up at him.
“Then we die together.” He shrugs. “I think we have the same cooties.”
I’m so tempted to reach out and grab that handle.
But also too yucky feeling to do anything about it.
“You’re a tease, waving that beautiful thing around.” I give in, swiping one finger over his engorged head.
“It’s here if you want it,” he chuckles, moving towards the tiny kitchen. “Would some crackers help?” he asks from behind the cupboards.
“No thanks. I’m good with the tea.” I raise my cup and take an inhale.
Suddenly drowning in the overwhelming smell of mint.
And it’s disgusting.
Revolting.
To the point where my gut begins to spasm and I’m running to the bathroom.
I barely make it to the toilet before the minty nightmare gushes out of me.
Fuck, I hate puking.
The cold chill follows.
“Is there anything I can do?” He hovers behind me.
Still naked, but at least his dick is starting to behave.
“Sawyer—” I take a sharp breath, then lose the last remaining liquid in my belly. “—I think you already did.”
He shifts from foot to foot. “I don’t get it. I’m not sick. Did you eat something I made last night?” His concern bleeds into his voice.
I drop my forehead to rest on my wrist. “Little boy, I love you so much, but this isn’t food poisoning. Go to the store and buy me a pregnancy test, please?”
“Oh.” Then he stumbles backwards. “Oh.”
I catch a glimpse of him tugging on his jeans.
Then his t-shirt goes on inside out with the tag waving under his chin.
As he rushes down the stairs, I hear him yell something about how much he loves me before the entire building shudders from him slamming the door.
I’d laugh harder if I didn’t feel like crap.
No more mint for me.
By the time he gets back, I’m curled up in bed. Weak, but no longer vomiting.
“I got like four different brands.” He drops a grocery bag at the foot of the mattress. “And I found some of these ginger things—” Grabbing a box out, he flips it into the air to land next to him. “—and I got some prenatal vitamins? It said on the display they were important. I mean, just in case.”
“Come here.” I hold out my arms. I just need him.
His coat falls where he stands before he climbs in next to me.
“Sawyer, relax.” I kiss his temple gently. “It might just actually be the flu. But if it is something more, I need you to not freak out on me.”
He takes a long, deep breath, then releases it to melt against me. “I’m excited. And terrified.”
“Me too. And that’s what’s going to make you an amazing daddy.” I run my fingers through his dark hair.
I can’t believe how much has changed in the last few months.
It’s been a whirlwind, but the best ride of my life.
“I guess it’s a good thing the house gets started next week?” he mumbles against me. “It might be done in time.” He raises his head. “How far along do you think you’d be?”
“Um.” I count backwards. “Maybe six weeks? We were in the shower for half our honeymoon.”
His grin spreads wide. “Oh yea. That was fun.” Then he blinks those killer blue eyes at me. “I bet it was the pizza cutter night.”
I laugh so hard my stomach protests. “Wouldn’t that be crazy?”
Pushing myself up, I snag one of the tests and head for the bathroom.
He gets up to follow.
“No, I can go just fine.” I hold up a finger and smile. “Stay.”
“You’re killing me,” he groans.
“Only in the best way,” I say from behind the door.
When I’m done, I set it on a wad of clean toilet paper on the counter, then step out. “Okay, you can come and stare at my pee now.”
He moves behind me, wrapping his arms over my lower belly. “What do we do if it’s positive?” His chin rests on my head as we both wait nervously.
“Scream and cry a little. Think of names?” I shift so I’m facing him to press my lips against his racing pulse.
“Got it. You scream, I cry.” His chest shakes with his low chuckle. “Or maybe I join you in puking?”
“You’ll be fine.” I lean back to run my thumb over his chin. “I might need to start calling you big boy if we have a little one, though.”
His mouth purses. “I’m okay with that.” Then he glances past me. “Is it time?”
I nod, then grab his wrist to lead him in.
We both bend to inspect the white plastic rod.
“There’s two lines,” he exhales. “Holy fuck.”
“Congratulations, daddy,” I say as the first tears start to stream down my face.
“What’s wrong?” Mom asks as soon as she opens the door.
I’ve only seen her once since we invited her to the courthouse for our tiny wedding almost two months ago.
“Chill, Mom.” I glance at Sawyer. “We just wanted to check if you needed anything from town.”
“Oh, no, I’m fine, honey. Thank you. But you can come in and have a cup of coffee with me?” She steps back and gestures us inside.
“I’m so happy you stopped by. How are the house plans going?” She shuffles into the kitchen and pulls the decanter to start filling it in the sink.
“Really good. I’ll be heading over there in the morning when they break ground.” Sawyer sits on the couch next to me, his arm firmly on my thigh.
He’s been like glue since we got the positive results.
Even more so once the blood test at the clinic confirmed it.
“That’s part of the reason we stopped by.” I pull out the folded diagram from my purse and flatten it on the table.
“Oh, is that it?” She limps over with two steaming cups and sets them gingerly down next to the schematic.
“Yea. This part right here?” I circle a separated area that is offset from the main house. “I wanted to know if you’d be interested in us turning that into a mother-in-law house?”
I’m still a little in shock that Sawyer’s dad approved the idea.
“You’re very sweet. But I don’t know. This place is almost paid off.” She sits slowly into her recliner.
“Mom, you and I both know you have a hard time getting around since you broke your hip. Why not be closer where we can be there if you need help?” I grip Sawyer’s knee to try and keep the frustration out of my voice.
“Pssh.” She bats her hand towards me. “I don’t want to be a burden.”
“You’d be closer to your grandchildren,” he says quietly.
Her tentative smile flickers, then fades. “One day, I’ll be blessed to have them.”
“In about seven months, Mom.” I lean back into Sawyer’s shoulder to watch her.
Her eyes widen, then her fingers cover her mouth as tears rush to spill. “Really?”
“Really.” I get up to hug her.
She clings to my arms. “I love you both so much.”
When I look to Sawyer, his smile shines with raw adoration.
It was only after I let down my guard that true happiness found its way into my life, in the bright blue eyes of my brother’s best friend.
My husband.